How To Replace The Bellows (Air Valve)

Function Of The Bellows

During the FILL cycle the main valve is dumping water into the sterilizing chamber while each of the three heating elements are warming up the chamber. As the chamber warms up, cold air is pushed out through the bellows housing.

As long as the bellows senses air, it remains open. When it senses steam the bellows extends closing off the air valve and allows the system to pressurize. It remains closed until it senses air again and then opens so the air can escape. It continues this "bleeding" process until all air has been removed from the chmaber



Tools Needed: Flat Blade Screwdriver, A Dental Pick & A Pair of Pliers

• Unplug the Autoclave And Ensure No Pressure In Chamber
• To replace the Bellows in your Pelton Crane Autoclave you must first locate it. The bellows is located on the rear left side of the unit and is connected to your reservoir.


It is housed in a brass cap (approximately 1 inch in diameter which makes it easy to find.

There should be a cut-out in the cabinet exposing the Bellows, but if you have an older unit and cannot see the Bellows, you will need to remove the cabinet.


• To remove the cabinet, remove the cabinet screws on both sides and the rear of the autoclave. Once removed, lift up the rear of the cabinet & slide it forward (there is a 1/2 inch lip on the front of the unit that has to be cleared before you can remove it).



• Unscrew the brass Bellows cap by turning it counter-clockwise. If it has been on there for quite a while, you may need to use pliers to start it. Be careful to make sure the pliers are on the brass cap only and not the bellows housing.
  
  Once started, you can remove it the rest of the way by hand.
  
  
• Using a Dental Pick if necessary, Remove The O-ring From The Back Cap
• Separate the Bellows From The Back Cap
• Clean Out The Housing And The Housing Seat
• Clean The Inside Of The Back Cap
• Place the New O-ring Into Groove Of Knurled Bellows Cap
• Insert the assembly back into the opening (pointed end first) and screw it back in.
Replacement of the Bellows is a normal preventative maintenance item that should be done at least annually.

Tech Tip: If the Bellows has not been changed for a long time, remove the bellows and try to separate it from the back cap prior to placing your order. After an extended period of time, it can be next to impossible to remove!

If you experience difficulty in separating the two parts.....
Order The Bellows Kit: Save Money & Frustration! It includes the Bellows, The Back Cap & The O-ring!

With The Bellows Kit, you simply unscrew the Old Bellows Assembly, Throw It Away & Screw In The New ........& your done!

AllClaveParts is - "Autoclave Repair Made Simple"