LI-6800 Aquatic Chamber Water Vapor Equilibrator Upgrade Kit

The LI-6800 Aquatic Chamber water vapor equilibrator has been upgraded to a new, more durable unit. The new equilibrator offers faster equilibration and more durable internal tube connections. It is a direct replacement for the old equilibrator. This document describes how to install the equilibrator.

Components

The equilibrator upgrade kit includes the following components:

Description Part Number
Equilibrator upgrade kit 6800-S-001
Equilibrator mechanism (1) 9968-384
90° hose barb (1) 300-12287
Filter (1) 301-18701
O-ring (1) 192-16680
Mounting screws w/ thread-lock (4) 150-14321

Tools

The following tools are required for the upgrade.

  • PH1 screwdriver from the LI-6800 spares kit
  • Wire cutter or slotted screwdriver

Removing the old equilibrator

Separate the aquatic chamber from the fluorometer, as described in the instruction manual. Remove the light sensor and set the aquatic chamber on a workbench, as shown.

  1. Remove the screw to separate the ball-chain that secures the cap.

  2. Identify the tube between the equilibrator and the manifold hose barb.

  3. Cut it with a clipper as shown, being careful to avoid damaging the hosebarb.

    If you accidentally score the edge of the hosebarb, replace it with the spare (included). Alternatively, you can remove the hose barb from the manifold using a slotted screwdriver and replace it with the new one.

  4. Remove the four screws that secure the white acrylic body from the metal chamber.

Installing the new equilibrator

  1. Inspect the O-ring and filter.

    If the O-ring is in good condition, you can reuse it. Otherwise, replace it with one from the kit. If the filter that was in place under the original equilibrator is clean and in good condition, you can reuse it. Otherwise, replace it with a filter from the kit.

  2. Carefully align the filter so it is inside the O-ring.

    Be sure it is not in contact with the O-ring.

  3. Set the new equilibrator in place over the filter and secure the equilibrator with four new screws from the kit.

    The screws are treated with a thread-locking compound; use the new screws to ensure a secure installation. Tighten each screw until it is snug – hand tight, and then just a little more.

  4. Attach the ball-chain with a screw on the equilibrator.

    Be very careful to not over-tighten this screw. If it is over-tightened, it will strip the threads from the acrylic, causing problems. Make it snug.

  5. Attach the tube to the vacant hosebarb, or, if you removed the hosebarb, install the new hosebarb and tube.

    Press the tube in place until it is fully seated on the hosebarb.

The upgrade is complete. You can reattach the aquatic chamber to the fluorometer chamber to complete the installation.