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Troubleshoot gas water heater thermostat 
Gas line connection
Buy:
Flexible gas line
Keep ends of pipe connections clean when installing or repairing gas supply or water heater. Do let stray pieces of teflon tape get inside pipe... wrap tape one second thread from end and not at end. Install sediment trap and loop on flexible gas line to keep out moisture and debris. Use black pipe and yellow flexible gas line.
Do not use galvanized pipe or flakes of galvanized will chip off and get into gas control. Do not use copper pipe unless approved locally..
Back to 14 things for troubleshooting water heater
5) troubleshoot fuel supply to thermostat
Natural gas and propane gas are different. Water heaters are purchased by type of gas used. Propane requires greater ratio of incoming air supply than natural gas. Propane has higher ignition temperature and burns hotter. The gas control valves are different with different threads for each type of gas. The burner and internal parts are different.
Natural gas is lighter than air and rises. Propane is heavier than air and falls to low spot. Do not install propane appliances below ground level where gas leak can accumulate in basement.
Water heaters are rated by BTU, or the amount of gas they burn. Gas lines and gas meters are rated by BTU for the amount of gas they can supply.  Higher elevations consume more gas to achieve same BTU output. New appliance, or too many appliances can affect amount of gas. If overall consumption of BTU is greater than supply, then water heater will not function. Larger gas meter, or gas line may be needed. Look at labels on each appliance. Call gas supplier.
Do not use copper pipe or galvanized pipe. Use only black pipe or yellow-colored flexible gas line. Check local codes for approved pipe that is non-reactive to the type of gas being used. Dirt, debris, moisture, galvanized flakes etc from wrong pipe or dirty pipes will get into the gas control valve and cause it to malfunction.
yellow is international color code for gas line. Acceptable to reuse flex line when installing new appliance.

Buy:
Flexible gas line
Approved PTFE tape
Gas grills
Resources:
LP heaters have left-hand threads
Convert water heater to different gas
Water heater conversion risk information
Cautions for convert to different gas
Image of cast iron burner for propane water heater
Safety
Water heater safety precautions before starting
Water heater precautions/ pdf
Gas-water-heater-Safety-Precautions
Gas valve safety
Thermal expansion
Insulation blanket

Resources:
Definitions and formulas/ pdf
Pipe size BTU chart
Pipe capacity
Square footage per BTU
Gas pipe capacity .pdf
gas line Use approved yellow gas line and flexible gas connections:

Buy:
Flexible gas line
pipe threading machine Pipe threading machine

Buy:
Pipe threading machine
Thermostat Calibration
Thermostats are calibrated within a range, and not intended to be precise like a scientific instrument.
Thermostats have 2 ranges for calibration:
First calibration is actual temperature of water vs thermostat setting. Set thermostat to 120° and water temperature might be 115° or 125°. Typically, the range is +/-5°.
Second calibration is the differential of water temperature before water heater turns on. How LOW will the water temperature get before the water heater turns ON?. On gas water heater, 'water temperature around the thermostat probe can drop 15-25°F before main burner is activated.' Water at bottom of tank can be 95° and top of tank still be near 120° thermostat set point. Resource/ page 10
If differential is greater than 20%, the thermostat should be replaced.
Other things affect the actual water heater. If a water heater is short cycling, where it turns on-and-off too frequently, it can mean thermostat calibration is too narrow, however thermostat are not 'fast-acting' and problem can be caused by other issues, such as water leak or stacking,

Deadband/ applies to gas and electric thermostats
Deadband is a range of input that doesn’t result in any output. In this range, the thermostat fails to trigger any activity. Deadband sometimes causes thermostat to overshoot its setpoint. The effect can be occasional or sporadic and indicates thermostat failure and need to replace.
Check gas pressure on gas water heater:
Watch what appliances do when adding load. If appliances stop working correctly when another gas appliance is activated, it implies low gas pressure. This observation can be done without equipment.

Check rating plate (label) located on side of water heater  for gas pressure rating
Typically, a propane heater will be higher than natural gas.
Line pressure is pressure on incoming gas line. Label shows max inlet or line pressure as 14.0" w.c.
Manifold pressure is gas pressure from gas control valve to burner. Label shows 4.0" w.c. to 5.0" w.c. for manifold pressure.

"The Gas Control is designed for a maximum line pressure of 14.0" w.c. and a minimum line pressure of 1.0" w.c. over the water heater’s rated manifold pressure.
Line pressure must be checked with the main burner on and off to assure proper readings."

