.

TM
EQUATHERM
ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER

INSTRUCTION
AND
MAINTENANCE

MODEL NUMBER:

SERIAL NUMBER:

~/ 0
~~

MANUAL

5' / ()

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

SECTION 1

INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION

SECTION 2

OPERATION

SECTION 3

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE

SECTION 4

WARRANTY
INSPECT THE UNIT UPON ARRIVAL

IF ANY DAMAGE IS FOUND, CONSULT THE NOTICE ATTACHED TO THE

CONTAINER FOR INSTRUCTIONS IN FILING A CLAIM WITH THE
CARRIER.

INTRODUCTION

IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE AND SATISFACTION THAT WE CAN PROVIDE

YOU WITH AN EQUATHERM PRODUCT.
THIS IS THROUGH MANY YEARS
OF DESIGN, TESTING AND INPUT FROM USER SUGGESTION AND NEEDS.
IF YOU FOLLOW THIS MANUAL AND REFER TO IT OFTEN; THE
EQUATHERM ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER WILL BRING YOU MANY YEARS OF
SATISFACTORY OPERATION.
WE ARE CONTINUALLY STRIVING TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN AND
TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER SERVE YOU AS A CUSTOMER.
YOUR INPUT AS
A USER TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE GREATLY ACCEPTED AND
APPRECIATED.
FOR TECHNICAL SERVICE AND SUGGESTIONS REPLY TO:
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY,
P.O. BOX 921
PEARLAND, TEXAS 77588
(713) 489-7797
1-800-848-6111

INC.

SECTION

ONE

INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION

EQUATHERM ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER

-IMPORTANT NOTICESA.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO INSTALL YOUR EQUATHERM

ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER; READ THROUGH ALL INSTRUCTIONS
CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS CONSULT THE FACTORY.

B.

THE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INSTALL THE EQUATHERM CHAMBER:

HEXAGON ALLEN WRENCH <SUPPLIED>
5/16" NUT DRIVER
SCREWDRIVER
CHANNELOCKS
12" PIPE WRENCH
14" PIPE WRENCH
7/16" OPEN END WRENCH
1/4" NUT DRIVER

C.

ALL PARTS ARE LABELED BY MARKER OR A STICKER ACCORDING

TO THE MANUAL.

D.

ALL PARTS HAVE BEEN FACTORY INSTALLED AND TESTED.

E.

ALL HOLES ARE PREDRILLED.

F.

ALL HARDWARE IS SUPPLIED WITH THE PART IT BELONGS TO.

G.

REMOVE ALL THE PROTECTIVE COVERING FROM THE CHAMBER

PANELS BEFORE INSTALLING DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY IN THE
REMOVAL OF THE FILM WHEN THE PANELS ARE LOCKED TOGETHER.

AND NOW TO BEGIN INSTALLING YOUR EQUATHERM ENVIRONMENTAL

CHAMBER ....... .

INSTALLATION OF PREFAB EQUATHERM CHAMBER PANELS

1. Preparation of Building Floor

2.

A.

Existing building floor area must be level. Shimming of walk-in floor panels may be necessary in
order for walk-in panels to fit and align properly.
Also the flush self closing door may not open and
close properly due to uneven floor. Mark the
location of the walk-in on the building floor and
level from that point. Use of a transit is recommended.

B.

If the walk-in floor panels are to be placed

directly on concrete building floor, asphalt
coating should be applied between walk-in floor
and concrete building floor, supplied by the
general contractor.

Operation of Insta-loks
A.

3.

Before beginning installation of walk-in, operation

of the Insta-Loks must be known. Refer to Illustration 1 and 2 on Page 1.7. The operation of
the Insta-Loks is achieved by the use of a 5/16"
hexagon allen wrench <supplied). Rotate the InstaLok by turning it in a clockwise direction. This
will insure full engagement of the pin located in
the matching panel.
NOTE: On some panels such as the partition wall
panels Insta-Lok will operate in a counter clockwise position. Reverse the above procedure when
this is encountered to lock panels.

Installation of Floor Panels

A.

