Water Fill Electrode Installation Guide









Tuttnauer 3870 Series
WATER FILL ELECTRODE
ADJUSTMENT & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 - Chamber Pitch Adjustment

Adjusting the chamber for proper pitch is essential to the performance of the sterilizer. If the pitch is not set correctly, too much or too little water will fill into the chamber at the beginning of each cycle preventing the sterilizer from performing optimally.

To adjust the pitch of the chamber:
  1. Empty the sterilizer.
  2. Turn OFF the sterilizer.
    Important:
    The chamber must be dry and cool to the touch before proceeding to the next step.
  3. Ensure that all legs are installed properly and the unit is located on a sturdy, level surface.
  4. Measure 24 ounces (750 ml) distilled water and pour through the open door directly into the chamber. The water must reach the indication groove near the front the chamber. Refer to Figure 1 below.

    If the water does not reach or goes past the indication groove, the sterilizer must be adjusted. To help level the sterilizer, the front legs of the sterilizer may be adjusted using a wrench
  5. Once the chamber pitch has been properly set, drain and dry the chamber
Tuttnauer Front Leveling Feet


Step 2 – Installation and Adjustment of the Water Fill Electrode

  1. Unplug the sterilizer.
  2. Ensure that the chamber is cool and dry.
  3. Remove the back panel of the unit.
  4. Locate the Water Fill Electrode which is mounted in the bottom of the chamber. Carefully push aside the insulation covering the electrical connection and then disconnect the green wire connected to the electrode.
  5. Loosen the compression nut holding the electrode in place. See Figure 2 below for a complete illustration of the various parts involved and the orientation of the ferrule and the compression nut.




  6. Install the new electrode assembly and gently tighten the compression nut ensuring that the electrode can still be adjusted in and out of the chamber.
  7. Measure out 18 ounces of distilled water and pour it into the chamber ensuring that none of the water leaks out from the compression fitting.
  8. Adjust the new Water Fill Electrode by sliding it further into or out of the compression fitting until the tip just breaks the top of the water. See Figure 3 below.
  9. Tighten the compression fitting until the ferrule is seated and properly compressed being careful not to over tighten it. Carefully remove as much of the water as possible from the chamber.
  10. Reconnect the green wire to the electrode and reposition the insulation over the assembly.
  11. Plug in the unit and run a cycle to check for steam leaks around the compression fitting



Step 3 – Checking and Adjusting the AutomaticWater Fill Time

A. This procedure applies to E Series sterilizers that DO NOT have built in water pumps. (The serial number/date code does not contain the letters WP.)
  1. Ensure that the chamber is dry, the reservoir is full, and that the sterilizer is plugged in and turned ON.
  2. Open the chamber door and locate the door switch. Press the door switch in, and hold it. At the same time, press and release the START key. Release the door switch after water starts to flow into the chamber.
  3. The final water level should reach the groove at the front of the chamber. If the water level reaches the groove, no adjustments are necessary. If the water level does not reach the groove, proceed to Steps #4-11 to make adjustments.
  4. Turn OFF the sterilizer. Ensure that the chamber is dry, the reservoir is full and that the sterilizer is plugged in.
  5. Locate the WATER INLET key on the front panel keypad. (Note: It is the key with the two arrows between parallel lines.)
  6. With the door open, press and hold the WATER INLET key and turn power ON.
  7. Release the WATER INLET key when the normal program display screen appears. Wait one second then press and hold the WATER INLET key again.
  8. Water should begin to flow into the chamber.
  9. Release the WATER INLET key when the water level has reached the groove at the front of the chamber.
  10. Wait ten seconds for the system to record the new fill time into memory before pressing any additional keys or turning off the sterilizer.
  11. Empty the water from the chamber, then repeat Steps #2-3 to check water level.


B. This procedure applies to E Series sterilizers that DO have built in water pumps. (The serial number/date code ends with the letters WP.)

Service Tip: If it becomes necessary to reset the software in an E series model sterilizer with a water pump, this procedure MUST be followed before using the sterilizer to ensure the correct amount of water will be delivered to the chamber.
  1. Ensure that all legs are installed properly, none of them are damaged,and the unit is located on a sturdy, level surface.
  2. Ensure that the chamber is dry, the reservoir is full, the door is closed and properly sealed. The sterilizer must be plugged in and turned ON.
  3. Press the STOP key on the front panel keypad repeatedly until the message CODE: XXX appears.
  4. Using the UP/DN arrow keys, change the displayed message to CODE: 105 then press the STOP key.
  5. Ensure that the message WATER IN = XX SEC is displayed. Using the UP/DN arrow keys, change the seconds displayed to 30 Seconds.


  6. NOTE: Fill times are suggested starting values – if during daily use there appears to be inadequate water in the chamber then fill times can be increased to add additional water to the chamber.

  7. Press the STOP key to set the displayed value in memory.
  8. The message EA TYPE: should be displayed at this point.
  9. Using the UP/DN arrow keys, select either “0” for a model E or EK unit, or select “1” for an EA or EKA unit.
  10. Press the STOP key to finish programming the fill time.
  11. Run one or two cycles to check for proper operation.

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