Archer VR3 Owner's manual
ArcherInstruments,LLCwww.archerinstruments.com
Model VR3 Vacuum Regulator
Installation, Operation & Maintenance
General: The Archer Instruments Model VR3 vacuum regulator is designed for use in
vacuum gas feed systems. The VR3 incorporates an integral graduated meter tube, which
provides a local indication of gas flow rate. The VR3 can be provided with or without an
integral rate control valve. *Note: For systems using an automatic switchover module, the
VR3 vacuum regulator should be plugged (rate valve removed) as the integral rate valve
can cause improper switchover operation.
Safety: When working with chlorine, always use caution and follow applicable safety
procedures. General safety considerations:
* Store chlorine separately from ammonia.
* When using chlorine, avoid locations that expose the cylinder and equipment to direct
sunlight.
* Do not apply heater or heat source directly to chlorine cylinders.
* 150lb (upright) cylinders: Always keep cylinders upright and ensure the steel valve cap is
in place when moving cylinders. Once cylinder is in place, a safety chain should be used to
secure the cylinder.
* Ton Containers: Use appropriate handling equipment when moving ton containers. When
readying ton container for use, ensure valves are aligned vertically. The top valve accesses
gaseous chlorine and the bottom valve accesses liquid chlorine. The bottom valve should
never be touched unless your system employs a chlorine heat exchanger (evaporator)
designed expressly for use with liquid chlorine. When drawing gas from ton containers an
appropriate ton container adapter & drip leg must be used (also available from Archer
Instruments).
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Installing the Model VR3:
1) Carefully inspect the cylinder valve outlet surfaces and vacuum regulator inlet capsule
surfaces for damage or debris prior to installation.
2) Note that the inlet port on the VR3 regulator ships with a filter cartridge installed. Do not
remove this filter, as doing so will bring on maintenance requirements.
3) Always use a new lead gasket when connecting the vacuum regulator to a chlorine
cylinder valve.
4) Holding the VR3 vacuum regulator upright, settle it over the cylinder valve and fit the
inlet capsule into the cylinder valve outlet port.
5) Using a 3/8” wrench, tighten the yoke assembly “half-dog” set screw so that the lead
gasket is crushed between the valve and the inlet capsule.
6) Connect the vent and vacuum tubing to the VR3 regulator (these are labeled). See figure
below:
NOTE: Vent tubing should always be connected and run to a safe location (outside of
any building). A vent bug cap (provided with every Archer Instruments vacuum
regulator) should be fitted over the end of vent tubing to prevent insects from entering
the equipment.
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Operating the Model VR3:
1) Prior to placing the VR3 vacuum regulator into operation, it is important to carefully test
the lead gasket seal. A small squeeze bottle(provided with every Archer Instruments
vacuum regulator) should be partially filled with ammonia. Squeezing the bottle allows the
ammonia fumes to be used to test for chlorine leaks. A leak is detected by a visible light
gray / white gas cloud when the two fumes interact. To test for leaks, open the cylinder
valve ¼ turn and then close immediately. This pressurizes the lead gasket seal but ensures
the full cylinder of chlorine is isolated during leak testing. Use ammonia fumes around the
cylinder valve and lead gasket to check for any signs of leaking gas. If a leak is found, this
must be addressed before placing the unit into operation.
2) After confirming no leaks exist, open the chlorine cylinder valve 1/3 of a turn. This is fully
open and there is no need to open the valve further.
3) If the Model VR3 is not equipped with a rate valve (if this is plugged), no further action is
needed.
4) If the VR3 is equipped with a rate valve, adjust the rate valve knob until the desired feed
rate is indicated on the graduated meter tube.
Maintaining the VR3:
Recommended Maintenance Frequency: Archer Instruments recommends yearly routine
maintenance of the VR3 vacuum regulator.
-Refer to the following parts diagram when performing maintenance on the VR3.
1) To disassemble the VR3, remove the two BTA-125 yoke screws and pull the yoke &
inlet assembly out of the back of the vacuum regulator.
2) Remove the BTA-124 body screws and separate the VR3 front and back bodies.
3) The diaphragm assembly can then be removed by pulling it straight out of the front
body. Take care to not lose the vent spring, which is located between the diaphragm
assembly and the front body.
