Va-Tran MPS-II User manual

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations for purchasing this Micro Precision Steam Cleaner, the MPS-
II. This product, designed and manufactured by Va-Tran Systems, Inc.,
represents the latest technology available in technical steam cleaning systems,
and has been specifically designed for High Precision and Cleanroom
Applications.
When used and maintained properly, this unit will give years of trouble-free
service for your Precision Cleaning requirements.
These instructions represent our experience in the use of Precision Steam
Cleaning Systems. We firmly believe that part of selling any enhanced
technology is helping the customer use it successfully. You may want to try
other things or call us if you have further questions regarding its' use. Precision
Steam Cleaning is a growing field with many new applications and
methodologies being developed daily. Pressurized steam is an aggressive
cleaning medium and is an ecological alternative to environmentally harmful
solvent cleaning agents.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
The Micro Precision Steam Cleaner is of the latest design and as such has been
designed to be safe for the user. A safety pressure relief valve is employed on
each Heating Chamber to protect the system and its' operators, and will relieve
pressure at 300 psig. NEVER bypass a safety device! There are high
temperatures and high pressures of both saturated and superheated steam
present in the system. The delivery system for the aforementioned steam is via
an operator held and controlled wand. Va-Tran Systems, Inc. cannot control
the applications of, and/or operation by, the purchaser, and therefore cannot be
held responsible for injuries, accidents, or losses resulting from the use or
misuse of the Micro Precision Steam Cleaning System.
MPS-II
MICRO PRECISION STEAM
CLEANER

Steam exits this product from 212 to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit, at pressures from 25 to
200+ psig. If used improperly, serious burn injury is possible. Never aim the exiting
steam jet at people, and never engage in 'horseplay' while operating this product. It is
also possible to be burned by hot water in the range of 140 to 212 Degrees Fahrenheit
exiting the wand once the heating chamber has cooled. The following Safety
Requirements are mandatory while operating this product:
Use only De-Ionized (D.I.) or Distilled Water in the Micro Precision Steam Cleaner.
Use of any other fluids will void any and all warrantees, both written and implied. Tap
water contains excessive minerals and calcium that can concentrate in the plumbing
and cause excessive pressures, reduced flowrates, and/or explosion hazard. Other
fluids, especially those with flash points could cause explosions resulting in serious
bodily injury or death.
Wear eye protection. A face shield is preferable, but safety glasses may be substituted.
Wear protective gloves as needed.
Wear a protective apron as needed to protect clothing from becoming soiled.
A skid-free rubber mat is recommended in cleaning area to prevent slip hazards.
Hearing protection is advised in areas where this product is operated in close quarters.
Avoid breathing any airborne contaminants that may be injurious. We recommend
using breathing protection. Consult an MSDS for any contaminants that you may be
cleaning, and use that information as a guideline for exposure levels and protective
equipment.
This cleaning system has no 'steam shut-off' device. This means steam will exit the
wand nozzle until the selected heating chamber is empty. Hold the wand safely until
all steam has exited the cleaning nozzle.
Never aim this gun at people. Do not engage in 'horseplay' when operating the MPS-I
Steam Cleaning System.

