VSX SERIES STEAMERS - OPERATION
Page 6 of 80
Water Supply
Supply pressure should be 20-80 psig
In line strainer for supply line (Not Supplied)
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 pictured
below.
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.
The water level probes in the boiler use ions in the
water to detect the water level.
Do not use
fully
demineralized or de-ionized water since it is "non
conductive" and the water level can not be detected.
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.
