T.E.MANNING
Schoener 50
1771 ED Wieringerwerf
The Netherlands
Tel/fax 0031-227-604128
Homepage: http://www.flowman.nl
E-mail:pumps@flowman.nl
FLOWMAN
ADVANCED PUMP TECHNOLOGIES
Edition 06: 14 June, 2002
SOLAR SPRING SOLAR PUMPS
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance of the valve group
The valve group comprises the valve chamber (326) together with the lower valve group and the upper valve group.
Pumps with series numbers up to and including B531
In pumps with series numbers up to and including B531, the lower valve group comprises the lower valve rubber (324), the lower valve rubber support (328) the valve spindle (330) the lower spindle ring (329) and the upper spindle ring (327)
The upper valve group comprises the upper valve rubber support (325), the upper valve rubber (324), the upper valve positioning ring (323) and the valve spindle nut (322)
Pumps with series numbers after B531
Drawing of valve group
In pumps with series numbers after B531, the lower valve group comprises the lower valve rubber (324), the lower valve rubber support (428) the manual valve bolt (430) the flanged retention ring (429) and the spindle ring (327)
The upper valve group comprises the upper valve rubber support (425) with the brass diffuser ring (426) usually attached to it, the upper valve rubber (324), the upper valve positioning ring (423) and the valve spindle nut (422).
Maintenance
General note
The only parts of the valve group (rarely) requiring replacement are the valve rubbers. The valves may however on rare occasions "stick" if they are not cleaned before being laid up for a long period. A description of how to clean the valves in such cases is therefore given.
How to replace the valve rubbers
Tools required : Ring spanner size 22; vice; if available special valve spindle tool (85)
Step one
Pumps with series numbers up to and including B531
Undo the valve spindle nut (322) in the top of the valve chamber (326) and remove, in turn, off the valve spindle (330):
The valve spindle nut (322)
The positioning ring (323)
The upper valve rubber (324)
The upper valve support (325)
The valve chamber (326)
The upper spindle "O" ring (327)
The lower valve support (328)
The lower valve rubber (324)
The lower spindle "O" ring (329)
Pumps with series numbers after B531
Drawing of valve group
Undo the valve nut (422) in the top of the valve chamber (326) and remove, in turn, off the manual bolt (430):
The valve nut (422)
The positioning ring (423)
The upper valve rubber (324)
The upper valve support (425) with the diffuser ring (426) usually attached to it
The valve chamber (326)
The upper spindle "O" ring (327)
The lower valve support (428)
The lower valve rubber (324)
The flanged retention ring (429)
Step two
Replace the valve rubbers.
Note : The valve rubbers need to be replaced only where they are showing cuts or signs of advanced wear and tear evidenced by areas which are much thinner than others. Valve rubbers can be expected to last more than ten years and wear and tear on them is, in normal circumstances, minimal.
Step three
How to clean and maintain the valve rubbers.
In most cases where the valves have got "stuck" after storage to the point that normal procedures are insufficient to free the valves again, it will usually be sufficient to clean the valves and then reassemble them.
1)Flake rust and mud deposits off the valve rubbers and parts using the blunt side of a screwdriver or some other appropriate instrument.
2)Clean the surface of the parts with water and a soft rag.
3)Apply a thin layer of Vaselline or similar non-toxic material to the surface of the valve rubbers, especially if the pump is to be laid up for a period of time.
4)It is not necessary to remove the Vaselline before the pump is next used.
5)Proceed with re-assembly as set out below.
Step four: Reassembly of the valve group
Pumps with series number up to and including B531
The key piece for assembly is the valve spindle (330). Place the spindle (330) with its wide end down, place the lower spindle "O" ring (329) (this is the larger of the two spindle "O" rings) on the spindle (330) making sure it is correctly placed in its seat, then the lower valve rubber (324) with the wider rim pointing down, then the lower valve support (328) with the wider rim pointing down (the lower valve support (328) is easily distinguishable from the upper valve support (325) as the lower support (328) is flat across its lower end, while the upper support (325) has an indented seating), then the upper spindle "O" ring (327) (this is the smaller of the two "O" rings) making sure the ring (327) is correctly seated in the valve spindle (330).
Fit the valve chamber (326) over the lower spindle group, then the upper valve support (325) with its narrow end down; then the upper valve rubber (324) with its narrow end down; then the spacing ring (323) then the valve spindle nut (322) with its narrow end down.
Pumps after series number B531
The key piece for assembly is the manual valve bolt (430). Place the flanged retention ring (429) with its flange at the bottom on the manual bolt (430) so that the flange is against the manual grip of the bolt (430), then the lower valve rubber (324) with the wider rim pointing down, then the lower valve support (428) with the wider rim pointing down (the lower valve support (428) is easily distinguishable from the upper valve support (425) as the lower support (428) has a much larger hole and the upper support (425) usually has the brass diffuser ring attached to it, then the upper spindle "O" ring (327) making sure it is correctly seated in the valve spindle (330) in the space between the lower valve support (428) and the narrow end of the retention ring (429)
Fit the valve chamber (326) over the lower spindle group, then the upper valve support (425) with its narrow end (with the diffuser ring 426 fixed to it) down; then the upper valve rubber (324) with its narrow end down; then the spacing ring (423) then the valve spindle nut (422).
Step five
For pumps up to and including B531
For pumps up to and including B531, firmly screw the valve spindle nut (322) onto the valve spindle (330).
WARNING!! TORQUE ON VALVE NUT (322) IS 2KG. Overtightening of valve nut (322) can lead to breakage of valve spindle (330).
For pumps after B531
For pumps with series numbers after B531, firmly screw the valve nut (422) onto the manual valve bolt (430) using an appropriate spanner.
WARNING!! TORQUE ON VALVE NUT (422) IS 1KG, or 7.4 lbs per square foot, or 10 Nm.
RETURN TO LIST OF CONTENTS: Solar Spring Maintenance manual.
RETURN TO SELF DIAGNOSTICS for Maintenance purpose
RETURN TO KEY WORDS: Solar Spring Maintenance manual.
RETURN TO DRAWING: Drawing for maintenance purposes.
RETURN TO SOLAR SPRING: General index
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