ASSEMBLING THE MPS-II CLEANING SYSTEM
The MPS-II Steam Cleaner will arrive factory wrapped in cellophane, along with the
following ancillary items:
10' of blue 1/4" O.D. water tubing.
1 wand with 4' hose and Quick Disconnect plumbing and electrical interface.
3 interchangeable cleaning nozzles for the wand.
This instruction manual.
Upon first receipt, inspect the box and its' contents for any damages that may have occurred
in transit. Report any damages immediately to the transit carrier. Once the shipment is
verified 'damage free', remove the cellophane wrapping and also the tubing, wand, and
cleaning nozzles.
Set the MPS-II on a clean, dry, and level surface. This unit should be located in a clean,
dry, and dust-free area. Do not place items on top of the unit, or block any of the electronic
cooling slots located on the top or left side of the unit. Make sure unit is in a splash-proof
area, and do not spray steam onto the unit during operation.
Connect the water supply tubing to the unit. Push the blue water tubing into the 'putty'
colored bulkhead quick disconnect fitting at the lower left corner at the rear of the unit,
labeled 'Distilled/Deionized Water Only'. Place the other end of the tubing into your supply
of Distilled/D.I. Water. The water supply should be free of any and all particulates that
may damage the water pumping system. This water supply SHOULD NOT be pressurized
into the MPS-II.
Attach a nozzle to the wand. To attach a nozzle to the wand, simply select a nozzle, insert
the ferrule end into the wand fitting, and screw the Insulator-nut onto the Swagelok fitting.
Tighten the Insulator-nut very snug by hand. The wand is ready to attach to the MPS-II.
Attach the wand to the MPS-II. At the end of the wand hose is both a steam (pneumatic)
and electrical connector 'Quick Disconnect'.
First connect the steam line by pushing the stem at the end of the wand hose into the steam
outlet (Quick Disconnect body) located on the front panel of the MPS-I. The QD body is
easily distinguishable in that it protrudes from the upper center of the front panel, and is
heat insulated with a large Teflon collar. Push the stem in fully until a loud audible 'click'
is heard. Verify the wand is connected by giving it a 'tug' to ensure it is retained.
Now attach the electrical connector to the panel mount socket labeled 'Remote', located in
the upper right hand of the Front Panel. To connect, align the pins, push in fully, then turn
the outer 'locking ring' clockwise one-quarter turn.
Connect the Power Cord to an electrical circuit. This unit operates on 208-240 volts ac,
single phase, and is supplied with a 12 gauge, 3 conductor power cord that can be fitted
with a plug rated 20 amps-240 volts, or can be 'hard wired' directly to a 208-240 volt ac
circuit rated for 20 amps or better.

Power-up the unit and pre-heat steam generating chambers. Turn on the power
switch/circuit breaker located in the upper left corner of the front panel labeled 'Main
Power'. Upon power-up, the two pilot lamps, 'Heating Chamber #1', and 'Heating Chamber
#2, will illuminate until the its' respective heating chamber has reached operating
temperature.
Prime the MPS-II cleaning system. Once the 'Heating Chamber' lamps have gone out,
the unit is ready to operate. To use, squeeze the trigger fully, and hold; then simultaneously
depress the black pump button at the rear of the wand handle. When activated, the pump
should start to pull water from the water supply and into the unit. When water first reaches
a heating chamber, a wisp of steam will exit the cleaning nozzle. After the first wisp has
exited, depress the 'pump button' again to prime the water circuit to the 2nd heating chamber.
Now run the pump for up to 3 seconds to fully prime the pump and to pass any air that may
have been caught in the water supply system. Now run the pump again for up to 3 seconds
for the 2nd circuit. The system is now ready to clean items of choice.
USING THE MPS-II STEAM CLEANING SYSTEM
The MPS-II Steam Cleaning System has been designed to be of ease and simplicity to the
user. Interfacing the Wand and Water tubing and connecting it to an electrical circuit is all
that's required to get 'up and running'.
With the MPS-II Steam Cleaning System from Va-Tran Systems, Inc., there are as standard
equipment 3 specialized cleaning nozzles:
1- General Purpose Nozzle that has a front-facing orifice in the center of the nozzle,
used for most typical cleaning tasks. This nozzle provides the most powerful and
focused jet of cleaning steam of the available nozzles.
1- I.D. Cleaning Nozzle that has forward-facing holes on the outside diameter of the
nozzle, used for cleaning the insides of tubes, chambers, and cavities.
1- Fan Spray Nozzle, used for cleaning a wider surface area than the General Purpose
Nozzle. Please note that the Fan Spray Nozzle has its own captive Insulator-nut, while
the Insulator-nut for the General Purpose and the I.D. Cleaning nozzle is shared; that
is, it is removed from the end of the unused nozzle and slid over the working end of
the other, and then attaches to the wand.

