onsen 5L User manual

5L
OPERATING MANUAL
GUIDE D’UTILISATION
[e-mail]
ONSENPRODUCTS.COM
ONSENPRODUCTS.CA
800.996.5559800.996.5559

2onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
WARNING
FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD
If you smell gas:
Do not attempt to light appliance and
make sure appliance is in the OFF
position.
Extinguish any nearby ame(s).
Shut off cylinder fuel supply valve if
so equipped, or if equipped with a
disposable fuel cylinder, disconnect
the cylinder.
Leave the area immediately.
Allow gas to dissipate for 5 minutes.
If gas smell has dissipated from the
area, the appliance, and fuel supply,
follow gas connection procedures.
Failure to follow these instructions
could result in re or explosion which
could cause property damage, personal
injury or death.
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
DANGER
Water temperature over 125°F (52°C)
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.

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
3
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
WARNING
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Do not store or use gasoline or other ammable vapors and liquids
in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
DANGER
Improper installation, use, adjustment, alteration, service, or maintenance can
cause injury or property damage. Refer to this manual. For assistance or additional
information, consult a qualied installer, service agency, or gas supplier.
CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD
This appliance can produce carbon monoxide
which has no odor.
Using it in an enclosed space can kill you.
Never use this appliance in an
enclosed space such as camper, tent, car or home.

4onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
DANGER
Installation:
Do not install water heater where ammable products will be stored or used unless the main burner ame is at least
18” above the oor. This will reduce but not eliminate the risk of vapors being ignited by the main burner ame.
Read the following water heater warnings and instructions. If owners manual is missing, contact the retailer or
manufacturer.
Flammable Vapors
Vapors from ammable liquids will
explode and catch re causing death or
severe burns.
Do not use or store ammable
products such as gasoline, solvents or adhesives in the
same room or area near the water heater.
Keep ammable products:
far away from heater,
in approved containers,
tightly closed and
out of children’s reach.
Water heater has a main burner ame.
The main burner ame:
can come on at any time and
will ignite ammable vapors.
Vapors:
cannot be seen,
are heavier than air,
go a long way on the oor and can be carried from
other rooms to the main burner ame by air currents.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
5
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
Thank you for purchasing the
ONSEN 5L PORTABLE TANKLESS WATER HEATER
Before using this gas-powered water heater, it is extremely important to
read all of the safety and operation instructions provided in this Operating
Manual to ensure that you can enjoy the Onsen 5L safely and responsibly.
If you have any questions about how to use this water heater, please con-
tact Onsen at [email protected] or 800-996-5559.
Please retain this Operating Manual for future reference.
INDEX
Safety Information........................................................................ 6
Safety Precautions........................................................................ 9
How It Works ............................................................................... 10
Getting Started............................................................................ 11
Installation Requirements ......................................................... 16
Use and Operation ..................................................................... 17
Adjusting the Water Temperature ........................................... 20
Technical Specications ............................................................ 21
Draining the Water Heater ........................................................ 24
Maintenance and Cleaning Instructions ................................... 25
Troubleshooting ......................................................................... 25
Support ........................................................................................ 29
Warranty ...................................................................................... 30

6onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
Your safety and the safety of others is extremely important in the installa-
tion, use and servicing of this water heater. Safety-related messages, warn-
ings and instructions have been provided in this Operating Manual and the
labels axed to the water heater to warn you and others of potential injury
hazards. Read and obey all safety messages and instructions throughout
this Operating Manual.
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result in death or injury.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or injury.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate
injury.
THIS IS THE SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL. IT IS USED TO ALERT
YOU TO POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY HAZARDS. OBEY ALL
SAFETY MESSAGES THAT FOLLOW THIS SYMBOL TO AVOID
POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE USING THIS WATER HEATER
SAFETY INFORMATION