4) 250 PPD Units & Lower:
a. Unscrew the RVA-518-XXX rate valve & knob (or the dummy plug if the unit is
plugged) from the VBA-100C valve bonnet until it can be gently pulled straight
up and out.
b. Remove the VBA-100C rate valve bonnet (if unit is not plugged) by unscrewing
it from the top meter block using a pair of pliers. Beneath the bonnet (or
dummy plug) is an OA-VIT-106 o-ring, which should be removed and replaced.
c. Next remove the glass meter tube by slowly unscrewing the MIA-140 inlet plug.
This clamps the glass tube into place. Be careful to not let the glass meter tube
fall out.
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d. The MIA-140 inlet plug can then be removed fully by unscrewing it several turns
and then pulling it out.
e. The RVA-830-100 / 250 rate valve seat may or may not need to be replaced. If
the rate valve stem fits loosely into the seat, replace the seat. If it feels snug
the seat can be left in place. If the rate valve seat does need to be replaced, it
can be pushed down and out of the top meter block from above using a small
screwdriver or other small tool. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the top
and bottom meter blocks from the front body.
5) 500 PPD Units:
a. Remove the VRA-122 Meter Body by unscrewing the (4) #10-24 screws.
b. Unscrew the RVA-652 / 651 Rate Valve and remove.
c. Using a pair of pliers, unscrew and remove the RVA-224 bonnet & RVA-116
sleeve from the meter body
d. Next remove the glass meter tube by slowly unscrewing the MIA-232 inlet plug.
This clamps the glass tube into place. Be careful to not let the glass meter tube
fall out.
e. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the top and bottom meter blocks from the
front body.
6) The guide pin VRA-100 can be unscrewed from the diaphragm assembly by hand or (if
necessary) by using a pair of pliers. But it is generally not necessary to remove this
pin for routine maintenance. Simply replace the OA-VIT-006 o-ring.
7) The diaphragm back plate VRA-363 and diaphragm front plate are threaded together
and can often be unscrewed by hand. If they will not unscrew by hand, it may be
necessary to use a vice and / or channel locks.
8) Whenever routine maintenance is being performed, all parts should be thoroughly
cleaned. It is recommended that all o-rings (with the exception of the OA-VIT-332) be
replaced.
9) When reassembling, new o-rings should be given a thin film of the Fluorolube grease.
NEXT: The inlet assembly is a critical component of the VR3. Improper handling or
reassembly can result in dangerous leakage of chlorine gas.
Archer Instruments recommends that only trained personnel or those familiar with
vacuum regulator maintenance service the inlet assembly.
To service the inlet assembly:
a. Remove the inlet assembly from the yoke plate by sliding the VRA-142 retainer
clip off of the inlet capsule.
b. Remove the inlet filter from the inlet capsule. The inlet filter cartridge (FCA-1 &
FCA-2) can be removed using any ¼-20 threaded bolt or screw. The VR3 body
screws and yoke screws are ¼-20 thread. Unscrew the FCA-2 from the FCA-1
and replace the filter.
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c. The inlet assembly can now be disassembled by using a small flathead
screwdriver to unscrew the inlet valve (VRA-112) from the vent plug (VRA-111).
Be careful when disassembling as the inlet assembly is under spring tension and
small parts could be lost.
d. Once the inlet valve, vent plug, spring, spring holder and spring retainer are
removed, the seal plug (VRA-182) and inlet capsule (VRA-141) can be
unscrewed.
e. The inlet valve seat (VRA-110) can be removed by pressing it up and through
the inlet capsule. The inlet valve seat is a maintenance part and once removed
should never be reused.
f. Carefully clean the inlet capsule, seal plug, inlet valve stem, vent plug, spring
holder, spring retainer and spring. NOTE: The VRA-112 inlet valve stem must be
cleaned using a non-abrasive cloth (or Scotch-Brite pad).
g. Using a new inlet valve seat and new o-rings (with a thin film of the grease
provided on each o-ring), reassemble the inlet assembly in reverse order.
-Should you have any questions during maintenance of your VR3 vacuum regulator, please
contact your local service provider or Archer Instruments for support.
