Rheem 260 Litre Instruction Manual

This water heater must be installed and serviced by an authorised person.
Please leave this guide with a responsible officer.
Owners Guide
and
Installation Instructions
Gas Heavy Duty
Water Heater
260 Litre Models

PATENTS
This water heater may be protected by one or more patents or registered designs.
® Registered trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.
™ Trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.
Notice to Victorian Customers from the
Victorian Plumbing Industry Commission.
This water heater must be installed by a licensed person as required by
the Victorian Building Act 1993.
Only a licensed person will give you a Complia.(y).in8 T6 0.Ciceat, shCono tat.

3
CONTENTS
HOUSEHOLDER – We recommend you read pages 4 to 13.
The other pages are intended for the installer but may be of interest.
About Your Water Heater............................................................4
How Your Water Heater Works...................................................8
Regular Care ................................................................................9
Save A Service Call ...................................................................11
Installation..................................................................................14
Connections – Plumbing ..........................................................23
Multiple Installations.................................................................26
Commissioning..........................................................................31
Lighting The Water Heater........................................................33
Draining The Water Heater .......................................................37
Water Supplies...........................................................................38
Warranty.....................................................................................39

4
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
MODEL TYPE
Congratulations for choosing a Rheem®Heavy Duty Gas water heater. The
model you have chosen is a quick recovery water heater.
HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE?
The water heater features a user
adjustable thermostat, which allows you
to personally choose the most suitable
temperature for your hot water needs.
Refer to “Temperature Adjustment” on
page 4.
To meet the requirements of the National
Plumbing Standard the temperature of the
stored water must not be below 60°C.
If this water heater is installed as an
in-series booster water heater as part of a
commercial solar water heating system,
then Rheem recommends the thermostat
is set at 60°C to maximise solar
contribution.
HOTTER WATER INCREASES THE RISK OF SCALD INJURY
This water heater can deliver water at temperatures which can cause scalding.
Check the water temperature before use, such as when entering a shower or
filling a bath or basin, to ensure it is suitable for the application and will not
cause scald injury.
We recommend and it may also be required by regulations that an approved
temperature limiting device be fitted into the hot water pipe work to the bathing
and public areas when this water heater is installed. This will keep the water
temperature below 50°C at the bathroom and ensuite. The risk of scald injury
will be reduced and still allow hotter water to the kitchen and laundry.
TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT
The temperature adjusting dial is on the gas
valve, located at the lower front of an indoor
model and behind the access cover on the
lower front on an outdoor model. A setting of
‘6’ will normally maintain the water
temperature at about 60°C. Each number
represents a temperature difference of
approximately 6°C.
maximum thermostat
setting
maximum recommended
supply temperature to
bathrooms and ensuites
minimum recommended
stored water temperature

ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
5
To increase the water temperature to 65°C, turn the gas control knob
anticlockwise to a setting of ‘7’. Refer to “Hotter Water Increases the Risk of
Scald Injury” on page 4.
WARNING
This water heater is not intended to be operated, adjusted or tampered with by
young children or infirm persons. Young children should be supervised to
ensure they do not interfere with the water heater.
SAFETY
This water heater is supplied with a thermostat, an over-temperature cut-out,
and a combination temperature pressure relief valve. These devices must not
be tampered with or removed. The water heater must not be operated unless
each of these devices is fitted and is in working order.
The warranty can become void if relief valves or other safety devices are
tampered with or if the installation is not in accordance with these
instructions.
•Do not store flammable or
combustible materials near the water
heater. Flammable liquids (such as
petrol), newspapers and similar articles
must be kept well away from the water
heater and the draught diverter or flue
terminal.
•Do not use aerosols, stain removers
and household chemicals near the
water heater whilst it is working. Gases
from some aerosol sprays, stain
removers and household chemicals
become corrosive when drawn into a
flame.
•Do not store swimming pool chemicals, household cleaners, etc., near
the water heater.
•Do not place anything on top of the water heater or in contact with the
draught diverter or flue terminal. Ensure the flue terminal is not obstructed in
any way at any time.
•Do not use Propane / Butane gas mixtures in a Propane model. A Propane
model is designed to operate on Propane only. The use of
Propane / Butane mixture, such as automotive LPG fuel, in a Propane
model is unsafe and can cause damage to the water heater.

ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
6
TO TURN OFF THE WATER HEATER
If it is necessary to turn off the water heater:
•Shut down the gas control (refer to “Close Down Procedure” on page 36).
•Close the gas isolation valve at the inlet to the gas control.
•Close the cold water isolation valve at the inlet to the water heater.
TO TURN ON THE WATER HEATER
•Open the cold water isolation valve fully at the inlet to the water heater.
•Open the gas isolation valve fully at the inlet to the gas control.
•Light the water heater (refer to “Lighting the Water Heater” on page 33).
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE WATER HEATER IS INSTALLED CORRECTLY?
Installation requirements are shown on pages 21 and 22 and pages 26 to 30.
The water heater must be installed by an authorised person and the installation
must comply with National Standards AS/NZS 3500.4, AS 5601 and all local
codes and regulatory authority requirements. In New Zealand, the installation
must conform with the Code of Practice for installation of Gas Appliances
NZS 5261 and the New Zealand Building Code.
DOES THE WATER QUALITY AFFECT THE WATER HEATER?
The water heater is suitable for most public water supplies, however some
water qualities may have detrimental effects on the cylinder and fittings. If you
are in a known harsh water area you must read page 38. If you are not sure,
have your water quality checked against the conditions described on page 38.
HOW LONG WILL THE WATER HEATER LAST?
There are a number of factors that will affect the length of service the water
heater will provide. These include the water quality, the water pressure,
temperature (inlet and outlet) and the water usage pattern. However, your
water heater is supported by a comprehensive warranty (refer to page 40).

ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
7
ANODE PROTECTION
The anode(s) installed in your water heater will slowly dissipate whilst
protecting the cylinder. The life of the water heater cylinder may be extended
by arranging for an authorised person to inspect the anode(s) and replace if
required.
The suggested time after installation when the anode(s) should be inspected is:
Heavy Duty 7 years
For softened water supplies or in areas of poor water quality, it is
recommended the anode(s) be inspected 3 years earlier than shown (refer to
“Water Supplies” on page 38).

8
HOW YOUR WATER HEATER WORKS
Water is stored in a vitreous enamel lined steel cylinder and heated by a gas
burner located under the cylinder. The heat produced by the burner is
transferred to the water through the base of the cylinder and through the wall of
a flue pipe which passes through the centre of the cylinder. A flue baffle in this
flue ensures the efficiency of the water heater is correct. The gas supply to the
burner is controlled by the thermostat so the water is heated to a constant
temperature. Automatic safety controls are fitted to the water heater to provide
safe and efficient operation.
MAINS PRESSURE
The water heater is designed to operate at
mains pressure by connecting directly to
the mains water supply. If the mains supply
pressure in your area exceeds that shown
on page 17, a pressure limiting valve must
be fitted. The supply pressure should be
greater than 350 kPa for true mains
pressure operation to be achieved.
PIEZO IGNITION
The “Piezo” push button igniter makes
lighting the pilot flame of your water heater
very easy. Simply follow the instructions on
the label attached to the front of an indoor
model and to the back of the access door
on an outdoor model. There is no need for
matches to light the water heater.
PILOT IGNITER
A permanent pilot flame burns to ignite the
main burner automatically. Heat from the
pilot is absorbed by the water.
GOING ON HOLIDAYS
If you are going on holiday for more than a
few days the thermostat can be set to the
“·” (pilot) position to conserve energy
(refer to point 1 of “Close Down Procedure”
on page 36). If it is necessary to turn off the
water heater, refer to “To Turn Off The
Water Heater” on page 6.

9
REGULAR CARE
TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
This valve is near the top of the water
heater and is essential for its safe
operation. It is possible for the valve to
release a little water through the drain
line during each heating period. This
occurs as the water is heated and
expands by approximately 1/50 of its
volume.
Continuous leakage of water from the
valve and its drain line may indicate a
problem with the water heater (refer to
“Temperature Pressure Relief Valve
Running” on page 12).
WARNING: Never block the outlet of
this valve or its drain line for any
reason.
Operate the easing lever on the
temperature pressure relief valve once
every six months. It is very important
you raise and lower the lever gently.
DANGER: Failure to do this may result
in the water heater cylinder failing.
If water does not flow freely from the
drain line when the lever is lifted, then
the water heater should be checked by
the Rheem Service Department or their
Accredited Service Agent.
The temperature pressure relief valve should be checked for performance or
replaced at intervals not exceeding 5 years, or more frequently in areas where
there is a high incidence of water deposits (refer to “Water Supplies” on
page 38).
drain
line
lift until water
flows from the
drain line –
lower gently
water
heater

REGULAR CARE
10
EXPANSION CONTROL VALVE
In many areas, including South Australia, Western Australia and scaling water
areas, an expansion control valve is fitted to the cold water line to the water
heater. Water will flow from its drain line during the heating period.
Operate the easing lever on the expansion control valve once every six
months. It is very important you raise and lower the lever gently. The
expansion control valve should be checked for performance or replaced at
intervals not exceeding 5 years, or more frequently in areas where there is a
high incidence of water deposits.
SERVICING
For safe and efficient operation, the water heater should be serviced annually
by your nearest Rheem Service Department or their Accredited Service Agent.
Only genuine replacement parts should be used on this water heater.
Warning: Servicing of a gas water heater should only be carried out by
authorised personnel.
In commercial applications where large volumes of hot water are used,
sediment may build up on the bottom of the cylinder and reduce the heating
efficiency. In extreme cases, particularly in areas of high water sediment,
draining and flushing out may be necessary. Contact your plumber to drain and
flush the water heater.