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
7
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
If the information in these instructions is not followed
exactly, a re or explosion may result causing property
damage, personal injury, or death.
GENERAL GAS APPLIANCE WARNINGS AND BEST PRACTICES
WARNING
Keep the area around the water heater clear and free from combusti-
ble materials, gasoline, and other ammable vapors and liquids.
Before operating any gas appliance, smell all around the appli-
ance area for gas. Be sure to smell next to the oor because Liquid
Propane Gas is heavier than air and will settle on the oor.
Liquid Propane gas is heavier than air and will accumulate at the low-
est points in the event of a leak which sometimes makes it dicult to
detect at nose level. It is highly recommended to install a gas detector
near ground level to detect gas leaks.
This water heater is capable of producing scalding water temperatures.
Always check the outgoing water temperature before use.
Hot exhaust and casing may cause serious burns. Keep away from the
water heater. Keep small children away from the water heater.
If any of the instructions contained in this Operating Manual are
unclear to you, contact a trained and qualied professional to perform
the installation.

8onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
This water heater is intended to be used with a 20 lb LP gas cylinder
only (height: 18 in., tank diameter: 12 in., foot diameter: 8 in.). LP gas
cylinders must either be designed, fabricated, tested and marked (or
stamped) in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) or for use in Canada, cylinders must be con-
structed and marked in accordance with the specications for Cylinders,
Spheres, and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, CSA B339.
The gas must be turned o at the LP gas supply cylinder when the water
heater is not in use.
When the LP gas supply cylinder is not disconnected from the water
heater, the water heater and cylinder must be stored outdoors, in a well
ventilated space, out of the reach of children, and must not be stored in
a building, garage or any other enclosed area.
Storage of the water heater indoors is permissible only if the cylinder is
disconnected and removed from the water heater.
Cylinders must be stored outdoors, in a well-ventilated space, out of the
reach of children, and must not be stored in a building, garage or any
other enclosed area.
Should overheating occur or the gas supply fail to shut o, turn o the
manual gas control valve to the appliance.
This water heater is intended for point of use, for temporary water heat-
ing and not for connection to a permanent inlet water connection or for
connection to a water distribution system to supply multiple outlets.

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
9
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
THIS WATER HEATER IS FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
THIS WATER HEATER IS NOT INTENDED FOR PERMANENT INSTALLA-
TION AND CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY PLUMBED IN ANY WAY.
WHEN NOT IN USE, THE WATER HEATER MUST BE DISCONNECTED
AND STORED IN A WARM AND DRY PLACE.
Always use a soapy solution on the gas ttings and connections to de-
tect gas leaks.
Do not operate the water heater with Natural Gas. Use only Liquid Pro-
pane gas. Do not try to convert this water heater to Natural Gas.
If a gas odor is detected, turn o the gas valve on the gas tank imme-
diately.
Do not operate the water heater in strong wind conditions.
Do not leave the water heater unattended when turned on.
Never mount the water heater onto a combustible surface or wall.
Any alteration to the water heater or its controls can be dangerous and
will void the warranty.
Always check the outgoing water temperature before showering or
bathing.
This water heater is intended for use with non-potable
water only (for showering, cleaning, etc.) It is not intend-
ed for heating water for human consumption. Consum-
ing water heated by this water heater may result in expo-
sure to bacterial, viral, parasitic or chemical waterborne
contaminants harmful to human health.
WARNING

10 onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
The Onsen 5L Portable Tankless Water
Heater uses Liquid Propane gas to heat
water by burning a ame on the copper
heat exchanger. The incoming water is
heated when it circulates through the
heat exchanger before being directed
to the water outlet (showerhead). The
temperature of the exiting water can be
increased by turning the gas knob on the
water heater, which increases the ame
output, or by turning the water knob to
decrease water ow.
The water heater is equipped with an
electronic ignition system that uses 2 “D”
type batteries or 12 volt for ignition. The
ignition system is pressure controlled,
which means the ame will only ignite
if the water circulating inside has a
sustained pressure of 10 to 80 PSI. When
the water ow is cut o (by shutting o the
water source or turning the showerhead
to the OFF position), the ame shuts o
automatically.
HOW IT WORKS

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
11
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
GETTING STARTED
Figure 7
Pressure relief valve
Water inlet hose
Figure 2
Gas hose & regulator
assembly
Gas cylinder
Gas valve
Figure 5
Gas compression
fitting
Figure 3
Brass garden hose adapter
1/2” to 3/4”
OR
Figure 4
Quick Connect adapter
Figure 6
“D” batteries or 12-volt
alligator clips
Figure 1
On/Off showerhead

