Kenmore 153.330552 Troubleshooting Guide, Start Up Conditions, Condensation, Thermal Expansion

Troubleshooting Guide

Start Up Conditions

CONDENSATION

Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain amount of condensation will form while the burner is on. A water heater may appear to be leaking when in fact the water is condensation. This usually happens when:

•When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time.

•When gas burns and water vapor is produced in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue ten> peratures are lower.

•When you use large amounts of hot water in a short time and the refill water is very cold.

Moisture front the products of combustion condense on the cooler tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a "sizzling" or "frying" noise.

Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water run- ning down the flue tube onto the main burner and putting out the pilot.

Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation water may be diagnosed as a "tank leak". After the water in the tank warms up (about 1-2 hours), the condition should disappear.

Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been enough time for the water in the tank to warm up.

An undersized water heater will cause more condensation. The

water heater must he sized properly to meet the family's

demands for hot water including dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads.

Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and

early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at their lowest.

Good venting is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water vapor.

AWARNING

HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:Water heatersare intendedto producehot water. Water heated to a temperature whichwill satisfyclotheswashing,dishwashing,and other sanitizingneeds canscaldand permanentlyinjureyouuponcontact.Somepeo- pleare more likelyto be permanentlyinjuredbyhot water than others.Theseincludethe elderly,children,the infirm,or physical- lylmeotally handicappedIf. anyoneusinghot water in your home fitsintooneoftbesegroupsor if there isa localcodeor statelaw requiring a certaintemperaturewaterat the hot watertap, then you musttake specialprecautionsIn. additionto usingthe lowest possibletemperaturesettingthat satisfiesyourhot water needs, a meanssuchas a mixingvalve,shouldbe usedat the hot water tapsusedby thesepeopleor at the water heater.Mixingvalves

are availableat plumbingsupplyor hardwarestores.Followman- ufacturers instructionsfor installation of the valves.Before

changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the "Temperature Regulation"sectionin this manual.

SMOKE/ODOR

It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and

odor during the inltia[ start-up. This is due to burning off ofoil from metal parts, and wilt disappear in a short while.

THERMAL EXPANSION

Water supply systems may, because of high line pressttre, fie-

quent cut-offs,the eft_cts of water hammer and others, have installed devices such as pressure reducing valves, check valves, back flow preventers, etc. to control these types of problems.

When these devices are not equipped with an internal by-pass, and no other measures are taken, the devices cause the water sys- tem to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thernta[ expan-

sion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of heat- ed water.

The water within the water heater tank expands as it is heated and increases the pressure of the water system. If the relieving point of the water heater's temperature-pressure relief valve is reached, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. The tempera-

ture_ressure relief valve is not intended for the constant relier of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected.

It is recommended that any devices insta ed wh ch could create a closed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an expan- sion tank to relieve the pressure built by thermal expansion in the water system. Expansion tanks are available for ordering through the Sears Service Center. Contact the local plumbing inspector, water supplier, and/or the Sears Service Center for assistance in controlling these situations.

Thermal	Expansion	Tank Specifications
Model	Tank Capacity	Dimensions in Inches			Pipe Fitting
Number	In Gallons	Diameter	Length		On Tank
153.331020	2	8 inches	'12_	inches	_" Male
153.331050	5	11 inches	' 14_	inches	_," Male

Expansion Tank Sizing Chart

Inlet*Water Heater Capacity (Gallons) Water

Expansion	Pressure	30	40	50	66	82
Tank	40psi	2	2	2	5	5
Capacity	50psi	2	2	' 2	5	5
Needed	60psl	2	2	5	5	5
	70psi	2	2	5	5	5
	80psi	2	5	5	5	5

*Highest recorded inlet water pressure in a 24 hour period or regulated water presstne.

NOTE: Expansion tanks are pro-charged with a 40 psi air charge. If the inlet water pressure is higher than 40 psi, the expansion tank's air pressure must be adjusted to match that pressure, but must not be higher than 80 psi.

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