Document Subject: Tamson operating manual TAMSON Instruction and Operation Manual Bath models TMV(A)40, TM(V)45, TMV(A)70, TM170 The (A) suffix indicates the presence of an (A)uxiliary bath. The (E) suffix indicates the presence of an R(E) type control board. The (V) suffix indicates the presence of a (V)isibility window. The (X) suffix indicates the presence of an R(X) type control board. The numbers indicate the fluid capacity of the bath in liters. The (Z) suffix indicates the presence of a two-stage (Z) pump, which exhibits a suction effect on the return line. Note: While this manual is for those models specifically listed above, all Tamson baths are made of similar components arranged in different configurations. Thus, this manual will also apply to most Tamson baths with little interpretation. P.M.T. Tamson Laboratory Equipment PO Box 208 2700AE Zoetermeer The Netherlands Updated 10 June 1997 by NESLAB Instruments ------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS 1. Unpacking 2. Installation 3. Filling 4. Setting bath temperature 5. Heat capacity control 6. Circulation pumping devices 7. Cooling 8. Automatic high temperature safety cutout 9. Special instructions for model TMV(A) ------------------------------------------------- 1. Unpacking 1A. Unpack with care to avoid losing small parts, such as contact thermometers, magnetic caps, etc. 1B. Retain all carton boxes and packing materials until the bath is tested and found in good condition. Transport companies generally will not honour a claim for damages if the respective box(es) is (are) not available for examination. ------------------------------------------------- 2. Installation 2A. Clean inner bath thoroughly of any loose packing material etc. 2B. Insert the contact thermometer into the sleeve on top of the bath. The sleeve of the high temperature models (230 and 250 degree C) is packed separately and should be screwed into the top of the bath. Be sure the thermometer fits snugly. If necessary for an accurate fit, carefully crimp the adjustable sleeve top. Attach the connector as the end of the insulated wire to the connector on the contact thermometer. 2C. Level the bath using the adjustable feet. 2D. Connect the bath to a sufficiently fused and earthed [grounded] wall socket, after first making sure the bath switch is in the OFF position. CAUTION: Never operate the bath without fluid. ------------------------------------------------- 3. Filling 3A. Fill bath up to 10-20 mm (0.4-0.8 inch) below the lid. At no time should the bath level be allowed to fall below 60mm (2.5 inch) of the top plate. When using oils for high temperature it is imperative that the bath is completely free of water and that sufficient space for the thermal expansion of the oil is allowed. 3B. We advise the use of clean tap water for temperatures betwen 10 and 80 C. The addition of an algaecide such as Chloramine-T inhibits the growth of bacteria or algae. To extend the temperature range down to -40C, the addition of ethylene glycol is necessary: To 5C: 90% water, 10% ethylene glycol To 0C: 80% water, 20% ethylene glycol To -10C: 70% water, 30% ethylene glycol To -15C: 65% water, 35% ethylene glycol To -25C: 60% water, 40% ethylene glycol To -35C: 55% water, 45% ethylene glycol Ethylene glycol is available from NESLAB. Contact your NESLAB representative for specific recommendations. 3C. For temperatures higher than 80C, high boiling point compounds must be used. Apart from being chemically stable at the working temperature, they must also be of sufficiently low viscosity in order not to inhibit adequate agitation of the bath contents. Silicon oil can be used for temperatures up to 200 C. It may be used at higher temperatures, but the geltime becomes considerably shorter and so does the lifetime. Silicon oil is available from NESLAB. Contact your NESLAB representative for specific recommendations. 3D. If the bath medium has a viscosity which at room temperature is too high, a resettable fuse [circuit breaker] will deactivate the circulator motor. Heating should then be continued until the bath contents reach a sufficiently lower viscosity. Restart the circulator by pressing the resettable fuse on the control panel. ------------------------------------------------- 4. Setting bath temperature 4A. Loosen the knurled setscrew on the side of the contact thermometer cap. Turning the cap clockwise will increase the bath temperature. Turning the cap counter-clockwise will decrease the bath temperature. Bath temperature is set by turning the cap so that the top of the sliding indicator is level with the desired temperature reading on the contact thermometer scale. Retighten setscrew after setting temperature. 4B. When the bath is switched on, the microprocessor controller will automatically switch on the boost heater as long as the contact thermometer remains "open". The boost heater is switched off automatically as soon as the bath temperature nears the setpoint. On bath model TMVA the heater of the auxiliary bath is not switched on for the time that the boost heater is on. ------------------------------------------------- 5. Heat capacity control The bath is equipped with a microprocessor which controls the heating capacity automatically. If the contact thermometer remains "open" for more than about two minutes, the quartz heater is switched to maximum capacity, and after another five minutes the boost heater is switched on. The microprocessor controller continuously adjusts the heating capacity in relation to changes in working conditions. ------------------------------------------------- 6. Circulation pumping devices 6A. The bath with a capacity of 45 liters is provided with a circulation pump. The outlet and return lines are fitted with 8mm (0.3 inch) hose connections, for rubber and plastic tubing and a 1/4" right hand threaded fitting for metal tubing. The outlet line is provided with a small disc stopping the circulation action. Before the fluid can begin circulating, this disc must be removed by unscrewing the fitting and hose connection assembly and turning the hose connection in upright position (by hitting it with a small hammer). If at any time it is desired to close off the flow, this disc may be replaced. With moderate temperatures however, it will be simpler to connect a small piece of tubing from the outlet to the return line and close off the tubing with an adjustable pinch cock. In this way it is also possible to control the flow rate of the pump, if required. 