12 onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
Check the box for any damage sustained during shipment.
Check that all components and accessories are included in the box:
Water heater
Gas hose & regulator assembly (factory connected to water heater)
Showerhead set
Garden hose adapter
Hardware pack
12 volt battery alligator clips
Pressure relief valve
Connect the water inlet, i.e. garden hose (right-hand connection):
Apply Teon to the threads of the water inlet to ensure a sealed
connection and to prevent leaking.
Attach the 1/2” to 3/4” brass garden hose adapter (Fig. 3) to the
Teon coated threads of the water inlet. Connect a garden hose to
the garden hose adapter.
OR
Attach the male Quick Connect adaptor (Fig. 4) to the Teon coated
threads of the water inlet and the female Quick Connect Adaptor
to a garden hose. Connect the garden hose to the water inlet by
clicking the female and male adaptors together.
1
2
3

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
13
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
Check the gas inlet, i.e. gas hose (left-hand connection):
Check the connection of the gas regulator hose to the 3/8” gas
compression tting of the gas inlet of the water heater (Fig. 5) (the
gas regulator hose should already be connected to the gas tting).
If necessary, use a wrench to ensure a secure connection. DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN AS THIS MAY CAUSE A CRACK IN THE GAS CONNEC-
TION AND RESULT IN A GAS LEAK.
5
4Connect the water outlet, i.e. showerhead hose (middle connection):
Connect the On/O showerhead hose (Fig. 1) to the pressure
relief valve (Fig. 7).
IMPORTANT: Do not reverse the water connections. Ensure the wa-
ter inlet, i.e. garden hose, is connected to the right-hand connection
and the water outlet, i.e. showerhead hose, is connected to the middle
connection. IF THE WATER CONNECTIONS ARE REVERSED, THE WA-
TER HEATER WILL NOT TURN ON.
Water outlet connection
(showerhead hose) Water inlet connection
(garden hose)

14 onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
7
6Install batteries / connect 12 volt ignition:
If using 2 “D” type batteries for ignition, install the batteries in the
battery box located on the bottom right of the water heater (Fig.
6). Alternatively, if using 12 volt for ignition, connect the circular
connector of the included 12 volt alligator clip to the 12 volt input
connection at the bottom of the water heater (Fig. 6). Next, connect
the alligator clips to a 12 volt battery by connecting the positive red
wire to the positive (+) terminal of your battery and the negative
black wire to the negative (-) terminal of your battery.
(WARNING: Do not reverse the positive (+) and negative (-) connections
as this could damage the alligator clip accessory as well as the 12 volt
ignition module of the water heater.)
Note: When using both batteries and 12 volt for ignition, the 12 volt
takes priority.
Hang the water heater vertically:
Hang the water heater using the bottom and top brackets onto the
included mounting screws.
(WARNING: Do not apply gas tape, compound or other sealant to the
threads of the 3/8” gas compression tting. The tting is ared and
does not require sealant. Applying sealant to the threads of the tting
may prevent a secure connection, resulting in a gas leak).
IMPORTANT: The water heater should always be upright (vertical)
when in use. DO NOT OPERATE THE WATER HEATER ON ITS BACK OR
SIDE. Doing so may cause damage to the water heater.

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
15
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
8
CONNECTING THE LP TANK
The knob on the LP tank must be closed.
Make sure that the knob is turned clockwise
to a full stop. The cylinder supply system must
be arranged for vapor withdrawal.
Check that the ON/OFF button located at the bottom
of the water heater is in the OFF position.
Remove the protective cap from the LP tank valve and coupling nut.
Hold the regulator in one hand and insert the nipple into the valve
outlet. Be sure the nipple is centered in the valve outlet. The cou-
pling nut connects to the large outside threads on the valve outlet.
Use care – do not cross thread the connection.
Hand tighten the coupling nut clockwise until it comes to a full
stop. Firmly tighten by hand only. Do not use tools.
To disconnect: Fully close the tank valve by turning clockwise .
Turn the coupling nut counter-clockwise until the regulator
assembly detaches.
1
2
3
4
5
Connect 20 lb LP gas tank:
Connect the gas regulator hose (Fig. 2) to a 20 lb LP gas tank. DO
NOT OPEN THE TANK’S GAS VALVE YET.