If the burner and/or pilot do not function, service checks for gas pressure, thermocouple output, magnet assembly and ECO are to be performed. If these check OK, the gas valve may be faulty."

"MANIFOLD PRESSURE TESTING
(this procedure assumes a maximum line pressure of 14.0" w.c.)
Step 1. Set gas valve to “OFF” position.
Step 2. Remove pressure tap plug located on the bottom of gas control valve (or side of Intellivent gas valve) and install pressure tap.
Step 3. Connect manometer to pressure tap.
Step 4 Follow lighting instructions and light main burner and observe manometer reading.
Step 5 Proper operating range for natural gas is 4.0 ±0.5" W.C. For intellivent 3.5 to 4.0" W.C.
Proper operating range for L.P. gas is 10.0 ±0.5" W.C.
Image above shows Honeywell gas control valve
Step 6 If pressure is OK, set gas valve to “OFF” remove manometer and pressure tap and replace pressure tap plug. Check for gas leaks before placing water heater back in operation. If pressure is out of the specification noted in step 5, proceed to step 7 or 8 for proper service procedure.
For Honeywell electronic and White Rodgers Intellivent control, the manifold pressure is not adjustable. If manifold pressure is outside the range in step 5, the gas control valve must be replaced.
For White Rodgers mechanical control, the manifold pressure is not adjustable. If manifold pressure is outside the range in step 5, the gas control valve must be replaced.
For Robertshaw mechanical control, the manifold pressure is adjustable, proceed to step 7 for adjustment procedure
Step 7 While burner is in operation, remove regulator access cap to expose the regulator adjusting screw. With small screw driver, rotate adjusting screw clockwise to increase pressure and counter clockwise to decrease pressure.
Step 8 Replace regulator access cap, set gas valve to “OFF”. Remove manometer and pressure tap and replace pressure tap plug. Check for gas leaks before placing water heater back in operation."
Buy
Manometer
Resources:
Bradford white service manual Pg 15
Intellivent service manual
Gas water heater ECO

Gas valves
Larger image
Gas valve manufacturers
Back to 14 things for troubleshooting water heater
6) troubleshoot gas water heater thermostats
Thermostats are usually single-use after ECO (energy cut off) trips.
Exception, some Intellivent and Honeywell thermostats can be reset using button sequence.
-ECO Energy Cut Off is located inside the thermostat probe that extends into the tank to measure water temperature. When ECO senses overheating inside tank, the ECO trips and shuts off gas control.
-If ECO is tripped, or other malfunction, Gas valve must be replaced.
-ECO must have continuity so small current (derived from thermocouple or thermopile when heated by pilot light) can travel from thermostat through the ECO and back again to thermostat, completing the electric circuit, and signaling to gas control to function normally.
-If water heater burner or pilot light has gas, if pilot or burner flutters and goes out, then ECO is not tripped: Gas thermostat might still be bad, but FV system or related maintenance is first suspect.
-Do not install cold water line above gas valve where condensation drips on valve. 
Thermostat calibration means tank temperature matchs thermostat setting. All setting are approximate and vary widely. Adjust temperature, replace gas control if temperature setting is unreliable.
Resources
Pilot outage troubleshoot
Test ECO on Robertshaw- White Rodgers
ECO on Robershaw,White Rodgers, Honeywell pg 17
Read about resetting intellivent
How to adjust thermostat temperature
Buy
Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon
Gas water heater ECO
\Image show the thermostat probe, containing both the ECO and the heat-sensing thermopile.
Thermopile, the center rod in image, responds to heat by creating small electric current that is interpreted by the gas control and determines when gas is released to burner.
"Test Energy Cut off (ECO) White Rodgers 
Step 1. Disconnect thermocouple from gas valve.
Step 2. Using a multimeter capable of measuring Ohms (or continuity), attach one lead (alligator clip) to the pilot tube. Insert the other lead (probe) fully into the magnet opening, Be sure the probe makes
contact only at the top center of the magnet opening. Do not allow the probe to make contact with the threaded sides of the opening.
Step 3. If continuity is indicated, the ECO is OK. If continuity is not indicated, the ECO has opened and the gas valve must be replaced"
Test Energy Cut off (ECO) Honeywell
"The Honeywell Gas Control is designed with an ECO device that will reset.
To reset the Gas Control after an error code (4), turn the Gas Control knob to the “OFF” position and wait a minimum of (5) minutes before relighting following the instructions located on the lighting instruction label or the lighting instructions located in the installation and operation manual"
With the mechanical gas control valve thermostats, the pilot flame heats the end of a thermocouple. A thermocouple is 2 dissimilar metals joined together that produce small current when heated. The small electric current travels from the thermocouple though a hollow tube that contains a wire inside. The thermocouple tube screws into to bottom of the control valve, where it connects to an electromagnet.
If the pilot light is ON and thermocouple is sitting in the pilot flame, and the thermocouple is working and making electrical connection to the gas control, then the electromagnet is energized. The electromagnet holds open the safety valve as long as the pilot flame is heating the thermocouple.
If the pilot light is out, then the electromagnet closes the safety valve, and no gas can enter gas control. When pilot is re-lit, the magnet makes audible sound that can be detected when troubleshooting.

