Rheem AP10414-9 User Manual

Water Heaters

Electric

For Manufactured Housing (Mobile Home)

The purpose of this manual is twofold: one,
to provide the installer with the basic
directions and recommendations for the
proper installation and adjustment of the
water heater; and two, for the
owner–operator, to explain the features,
operation, safety precautions, maintenance
and troubleshooting of the water heater.
This manual also includes a parts list.

It is imperative that all persons who are
expected to install, operate or adjust this
water heater read the instructions carefully
so they may understand how to perform
these operations. If you do not understand
these instructions or any terms within it,
seek professional advice.

Any questions regarding the operation,
maintenance, service or warranty of this
water heater should be directed to the seller
from whom it was purchased. If additional
information is required, refer to the section
on “If you need service.”

Do not destroy this manual. Please read
carefully and keep in a safe place for
future reference.

Recognize this symbol as an
indication of Important Safety
Information!

California Proposition 65 Warning:

This product contains chemicals known
to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm.

Single and Double

Element Models

Side or Top

Water Connections

Residential 20–52 Gallon

Printed in USA

Use & Care Manual

With Installation Instructions for the Installer

AP10414-9 (11/03)

®

LISTED

786H

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!

Safety Information

Safety Precautions . . . . . . 3, 4

Installation Instructions

Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Water Connections . . . . . . . . 6

Electrical Connections . . . . . 9

Operating Instructions

Safety Controls. . . . . . . . . . 12

Water Temperature . . . . . . . 13

Care and Cleaning

Draining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Extended Shut-Down . . . . . 15

T r oubleshooting T ips

Before Y ou Call

For Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Customer Service

Replacement Parts List. . . . 17

If You Need Service . . . . . . 19

Wiring Diagram. . . . . . . . . 20

2

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain
your water heater properly. Just a little preventive care on your part
can save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your
water heater.

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the Before You
Call For Service section. If you review our chart of Troubleshooting
Tips first, you may not need to call for service at all.

READ THIS MANUAL

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

#
#

You can find them on a label on the appliance.

Staple sales slip orcancelled check here.

Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service under
the warranty.

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. There
are many important safety messages in this manual and on
your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

This is the safety alert symbol. Recognize this symbol
as an indication of Important Safety Information!
This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can
kill or hurt you and others.

All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and
either the word “DANGER”, “WARNING”, “CAUTION” or
“NOTICE”.

These words mean:

DANGER

An imminently hazardous situation
that will result in death or serious
injury.

WARNING

A potentially hazardous situation that
could result in death or serious injury
and/or damage to property.

CAUTION

A potentially hazardous situation that
may result in minor or moderate
injury.

Notice:

Attention is called to observe a
specified procedure or maintain
a specific condition.

READ THE SAFETY INFORMATION

!

!

!

!

Time/Temperature Relationship in Scalds

Temperature Time To Produce a Serious Burn

120°F More than 5 minutes
125°F 11/2

to 2 minutes
130°F About 30 seconds
135°F About 10 seconds
140°F Less than 5 seconds
145°F Less than 3 seconds
150°F About 11/

2 seconds

155°F About 1 second

Table courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute

The chart shown above may be used as a guide
in determining the proper water temperature for your
home.

NOTICE: Households with small children, disabled,
or elderly persons may require a 120°F or lower thermostat
setting to prevent contact with “HOT” water.

The temperature of the water in the heater is
regulated by the adjustable surface mounted
thermostat(s) located behind the jacket access
panel(s). Dual element heaters have two thermostats.
To comply with safety regulations the thermostat(s)
were set at 120°F before the water heater was
shipped from the factory.

The illustration at the left
shows the temperature
adjustment dial used for
setting the water
temperature.

Refer to the Operating
Instructions in this
manual for detailed
instructions in how to
adjust the thermostat(s).

DANGER:

Hotter water increases the potential for

Hot Water SCALDS

.

IMPOR TANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

3

Reset button

Thermostat

protective

cover

Thermostat
dial pointer

WARNING!

WATER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT

Safety and energy conservation are factors to be considered when selecting the water
temperature setting of water heater’s thermostat. Water temperatures above 125°F can cause
severe burns or death from scalding. Be sure to read and follow the warnings outlined on the
label pictured below. This label is also located on the water heater near the thermostat access
panel.

NOTICE: Mixing valves are available for reducing point
of use water temperature by mixing hot and cold water in
branch water lines. Contact a licensed plumber or the
local plumbing authority for further information.

!

DANGER

HOT

BURN

Water temperature over 125° F can
cause severe burns instantly or
death from scalds.

Children, disabled and elderly are
at highest risk of being scalded.

See instruction manual before
setting temperature at water
heater.

Feel water before bathing or
showering.

Temperature limiting valves are
available, see manual.

R

T

E

E

S

E

T

R

S

E

125°F

TURN OFF

POWER
BEFORE

SERVICING

90°F150°F

4

IMPOR TANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of
fire or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of
life.

Be sure to read and understand the entire Use and Care Manual before attempting to
install or operate this water heater. It may save you time and cost. Pay particular
attention to the Safety Instructions. Failure to follow these warnings could result in
serious bodily injury or death. Should you have problems understanding the instructions
in this manual, or have any questions, STOP, and get help from a qualified service
technician, or the local electric utility.

FOR INSTALLATIONS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

California Law requires that residential water heaters must be braced, anchored or
strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement due to earthquake motions. For
residential water heaters up to 52 gallon capacity, a brochure with generic earthquake
bracing instructions can be obtained from: Office of the State Architect, 400 P Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814 or you may call 916-324-5315 or ask a water heater dealer.

