Deschamps HVAC Air-Trap RLC Series User manual

Des Champs Technologies | 2 Nikki Lane | Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
www.deschampstechnologies.com | [e-mail] | Ph: 540-228-1967
Page | 1
RLC IOM Aug 31 17
Installation, Operation, and
Maintenance Manual for
HVAC Air-Trap™
RLC-SERIES
Positive/Negative Pressure
¾” slip or 1” bushing connections
These instructions are a guide to the user of an RLC
Series Air-Trap during installation, commission into
service, operation, or periodic maintenance.
Product Description
The RLC-SERIES Air-Trap allows water to drain from
HVAC equipment and simultaneously prevents air from
escaping from or entering the equipment.
The RLC-SERIES Air-Trap does not require standing
water to prevent gas (typically air) from entering or
leaving the HVAC unit. With the occurrence of
condensate, or other water sources within the unit, the
water flows out of the HVAC unit but no gas flows past
the trap. When there is no production of water, there is
no water in the trap and there is no gas passing
through the trap. Install the RLC-SERIES Air-Trap in a
vertical position for positive pressure and in a
horizontal position for negative pressure.
Delivery Check
Upon receipt of an Air-Trap (s), inspect for damage
that may have occurred during shipment and check to
insure delivered items match purchased items.
Resolving Shipping Damage
If damage or items are missing:
1. Report all claims of shipping damage to the
delivering carrier (transporter) immediately, and
schedule an inspection.
2. Make specific notations on the freight bill
concerning the damage.
3. Keep damaged material in the same location as
received. The receiver is responsible for
providing reasonable evidence that damage did
not incur after delivery.
4. Photograph damage if possible.
5. Do not move or discard damaged freight
packaging materials.
6. Notify the sales representative, or Des Champs
Technologies, of the damage. Do not attempt
to repair the unit without consulting the sales
representative or Des Champs Technologies.
DES CHAMPS TECHNOLOGIES IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING DAMAGE.
Storage Considerations
.
Store the Air-Trap in a protected area prior to
installation. The warranty will not cover damage to
the trap resulting from negligence.
MADE IN THE USA
Patent Pending

Des Champs Technologies | 2 Nikki Lane | Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
www.deschampstechnologies.com | [e-mail] | Ph: 540-228-1967
Page | 2
RLC IOM Aug 31 17
Positive-Pressure Application
The Series RLC maximum operating positive pressure
is 3.0 inches wc. If the positive pressure is expected to
be greater, then a P-Series Air-Trap for up to 12 inches
wc or an engineered Air-Trap for any positive pressure
above 12 inches wc should be used.
.
Always connect the drain line leaving the drain pan
directly to a trap to ensure proper drainage of water
while simultaneously preventing unwanted air from
entering or leaving the HVAC equipment.
Important: If there is a possibility of items such as
screws, gravel, etc. falling into the drain line then install
a strainer screen, as shown in Figure 1 over the drain
inlet prior to operation of the HVAC unit and before
installing the trap. An integral Union-Strainer™(also
available from Des Champs Technologies LLC, see
Figure 5) may also be inserted in the drain line
upstream of the Air-Trap.
1. Install the RLC-SERIES Air-Trap vertically with
the embossed arrowhead pointing upward
(see Fig. 4). This is a requirement for proper
movement of the internal float valve component.
2. Install the trap in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions and with all applicable local or national
plumbing, drainage, and mechanical codes.
3. NEVER CONNECT CONDENSATE DRAIN
DIRECTLY TO A SANITARY DRAIN LINE.
4. Connect only to a storm drain or a condensate
drain line. This product is to control flow of
condensate produced by HVAC equipment and is
not to be used on kitchen sinks, showers, or in
any application where a fan is not creating a
negative or positive pressure.
Operation in Vertical, Positive Pressure Mode
The RLC Air-Trap operates dry when no water
removal is required and wet when it is required. When
dry, essentially no air exits the HVAC unit. When
removing water, the water exits the unit, but essentially
no air exits the unit through the drain connection.
Install the Air-Trap in a vertical orientation.With no
production of condensate within the AHU, the positive
pressure that exists within the unit plenum that
contains the drain line forces the ball valve downward
onto the valve seat. With the production of water, the
ball rises from the seat when the net buoyancy force
upward equals or exceeds the net downward force
created by air pressure. See view in Figure 3.
The RLC SERIES Air-Trap accomplishes the
following:
•Reduces sludge buildup that normally
accumulates in standard P-traps
•Prevents freezing of trap during cold periods
since during periods of no water removal there
is no water in the trap. If, for some reason,
water is flowing from the unit during freezing
temperatures, and the trap is located within this
freezing temperature region, then the trap will
require thermal protection.
•RLC-Series Air-Trap requires no water head to
cause the trap to operate. Simply come out of
the plenum with the condensate line and go
down into the Air-Trap. Come out of the trap
and go horizontally with your drain line. The
height, x, requirement then becomes the height
of the trap plus two street elbows which totals 6
inches. See Figure 2.
•Eliminates air escaping from an HVAC unit that
would result when a standard P-Trap
experiences a “dry-out” condition.
•Note: If there is a possibility of a syphoning
effect (suction pressure) at the exit point of the
Air-Trap then it is necessary to install a vertical
vent pipe as close as possible to the bottom of
the trap (see Figure 4).
CAUTION
Failure to provide adequate
drainage piping may result in
water damage to equipment or
building.
Place stainless steel filter
screen, Figure 1, over drain
inlet or install a
Union-Strainer™, see Figure 5
upstream of the trap.
Figure 1: Strainer Screen
Figure 2: RLC-Series Air-Trap
Installed Vertically for
Positive Pressure Application
X