If the pilot flame is extinguished, it can take up to 180 seconds for the thermocouple to cool sufficiently for the electromagnet to de-energize and close the safety valve.
The safety valve determines if gas can flow into gas control. If safety valve is open, then gas control operates normally, and releases gas continually to the pilot light through the pilot gas regulator valve, and releases gas to burner through the main regulator valve when thermostat probe detects water temperature is below set point as selected on dial located on front of gas control.
How to test thermocouple

With the electronic gas control valve, the pilot flame heats a thermopile instead of thermocouple. The thermopile works on same principle as thermocouple, except is larger and creates more current than thermocouple, enough current to power a circuit board inside the gas control valve. Unlike thermocouple, the current from thermopile travels to gas control valve through two wires that connect to front of gas control. The circuit board controls a series of self-check routines, error compilations of water heater operation, etc and uses electromagnets to control flow of gas that enters the gas control, and gas going to pilot and burner. See basic gas water heater parts

If no current is produced by thermocouple or thermopile, then gas to the valve is shut off until pilot is re-lit or defective thermocouple or thermopile replaced.

The temperature-reading thermostat on a gas valve is located inside a copper tube that protrudes into tank and reads water temperature. When water temperature drops below selected thermostat setting, then the gas valve releases gas through the manifold tube and into the burner located in combustion chamber.
How to adjust temperature

Gas flows out of the burner where pilot light ignites gas. If burner is dirty, sooted or obstructed, the gas may not light immediately, resulting in unburned gas building up until it reaches the pilot flame causing explosion hazard.
Sooted and dirty burner and yellow flame indicate this problem. After cleaning the burner and the combustion chamber, the gas should burn blue with bits of red and yellow.
Clean burner
Back to 10 things for troubleshooting water heater
Icon gas valve
For atmospheric vent models
Range Low 55° - very hot 160°
Average bath 110°F, typical water heater temp 120°
ECO limit 199° F, ECO trips, gas valve fails
TP release water at 210°
All calibrations are approximate
Severe scalding risk over 135°
To reset gas control, rotate dial to OFF, wait 10 minutes for gas to clear. Then relight.
Buy
Reliance/ Honeywell gas control
American / Honeywell gas control
Kenmore water heater gas valve
Craftmaster/ Whirlpool
Bradford White
AO Smith

Honeywell gas control at Amazon
American / Honeywell gas control at Amazon
Honeywell gas valve for propane
Honeywell natural gas valve
Reliance NG at Amazon
Reliance LP at Amazon
Kenmore water heater gas valve
Gas water heater timer fits this valve
Replacement instructions
How to test & replace Honeywell/ pdf
WT8840 replacement manual
How to replace Honeywell gas control valve

Resources WV8840/ WT8840:
Typical installation manual
Typical installation manual/ low NOx
Adjust temp on Honeywell gas valve
Error codes WV8840 series
Error codes WV8840 series
Error codes WT8840
AO Smith service handbook
Service handbook
State Error code/ troubleshoot/ service manual/ FVIR
Bradford White service manual
Error light blinking 4 times
How to light water heater
How to light water heater/ pdf
How to light Whirlpool energy smart

WT8840 product overview models
WT8840 gas valve manual and troubleshoot

How to replace gas control valves
How to test gas control valve

How to install gas water heater

For power vent and flue dampered models
Range Low 90° - very hot 160°
Average bath 110°F, typical water heater temp 120°
ECO limit 199°F, ECO trips, gas valve fails
Average bath 110°F
ECO limit 199°F
TP release water  at 210°
Buy
Example Honeywell gas control valve at Amazon
Reliance NG at Amazon
Replacement instructions
How to replace water heater gas valve

