Archer VR6 Owner's manual
Model VR6 Vacuum Regulator
Installation, Operation & Maintenance
General: All Archer Instruments chlorination systems are carefully designed and tested
for years of safe, accurate field service. All Archer Instruments chlorination systems are
carefully tested prior to shipment. All Archer Instruments products are made of the finest
materials. To ensure best operation, read these instructions carefully and completely and
store them where all maintenance personnel will have access to them.
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 and drip leg must be used (also available from Archer).
Installing the VR6 Vacuum Regulator:
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 VR6 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 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 regulator (these are labeled). See Figure 1.
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 vacuum regulator) should be fitted
over the end of vent tubing to prevent insects from entering the equipment.
Operating the VR6 Vacuum Regulator:
1) Prior to placing the vacuum regulator into operation, it is important to carefully test the
lead gasket seal. A small squeeze bottle(provided with every Archer 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 1/3 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 remote meter is not mounted on the VR6, no further action is needed.
4) If the remote meter is installed on the VR6, adjust the remote meter’s rate valve knob
until the desired feed rate is indicated on the graduated meter tube.
Maintaining the VR6:
Recommended Maintenance Frequency: Archer recommends yearly routine maintenance.
-Refer to the parts diagram when performing maintenance on the VR6.
1) To disassemble, remove the two yoke screws and pull the metal yoke & inlet assembly
out of the back of the vacuum regulator.
2) Remove the four body screws and separate the front and back bodies. The diaphragm
assembly can then be removed by carefully 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.
3) The guide pin is threaded into the rear diaphragm plate and should not need to be
removed during routine maintenance.
4) The rear diaphragm plate and front diaphragm 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. Unscrewing these two parts allows for the removal of the diaphragm.
5) 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.
6) When reassembling, new o-rings should be given a thin film of the Fluorolube grease.
NEXT: The inlet assembly is a critical component in the safe function of the vacuum
regulator. Improper handling or reassembly can result in dangerous leakage of chlorine gas.
Archer recommends that only trained personnel or those familiar with vacuum
regulator maintenance service the inlet assembly. To service the inlet assembly:
1. Remove the two screws holding the metal yoke plate to the vacuum regulator body.
2. Grasp the metal yoke and with a slight turning motion pull it out of the back body.
3. Remove the OA-VIT-214 O-Ring from the Seal Plug.
4. Remove the Inlet Filter Holder (and/or the filter) from the Seal Adapter.
5. Using a short flat head screwdriver and a pair of pliers unscrew the YMA-100A Inlet Valve
Stem from the VRA-601A Spring Retainer.
NOTE: Protect the VRA-601A Spring Retainer from the pliers with a cloth or paper.
NOTE: This should be done with the Seal Plug installed in the Yoke Assembly unless the
Yoke Assembly is being replaced.
6. Now the VRA-601A, YMA-100A and SPA-104 should be removed and cleaned.
NOTE: Especially clean the YMA-100A in the region where it meets the YPA-101A to form
the seal. This surface should be polished as smooth as possible without scratching the
surface.
7. Using a rod of 0.250" diameter, the YPA-101A Inlet Valve Seat can be pressed out of the
Seal Plug from the spring side. The YPA-101A should be cleaned and carefully inspected for
scratches or cuts especially where it is to seal with the YMA-100A.
NOTE: Sometimes the YPA-101A will be cut or deformed such that it cannot seal. If you
perform this service and the Vacuum Regulator is still leaking to vent, then the YPA-101A
should be replaced with a new one.
8. Clean the Seal Plug thoroughly before reassembling the unit in the following order:
a. Lubricate O-Rings with Fluorolube™ grease.
b. Insert the new or cleaned YPA-101A with O-Ring OA-VIT-010.
c. Insert and retighten the YMA-100A, VRA-601A and SPA-104 as shown in the drawing.
NOTE: DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE IN TIGHTENING the YMA-100A to the VRA-601A.
d. Insert a new Filter Cartridge.
e. Install a new OA-VIT-214 O-Ring on the Seal Plug.
-Should you have any questions during maintenance of your vacuum regulator, please
contact your local service provider or Archer for support.
Item#Qty.Part#Description Item#Qty.Part#Description
11OA‐VIT‐014O‐Ring* 141KFA‐300
FilterHolder
21VRA‐104Pinguide 151VRA‐5015Filter(100PPD)*
1SA‐210,VRA‐455SilverScreen&Floss>100PPD
31VRA‐600GuidePin 161YMA‐100AInletValve
41OA‐VIT‐006O‐Ring* 171YPA‐101AInletValveSeat*
51DPA‐103DoubleDiaphragm* 181OA‐VIT‐010O‐Ring
*
61FBA‐600FrontBody 191SPA‐104InletSpring
71OA‐VIT‐156O‐Ring 201VRA‐601ASpringRetainer
81BBA‐600BackBody–250PPD&below
1BBA‐601BackBody–500PPD
211OA‐VIT‐009O‐Ring*
91OA‐VIT‐332O‐Ring 221VRA‐56ARearDiaphragmPlate
104BTA‐123BodyScrews(Monel) 231OA‐VIT‐029O‐Ring*
111OA‐VIT‐214O‐Ring* 241VRA‐269FrontDiaphragmPlate
121YMA‐605ABackPlate 251SPA‐100VentSpring
131SAWS‐US3SealAdapter
SAWS‐US3MSealAdapter(Metaloption)
262TCA‐64¼”NPTx3/8”tube100PPD*
1TCA‐84¼”NPTx½”tube250PPD
1TCA‐108½”NPTx5/8”tube500PPD
Notes:*‐ThesepartsareincludedintheParts‐
MaintenanceKitKT6‐10C
‐VenttubeconnectorisalwaysTCA‐64(3/8”)
Date:July2016
Drawing:VR6
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