Finish Thompson BE-55C - Manual (Page 31)

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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/cutting 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 Teflon 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 8 gallons of liquid in the Process Tank
and that the Pump Reservoir is properly filled.
10. 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 -19”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.