Resources:
Flue dampered service manual/ atmospheric
Flue dampered/general install and troubleshoot
Dampered troubleshoot codes
Dampered error codes
Dampered error codes
Induced draft troubleshoot codes
Example dampered install manual2

Example power vent install manual
Example power vent install manual
Example power direct vent install manual
Adjust temperature/ error codes on Honeywell
How to light Honeywell gas valve
Error codes and troubleshoot chart
Error codes
Error codes
Icon gas valve error codes

AO Smith service handbook
Bradford White power vent service manual 1
Bradford White power-vent service manual 2
Bradford power-direct-vent service manual
Condensing power vent service manual
Test gas control/ from BW service manual
Sequence of operation
How to clean burner

Safety
Water heater safety precautions
Water heater precautions/ pdf
Gas-water-heater-Safety-Precautions
Gas valve safety
Thermal expansion
Insulation blanket

For power vent models
Range Low 80° to Hot 150°
Error C flashes at 160°
Buy
Buy Intellivent gas control at Amazon
White Rodgers/ Rheem Intellivent gas control
AO Smith intellivent
AO Smith Intellivent at Amazon
AO Smith White Rodgers at Amazon

Replacement instructions
How to replace water heater gas valve

Resources:
How to light water heater
Typical installation manual
Sample installation manual
Example install manual
Ultra low nox power vent manual
Error codes and adjust temp on Intelli-vent
AO Smith Intellivent troubleshoot and FV test
Troubleshoot Intellivent/ pdf
FVIR intellivent troubleshoot .pdf
Intellivent service manual TC-048 R6
Sequence of operation and service brief
Intellivent wiring
Power direct vent troubleshoot
Status codes and troubleshoot/ condensing
How to reset intellivent
For resetting controller:
Method A... After the unit has been off for at least a minute, plug it in, turn on switch; within a few seconds, depress both arrow buttons on controller, and hold them until the left light begins to blink.  Release them, and within a few seconds, push those arrow buttons in the following sequence:  L/R/L/L/R/L/R/R.  This should reset the controller.
Method B... after FV event on AO Smith
1. Turn off power to water heater for 10 seconds.
2. Restore power to water heater.
3. Within 10 seconds of restoring power, press the two temperature adjust buttons simultaneously until the left (green) “Vacation” LED begins to blink (approx. 5 second delay). Once the Vacation LED begins to blink, release both buttons.
4. Again, within 10 seconds, press both temperature adjust buttons simultaneously until
Vacation LED is on steady (approx. 5 second delay).
5. Release two buttons, the  microcomputer will clear the FVS lock-out and normal
operation will then be restored.
White Rogers thermostat

Buy:
Camco White Rodgers at Amazon

Resources:
Troubleshooting/ pdf
How to light gas water heater
How to replace water heater gas valve


Remove gas valve
Buy:
Buy universal gas control wrench

gas valve setting
Larger image
Buy
Gas control valve thermostats at Amazon
Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon
Rheem gas control valve at Amazon
Gas control valve at Amazon
Camco White Rodgers at Amazon
Gas water heater timer fits this valve
Replacement instructions
How to replace water heater gas valve
Resources:
Service manual
Service manual 2
Service manual 3
Operation and safety
How to light water heater/pdf
General troubleshoot manual /pdf
White Rodgers gas control valve replacement pdf
Power vent water heater issues
Magnet testing
Test thermocouple
Gas valve testing
How to light gas water heater
White Rodgers NG replace, install, set temp
Honeywell Smart Valve AO Smith
Honeywell Smart Valve
Larger image

Resources:
Temperature settings and features
Smart valve error codes
Service manual
Install smart valve & troubleshoot
Example install manual
Robertshaw Natural gas control valve
Robertshaw Natural gas
Buy
Robert Shaw natural gas
RS Natural gas at Amazon
Camco RS at Amazon
Gas water heater timer fits this valve

Replacement instructions
How to replace water heater gas valve
Replace/ Install/ test/ troubleshoot robert shaw
Robert-shaw-model-numbers

High limit 160° for residential
180° for commercial
Buy
Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon
Robert Shaw natural gas
Robert Shaw propane gas

