further determined with the volt/ohmmeter). If you find
the break, resolder the connection, wrap the inner wires
in separate pieces of electrical tape, retest the valve, and
reassemble the sheath following the above instructions in
reverse order.
Valve Returns & Replacing a Valve
If you need to return a defective valve, you may either return the
entire valve assembly for repair / evaluation, or remove and return the
individual valve from its case. This only involves five screws: remove the
two outer plate screws holding all of the valves into the black metal case,
the single screw holding the plastic ‘sheath’ into its underside hole, the
electrical tape at the top and bottom of the sheath, the offending valve’s
cable from the plug end up through the valve casing, and finally, the two
screws holding the valve on to the front plate.
Please package the valve(s) carefully and ship freight prepaid to AutoMate
Scientific’s address on the back cover of this manual. No RMA number is
needed as long as you include a note with the following:
1) Your name, company/institution name, phone number, and an address
to return the repaired valve to.
2) Your original invoice number and date, if available.
3) A sentence stating the nature of the problem and any steps you have
already taken to fix or identify it. Does the valve energize / click? De-
energize? Open / close? Leak?
4) Whether the valve was driven by any device other than an AutoMate
Scientific controller (and its operating and holding voltages).
5) The application used with the valve, along with the exact chemical(s)
and the duty cycle (pulse) rate if used.
6) A Statement of Chemical Exposure as follows:
a) These valves have not been exposed to chemicals other than H
2
O
except as described above. b) All applicable Safety and Handling data
sheets for the above described chemicals are enclosed. c) We accept
full responsibility for any injury to AutoMate Scientific employees or
employees of the valves original manufacturer caused by handling of
the residues of chemicals contained in or on the valves to be returned.
7) An authorized signature, title, and date.
AutoMate Scientific will gladly fax you a form with easy blanks to enter
the above information. We will process your return and notify you of
further information as quickly as possible.
3
Heat
shrink
on each
cable
Leaks and Replacing Valve Fittings
The second bane of all liquid delivery apparatus! These hints may help:
1) Make sure the valve is turned off! (as opposed to leaking)
2) See all of the guidelines in the previous “Faulty Valves” section -
especially #1.
3) Identify whether the valve leaks constantly, under pressure, inside or
outside. Try backflushing if there is an internal leak.
4) Check and replace obvious loose or worn tubing.
5) Outside leaks usually occur at the fittings and can be stopped with a bit
of silicone glue, epoxy, super glue (Cyanoacrylate) or PTFE tape. Apply
sealant around the threads of the dry fitting and screw back into the
valve. Be sure not to use too much glue or tape, as they can easily cause
clogs or leaks of their own. Overtightening can also cause the plastic
fittings to leak – hand tighten.
Glue on valve fittings is intended as a gap filler for small openings between
the threads and hole, not as an adhesive. Few glues will adhere to PTFE.
Hardware Troubleshooting
Should the ValveLink8.2's LEDs fail to light while plugged-in, check the
power connections. Disconnect all valves to check for a short. Remember
that ValveLink8.2 valve LEDs do not light if valves are not plugged-in.
The ValveLink8.2 uses an internal "poly" fuse which will reset itself after an
overload situation has been fixed. Try unplugging the ValveLink8.2 for a
while then reconnecting it.
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