ArcherInstruments,LLC www.archerinstruments.com
Item#Qty.Part# DescriptionItem#Qty. Part# Description
11VRA‐160BackBody241VRA‐363DiaphragmBackPlate
21VRA‐107FrontBody251OA‐VIT‐126O‐Ring
34BTA‐126 #10‐24x1”Screw261OA‐VIT‐212O‐Ring
41RVA‐518‐XXXRateValve&Knob
010/100/25010,100or250PPD
271VRA‐182SealPlug
51VBA‐100C ValveBonnet281VRA‐110InletValveSeat
61OA‐VIT‐106O‐Ring292OA‐VIT‐011O‐Ring
71MBA‐110 TopMeterBlock301VRA‐112InletValveStem
83OA‐VIT‐012O‐Ring311VRA‐5010FilterMembrane
*Usedfor100PPDunits.250PPDunitsprovidedwithscreen&floss
91RVA‐830‐XXXRateValveSeat
100/250100PPD/250PPD
321FCA‐1 FilterCartridgeBase
*withoneOA‐VIT‐011
101OA‐VIT‐016O‐Ring331FCA‐2 FilterCartridgeBody
112MGA‐X MeterGasket
1/2/3/4 10,25,100,250PPD
341VRA‐141InletCapsule
121MTA‐108‐XXXMeterTube(withball&stops)
004/010/025/050/100/250=PPD
351VRA‐142RetainerClip
131VRA‐104PinGuide 361VRA‐346YokeAssembly
141VRA‐100GuidePin371SPA‐104InletSpring
151OA‐VIT‐006O‐Ring381VRA‐113InletSpringHolder
161OA‐VIT‐014O‐Ring391VRA‐183SpringRetainer
171SPA‐100VentSpring401VRA‐111VentPlug
181MBA‐109 BottomMeterBlock411OA‐VIT‐009 O‐Ring
193OA‐VIT‐112O‐Ring 421
OA‐VIT‐331 O‐Ring
201MIA‐140InletPlug436BTA‐124 ¼‐20x1‐3/4”Screw
211VRA‐162FlowTube44*FMA‐104 Plug(replacesratevalve&knob)
222DIA‐106 VR3DiaphragmNotShown‐2BTA‐125 ¼‐20x2‐3/4”YokeScrew
231VRA‐269DiaphragmFrontPlateNotShown‐1TCA‐64 VentTubeConn.¼”NPTx3/8
Notes:VacuumTubeConnector(notshown)suppliedasfollows:
3/8”tubing(TCA‐64)for100PPD&belowand½”tubing(TCA‐84)
for250PPD.Venttubingisalways3/8”(TCA‐64).
Date:Aug2014
DrawingNumber:VR3‐250
ArcherInstruments,LLC www.archerinstruments.com
Item#Qty.Part# DescriptionItem#Qty.Part# Description
11VRA‐234BackBody251VRA‐110InletValveSeat
21VRA‐256FrontBody261OA‐VIT‐011O‐Ring
31VRA‐122MeterBody500PPD271VRA‐112InletValveStem
41RVA‐652RateValveKnob281VRA‐184FilterStop
51MGA‐116TopMeterGasket291VRA‐101InletScreen
61MTA‐129‐500MeterTube500PPD301VRA‐455FilterFloss
78BTA‐138 #10‐24MachineScrew311VRA‐141InletCapsule
81VRA‐104PinGuide 321VRA‐142RetainerClip
91VRA‐100GuidePin331VRA‐346YokeAssembly
101OA‐VIT‐006O‐Ring341SPA‐104InletSpring
112OA‐VIT‐014O‐Ring 351VRA‐113InletSpringHolder
121SPA‐100VentSpring 361VRA‐183SpringRetainer
131MGA‐115BottomMeterGasket371VRA‐111VentPlug
143OA‐VIT‐212O‐Ring381OA‐VIT‐009 O‐Ring
151MIA‐232MeterInletPlug500PPD391OA‐VIT‐331 O‐Ring
162VRA‐235Clamp406BTA‐124 ¼‐20x1‐3/4”Screw
172OA‐VIT‐114O‐Ring411RVA‐224RateValveBonnet500PPD
181VRA‐321FlowTube421RVA‐651RateValveStem500PPD
192DIA‐106 VR3Diaphragm431OA‐VIT‐012O‐Ring
201VRA‐269DiaphragmFrontPlate442OA‐VIT‐010O‐Ring
211VRA‐363DiaphragmBackPlate451RVA‐116RateValveSleeve
221OA‐VIT‐126O‐Ring461TCA‐108 TubeConn.½”NPTx5/8”tube
231VRA‐182SealPlug47*PLA‐438 Plug*Replaces41,42,43,44&45
242OA‐VIT‐112O‐RingNotShown‐2BTA‐125 ¼‐20x2‐3/4”YokeScrew
Notes:Venttubingisalways3/8”(TCA‐64tubeconnector–not
shown).Date:Sept2014
DrawingNumber:VR3‐500
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