General maintenance notes – Parr Instrument Series 4580 User Manual
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GENERAL MAINTENANCE NOTES
1. Periodically inspect all electrical wiring
and pressure connections for excessive 
corrosion. Suspect parts should be 
replaced by components only supplied 
by Parr Instrument Company. 
2. Always use appropriate wrenches on all
fittings and valves. Never use pliers or 
pipe wrenches. 
3. Head and cylinder service fixtures are
available for convenience and protection 
of components during maintenance of 
your reactor. 
4. To reinstall straight thread (NPS) fittings
to the head, screw the gage or valves 
firmly into the adapter. 
Run the bushing onto the threaded stem 
as far as it will go. Screw this assembly 
into the head until the nose of the 
adapter is seated; then back it off until 
the valve or gage is facing in the desired 
direction (no more than one full turn). 
Hold the fitting firmly in place and close 
the joint by tightening the bushing. This 
connection can be made and broken 
repeatedly without destroying the sealing 
surfaces. A light coating of thread 
lubricant, such as Parr High Temperature 
Anti-Seize Lubricant, applied to the 
straight threads and to the nose of the 
adapter will help to obtain a tight joint. 
Note:
PTFE tape should not be used on
this joint.
5. NPT (National Pipe Taper) threads
should not be disassembled any more 
than necessary. It will become 
increasingly difficult to maintain a tight 
seal with these tapered threads if the 
joint is made and broken repeatedly. 
Grafoil tape or PTFE tape (if temp 
allows) should be used on all NPT 
threads. 
6. Do not use oil or anti-seize lubricant on
threads or fittings if the vessel is to be 
used with oxygen. 
7. If your vessel is equipped with a loose
compression ring be sure that it is in place 
on the head before attaching any head 
fittings. The compression ring cannot be 
installed after fittings have been screwed 
into the head. 
8. Clean all threads and gas passages
thoroughly and remove all tape fragments 
when overhauling a vessel. An ultrasonic 
bath is excellent for cleaning metal parts, 
but do not place a thermocouple probe, 
pressure gage, face seals or ball bearings 
in an ultrasonic bath. Periodic cleaning 
may be performed on the exterior 
surfaces of the reactor stand with a lightly 
dampened cloth containing mild soap 
solution. All power should be 
disconnected when cleaning. 
9. Routinely inspect cap screws on split ring
closure for lubrication and cleanliness. It 
is important to clean and lubricate 
periodically with Parr High Temperature 
Anti-Seize Lubricant so that the required 
torque is accurately applied. 
10. To operate reactors equipped with an air
motor, connect air hose to a compressed 
air line. For best torque and speed 
control the piping to the motor should be 
at least 3/8” IPS or larger. Fill the oiler 
with SAE 10 oil and adjust the oiler feed 
one drop per minute into the air stream. 
For long continuous runs at high speeds, 
the oiling rate should be increased to 
three drops per minute. If the motor 
becomes sluggish, flush it with a non-
flammable solvent in a well ventilated 
area. 
Disconnect the air line and muffler and 
pour a small amount of solvent into the 
inlet port. Rotate the shaft by hand in 
both directions for a few minutes; then 
connect the air line and run the motor until 
there is not further trace of solvent in the 
exhaust. If the muffler is dirty, replace it. 
Relubricate the motor with a squirt of oil 
into the chamber and reassemble. 
11. If servicing assistance is needed, contact
Parr Instrument Company directly at the 
address shown on the back of these 
instructions.