Praher Multiport Valve - Model: SM20-AO Maintenance

[rainn240]

Hello All,

This is my first time posting to this forum and I'm sure glad there is a community of other Koi Pond owners.

Situation:
Currently, I'm running a Praher SM20-AO Multiport valve for my Koi pond. As of late, I noticed that my lever is becoming harder and harder to rotate. I've emailed Praher technical support (just a few hours ago) and I figure I should try this forum just in case someone else has run into this issue.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to maintain this multiport valve? I've attached the product spec as a visual guide.

Thank you very much for your help!

Max
Location: Seattle, WA

 

[j.w]

rainn240
Hello fellow Washingtonian and I must smile at your forum name. It does rain here all day it seems lately!
Sorry I can't help w/ the Praher problem but glad you joined and maybe someone will pop up w/ an answer for ya hopefully.

 

[DoDad]

Found this on the web.
If you are having a difficult time rotating the multiport valve, there is an easy fix.

• First, remove the pin holding the handle to the stem by knocking it out.
• With the handle off, undo the screws or bolts which will allow you to lift off the cover.
• The key stem will probably come with it because the shaft of the key stem is gunked up.
• Remove the key stem from the cover, and you should see a small O-ring on the shaft.NOTE: If the valve has been leaking through the stem, here is the culprit.
• You will also see a spring that holds the key stem down on the spoke gasket when assembled. Replace the O-ring if needed and thoroughly clean the shaft, O-ring, spring and the hole of the cover.
• You will want to lubricate the O-ring with Jack's Lube, Aqualube, or a similar product.
• While Vasaline will work, it dissolves in water fairly rapidly.
• Place the key stem back in the valve with the hole in it towards the filter tank for a sand filter and the hole away from the tank if it is a DE filter.
• Put the spring and washers (if there were some) back on the key stem.
• Put the cover back on (check the cover O-ring) with the filter position over the opening in the key stem and evenly tighten down the screws/bolts.
• The handle will now go on in the filter position, and you can replace the pin that holds it on.

 

[rainn240]

Thank you J.W. for the welcome note. It was snowing this morning, and now it's sunny again. Typical Seattle weather.

DoDad - Thank you very much for looking up steps to grease the lever. I will give it a try and see how it works. Thanks for the quick reply.

Max

 

[addy1]

glad you joined

 

[taherrmann4]

Welcome...