AWE SPD2H, Owner'S Manual

Page: 26 / 38

G01
SPD Owner’s Manual
24
chevron type rubber brine seal. The end cap itself seals to the vessel body with a large "O" ring.
The "O" rings in each end cap should be examined or replaced when the elements are changed. The
old "O" rings can be removed by sticking a sharp pin or needle underneath the ring and pulling the "O"
ring inward and out.
Clean the "O" ring groove with a cotton swab.
The new "O" rings should be installed with silicone grease or other safe lubricant. Be very careful not
to nick the "O" ring when installing. Stick the ring on a small finger and insert it into the end cap and roll
it into its groove.
The vessels were initially filled with a spiral wound element that has a Circsert
TM
that seals the bottom
end of the product tube. If a replacement element is used that doesn’t have the bottom end closed,
then “O” rings must be installed in the groove of the lower endcap. Remove brine seal from the old
element and position it on the new element. The water flows through the module from bottom to top.
The chevron seal should be at the top of the element.
Remove the bottom end cap and reinstall the top end cap. Slide the new element in from the bottom.
Then reinstall the bottom end cap.
Before restarting the system, remove the pump contactor wire and fill the system with water as
explained on Page
LEAKS
Even though they don't prevent operation of the system, leaks are a nuisance and should be fixed when
detected. Leaks can be classified in 3 types: a) leak at a pipe thread joint, b) leak in a compression or
instant fitting, and c) leak from a broken part.
Pipe thread joints are sealed with several wraps of 1/2" wide TFE thread tape. If turning the fitting in
one turn does not stop a leak, then the assembly should be unthreaded, the old tape cleaned from the
threads, and the male fitting newly taped. The grey acetal fittings typically take 5 - 8 wraps of tape
(wrapped clockwise looking at the fitting end). Before threading together, running one's fingernail
around the threads will help lock the tape in place.
Compression fittings seal to the tube and to the fitting with a ferrule. Tightening the nut forces the
ferrule onto the tube and into the fitting. The grey compression nuts used on the grey acetal fittings will
squeak when they are properly tightened. If tightening a compression fitting does not stop the leak, it
may be the surface of the tubing is scratched and the tubing piece must be replaced. Sometimes a
scratch on the tubing can be made smooth with fine steel wool.
Whenever a compression fitting is wrenched, a second wrench should always be used on the fitting with
the male thread.
Several pipe thread fittings are used wherein the sealing ferrule is part of the fitting. If slight tightening
of such a fitting does not stop a leak, the fitting itself will have to be replaced.