Finish Thompson BE-15/15C - Manual (Page 34)

34
Replacing the Divert Valve:
1. Find the Divert Valve in the piping of the unit. It is brass in color and has a large hex nut on one side. If
you are agile enough, you may be able to reach the Divert Valve through the access hole in the top panel
of the BE unit or from underneath the front opening. Otherwise, remove the top panel from the unit. Be
careful—there are four wires and a hose attached. Set the top on its right side on top of a crate or other
support near the right front corner of the unit.
2. Locate and remove the coil portion of the valve. It is a black box attached to the valve and is held on with
a yellow or silver clip. Remove the clip and slide the coil off of the “stem” of the Divert Valve and set
aside. Do not unwire the coil—replacement of the coil is rarely necessary. However, its a good idea to
verify that the wire connections are secure. To check the wire connections, remove the small screw that
holds on the coil’s cover, exposing the wire nuts.
3. Remove the two hoses attached by loosening the hose clamps and pulling them off the barbed fittings.
4. Unthread and remove the Divert Valve. A 1/4”x close nipple connects the valve body to the Distillate
piping. Remove the nipple and the two barb hose fittings from the old valve.
5. Thread the removed parts onto the new valve body. Use plumber’s PTFE tape to ensure a tight, leak-free
fit. Notice that each port on the new Divert Valve is numbered:
 Attach the 1/4”x close nipple to port 1.
 Attach the two barb hose fittings to port 2 and port 3.
1. Install the Divert Valve onto the Distillate Piping. Position the valve body so that port 2 is facing straight
down and the valve’s stem faces the rear.
2. Reattach the hoses to the barb fittings using the hose clamps. At this time, inspect each hose and replace
any hose that appears weak, worn, or damaged. Use standard 1/2” automotive reinforced heater hose.
IMPORTANT: It is critical that the proper hoses are attached to the proper ports:
 Port 2 hose (points to the right and is in line with the Distillate Piping) leads to the Aspirator in the
Pump Reservoir.
 Port 3 hose (points straight down at 90
° from the Distillate Piping) leads out the rear of the BE unit
and becomes the Processed Water Hose.
1. Place the coil and clip back into position. Set the lid back on the cabinet (if removed) and check that the
wires and hose attached to the lid are not loose or kinked.
2. Test the operation of the new Divert Valve by placing a jumper wire between the terminals of TAS3.
Restore power to the BE unit. Verify that there are at least 3 1/2 gallons of liquid in the Process Tank and
that the Pump Reservoir is properly filled.
3. Turn the BE unit ON and watch for vacuum on the Vacuum Gage. The vacuum level should begin to rise
until it reaches at least -24” Hg.
 If OK, disconnect power, unjump TAS3, put everything back together and try a real recycle run.
 If the vacuum does not reach proper level within twenty minutes, check all Distillate Piping
connections for possible leaks. Refer to the “Troubleshooting Tests and Repairs: Low vacuum
reading after divert” section of this manual.