All floor panels are identified by letters. The

first floor end panel to be placed will be identified by the letter A and remaining panels B, C,
D, E, etc., in sequence. See Illustration 1 on Page
1.4. Place the first floor end in place and level
front to back and side to side. Place the remaining
floor panels and lock together, being sure all
locks are locked to the full cam position and all
panels are leveled properly.

PAGE 1.2

INSTALLATION OF PREFAB EQUATHERM CHAMBER PANELS

4.

Installation of Wall Sections

A.

Place corner panel #1, the wall panel #2 and #3 in

their respective positions. Fully lock only the
middle lock and making sure panels are aligned and
even at the top and bottom. Refer to Illustration 2,
Page 1.4.

B.

Proceed placing wall sections #4, #5, #6, locking

the middle lock only. <DO NOT LOCK TO THE FLOOR
SECTIONS>. Lay the ceiling section #7 in place
but do not lock it. Continue with wall sections #8,
then #9, then place ceiling sections 10 and 11.
Locking ceiling panel 10 to 7 and 11 to 10.
Then place wall sections # 12, # 13, # 16, and # 17.
Special attention should be given to section # 16
(this is the door section) it must be leveled and
aligned properly for operation. Place ceiling end
panel # 14 in place lock to ceiling panel # 11.

C.

Beginning with corner section #1 and working the

original sequence described, lock all locks to wall
sections, to floor and to the ceiling as you go.

PAGE 1.3

..
FLOOR PANEL lN5TI\Lli\T\ON
ILLUSTRATION I

OB

....

I NT. DO Of\ RA MP

'

12
IS

---....._r-

2.

'

'

I*

IV

14

1-

II

10

16

(oooR. SECT.)

f-

lv

4
~

!u
.;

17

-----13

lt..~

WALL Pf\NE.L INSTALLATION

ILLUSTRATION 2.

NOTE:

PANELS 7, 10,\\ 1 \4- IS TO I DENT I t'f tEIUNG PLACEMENT

PAGE I. 4-

WALL SECTION

"''
0
0

~3

INSTA-LOK HOLES

FLOOR SECTION

1~
G1
r'
L.r1

'----SHIM WHERE NECESSARY

TO LEVEL FLOOR.

INSTALLATION OF PREFAB EQUATHERM CHAMBER PANELS

Insta-Loks ar-e locked with a 5/16" allen wr-ench, moving
in a clockwise dir-er.tiun. <See Figur-e 1 Page 1. 7). <Exception:
On double male panels the locks on leTt side will lock in
counter- clockwise dir-ection). IT lock does not engage pin,
r-eset by Tir-st r-otating in clockwise dir-ection <as Tal'" as
possible-see Figur-e 1 Page 1.7) then r-otate counter- clockwise
(again, as Tar- as possible-see Figur-e 2 Page 1.7> so that ar-m
r-esets to the extended position.
1.

2. Floor- panels go together- in alphabetical sequence locking

all locks as you go. (See Page 1.4).

3. Place wall panels star-ting with 1, then 2, then 3,

locking the center- lock and hooking top and bottom lock.
See Page 1. 4.
4. Lay ceiling panels in aTter- each set OT wall panels lock
only ceiling panels to one another-. Do not lock ceiling
panels to walls until r-eady to complete walk-in.

PAGE 1.6

__ ,
/

'

'

0
I

cu

.-- ~

--

.......

a::
~

1./)

:J
_J
_J

tr

/-

Lr

w
()_
0

II

-...." \

/' - \

'
I

'Y

_j

t3

(f)

z
~

:z

0:::
11.()

3
_J

PAGE 1.7

INSTALLATION OF CEILING PLENUM SYSTEM

the Equatherm chamber panels are locked in place and
the walk-in chamber is leveled and squared, cover the hex
rod holes with the provided plug buttons. Then the next
step is to mount the ceiling plenum.

A~ter

1. Inside the room, on the ceiling, mount the ceiling hung

evaporator assembly with the provided bolts. <IN THE BACK OF
THE ROOM AWAY FROM THE REAR WALL APPROXIMATELY 12">
2. Bring

~lex

conduit A

~rom

junction box through hole in

roo~.

3. Customer provides connection to drain.

SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 1.9

INSTALLATION OF FLUORESCENT FIXTURES

Mount Fluorescent Fixtures to the ceiling with nipple
extended through the roo~ ~or electrical connection with
provided hardware.

