TEST 8 - IGNITER HEATS – NO MAIN BURNER................................................................37
TEST 9 - IGNITER HEATS – NO MAIN BURNER................................................................38
TEST 10 - MAIN BURNER IGNITION FOR LESS THAN 5 SECONDS...............................39
TEST 11 - WATER HEATER SHUTTING OFF BELOW SETTIN
DISPLAY LIGHTS ON INTEGRATED HEATER CONTROL................................................41
GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ..........................................................................50
BTN, BTR 151/201 SERVICE HANDBOOK INTRODUCTION
This service handbook is a supplement to the BTN and BTR151/201 Installation and
Operation Manual. The handbook provides information on servicing and troubleshooting A.O.
Smith BTN/BTR151,201/ water heaters in the field. While this handbook is not intended to be
all inclusive, it contains:
G......................................40
• step-by-step procedures with illustrations to verify proper installation, operation,
and troubleshooting
• quick reference data to assist in servicing the product line
• answers to common questions encountered in the operation of the product line.
The handbook is intended to be used by licensed plumbing professionals. Reference should
be made to the installation manual accompanying the product. If you are experiencing a
problem not covered in this handbook, please contact the A.O. Smith Technical Information
Departmen
representative for further assistance. No duplication or reproduction of this book may be made
without the expressed written authorization of the A.O. Smith Water Products Company.
t at 1-800-527-1953 or your local A.O. Smith Water Products Company
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
QUALIFICATIONS
Installation or service of this water heater requires ability equivalent to that of a licensed
tradesman in the field involved. Plumbing, air supply, venting, gas supply and electrical testing
skills are required.
TOOLS REQUIRED
• Phillips head screwdriver
• standard screwdrivers
• 3/8 and 7/16 inch open end wrench
• set of marked drill bits
• electrical multimeter tester capable of measuring continuity, AC voltage and DC
voltage
• gas pressure gauge or manometer
• water pressure gauge
• thermometer
• 1/2 inch socket with extension for removal of the clean out cover
• 1-1/16 inch socket with extension for anode removal
Rev. 1 - Adds multi-flue models. BTN and are identical except for nitrous
oxide (NOx) emission bars over main burner ports on BTN models.
Rev. 2 - Corrected clearance table illustration errors and clarified troubleshooting
procedures.
Rev. 3 Adds BTR 151 & 201 models. Adds BTN Series 108 to parts list. BTI models
no longer in production.
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS - CLEARANCES
This portion of the handbook reviews some often overlooked installation considerations
clearances, air supply, gas pressure requirements, and venting—taking note of necessary
installation requirements for BTN and BTR151,201 . The installation manual covers most of
these items in detail.
A 24-inch clearance for all serviceable parts is recommended. Clearances may vary between
models. See instruction manual or the label on the heater for clearances applicable to your
specific model.
TOP AND FRONT VIEWS OF MINIMUM CLEARANCES TO COMBUSTIBLES
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
REQUIRED EXTERIOR CLEARANCES
The illustration below shows the required clearances for venting units using natural draft
venting.
The vent must extend at least 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through a roof of
a building and at least 2 feet higher than any portion of a building within a horizontal distance
of 10 feet (for vents of 12 inches in diameter or less).
References: NFPA 54 ANSI Z 223.1 may allow reduction to 8 feet with
a “listed vent cap.”
“
Copyright by the American Gas Association. Used by permission of the copyright holder”.
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
AIR SUPPLY
Stoichiometric or theoretical complete combustion requires 10 cubic feet of air per 1,000
BTUH of gas supplied. The National Fuel Gas code also recommends an additional 2.5 cubic
User-Defined Index
feet of “excess” air. For information on minimum make-up air opening sizes for various
building installations, refer to the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54, ANSI Z223.1, Sec. 5.3
10Cubic
10 Cubic
Feet
Feet
1,000
1,000
BTU
BTU
+
+
+
+
Com.Air
Com. Air
2.5Cubic
2.5 Cubic
Feet
Feet
Excess
Excess
Air
Air
INSUFFICIENT MAKEUP AIR ........ NEGATIVE AIR PRESSURE .....DOWNDRAFTS
One common example is in a
restaurantinstallationwhere
exhaust vent equipment was not
considered in sizing make-up
requirements. This condition may
result in air being back drafted by
the restaurant exhaust equipment
through the heater causing the draft
proving switch to open and/or
erratic heater shutdown.
