Chapter 8 – Maintenance
Page 8-2
TestEquity 115A-EX Temperature Chamber
Maintenance Procedures
How to clean the chamber interior and exterior
•
Wipe or vacuum out all debris.
•
Clean surfaces with a damp cloth, mild detergent, or stainless-steel cleaner. Avoid cleaners
that are abrasive or leave a residue. Do NOT use steel wool.
•
If you clean the interior with something other than water, you may want to operate the
chamber at high temperature (approxi125
°
C) after cleaning. This helps to “bake out”
any residue. Remove the port plugs to permit the residual vapors to escape.
•
Clean the silicone door gaskets with a damp cloth or mild detergent.
•
Clean the exterior painted surfaces with a damp cloth or mild detergent. If you are using a
detergent, test a small inconspicuous area to make sure it does not damage the finish.
How to listen for abnormal noise or vibration
You should become familiar with normal operating noises. Being able to recognize changes from
normal operating noises can be a valuable way to identify problems and prevent further damage.
Examples of noises to be aware of include:
•
Circulator motor and fan noises (with compressors off).
•
Compressor start-up and running noises, sequential starting of compressors.
•
Condenser fan noises.
•
Valve cycling noises.
How to inspect the door seal
The chamber has two silicone gaskets to minimize thermal losses and moisture migration.
•
Inspect the gaskets for dirt and tears.
•
Repair minor tears with a high quality RTV silicone such as GE RTV167.
•
Check the integrity of the door seal by closing the door on a sheet of paper. With the door
closed, slowly pull the paper. You should feel the resistance. Repeat this all around the door
at several places.
•
If the seal is not tight on the latch side, adjust the latch bracket. The latch bracket is mounted
to the chamber, and has slotted holes to permit adjustment.
•
If the seal is not tight on the hinge side, adjust the door hinge. The hinges have a slotted hole
on the door side to permit adjustment.
How to clean the condenser
1.
Unplug the chamber from the power source.
2.
Remove the condenser cover (lower panel) from the front of the chamber.
3.
Clean the condenser fins with a vacuum cleaner.
NOTE:
You may need to clean the condenser more frequently if the chamber is in a dusty
environment. You may be able to clean the condenser less frequently if the chamber is in a very
clean environment.
