PV500-17 05-2000
Section 17
3
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.