16 onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
This water heater should be installed outdoors only.
Do not install this water heater in an enclosed space.
Do not install this water heater where ammable materials are stored
or used.
Install the water heater in a vertical position at eye level.
Install the water heater with the following minimum clearance distanc-
es from ammable materials or liquid: 31.5 in. (800 mm) top, 10 in. (250
mm) sides, and 1 in. (25.4 mm) back.
The propane cylinder must be arranged for vapor withdrawal and
equipped with a listed overlling prevention device (required on all 4
to 40 pound cylinders in Canada and the US). Please use the proper
cylinder orientation to provide vapor withdrawal. NOTE: The cylinder
must be fully upright for the cylinder to have vapor withdrawal only.
Vapor Vapor
Liquid
CORRECT WRONG WRONG
Liquid
Vapor
Liquid

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
17
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
USE AND OPERATION
Always check for gas leaks before using this water
heater. To do so, spray a mixed solution of water and
soap on the gas inlet connection. If bubbles start to form,
close the gas valve and seal the gas connection properly
before repeating the gas leak test.
Set the water regulator knob to maximum setting
(turn counter-clockwise ).
Set the gas regulator knob to minimum setting
(turn counter-clockwise ).
Ensure the showerhead button is in the OFF position .
1
2
3
DANGER
Gas regulator knob Water regulator knob

18 onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
This water heater comes with a ½” – ⅜” gas com-
pression tting already connected to the ½” gas in-
let during the assembly portion of the manufacturing
process. In the event that the gas compression tting
has been removed, make sure to connect it by apply-
ing gas tape or compound to the ½” gas inlet threads
to ensure the connection is sealed and to prevent
a gas leak. ALWAYS CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS AFTER
APPLYING GAS TAPE / COMPOUND.
4
5
6
DANGER
Turn on the incoming water supply and wait for the water lines to
completely ll with water (water pressure must be between 10 – 80
PSI for ignition to occur).
Open the gas valve on the LP gas tank.
IMPORTANT: Check for gas leaks by spraying a mixed solution of wa-
ter and soap on the gas inlet connection. If bubbles start to form, close
the gas valve and seal the gas connection properly before repeating
the gas leak test.
Push button located at the bottom of the water heater to the ON po-
sition by pressing down on the red dot. Please note that pushing the
button will not turn on the LCD screen yet, which lights up when igni-
tion occurs at Step 9 below.
Push the showerhead button to the ON position (this will allow
for water to circulate inside the water heater and kick start the igni-
tion sequence).
7
8

onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
19
[e-mail]
ENGLISH
9
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
This water heater is equipped with a wa-
ter temperature sensor that will turn o
the ame when 50 °C is reached.
During ame ignition, do not expose this water heater to
ammable vapors or liquids.
WARNING
You will hear a series of clicks followed by the sound of the ame ignit-
ing, similar to an outdoor grill. The LCD screen will also light up at this
point. If the ame does not ignite after 5 seconds, shut o the water
supply and close the gas valve. Go to the Troubleshooting Section of
this Operating Manual for advice.

20 onsenproducts.com
onsenproducts.ca 800-996-5559
[e-mail]
ADJUSTING THE WATER TEMPERATURE
WARNING: THIS WATER HEATER MAY PRODUCE SCALDING WATER TEM-
PERATURES. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OPERATING THIS WATER
HEATER.
Follow these steps to adjust the outgoing water temperature:
Set the water heater to the lowest setting available by turning the
water regulator knob to maximum and the gas regulator knob to min-
imum. Carefully check the water temperature.
To raise the water temperature, turn the gas knob slowly towards
maximum, checking the water temperature often. Wait several sec-
onds after turning the gas knob before checking the temperature.
To further raise the water temperature once the gas knob is at max-
imum, turn the water knob slowly towards minimum, checking the
water temperature often until the desired temperature is achieved.
The digital screen between the gas and water knobs displays the tem-
perature of the outgoing water. Adjust the gas and water knobs to
achieve the desired temperature.
1
2
3
4