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
MAKE-UP AIR – DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH OUTDOORS
A fresh supply of make-up air for combustion can be supplied to the heater through
make-up air ducts, which directly communicate with the outdoors.(Not Direct Vent)
1 SQUARE INCH PER
4,000 Btu FOR EACH
OPENING
Two openings are required: one within 12 inches of the top of the enclosure and one within 12
inches of the bottom of the enclosure. Each opening must have a free area of not less than 1 square
inch per 4,000 BTUH of the total input of all appliances within the enclosure. The lower opening
primarily provides combustion air. The upper opening provides vent dilution air and acts as a relie
opening for flue gases should the vent become obstructed or a downdraft condition occur.
Additionally, when the heater is installed in a confined space and communicating with the outdoor air,
one permanent opening, beginning with
permitted where the equipment has clearances of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the sides and back
and 6 inches (16 cm) from the front of the appliance. The opening must directly communicate with the
outdoors and must communicate through a vertical or horizontal duct to the outdoors or spaces (crawl
or attic) that freely communicate with the outdoors, and must have a minimum free area of a) 1
inch per 3,000 BTUH (7cm2 per kW) of the tot
t
not less
han the sum of the areas of all vent connectors in the confined space.
in 12 inches (30 cm) of the top of the enclosure, must be
square
al input of all equipment located in the enclosure and b)
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
CONTAMINATED AIR
Along with adequate make-up air, the quality of the air is important. Contaminants in
combustion air can lead to premature heater failure. Vapors from bleaches, soaps, waxes,
salts, etc. are drawn into the combustion chamber with the make-up air and, once fired, mix
with water vapor in the gases to form extremely corrosive hydrochloric or hydrofluoric acid
and other corrosive by-products.
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
GAS VALVE
The supply gas pressure is normally measured at the gas valve inlet gas pressure tap, if
available, when the gas is flowing. The manifold gas pressure is measured at the manifold
pressure tap of the gas valve when the gas is flowing. Gas valves used are 24 volt AC
combination-step opening gas valves. They incorporate the main valve and gas pressure
regulator into one body. The Low Gas Pressure Switch, the Supply Gas Inlet, and the Supply
INLET VIEW
The top view of the gas valve, shown on the
Gas Pressure Tap are shown in the Inlet View to the right.
right, shows the Main Gas Regulator, Manifold Pressure Tap, Top Knob, and the Limited
Bleed Vent Port. The main gas regulator is found under the silver cap (silver cap for Natural
Gas or black cap for Propane) screw. It is factory preset to 3.5 inches W.C. and
adjusts gas pressure output from 3.0 to 5 inches water column.
manifold pressure at the outlet when the gas is flowing.
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
GAS VALVE
The outlet view of the Gas Valve, shown on the right, shows the Manifold Gas Outlet
Connection, the two 24 volt Main Valve (MV) Solenoid connections, and the Manifold
Pressure Tap. The two yellow wires from the 12-pin plug on the Ignition Board attach to the
MV terminals.
BTN,BTR 151/201 TANK TYPE COMMERCIAL
GAS WATER HEATER SERVICE HANDBOOK
VENTING
All , BTN, and BTR water heaters are classified by ANSI as Category I (non-condensing,
negative pressure venting) appliances. They are approved for type B vent. The draft inducer
does not pressurize the exhaust.
VENTING – MULTIPLE CATEGORY I GAS WATER HEATERS
For larger applications BTN and
BTR151,201 water heaters can be
common vented together, either in a
tapered manifold or constant size
manifold.
Follow the National Fuel Gas Codes
requirements for sizing and
installation of fan-assisted products.
,BTN, and BTR 151/201 models may
be common vented only with other
Category I appliances.