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4.0 MAINTENANCE
The Hoffman Electric Steam Generator is compact, easy to clean and easy to
maintain. It is strongly suggested that the following steps be followed to ensure
a long and trouble free life for the boiler.
4.1 CLEANING THE BOILER
1. Turn the Thermostat to “OFF.”
2. Allow the boiler to cool. Check by opening steam valve.
3. Drain the boiler. Close the valve.
4. Fill the boiler to the “Full” mark or halfway up the sight glass with a solution of
three parts water to one part vinegar.
5. Bring the boiler up to pressure. Allow the boiler to heat for 30-60 minutes.
6. Blow the boiler down. See Section 4.3 “Blowing Down the Boiler” for the proper
procedure.
7. Repeat if necessary.
4.2 CLEANING THE SIGHT GLASS
1. Turn the Thermostat to “OFF.”
2. Allow the boiler to cool. Check by opening steam valve or drain valve.
3. Drain the boiler. Leave the valve open.
4. Open the petcock at the bottom of sight glass (if so equipped).
5. Remove the sight glass and clean with a bottle washer. Use a plastic bristle
brush. A metal wire brush could scratch the glass and is not recommended.
6. Install the sight glass.
4.3 BLOWING DOWN THE BOILER
This procedure should be performed at start up once a week providing the water
is clean. In areas with high mineral content or rusty water this procedure should
be performed once a day. The boiler should be ushed with a cleaning solution
at least twice a year.
1. Allow the pressure to reach 2 to 3 psig.
2. Turn the power off.
5.0 TROUBLESHOOTING & SERVICING
5.1 TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION
Unit does not
heat up.
Lack of power.
Check incoming power.
Check fuses.
Check On/Off switch is in “ON” position.
Thermostat set
too low.
Adjust thermostat to “10” setting
Lack of water. Fill unit and reset low water switch.
Low water switch
tripped.
Fill with water and reset low water
switch.
Bad Heating
Element.
Replace. See Section 5.5 –
Replacing the Heating Element.
Bad Thermostat.
Replace. See Section 5.3 –
Replacing the Thermostat.
Bad On/Off Switch.
Replace. See Section 5.8 –
Replacing the On/Off Switch.
Bad Low Water
Switch.
Replace. See Section 5.6 –
Replacing the Low Water Switch.
Unit heats, but
shuts off at a
lower pressure
than normal.
Thermostat set
too low.
Adjust thermostat to “10” setting.
Thermostat out of
adjustment.
See Section 5.2 – Adjusting the Steam
Pressure
Safety valve
leaking.
Foreign material
under seat.
Caution: Make sure discharge is away
from people and work areas. Pop safety
valve while steam is in unit to dislodge
foreign material.
Replace valve.
Fill valve leaking
Steam.
Water between
valve and ll cup.
Water must be drained or allowed to
boil off to stop leaking.
Packing nut loose.
When boiler is cool and pressure is at
zero (test by opening steam outlet valve)
tighten the nut on the handle stem.
Bad ll valve.
Replace.
WARNING
THE WATER IN THE STEAM GENERATOR IS VERY HOT, THE DRAIN VALVE MUST
BE PIPED TO A DRAIN TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE BURN.
3. Open the drain valve and drain the boiler.
4. Close the drain valve.
4.4 CLEANING THE STRAINER
1. Turn the power off.
2. Allow the boiler to cool.
3. Drain the boiler. Leave the valve open.
4. Remove Strainer Cap and clean Screen.
5. Replace Cap.
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