Replacement instructions
How to replace water heater gas valve
Replace/ Install/ test/ troubleshoot robert shaw
Robert-shaw-model-numbers

Resources:
Robert Shaw models
Robert Shaw/ Unitrol troubleshooting/ pdf
General troubleshoot/ pdf
General troubleshoot manual /pdf
Robert shaw service manual/ pdf
How to light water heater/pdf
Magnet testing
Test thermocouple
Gas valve testing
Operation and safety
Recalibrate gas control/ pdf
How to light gas water heater
Adjust pilot on unitrol gas control valve
How to test White Rodgers gas valve p14
How to test Honeywell Icon gas valve p23
How to test Robertshaw gas valve p14
Atwood gas control valve
Atwood gas control valve
Fits all Atwood water heater that have a pilot light

Buy
Atwood gas control valve at Amazon
Atwood parts at Amazon
Atwood water heaters and parts at Amazon
Resource:
How to replace gas control valve thermostat
Atwood water heater troubleshoot resources
Suburban water heater service manual

Honeywell L4006 water heater controller
Honeywell immersion thermostat
12-277 volt AC SPST controller
12-48 volt DC
Add to any hot water tank
Surface mount or immersion into tank
Temperature range: 100-180°F
Water over 135° poses extreme danger of scalding.Image above shows Honeywell gas control valve
Add mixing valve.

Buy:
Honeywell/ Rheem SP11798B
Honeywell L4006
Line Voltage Mechanical Thermostats

Resources:
Add another thermostat to gas or electric water heater
Advantages-disadvantages mixing valve
Control recirculation pump using controller
L4006 manual
L4006 wiring illustration
Honeywell L8104 water heater controller

SIT gas control valve for water heater
SIT gas control valve for water heater
How to light and set temperature SIT gas control


Kenmore with power anode rod
How to light Effex water heater
Effex service manual

Suburban water heater service manual
Whirlpool energy smart gas water heater manual

Robert shaw gas control valve
Robert Shaw 120Volt input gas control valve
Wiper Control and Gas Valve assembly
Triangle pointed upward is 120 degrees F
Replacement for Rheem power vent/
Buy
Rheem wiper SP20123A thermostat KIT
Wiper SP20123B valve/ no thermostat


Resources
Larger image
Error Codes and troubleshoot
Sequence of operation
Flash codes
Guardian power vent Robert Shaw error code
Rheem parts list
American power flex parts
General manual with lighting instructions
Replace water heater gas control and FV
Check pressure switch, blower, gas control
Sequence of operation
How to light water heater
To reset: turn the red control knob on and off 6 times within 30 seconds to reset the board.
14 things needed for gas water heater & .pdf resources
What you need for operation of gas water heater.
General troubleshoot
1) Basic parts and operation
2) Adequate incoming air supply ... issues: closed doors, tightly insulated house, very hot attic.
3) Adequate air supply getting to burner... issues: dirty vent screen, dirty environment, maintenance.
4) Thermal cutoff  ... TCO ... issues: failed part, maintenance, vent.

5) Flammable vapor lockout .... issues: exposure to vapors, bad FV sensor, failed FV system,
6) Fuel supply to gas valve thermostat ... natural gas and propane are different ... issues: wrong gas, low pressure, moisture in pipe, undersized gas meter, supply line too small for BTU rating.
7) Gas valve thermostat regulates fuel supply ... issues: not enough gas, failed thermostat, failed gas control valve.

8) Fuel supply from thermostat to burner ... issues: maintenance, thermocouple-thermopile, gas control valve.
9) Clean and replace burner ... issue: periodic maintenance requires burner inspection, cleaning, and possible replacement

10) Functioning thermopile-thermocouple-pilot light ... issues: misalignment, failure of part.
11) Ignition of fuel supply by pilot light or hot surface igniter ... issues: pilot light, piezo igniter, electrode.

12) Power vent water heater troubleshoot ... issues: pressure switch, blower, blower sequence from gas control, outlet polarity
13) Venting combustion byproduct .... issues: vent in disrepair, other vents in house drawing air

14) Misc troubleshoot manuals
15) How to install gas water heater
16) How to maintain water heater
gas water heater timer Gas water heater timer
Fits Honeywell, White Rodgers, Robert Shaw
Both Propane and Natural gas models

Resource:
Gas water heater timer
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50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
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Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
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Industrial electric

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
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Tools

DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
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