Use and Care Manual

lp-83 Rev. 12.5.16
8
D. Water Chemistry Requirements
Chemical imbalance of the water supply may aect eciency
and cause severe damage to the appliance and associated
equipment. Water quality must be professionally analyzed to
determine whether it is necessary to treat the water. Various
solutions are available to adjust water quality. Adverse water
quality will aect the reliability of the system. In addition,
operating temperatures above 135
o
F will accelerate the build-
up of lime scale and possibly shorten appliance service life.
Failure of an appliance due to lime scale build-up, low pH, or
other chemical imbalance IS NOT covered by the warranty.
The water must be potable, free of corrosive chemicals, sand,
dirt, and other contaminates. It is up to the installer to ensure
the water does not contain corrosive chemicals or elements that
can damage the heat exchanger. Potable water is dened as
drinkable water supplied from utility or well water in compliance
with EPA secondary maximum contaminant levels (40 CFR Part
143.3). If the water contains contaminants higher than outlined
by the EPA, water treatment is recommended and additional,
more frequent maintenance may be required.
If you suspect that your water is contaminated in any way,
discontinue use of the appliance and contact an authorized
technician or licensed professional.
• Water pH between 6.5 and 8.5
• pH levels below 6.5 can cause an increase in the rate
of corrosion. pH of 8.5 or higher can potentially cause
lime scale build-up
• Maintain water pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Check with
litmus paper or have it chemically analyzed by a local
water treatment company.
• If the pH is not between 6.5 and 8.5, consult a local
water treatment company for solutions.
• Hardness less than 12 grains (200 mg/L) (Residential
Use - water temperatures below 140
o
F)
• Hardness less than 7 grains (120 mg/L) (Commercial
Use - water temperatures of 140
o
F and greater)
• Hardness levels above the required amounts can lead
to lime scale build-up throughout the system. Water
below 5 grains/gallon (85 mg/L) may be over softened.
• Consult local water treatment companies for unusually
hard water areas (above the required amounts) or
for other treatment solutions if water is being over
softened (below 5 grains/gallon [85 mg/L]).
• Chloride concentration less than 100 ppm (mg/L)
• Do not ll appliance or operate with water containing
chlorides in excess of 100 ppm (mg/L).
• Using chlorinated fresh water should be acceptable as
levels are typically less than 5 ppm (mg/L).
• Do not connect the appliance to directly heat swimming
pool or spa water.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) less than 500 ppm (mg/L)
• Total dissolved solids are minerals, salts, metals, and
charged particles that are dissolved in water.
• The greater the amounts of TDS present, the higher
the corrosion potential due to increased conductivity
in the water.
• If using softened water to ll the appliance, it is
still possible to have high TDS. This water can be
corrosive. Consult local water treatment companies
for other treatment solutions to reduce this aect.
*NOTE: To promote appliance service life, it is strongly
recommended to follow the maintenance procedures in
this manual.
Part 3 - Piping
A. Plumbing
It is mandatory that all plumbing be done in accordance with
federal, local, and state plumbing codes and practices. Failure
to properly install the water heater WILL VOID the warranty. It
is also necessary to use both thread tape and pipe dope on all
mechanical plumbing connections.
When lling the water heater, open a hot water tap to
release air in the tank and piping. Failure to do so could
lead to improper water heater operation and damage to
components.
B. Boiler Connections
Use two wrenches when tightening water piping at the
heater. Use one wrench to prevent the heater return or supply
line from turning. Failure to prevent piping connections from
turning could cause damage to water heater components.
Use a 1” nominal minimum pipe size when piping with zone
valves or circulators.
On the water heater, the boiler supply connects to the outlet
of the circulator. The circulator inlet is to be connected to the
hot outlet side of the boiler. Be sure that the arrow on the
circulator is facing the correct ow direction. (See pressure
drop sizing for circulator, this manual.) On the tank, the boiler
return connects to the return side of the boiler. The return(s)
from heating loop(s) should have a ow check or swing check
valve installed before the return pipe from the tank.
In a steam boiler, the tank supply must be connected to
the boiler well below the minimum water level. A strainer
and drain valve should be installed at the boiler for periodic
draining of scale and sludge. Banging and steam bound traps
will occur if the boiler water supplied to the heat exchanger
has steam or is slightly above the low water cut-o.
NOTE: It is possible to use live steam in the heat exchanger
of the SSU-80 and 119 residential and commercial models
ONLY. Using any other SSU model in live steam applications
will result in product failure and void the warranty.
C. Domestic Piping Inlet
Never use dielectric ttings or galvanized steel ttings on
any domestic water connections. Use only copper or brass
ttings. Failure to do so will result in premature water heater
failure. Such failure IS NOT covered by warranty.