JUNCTION BOXES AND ELECTRICAL CONDUIT PLACEMENT

On top o~ the Equatherm chamber install the junction boxes
and electrical conduit as marked. All boxes and conduit
are marked according to the diagram. SEE THE ILLUSTRATION ON
PAGE 1.10 FOR PLACEMENT.
1. Place boxes #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6 in their appropriate
places. Do not attach to roo~, yet.

Page 1.8

Page
Intentionally
Blank

PAGE 1.9

Page
Intentionally
Blank

PAGE 1.10

Connect conduit c to Box #1 and #2.

Connect conduit D to Box #2.
Connect conduit E to Boxes #2 and #4.
Connect conduit G to Boxes #4 and #3.
Connect conduit H to Boxes #3 and #5.
Connect conduit F to Boxes #2 and #6.
Secure all boxes down to the roo-f with the provided
hardware. Secure conduit down with provided straps.
9. Attach the exhaust -fan and run the -flexible conduit to
Box #4.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

CONDENSING UNIT
SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 1.10
With a -fork li-ft bring condensing unit up to the roo-f and
place on provided spot. Put the vibration cushion pads under
each corner o-f the unit.
Put the re-frigeration lines through the roo-f matching the
size o-f tubing to the quick disconnect -fitting; attach and
tighten to the condensing unit side -first; back inside the
room attach to evaporator housing quick disconnects and
tighten. Wrap with the provided re-frigeration -foam tape
around any exposed copper tubing on the large re-frigeration
1 i ne.
Note: there are 3 di-f-ferent size -fittings so there is no
possible way to get them connected to the wrong one. Tighten
- this is important because i-f they are not tight the -freon
will leak out.
Run the -flexible conduit -from the condensing unit to Box
#1.

CONTROL CABINET PLACEMENT

SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 1.12
Attach the control panel on the -front o-f the room with the
provided hardware.
Attach conduit D to the top o-f the control panel and connect
electrical wiring number to number.
Bring sensing element -from control panel (inside) through
provided hole in wall section and attach with the mounting
brackets in the appropriate marked place inside the room.
PAGE 1.11

II)

.M

_j

L&J

!~
z

.-JwJ
0~

a:::w
1-U

z:S
oa..

PAG,E. 1.12

:c)

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
At this time connect all the wiring in the junction boxes
to the provided terminal strips. Connect them number to number.
Example:

1 to 1
2 to 2
and so on

Exception on Junction Box #3 match the wiring color to color.

SUSPENDED CEILING PLACEMENT
SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 1.15
Hang wall angles A, 8, C, and D in the appropriate places
( 14" FROM THE CEILING>.
Place the main tee down the center OT the room.
Attach all the 4' tees approximately 2' apart.

PAGE 1. 13

Page
Intentionally
Blank

PAGE 1.14

SU5PEN'D.D CE\llN G

/TEE
/

~NGLE

WALL

~(B)
-

(B- PCS)

--

WALLA NGLE

WALL 'PLE.NUM

{A)

MAl NTEE

WI- LL ANGLE

(c.)

~
c->
rn

.-

WlL(D)

E.(;G CRATE - CEILINC:a PANELS

ANGLE

l.r1

'vVf\Ll AN6lt. 5 B & D MAYBE MDf\E THAN ONE PI.C.E

(\OPes)

CEILING PLACEMENT-CONTINUED
Now lay the egg c~ate ceiling panels in place. The two egg
c~ate panels ~o~ the back o~ the ~oom against the ~ea~ wall
a~e slightly na~~owe~ than the ~est.

With elect~ical supe~vision connect you~ powe~ through

the provided hole in control panel on top and connect.
Place cover <XX> above the
conduit going into the top

panel. This covers the

the panel.

cont~ol
o~

With the provided can o~ ~oam, ~oam in around the

lines that are ext~uding through the roo~.

~reon

The EQUATHERM ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER is now complete;

the operating instructions to begin start-up.