6B. When using a bath with the double-action pump (indicated by the presence of a "Z" in the model number), the level control provided must be used when circulating to an open system. Place the other external vessel in such a manner that its liquid level is higher than the liquid level in the bath, in order to prevent a siphoning action when the pump stops. The pump outlet is to be connected to the smaller, and the suction line to the larger bore metal tube on the levelling device. This is then suspended from a stand and lowered into the external vessel. The end of the larger bore metal tube should just make contact with the water level in the external vessel. 6C. The double-action pump may be used with water, non-agressive low viscosity cooling fluids and non-foaming low viscosity oils. ------------------------------------------------- 7. Cooling 7A. All the bath models are provided with a cooling coil. Cooling may be effected by passing a small flow of tap water through this coil. Generally, the cooling water should be at least 5C or more below the desired temperature in the bath. For the best bath temperature control, a small but constant flow rate is required. The heat capacity control is then adjusted for maximum accuracy. 7B. An alternative to tap water cooling is to use a refrigerated circulating bath. These units will enable the baths to be controlled at temperatures from 30C to below 0C. 7C. Cooling is also essential when working slightly above ambient. In some models, cooling is necessary when operating as high as 40C. This is due to the heat generated by friction at the pump, and the efficient insulation of the bath itself. The heat is generated slowly, but because of the insulation, can not escape as fast as it is generated. It is to be removed by either of the methods mentioned above. ------------------------------------------------- 8. Automatic high temperature safety cutout 8A. An automatic high temperature safety cutout is provided as a standard feature on all models. If, for some reason, the temperature rises above setpoint, the automatic high temperature safety cutout will shut down the entire bath. It can be set any any point, but is generally adjusted some degrees above working temperature. Once the cutout is activated, the bath will remain off until the temperature falls below the setpoint and the cutout has been reset by pressing the reset pin. 8B. To set the cutout, the recessed knob should be turned by coin or screwdriver slowly counter-clockwise until the cutout operates. Note this position, turn the recessed knob clockwise, press the reset pin, and then repeat the counter-clockwise turning, stopping just before the previously noted operating point is reached. If the cutout operates, the red arrow-shaped lamp will light. 8C. Models TMV(A): The main bath as will as the auxiliary bath are equipped with an automatic high temperature safety cutout as described in 8A and 8B. The automatic high temperature safety cutout of the auxiliary bath os factory set at approximately 85C and this can not be altered by the user. Only the reset pin is found on the front panel. If the cutout has been activated, the bath has to cool down approximately 20C before it can be reset. ------------------------------------------------- 9. Special instructions for model TMV(A) The incorporation of an auxiliary bath provides ultra fine temperature adjustment and better long term temperature stability my minimizing the influence of ambient temperature changes. These special features demand the following typical instructions: 9A. TMV(A) Installation After the main bath has been cleaned and filled, as per the general instruction, fill the auxiliary bath with tap water through the port provided. The level should be brought up to 10-20mm (0.4-0.8 inch) from the top. Water is used as a medium since the temperature in the auxiliary bath is always controlled well below 100C. Insert the short-stemmed narrow range (60-80C) contact thermometer into the sleeve provided on the auxiliary bath. Loosen the top knurled fitting and the lower tube of the jacketed sleeve for the main bath, gently sliding the wetted main contact thermometer all the way on and retighten fitting and lower tube. The entire assembly is now placed in the fitting provided at the top of the bath. Connect the top fitting of the water jacket to the stand pipe on the top of the bath, and connect the bottom fitting on the water jacket to the bent stand pipe. The main switch will operate both baths. Switching on will activate both the circulator and the control system of the auxiliary bath and the agitator and the control system of the main bath. Set the contact thermometer of the auxiliary bath to about 70C. The system is now ready for operation. 9B. TMV(A) Fine adjustment When the main switch is in the ON position and both baths are operating, major alterations in operating temperature can be effected by adjusting the main contact thermometer. Ultra fine adjustment is done by changing the temperature setting in the auxiliary bath. A temperature change of 1C in the auxiliary bath results in a temperature change of 0.01C in the main bath. 9C. TMV(A) Cooling When cooling the window baths to below the dew point, moisture may condense between the inner and outer glass panels, thereby obscuring vision. To eliminate this, dry air or nitrogen is to be blown slowly or intermittently into this space through the screw holes in the casing. ------------------------------------------------- Updated 10 June 1997 by NESLAB Instruments [end]