Initial & Seasonal Start-Up - BAC VX Series Operation & Maintenance Manual

Initial and Seasonal Start-Up
Before initial start-up or after a long shut-down period, the unit should
be thoroughly inspected and cleaned:
1. Clean any debris from inlet air screens, fans, water basin.
2. Flush the cold water sump (with sump strainers in place) and drain
to remove accumulated dirt.
3. Remove, clean, and replace sump strainers.
4. Turn the fan by hand to ensure rotation without obstruction.
5. Check and, if necessary, adjust the fanbelt tension.
6. Prior to seasonal start-up, lubricate the fan shaft and motor bearings.
The ball bearings are factory lubricated, but should be relubricated if
the unit has been sitting on site for more than a year before start-up.
7. Check float operated make-up valve to be sure it is operating freely.
8. Fill cold water sump with fresh water to the overflow level.
9. Set the float on the make-up valve to shut off the valve when the
float is approximately 10mm below the overflow level.
10. On VXI-S Industrial Fluid Coolers and VXC-S Evaporative
Condensers, start the pump and check for the proper rotation as
indicated by the arrow on the pump cover. On installations where the
unit pump was not furnished by the factory, a globe valve should be
installed in the pump discharge line and the pump flow rate adjusted
to the correct water flow. Do not run pump dry.
11. Inspect spray nozzles and heat transfer section.
12. Check the locking collar on each fan bearing assembly and tighten
as required.
13. Start the fan and check for the proper rotation as indicated by the
arrow on the fan housing.
14. Check the voltage and current of all three legs of the fan and pump
motors. The current should not exceed the nameplate rating. After
prolonged shutdowns, the motor insulation should be checked with a
megger insulation tester prior to re-starting the motor.
15. Open the bleed line valve (must be furnished by others on cooling
tower models VXT-N215 through VXT-4800) and adjust bleed to the
recommended rate (See "Water Treatment").
Operation and Maintenance
Initial & Seasonal Start-Up
WARNING: Rapid on/off cycling
can cause the fan motor to
overheat. Controls should be set
to allow a maximum of six on/off
cycles per hour.
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