Des Champs Technologies | 2 Nikki Lane | Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
www.deschampstechnologies.com | [e-mail] | Ph: 540-228-1967
Page | 3
RLC IOM Aug 31 17
Figure 4: Installation of a Vertical Vent Pipe installed
directly downstream of a positive pressure trap to
prevent a suction pressure that could develop
depending upon the length of drainpipe, the diameter,
and the water flow rate.
Maintenance and Techniques for Cleaning the
RLC Air-Trap
Preventative Maintenance
In some operations, large particulate matter can move
from the HVAC unit through the drain line and into the
Air-Trap, causing a malfunction or failure. The best
way to reduce maintenance is to install a strainer
screen at the inlet to the drain line (Fig. 1) or a
Des Champs Union-Strainer™ upstream of the Air-
Trap,(See Fig. 5) to prevent miscellanious items like,
rocks, screws, and nuts from ever getting into the trap.
The Union-Strainer™ is also a convenient way to
prevent unwanted creatures and objects from entering
at the terminus of the drain line, like snakes, rats,
lizards, insects, and plant growth. The water flow is in
direction of arrow shown in Fig. 5, with the strainer cup
oriented to capture debris within the cup.
There are several options for cleaning.Option 1 is to
use the ½-inch threaded cleanout port in the trap
housing. This will allow insertion of a water or air
hose/syringe for washing or blowing away material that
may be hampering operation of the trap. See Fig. 3.
Option 2 would be to isolate the Air-Trap using unions
that allow Air-Trap removal for cleaning.
.
Figure 5: In-line Union-Strainers. Install in the drain line
upstream of the Air-Trap. This will aid in preventing
debris from entering trap. The arrow shows the
direction of water flow, into the strainer basket.
Figure 3: RLC Air-Trap -up to 3 inches of positive
pressure at ½ gallon per minute of condensate flow.
4.5”
2.75“ Max O.D
Positive

Des Champs Technologies | 2 Nikki Lane | Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
www.deschampstechnologies.com | [e-mail] | Ph: 540-228-1967
Page | 4
RLC IOM Aug 31 17
Negative-Pressure Application
When operating with a negative pressure plenum,
install the RLC Air-Trap in a horizontal orientation with
the arrowhead pointing in the direction of water flow
and the clean out plug facing upward as shown in Fig.
6. Condensate enters the end of the trap with the
centered connection and leaves the trap that has the
off center connection.
Figure 6: Installation of the RLC for negative pressure
showing arrowhead pointing in direction of water flow.
RLC traps tested at 1.6 GPM of condensate flow.
Figure 7: Orientation for negative pressure after
installation of RLC Air-Trap,showing cleanout port on
top, condensate entering at left end center, and exiting
at lowest point of trap on the right side. No water
remains in trap shortly after condensation ceases.
The benefits and maintenance of the RLC Air-Trap
when used in the negative pressure mode are the
same as for the positive mode with the added benefit
that it eliminates the geyser effect that is caused when
the standard P-Trap dries out and condensate begins
to form. The geyser effect is when air rushes into the
HVAC unit and does not allow the condensate to drain,
causing water to blow throughout the plenum
compartment. In addition, the RLC negative Air-Trap
requires less than half the height of a P-Trap.
Dimension Y in Fig. 6 illustrates that the total height of
the Air-Trap is only the height of the negative pressure
plus one inch and not 2 times negative pressure plus
two inches.Dimension Y in inches is = negative
pressure in inches of water column.
.
Caution, do not puncture the Float Valve.
Limited Warranty
.
Des Champs Technologies warrants to the original consumer purchaser
(“Purchaser”) of its product, RLC SERIES Air-Trap, that it is free from
defects in material or workmanship. If within the 12-month period from
the date of the original consumer purchase this product shall prove to be
defective, it shall be repaired or replaced at Des Champs Technologies
option. Your original receipt of purchase is required to determine
warranty eligibility. The warranty does not cover damage due to misuse,
misapplication, lack of maintenance, or failure to comply with the
manufacturer’s installation instructions or recommendations or any other
loss or damage exceeding the purchase price of the equipment purchased
from Des Champs Technologies or its appointed distributors.Des
Champs Technologies assumes no responsibility for damage or injury
resulting from chemical incompatibility between its products and the
process fluids to which they are subjected. This warranty is limited to
repair or replacement of the Air-Trap only and is the only warranty issued
by Des Champs Technologies on its trap products.
This product design is Patent Pending by Des Champs
Technologies LLC, Natural Bridge Station, Virginia
24579.
Des Champs Technologies has other standard models
of traps as well as engineered traps for high
temperature, high pressure, and very high water flows.
Call or go to the Website below for more information.
Negative
Y
Figure 8: The standard
connection is ¾” slip. The
O.D. of the connection
accommodates a 1-inch
bushing. Therefore, any
size PVC SCH 40 pipe from
½to 2 inches connects
with the aid of a bushing.