The nozzles are attached to the front of the wand, which resembles a pistol in form. At
the exit from the wand is a Swagelok 1/4" tube fitting. This fitting uses a ferrule system
to form a leaktight seal to the nozzle. The interface end of each nozzle has a pre-swaged
front/rear ferrule set that will mate to the Wand exit fitting. The Swagelok nut has been
fitted with a large Teflon insulator that has been designed to keep you from getting
burned when changing or tightening a hot cleaning nozzle. Note: due to thermal
expansion and contractions, it may be necessary to re-tighten a nozzle occasionally
during operation, as small leaks around the nozzle fitting may develop.
Cleaning with the MPS-II is easy. Once the proper nozzle has been selected,and the heating
chambers are at operating temperature as is indicated by each 'heating chamber' pilot lamp
going 'off', you may begin cleaning.
Direct the nozzle at the part to be cleaned, pointed away from you and at approximately a
45 degree angle. Generate steam by fully pulling the trigger while simultaneously
depressing the black 'pump run button' at the rear of the wand, or alternatively the 'Manual
Steam Actuator' momentary switch on the Front Panel for about 3 seconds. High pressure
cleaning steam will exit immediately. Direct the flow of steam over the part to be cleaned,
bottom to top and side to side, or vice versa, such that residue is directed away from the
part and away from the operator. Some empirical experimentation may be required to
determine the best nozzle and cleaning procedure for your application.
After about 20 seconds the flow of steam will cease as the injected water will have been
vaporized and exited. Repeat the preceding procedure as often as is required to clean the
part. Each time that you depress the 'pump run button', or the 'Manual Steam Actuator'
momentary switch on the front panel, a latching relay inside the unit changes state and
directs the flow of water from 'heating chamber #1' to 'heating chamber #2'. This allows
one of the chambers to recover heat while you clean with steam from the other chamber,
and vice versa. The 'pump run button' may be depressed for as long as 5 seconds if a longer
duration of steam is desired. If you try to pump water while the unit still has steam in the
manifold, the pump motor may stall, resulting in a lack of any steam being generated. Wait
until all steam is gone before pumping more water into the chamber.
After a few cleaning cycles the steam may begin to lose its' ability to clean because the
heating chambers have cooled below the optimum operating temperature. To recover,
simply let the unit rest until the heating chamber pilot lamps have gone out, then commence
with the cleaning process. Note: Each cleaning application is different. Some tenacious
contaminants may require the hottest, highest-pressure steam to remove. In this case you
will need to allow each heating chamber to fully recover between cleanings. Other
contaminants may be removed even when the chambers have cooled to the point of spitting
hot water along with the steam. This varies by cleaning application. Va-Tran Systems, Inc.
may be consulted to design modified or customized systems to solve your cleaning
problems.

MAINTAINING YOUR MPS-II
The MPS-II has been designed to require infrequent maintenance, however, since it is
high duty-cycle equipment, it will require maintenance in proportion with its' use.
Most moving parts, located primarily in the water pumping system, have been
designed as either low maintenance or maintenance-free. There are, however, some
wear parts in the pump cylinder itself that will wear out with use, and must be
replaced at the factory. Va-Tran Systems, Inc., recommends that you replace most
moving parts, as a comprehensive pump replacement kit, on a yearly basis as part of
your preventative maintenance program.
Servicing the moving parts. Providing service to the MPS-II is easy. Power down the
unit and let cool. Remove the 4 screws that secure the top cover, then the 4 screws that
secure the maintenance panel (right side of the unit). Most moving parts are on the pump
assembly in the lower left-hand corner of the interior as viewed toward the right side of the
unit.
Replacing Steam Exit QD O-ring. To replace the O-ring in the Front Panel QD, verify
that the unit is powered down and has cooled sufficiently to work on the QD. Leave the
unit fully assembled, the QD in the front panel, and use a 5/8" open end wrench (spanner)
across the 2 machined flats just behind the Teflon insulating collar. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise when looking at the Front Panel, and remove the front half of the QD
fully from the unit.
Set the Teflon insulator end face down on a clean dry work-surface, and with a dental pick,
hemostats, fine needlenose pliers, or even a bent paper clip gently remove the 'insert seal'
from inside the fitting. This part is made of Stainless Steel and has 2 larger o-rings attached.
Be careful to note the assembly orientation as the long end goes in first. With the insert
with its' two larger o-rings removed, you can reach inside with the dental pick and remove
the smaller QD O-ring. Replace with a new EPDM (ethylene propylene, EPR) Place the
insert back into the fitting, long end first, then replace back onto the 'spud' remaining in the
Front Panel. Tighten with the 5/8" spanner, and the unit is now ready for operation.

WARRANTEE INFORMATION
This MPS-II Micro Precision Steam Cleaning System by Va-Tran Systems Inc., is
guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
from date of purchase. Any defect or defective part will be repaired or replaced, at our
option, provided that the MPS-II shows no signs of misuse, mishandling, or abuse.
If repair is necessary, it is required that you obtain an RGA, returned goods authorization,
from Va-Tran Systems, Inc. Address, phone number and internet address is as follows:
Va-Tran Systems, Inc.
677 Anita St., Ste. A
Chula Vista, CA 91911
619-423-4555
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
www.vatran.com