Kenmore 153.332418 Troubleshooting Guide, Start Up Conditions, Condensation Thermal Expansion

Troubleshooting Guide

Start Up Conditions

CONDENSATION THERMAL EXPANSION

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 leakingwhen 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 isproduced in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem- peratures are lower.

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

Moisture from 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 be 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.

SMOKE/ODOR

It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.

Water supply systems may, because of such events as high line pressure, frequent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer among 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 system to be dosed. As water is heated, it expands (ther-

mal expansion) and closed systems do not allow for the expan- sion of heated 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 temperature-pressure relief valve is not intended for the constant relief of thermal

expansion. This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected.

It is recommended that any devices installed which could create a dosed 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	JjTank Capacity	JDimensions				in_	Pipe Fitting
Number	In Gallons	_et_r			_n__			On	"Fank
153.331020	2	[	8inches		_12_in_:h_			y'_"Male
153.331050	5	/ 11 inches			14_inches		I	_"Male
Expansion Tank Sizing Chart
	Inlet*		Water	Heater		Capacity	(Gallons)
	IWater
Expansion	Pressure
	40jA
Tank
Capacity	50psi	2	[	2	[	2 [	5	,	5
Needed	60psi					7		L 5-
	70Fsi
	80psi	2		5		5	5		5

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

NOTE: Expansion tanks are pre-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.

22