MAXIM

MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS

1.Establish a preventive maintenance program to assure a longer water heater life.

2.The tank should be flushed at two- or three- month intervals depending on water conditions in your location. To flush, turn off electrical disconnect switch to prevent the burner from operating. Open the drain valve and allow water to flow through the tank until it runs clear. Close the drain valve and turn the electrical switch back on. Draining two or three gallons from the bottom of the tank on a weekly basis will also help prevent the accumulation of sediment. Water impurities consist of fine particles of soil or sand which will settle out and form a layer of sediment on the bottom of the tank.

3.A scale of lime will normally form during operation and will accumulate on the bottom of the tank. Lime is formed from the natural chemicals in the water which precipitate out during heating cycles. Some water supplies contain more of these chemicals than others and scale buildup will occur more rapidly. Other factors affecting scale buildup are the amount of hot water used and temperature of the water. The more hot water used, the

more fresh water containing scale-forming chemicals is brought into the tank. As the temperature of water increases, the rate of scale deposition will be increased.

4.The tank will have a handhole for inspection and cleaning. (See Figure 17-1, page 1.) To inspect tank for scale buildup, remove the handhole cover. If scale is present, it can be loosened with a high pressure stream of water. The smaller pieces can be flushed through the drain and the larger pieces removed by hand through the handhole. The frequency of inspections will be determined by the rate of scale buildup. Intervals of 30- 60 days is recommended.

5.If a firetube leaks for any reason, consult factory for instructions.

NOTE: Condensate coming from the tubes on a cold start is normal and does not indicate a leaking tube.

6.Regularly inspect the bottom tubesheet. Inspect the SCALEGUARD® tubesheet insulator for holes or areas that may have pulled away from tubesheet. Repair or replace as required.

CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING:

CAUTION: IMPROPER COMBUSTION MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. PVI recommends a seasonal or annual combustion check-out be performed by a qualified service agency to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Periodic Inspection of Operational Components

Periodic inspection and check-out of the burner ignition, control system, and fuel valve operation (for tight close-off) should be made. Refer to the burner installation instruction for recommendations.

1.Examine the venting system at least once each year for proper connections, alignment and corrosion. The blower inlet will collect dust from the air during operation. Disconnect the power to the heater and clean the blower wheel when necessary.

Inspect all parts and make replacements when necessary. Check wiring for loose connections and burned wires.

PV500-17 05-2000

3

Section 17