However, applicable local codes shall govern installation. For residential water heaters
of a capacity greater than 52 gallons, consult the local building jurisdiction for acceptable
bracing procedures.

READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION
CAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Have the installer show you the location of the circuit breaker and how to shut it off if
necessary. Turn off the circuit breaker if the water heater has been subjected to overheating,
fire, flood, physical damage or if the ECO fails to shut off.

● Read this manual entirely before installing

or operating the water heater.

● Use this appliance only for its intended

purpose as described in this Use and Care
Manual.

● Be sure your appliance is properly installed

in accordance with local codes and the
provided installation instructions.

● Do not attempt to repair or replace any part

of your water heater unless it is specifically
recommended in this manual. All other
servicing should be referred to a qualified
technician.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Installing the water heater.

The location chosen for the water heater must take into consideration the following:

Local Installation Regulations

The installation of this water heater must
be in accordance with the Manufactured
Home Construction and Safety Standard
(Title 24, CFR; Part 3280) and the
following instructions; and local codes
governing the installation of water heaters
in manufactured homes (mobile homes).

If additional wiring information is desired,
the latest edition of the National Electrical
Code is recommended. It is available from
some local libraries or can be purchased
from the National Fire Protection
Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
MA 02269 as booklet ANSI/NFPA 70.

Location

Locate the water heater in a clean dry area
as near as practical to the area of greatest
heated water demand. Long uninsulated hot
water lines can waste energy and water.

Place the water heater in such a manner
that the thermostat and element access
panels can be removed to permit
inspection and servicing such as removal
of elements or checking controls.

The water heater and water lines should be
protected from freezing temperatures. Do
not install the water heater in outdoor,
unprotected areas.

Make certain the floor underneath the
water heater is strong enough to
sufficiently support the weight of the
water heater once it is filled with water.

CAUTION: The water heater should not
be located in an area where leakage of the
tank or connections will result in damage to
the area adjacent to it or to lower floors of
the structure. Where such areas cannot be
avoided, it is recommended that a suitable
catch pan, adequately drained, be installed
under the water heater.

A—Diameter of water

heater plus 2″ min.

B—Maximum 2″

NOTICE: Auxiliary catch pan MUST conform to local codes.
Catch Pan Kits are available from the store where the waterheater

was purchased, or any water heater distributor.

B

A

To open drain, line
should be at least 3/4″ ID
and pitched for proper
drainage.

Inspect Shipment

Inspect the water heater for possible damage. Check the markings on the rating plate of
the water heater to be certain the power supply corresponds to the water heater
requirements.

5

CAUTION:

DO NOT subject
the water heater to any water
distribution system air pressure
test. The water heater should
either be isolated with valves at
the inlet and outlet water
connections or disconnected
during the test. Failure to properly

Isolate the water heater during an
air pressure test presents a hazard
to life and property. With a water

pressure test the waterheater
need not be isolated.

Installing the water heater.

6

Thermal Expansion

Water Supply Connections

NOTICE: Do not apply heat to
the HOT or COLD water
connections. If sweat
connections are used, sweat
tubing to adapter before fitting
adapter to the water
connections on heater. Any
heat applied to the water
supply fittings will
permanently damage the dip
tube and/or heat traps.

Refer to the illustrations on pages 8 and 9
for suggested typical installations. The
installation of unions or flexible copper
connectors is recommended on the hot and
cold water connections so that the water
heater may be easily disconnected for
servicing if necessary.

The HOT and COLD water connections
are clearly marked and are 3/4″ NPT on
all models. Install a shut-off valve in the
cold water line near the water heater.

CAUTION:

SIDE CONNECT MODELS
are equipped with a special Hot Outlet Tube
Assembly. Do not r otate the Hot Outlet Nipple
when making water connections. The nipple
MUST remain in a position with the indicating
mark facing up.

Determine if a check valve exists in the
inlet water line. It may have been

installed in the cold water line as a
separate back flow preventer, or it may be
part of a pressure reducing valve, water
meter or water softerner. A check valve
located in the cold water inlet line can
cause what is referred to as a “closed
water system”.A cold water inlet line
with no check valve or back flow
prevention device is referred to as an

“open water system”.

As water is heated, it expands in volume
and creates an increase in the pressure
within the water system. This action is
referred to as “thermal expansion”.
In an “open water system”, expanding
water which exceeds the capacity of the
water heater flows back into the city main
where the pressure is easily dissipated.

A “closed water system”, however,
prevents the expanding water from flowing
back into the main supply line, and the
result of “thermal expansion” can create a
rapid and dangerous pressure increase in

the water heater and system piping. This
rapid pressure increase can quickly reach
the safety setting of the relief valve,
causing it to operate during each heating
cycle. Thermal expansion, and the
resulting rapid and repeated expansion and
contraction of components in the water
heater and piping system can cause
premature failure of the relief valve, and
possibly the heater itself. Replacing the
relief valve will not correct the problem.

The suggested method of controlling
thermal expansion is to install an
expansion tank in the cold water line
between the water heater and the check
valve. The expansion tank is designed with
an air cushion built in that compresses as
the system pressure increases, thereby
relieving the over pressure condition and
eliminating the repeated operation of the
relief valve. Other methods of controlling
thermal expansion are also available.
Contact your installing contractor, water
supplier or plumbing inspector for addition
information regarding this subject.