VSX SERIES STEAMER - SERVICE PROCEDURES
Page 21 of 80
Inlet Water Strainer
The in-line Y strainer should be located upstream of
the fill valve solenoid. Unscrew the cap from the
body on the leg of the Y that should be pointing
downwards toward the floor. Remove the screen
and any foreign particles trapped in the opening.
Rinse the screen thoroughly to remove accumulated
debris and replace the screen in the valve body. If
screen can not be thoroughly cleaned, replace it
with a new one. Reinstall the cap and ensure that
the Y strainer is positioned with the cap pointing
downward to catch debris.
The pressure regulating valve strainer will become
clogged if dirty steam lines are connected to direct
steam models. Remove the hex nut on the bottom
of the pressure regulating valve to clean the strainer
and valve seat.
GAS MODELS
Pilot, Thermocouple or Main Burners
WARNING:
DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL
POWER TO THE MACHINE AT THE MAIN
CIRCUIT BOX. PLACE A TAG ON THE CIRCUIT
BOX INDICATING THE CIRCUIT IS BEING
SERVICED.
WARNING:
SHUT OFF THE GAS BEFORE
SERVICING THE UNIT.
The pilot thermocouple supplies a millivolt signal
(DC) to an internal solenoid valve on the gas
combination control valve when heated. This
solenoid valve is designed to shut off the gas flow to
the pilot and main burners in case of a malfunction
in the system. When energized by the thermocouple
voltage, the valve is held in the open position to
permit gas flow. The pilot burner flame is controlled
by an adjustable needle valve located under a small
cap screw on the combination control valve.
When experiencing nuisance pilot outages, visually
check pilot flame for the proper contact on
thermocouple and the flame color. Also, check to
see that unusually strong floor drafts are not
interfering with proper heating of the thermocouple
by the pilot flame.
The pilot flame should be a steady blue flame that
envelopes the thermocouple tip. The flame should
be about one inch long with half its length extending
beyond the outer edges of the pilot shield. If the pilot
flame does not appear to be this length and color,
then an adjustment is necessary. See the diagram
below for an example of un satisfactory pilot flames.
Turn clockwise to decrease pilot flame and
counterclockwise to increase.
NOTE:
If adjustments in gas or pilot pressure
settings are made, always replace the adjustment
cover screw to assure proper gas control operation.
If adjustment does not result in a pilot flame of
proper size, then gas might not be flowing properly
to the pilot. Check for a plugged pilot orifice, a
kinked or plugged pilot gas supply tube and for low
gas supply pressure. The pilot operates unregulated
at gas supply pressures while the pressure regulator
in the combination control valve regulates pressure
to the main burners only. Visually check the
thermocouple tip (hot end) and tube lead for kinks or
pinches that might be causing a short between the
tube and the wire inside. Also, check the threaded
connector tip for corrosion, tarnish or dirt which can
cause a poor connection. If the thermocouple shows
either of these signs, it should be replaced with a
new one.
NOTE:
The connection of the tubing from the
thermocouple tip to the control valve is an electrical
connection and must be clean. Do not use any
sealing compound on the threads or over tighten the
threaded connection. Finger tighten the nut plus 1/4
turn with a wrench. Over tightening the nut could
crush the insulator, shorting the thermocouple.
If the pilot flame is correct and there are no drafts,
then the problem is in the thermocouple output
voltage or the gas solenoid valve in the combination
control.
