11
MAINTENANCE
The best way to determine how often your particular
system will need maintenance is to remove the cover and
inspect it after its first three months of duty. Potable
water carries a variety of minerals and other materials in
a mix that varies from location to location. This variation
in water quality, combined with hours of operation and
duty cycle, will determine your own unique maintenance
schedule.
Water quality makes a difference
1.
Light to moderately hard water (2 to 10 grains
hardness per gallon) requires:
•
annual cleaning
•
regular skimming
2.
High mineral content water (more than 10 grains
hardness per gallon) requires:
•
cleaning frequency determined by use and
water quality
•
regular skimming
•
periodic drain and flush cycles
3.
DI/RO water (Model VMDI) requires:
•
no regular cleaning (although regular
inspections are advised)
•
no regular skimming or drain and flush cycles
•
regular verification that water processing
equipment is operating correctly. The
presence of chlorides in improperly
processed DI water will eventually cause
pitting and failure of the tank and its
components.
4.
To dramatically reduce mineral accumulation inside
the evaporating chamber, softening of the makeup
water is recommended. (Solids, like silica, are not
removed in the softening process.)
Standard water models (VAPORMIST
®
)
Proper skimming, draining and flushing
1.
Skimming will remove most water impurities at the
surface, ensuring proper surface tension and an
even boil. Skimming will remove most entrained
contaminants that have not yet precipitated as scale.
2.
Draining and flushing will completely remove
entrained contaminants and assist in removing
precipitated contaminants like scale and silica.
To inspect and service
1.
Remove the evaporating chamber:
•
Remove the two fasteners on each side of the
cover enclosure.
•
Remove the enclosure.
•
Do not remove the electrical panel cover or
heater terminal cover until electrical power
is disconnected. Safety first.
•
If the VAPORMIST has an SDU mounted
directly above it, the SDU cover must be
removed before removing the unit cover.
•
If the tank is hot, cool it down by moving the
valve lever located on the back of the drain
valve to the manual open position – the fill valve
will eventually open allowing cool water to run
through the tank until it is cool enough to
handle.
•
Shut off the water supply.
•
Shut off the electrical supply.
•
Allow the tank to completely drain.
•
Disconnect the fill line at the supply side of the
fill valve.
•
Disconnect the electrical plugs between the
tank components and the back of the
electrical panel (includes: power plug, fill
plug, drain plug, water level control plug, tank
temperature sensor plug and thermal trip
plug).
DISCONNECT BY PULLING ON
PLUG HOUSING. DO NOT DISCONNECT
BY PULLING ON CORD OR WIRES.
•
Disconnect the drain union on the back left
corner of the frame.
•
Disconnect the steam supply hose from the top
of the tank.
•
Lift the tank foot above the frame flange and
slide the tank assembly forward to remove.
2.
Loosen the four cover bolts and remove the cover
assembly from the tank.
3.
Clean the tank interior using a putty knife or similar
flat instrument.
4.
Unplug probe plug assembly. Leave ground wire
connected to tank. Unscrew the probe rod assembly
and clean the plastic probe housing, ensuring that all
passageways are clear. Clean the probe rods using
steel wool or a similar mild abrasive material. Inspect
the composite plastic probe housing for any signs of
cracking, roughness, or deterioration and replace if
needed.
5.
Install the probe and probe plug assembly. Verify
ground wire.
6.
Secure the chamber cover, making sure the cover
gasket is seated and the chamber is sealed.
7.
Reinstall the evaporating chamber:
•
Reconnect the fill line.
•
Reconnect the electrical plugs.
•
Reconnect the drain union.
•
Reconnect the vapor hose.
8.
Move the drain valve lever back to the auto position.
9.
Turn on the water supply.
10. Turn on the electrical power.
VMOM-0600.PDF 11
11/19/2009 9:59:11 AM
