AquaStar 170 VP manual Setting The Water Temperature, Maintenance And Service

SETTING THE WATER TEMPERATURE

The AquaStar 170 water heater contains a flow restrictor set at 4 1/4 gpm. Its purpose is to assure that the hot water temperature will al- ways be within a comfortable range regardless of how high one may turn on the hot water fau- cet or how many faucets may be turned on. Your AquaStar model 170 also has an automatic ther- mostatic control with a manual temperature setting (Fig. 2 letter H p. 6). For energy effi- cient operation, we recommend operating this heater at the lowest temperature which you re- quire in your application. This will provide a more consistent temperature over a wider range of flow. Lower temperature settings help pre- vent temperature fluctuations that may occur when other water outlets are used simulta- neously or overall water pressure changes or excessive cold water has to be added. In hard water areas, reducing the water temperature greatly reduces the potential for mineral scale build-up in the heat exchanger.

What is the best temperature setting? Because AquaStar water heaters can deliver endless hot water at the exact temperature which you have selected, there is no need to set it for

very hot water and then mix in cold. It just doesn't make sense to overheat water then mix in a lot of cold water to cool it off. Remember you cannot run out of hot water with an AquaStar, so set the dial for the (exact) temperature that you need.

Note: 105ºF is the maximum recommended for a hot bath. The temperature you select will hold over a range of water flow rates. (See chart, Fig. 6, page 18). You may further vary the temperature by signficantly changing the flow rate, particularly at the highest tempera- ture settings.

Position "5" on the temperature dial is the pre- ferred starting point for setting the temperature control. This setting provides approximately 130ºF (See the flow rate chart, p 18).

Positions "2" and "3" provides approximately 105º-110ºF, adequate for a shower.

Positions "4" through "6" are intermediate set- tings between warm and very hot.

Position "8" allows for the hottest temperature of about 150ºF up to about 2.6 gallons per minute. WARNING:150º can cause third de- gree burn.

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE

Approximately once a year, the AquaStar should be checked, cleaned and serviced as neces- sary. The following operations must be per- formed by a qualified service person:

Vent System: Should be checked annually. Clean and repair as needed.

Water Valve (Part #34343): The water valve on this heater should be serviced periodically depending on hardness of water and conditions of use. This consists of replacing the Push Rod Assembly (part #38475), and the Dia- phragm (part # 33071).

Drainage: Drain the heater if there is any dan- ger of freezing. Shut off the water supply, open all hot water faucets, and disconnect the lowest AquaStar fittings and the connections to the wa- ter valve (Fig 2, (R), page 6). Loosen the 2 re- taining screws at the connection to the gas valve and rotate the water valve to empty all the water. The pressure-temperature relief valve operation should be checked. Perform a manual opera- tion of this valve at least once a year ensuring that a drain is nearby to receive any discharge (see section 4, page 9). Take precautions to avoid contact with hot water coming out of dis- charge opening as well as to prevent water dam- age. Do not plug the relief valve. If the relief

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