~allow

PAGE 1.16

SECTION
OPERATION

TWO

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMBER

1. TURN LOW-LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL IN A COUNTER CLOCK-WISE
DIRECTION ONE (1) FULL ROTATION.
2. TURN HIGH LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL IN A CLOCK-WISE
DIRECTION ONE <1> FULL ROTATION.
3. TURN MAIN POWER SWITCH ON.
4. TURN REFRIGERATION SWITCH ON.
5. TURN HEAT SWITCH ON.
6. SET TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER TO DESIRED TEMPERATURE.
7. AFTER THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CHAMBER STABILZES AT THE SET
POINT TEMPERATURE, SET LOW LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL BY TURNING
IN AN INCREASE DIRECTION UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS AND LO-LIMIT
PILOT LIGHT COMES ON.
NOW DECREASE THE SAFETY CONTROL
SETTING SLOWLY UNTIL ALARM BELL STOPS AND PILOT LIGHT GOES
OFF.
THE LO-LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL IS NOW SET APPROXIMATELY 2
DEGREES BELOW ROOM CONTROL POINT. SET HIGH LIMIT SAFETY
CONTROL BY TURNING IN A DECREASING DIRECTION UNTIL ALARM
RINGS AND HIGH LIMIT PILOT LIGHT COMES ON.
NOW INCREASE
THE SAFETY CONTROL SETTING SLOWLY UNTIL ALARM BELL STOPS AND
PILOT LIGHT GOES OFF.
THE HI-LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL IS NOW
APPROXIMATELY SET 2 DEGREES ABOVE THE ROOM CONTROL POINT.
NOTE: WHEN SETTING THE SAFETY THERMOSTATS IF THE COMPRESSOR
KICKS OFF YOU NEED TO WAIT 3 MINUTES BEFORE MAKING ANOTHER
ADJUSTMENT.

PAGE 2.1

OPERATION OF CONTROL PANEL COMPONENTS

MAIN POWER SWITCH - CONTROLS ON-OFF POWER TO CHAMBER.
MAIN POWER PILOT LIGHT - INDICATES POWER IS ON.
ALARM - WILL SOUND SHOULD TEMPERATURE RISES ABOVE OR FALLS
BELOW THE SAFETY CONTROL SETTINGS.
HI-LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL - TAKES CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER BY
SHUTTING DOWN ALL HEAT PRODUCING DEVICES, IF THE CHAMBER
GOES ABOVE SETTING CONTROLS. THE ALARM WILL SOUND AND PILOT
LIGHT <HI-LIMIT> WILL LIGHT.
HI-LIMIT PILOT LIGHT - INDICATES THAT THE HI-LIMIT SAFETY
CONTROL IS ON.
LO-LIMIT SAFETY CONTROL - TAKES CONTROL OF REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM SHOULD TEMPERATURE OF CHAMBER FALL BELOW CONTROL
SETTING. THE ALARM WILL SOUND AND PILOT LIGHT <LO-LIMIT>
WILL COME ON.
LO-LIMIT PILOT LIGHT - INDICATES THAT THE LO-LIMIT SAFETY
CONTROL HAS TAKEN OVER SYSTEM.
TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER - IS USED TO SET THE DESIRED
TEMPERATURE. DIGITAL CONTROLLER WITH READOUT OF THE SET
POINT AND ACTUAL TEMPERATURE OF THE CHAMBER. SEE CONTROLLER
OPERATION MANUAL IN THIS SECTION.
HEAT SWITCH -USED TO TURN ON HEAT. PROVIDES FLEXIBLE HEATER
CONTROL ON CHAMBERS EQUIPPED WITH.
HEAT PILOT LIGHT -

INDICATES ON-OFF ACTION OF HEAT.

EXHAUST FAN SWITCH - USED TO TURN ON AND OFF EXHAUST FAN.

EXHAUST FAN PILOT LIGHT -

INDICATES WHEN EXHAUST FAN IS ON.

REFRIGERATION SWITCH - CONTROLS POWER TO REFRIGERATION

SYSTEM COMPONENTS. REFRIGERATION IS CONTROLLED THROUGH
TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER. PROVIDES TWO LEVEL REFRIGERATION
CAPACITY, IF EQUIPPED.
REFRIGERATION PILOT LIGHT - INDICATES THAT THE CONTROLLER IS
CALLING FOR REFRIGERATION WHEN THE REFRIGERATION SWITCH IS
ON.

