Supply connection
cold
Total dissolved solids (TDS)*
less than 60 ppm
Total alkalinity
less than 20 ppm
Silica
less than 13 ppm
Chloride
less than 30 ppm
PH factor
7 to 8
(*17.1 ppm = 1 grain of hardness)
Tools
Standard
•
Standard set of hand tools.
•
Volt-Ohm-Meter (VOM) with AC current tester.
(Any quality VOM with a sensitivity of at least
20,000 ohms per volt can be used.)
•
Gas leak checking equipment.
•
Gas pressure manometer.
Special
•
CLR Treatment Kit - Used to remove Calcium/
Lime/Rust from a boiler (Contact Vulcan
Authorized Service Centers ).
•
Adaptor to test thermocouple closed circuit
voltages (DC) on gas models with manual
ignition (purchase locally).
NOTE:
Adaptors vary between manufacturers. An
example of one adaptor type is shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 4
Water Conditioning
Furnishing the boiler with soft water to reduce scale
formation is important. Scale formation will reduce
steam output, cause premature component failure,
and shorten equipment life. Most water supplies
contain scale producing minerals such as Calcium
and Magnesium. As steam is generated, the minerals
remain and dissolve into the water. As the
concentration of these minerals increases past a
certain point, they precipitate from the water and coat
the inside of the boiler, heating elements, thermostat
bulbs and water level probes. Because of the high
temperature of these surfaces, the precipitated
minerals bake onto them and become very difficult to
remove.
This causes several problems:
1.
Reduce the heat transfer efficiency of the heating
system.
2.
Cause premature failure of electric heaters.
3.
Water level probes will give false readings.
4.
Thermostat bulbs will sense temperature
incorrectly.
These problems are common to any manufacturer's
steamer regardless of design, but they can all be
prevented by furnishing the boiler with soft water.
Vulcan recommends the water contain less than
60ppm of “total dissolved solids” (TDS) and have a PH
factor between 7 to 8. These water properties can be
achieved by using a properly maintained water
softener.
Other chemical properties in water supplies can also
affect good steam generation and vary from within
each state and locality.
CAUTION
Do not use fully demineralized or de-
ionized water since it is "non conductive" and the
water level can not be detected.The water level
probes in the boiler use ions in the water to detect the
water level.
NOTE:
The use of strainers, or filters will not remove
minerals from the water.
Vulcan recommends that a local water treatment
specialist be consulted before the installation of any
steam generating equipment.
Steamers that operate over a long period of time
without the benefit of a water softener, which have
developed a heavy scale build up, should be cleaned
before using a water softener.
VSX BOILER BASE SERIES CONVECTION STEAMERS - GENERAL
F24627 (0916)
Page 6 of 82
