Airxcel SW4DEA, Operating, Installation And Service Manual

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To prevent a water leak when replacing the anode rod, a pipe thread sealant
approved for potable water (such as Teflon Tape) must be applied to the threads
of the anode rod. Proper application of a thread sealant will not interfere with the
anode’s tank protection.
Anode Dimensions: Length - 215mm, Diameter - 17mm.
NOTE : Tank is drained by removing anode rod (See “Drain and Storage”
instructions).
To extend anode life, drain water from tank whenever RV is not being used. Avoid
any extended time of non-use with water in tank.
Also, refer to the section on winterizing.
WARNING! Do not replace the anode rod with any non-Suburban accessory part, such as
an “add-on” electric heating element. Items such as these are not approved to be installed in
Suburban products. They could create an unsafe condition and will also void all warranties.
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
The temperature and pressure relief valve is designed to open if the temperature
of the water within the heater reaches 98.9 degrees Celsius, or if the water
pressure in the heater reaches 850 kPa. Recreational vehicle water systems are
closed systems and during the water heating cycle the pressure build-up in the
water system will reach 850 kPa. When this pressure is reached, the pressure
relief valve will open and water will drip from the valve. This dripping will continue
until the pressure is reduced to below 850 kPa. Once the pressure has dropped
below 850 kPa, the valve will close. This condition is normal and does not indicate
a defective relief valve.
WARNING!
Do not plug, cap or reduce the outlet pressure and temperature valve.
The pressure-relief device is to be operated regularly to remove lime deposits and
to verify that it is not blocked.
DANGER! Failure to operate the relief valve easing gear at least once
every six months may result in the water heater exploding. Continuous
leakage of water from the valve may indicate a problem with the water
heater.
WATER WEEPING OR DRIPPING
FROM PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
You may experience water weeping or dripping from your water heater’s Pressure
and Temperature (P & T) Relief Valve when your water heater is operating. Water
weeping or dripping from the P & T Valve does not always mean the P & T Valve
is defective. As water is heated, it expands. The water system in a recreational
vehicle is a closed system and does not allow for the expansion of heated water.
When the pressure of the water system exceeds the relieving point of the P & T
Valve, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. Suburban recommends that a
check valve not be installed directly at the inlet to the water heater tank. This will
increase weeping of the pressure relief valve.
One way to reduce the frequency of this occurrence is to maintain an air pocket
at the top of the water heater tank. This air pocket will form in the tank by design.
However, it will be reduced over time by the everyday use of your water heater.
To replenish this air pocket:
1. Turn off water heater.
2. Turn off cold water supply line.
3. Open a tap in the RV.
4. Pull out on the handle of the Pressure Relief (P & T) Valve and allow water to
flow from the valve until it stops.
5. Release handle on P & T Valve - it should snap closed.
6. Close tap and turn on cold water supply; as the tank fills, the air pocket will develop.
Repeat this procedure as often as needed to reduce the frequency of the weeping
of the P & T Valve. If the weeping persists after following this procedure, you may
elect to install an expansion or accumulator tank in the cold water line to relieve
the pressure caused by thermal expansion.
Suitable fittings are required to be installed in the pressure relief valve for piping
the water away. A hole for the discharge pipe must be drilled in the bottom of the
control housing and the piping passed through the hole. The hole through which
the piping passes must be sealed water tight.
The discharge pipe must not be reduced in size along its length. The length and
number of bends should be kept to a minimum and should be supported in a
manner to reduce the risk of crushing or blockage.
Please contact your local dealer for assistance.
DRAINING AND STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
If unit is to be stored during the winter months, the heater must be drained to
prevent damage in the case of freezing temperatures.
1. Turn off gas supply to the water heater.
2. Turn off pressure pump on the water system.
3. Open both hot and cold water taps.
4. Open the drain on the water heater. (Remove anode rod)
5. Follow RV manufacturer’s instructions for draining of the entire water system.
NOTE: Be certain to refill water heater with water before re-lighting the appliance.