PAGE 2.2

OPERATION OF CONTROL PANEL COMPONENTS-CONTINUED

CHART RECORDER - RECORDS TEMPERATURE ON A 7 DAY CIRCULAR
CHART. SEE RECORDER OPERATION MANUAL IN THIS SECTION.
DEFROST TIMER - KICKS ON DEFROST CYCLE ON REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM AT SET DESIRED TIMES. SEE PAGE 2.4 FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

PAGE 2.3

DEFROST TIMER
OPERATION

24 hour
dial
2 hour--"""
dial

TIHE

PLACE START PINS IN OUTER (24 HOUR) DIAL AT THE TIME OF DAY
THAT SWITCH CONTACTS ARE TO BE REVERSE FROM SHOWN ABOVE WHEN
DIAL PINS ARE OPPOSITE TIME POINTER. (LEAVE AT LEAST 1 HOLE
BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT PIN).
TO SET LENGTH OF CYCLE; PUSH DOWN AND ROTATE POINTER ON
INSIDE (2 HOUR) DIAL UNTIL IT IS OPPOSITE DESIRED TIME.
TO SET TIME OF DAY: GRASP KNOB IN THE CENTER OF THE INNER (2
HOUR) DIAL AND ROTATE IT IN A COUNTER CLOCK-WISE DIRECTION.
THIS WILL REVOLVE THE OUTER DIAL. LINE UP THE CORRECT TIME
OF DAY ON THE OUTER DIAL WITH ,THE TIME POINTER.

DO HOT TRY TO SET THE TIME CONTROL BY GRASPING THE OUTER

DIAL. ROTATE INNER DIAL OHLY.
~AGE

_2.4

Page
Intentionally
Blank

PAGE 2.4

OPERATION OF THE SELF-DIAGNOSTIC CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL

WHEN A CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPS THE INDICATOR LIGHT NEXT TO THE
BREAKER WILL LIGHT.
TO RESET PUSH THE DESIGNATED BREAKER.
IF THE BREAKER CONTINUES TO TRIP, THIS IS AN INDICATION OF A
PROBLEM IN THAT CIRCUIT. <CONSULT MANUFACTURER>
NORMAL OPERATION IS ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS OUT ON THE CIRCUIT
BREAKER PANEL.
PANIC ALARM AND FIRE ALARM
THIS PANEL IS EQUIPPED WITH ADDITIONAL FEATURES FOR SAFETY.
PANIC ALARM - PERSONNEL INSIDE THE ROOM CAN ACTIVATE ALARM
SYSTEM WHEN NEEDED. ONCE THE ALARM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED THE
ALARM RESET SWITCH HAS TO BE TURNED OFF THEN ON TO RESET.
FIRE ALARM AND SMOKE DETECTION - THE FIRE ALARM WILL DETECT
HIGH TEMPERATURES OF AN ACTUAL FIRE AND ALSO SMOKE FROM A
SMOLDERING FIRE, SUCH AS, ELECTRICAL AND/OR MATERIAL FIRES.
ONCE ACTIVATED THE ALARM RESET SWITCH HAS TO BE TURNED OFF
THEN BACK ON. IN CASE THERE IS AN ALARM MALFUNCTION AND
STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, THE ALARM SYSTEMS CAN BE DEACTIVATED
BY TURNING OFF THE ALARM RESET SWITCH.
THE ALARM SOUNDS AND WHAT IT MEANS
1. TONE WITH A FLASHING STROBE -FIRE ALARM
2. HIGH CONTINUOUS TONE - HIGH/LOW ALARM
3. PULSATING TONE - PANIC ALARM
SAFETY SWITCH
THE MODERN DESIGN OF THE CONTROL PANEL IS EQUIPPED WITH A
DOOR INTERLOCK SAFETY SWITCH WHICH CUTS OFF ALL POWER EXCEPT
THE LINE TERMINALS ON THE MAIN CONTACTOR. THE SWITCH HAS A
MANUAL OVERIDE BY PULLING OUT ON THE SWITCH ACTIVATOR TO
ALLOW MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO TROUBLESHOOT THE INTERIOR OF
THE CONTROL CABINET WITH THE POWER ON. UPON CLOSING THE DOOR
THE COMPLETE ROOM POWER WILL COME ON AUTOMATICALLY.

PAGE 2.6