Automate ValveLink 8 Gebruikershandleiding - Pagina 13

Blader online of download pdf Gebruikershandleiding voor {categorie_naam} Automate ValveLink 8. Automate ValveLink 8 16 pagina's.

'fl ush' valves to waste. Shortly before a solution is to be switched
'on,' its fl ush valve opens and re-primes the upper tubing with fresh
so lu tion from the res er voir down to its delivery valve (where a tee
fi tting is located con nect ed to the fl ush valve.) The fl ush valve is
then closed, and the delivery valve can be opened. The previous
solution in a de liv ery sequence can continue to fl ow while re-prim-
ing occurs.
Faulty valves
The bane of all liquid delivery apparatus! Despite AutoMate's
best efforts and pursuit of high quality valve manufacturers, some
valves fail. How often have space shuttle launches been delayed
due to valve problems? We can only pass along our valve sup plier's
one year warranty with their disclaimer "Improper use or mishan-
dling of the units, in the opinion of the manufacturer, voids this
warranty!" (their ex cla ma tion mark too.) In order to minimize valve
problems, please observe these guidelines:
1) Clean your valves after each use. Accumulated debris or
precipitate will rapidly cause leaking valves and seals. Use an in-
line fi lter if you expect a chance of particles in your solutions. Put
your AutoMate controller's programmability to good use by writ-
ing a washing protocol. At the end of the day, fi ll each reservoir
with cleaning solution (distilled water or appropriate liquid), and
press Start. A protocol can be easily written to fl ush each valve in
se quence. Saline solutions allowed to dry in stainless steel valves
will cause them to rust. This is considered improper use. We also
recommend rinsing your valves once before their fi rst use.
Beware of fl aking Tefl on tape or silicone fi tting glue. Large
debris are often the cause of valve failure. Try backfl ushing a valve
that is suspected to have failed for this reason by connecting a light-
ly pressurized liquid to the outfl ow of the valve while it is energized.
Sometimes this ejects the clog. No Draino!
2) Do not operate AutoMate valves with homemade con trol lers
delivering over 12V DC, or attempt to cycle them rapidly <10ms.
3) Do not exceed the rated operating pressure (> 100psi).
Before returning any valves to us please check:
1) That it was purchased in the last 12 months (AutoMate and
valve manufacturers record each by serial number.)
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2) That the valve is faulty and not the controller channel – fi nd
a valve that works in a particular output channel and try the bad
valve in that port to see that it still does not function.
3) If it is leaking, see #1 above and the section below.
If it qualifi es for all three of the above, AutoMate will accept
the valve for subsequent return to the factory. Repair or re place -
ment is at their discretion, as AutoMate does not have the ability to
open the valves to determine the cause of trouble. We may be able
to loan re place ment valves, which may be billed if the valve fac to ry
fi nds abuse on the user's part and refuses to honor the warranty.
Stuck pinch Valves
Occasionally pinch valves will stick closed. Usually this is a
sign that they are about to completely fail, but sometimes they can
be rejuvinated by simply prying them open. First energize (turn
on) the valve; then, using a fl at screw driv er, gently force the white
plunger open where it normally pinches the tube closed. The valve
may begin functioning normally. Also, pinch valves will not usu-
ally work without a piece of pinch tubing installed.
Valve Cables
One problem that is easy to diagnose and fi x is a broken cable
connection. Use any ohmmeter to measure the resistance across
the inner pin and outer 'barrel' of the RCA plug end of the valve
cable (while unplugged from the controller.) A resistance of zero
ohms indicates a short, or infi nite re sis tance means one of the wires
is broken in the cable assembly. This occurs most often at the joint
be tween the heavy black cable and the valve lead wires – under the
heat-shrink tubing, inside the outer black sheath, a few inches from
the valve itself. This can often be reached without completely dis-
as sem bling the valve en clo sure. Simply 1) remove the screw inside
the black valve box holding the plastic sheath in its hole, 2) remove
Valve enclosure (shown without front plate)
1
2
2
Plastic 'split loom' cable sheath.
Plastic 'split loom' cable sheath.
the black tape at the top of
the sheath and peel it back
a couple of inches, fi nd the
offending cable (trace it back
from the bad valve), and 3)
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