ODOR FROM HOT WATER SYSTEM
Odor from the hot water system is not a service problem and many water supplies
contain sufficient amounts of sulphur to produce an odor. The odor is similar to
rotten eggs and is often referred to as “sulphur water”. It is not harmful - only
unpleasant to smell. Sulphur water can be caused by a chemical action or by
bacteria. The solution to eliminate is chlorination of the water system. Add about
17.75 cL of chlorinated common household liquid bleach to each 38 Liters in the
water tank. Then run the chlorinated water throughout the system, opening each
faucet one at a time until you smell the chlorine. Let the RV sit for a few days
and the chlorine should take care of the problem. Then you will need to take
care of the chlorine. Remove the chlorine by flushing the system with fresh water.
This may take several attempts. You may consider adding a filtering system that
removes chlorine and prevents sulphur water. If the sulphur or rotten egg smell
continues, flush the system once again as described above and replace anode
rod as necessary.
REMOVING WATER HEATER
1. Shut off gas supply and disconnect gas supply line from water heater.
2. Shut off water supply. Drain water from tank following instructions under
“Draining and Storage”.
3. Disconnect hot and cold water lines from water heater.
4. Remove screws or nails securing control housing to framed opening.
5. Slide heater out. To reinstall, follow instructions in manual under “Installation Instructions”.
WINTERIZING
If your water heater plumbing system is equipped with a bypass kit, use it to
close off the water heater, drain the water heater completely and leave the water
heater closed off (out of the system) in the bypass position particularly if you are
introducing antifreeze into the plumbing system. Antifreeze can be very corrosive
to the anode rod creating premature failure and heavy sediment in the tank. If the
plumbing system is not equipped with a bypass kit, and you intend to winterize by
adding antifreeze to the system, remove the anode rod (storing it for the winter)
and replace it with a 19mm drain plug.
HIGH ALTITUDE DERATION
Suburban’s water heaters are certified by nationally recognized testing
laboratories for operation without modifications at altitudes up to 4,500 feet.
Operation above this elevation may require derating by 4 percent for every 1,000
feet above sea level. As an example, at 8,000 feet, the water heater should be
derated approximately 32 percent.
If the unit is not properly derated, lack of sufficient oxygen for combustion
may produce improper burner operation. Pilot outage caused by burner lift-off
or sooting from a yellow burner may occur indicating the possibility of carbon
monoxide. You may also notice a lack of efficiency in heating the water because
of incomplete combustion of the burner at these higher altitudes.
Consult with the local gas company, your dealer, an RV service agency or
Suburban Manufacturing Company for proper derating of the unit. Change-out
of the orifice (derating) should be done by the dealer or an authorised service
agency.
NOTE : It is important that once the unit has returned to lower elevation (below
4,500 feet) this high altitude deration and pilot adjustments (if equipped) be
reversed for proper operation of the unit.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING!
If you do not follow these instructions exactly, a fire or explosion may result
causing property damage, personal injury or loss of life.
WARNING!
Before operating water heater, be sure tank is filled with water. See “Safety Warnings”.
A . This appliance does not have a pilot. It is equipped with an ignition device
which automatically lights the burner. Do not try to light the burner by hand.
B. BEFORE LIGHTING smell all around the appliance area for gas. Be sure to
smell next to the floor because some gas is heavier than air and will settle on
the floor.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS
• Do not try to light any appliance.
• Do not touch any electric switch.
• Do not use any phone in your building.
• Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas
supplier’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department.
C. This is an automatic gas valve, no adjustments are necessary. Do not attempt
to repair the gas valve. This may result in a fire or explosion.
D. Do not use this appliance if any part has been under water. Immediately call
an authorised service technician to inspect the appliance and to replace any
part of the control system and any gas control which has been under water.
E. Before operating water heater, check the location of the vent to make sure
it will not be blocked by the opening of any door on the trailer. If it can be
blocked, do not operate the water heater with the door open.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. STOP! Read the safety information provided.
2. Turn off all electric power to the appliance.
3. Turn “OFF” gas supply.
4. Wait five minutes for gas to clear the area. If you smell gas then STOP! Follow
instructions in item B of the safety information. If you don’t smell gas, go to next step.
5. Turn “ON” gas supply.
6. Turn on 12 volt electrical power to the appliance.
7. Turn switch to “ON” position. If the burner does not light, the system will
automatically attempt two more tries for ignition before lockout. See Figure 8A.
NOTE : Each ignition cycle will have a 15 second purge before spark cycle if
system is a three try system.
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