Cornelius Diplomat Pre Mix Fountain

[lurker18]

I just picked up an as far as I know working model of this.  I would like to clean it up a bit, replace the lines, faucets, stuff like that.  I can not find a manual anywhere for this.  I got a Cornelius Spirit manual, which looks fairly similar to the Diplomat, so I am going to use this if needed.  Is there anywhere I can get a copy of the manual for the diplomat?   Also, I assume there are no step by step instructions for tear down and reassembly, so I might be coming back here to get pointers.

[cdc1960]

while you're at it, make sure to dissassemble and clean the valves or taps completely.... you won't believe the mold that you'll find, especially if it's been sitting for a while. The taps are removed by turning the rings on the inside of the water bath box. This can be done by carefully tapping a screwdriver placed in the groves on the ring with a hammer....spin the ring off, pull the valve assembly towards you, and turn to access the brass screw to remove the inlet collar. (If they are not too frozen the collar and inner plunger should spin without this step, but it's unlikely) Take the tap completely apart and clean... here's some shots of mine, AFTER the valve assembly had sat in CLR for 2 hours... notice the mold still on the plunger...

Chris

[cdc1960]

while the valves are out, this is a good chance to clean the rest of the unit.... notice the front of the machine after the valve assembly and trim plate has been removed...

[cdc1960]

...and the inside of the cooler.... with the plastic basket for the valves removed...

[johnieG]

while you're at it, make sure to dissassemble and clean the valves or taps completely.... you won't believe the mold that you'll find, especially if it's been sitting for a while. The taps are removed by turning the rings on the inside of the water bath box. This can be done by carefully tapping a screwdriver placed in the groves on the ring with a hammer....spin the ring off, pull the valve assembly towards you, and turn to access the brass screw to remove the inlet collar. (If they are not too frozen the collar and inner plunger should spin without this step, but it's unlikely) Take the tap completely apart and clean... here's some shots of mine, AFTER the valve assembly had sat in CLR for 2 hours... notice the mold still on the plunger...

Chris

Cleaning small parts like this are prime candidates for my Ultrasonic cleaner...as it will reach inside the orifices of the plungers,valve bodies, etc. & really get at the minuet crud.   

[cdc1960]

now that would be the cats rear end.... if you don't have access to an ultrasonic cleaner, 24 hours soaking in a disinfectant will do... these can be found at you local wine kit supplier...

Chris

[lurker18]

Thanks for the advice.  I have pulled just the taps off when I first got it, and they were so dirty that I decided to order new ones.  Glad I did.  Pulled the whole assembly apart yesterday, and there was so much crud in the inside part that it would have taken months of soaking and cleaning.  The new taps are "reconditioned", but it looks like they are still going to need a clean before the first operation.  Found a guy in Canada that is going to send me out new inner lines, the smaller ones. I am cleaning the water bath right now, that is pretty dirty, probably take a week just to get that somewhat clean.
By the looks of the machine I got, the guy just got tired of using it and unplugged it.  I needs a lot of polishing, hopefully one day it will look half as good as the one pictured.

[cdc1960]

where are you getting parts from?

Chris

[lurker18]

Faucets came from Kegkits.com.  They are not 100% the same, but should work (I hope).  The difference is the screw at the very end of the tap, just above the outflow, is not on these taps, they have a spring loaded "button".  I haven't pulled one apart yet, but going by this, they look a little more difficult to fully disassemble.
The hose is coming from Nexgen hoses, up in Canada.  The guy I was talking to is being nice enough to send me the hoses free, but they don't carry the connectors, so I will have to find those.

[lurker18]

cdc1960, I got a question for you.  I pulled out the cooling tubes last night to get the crud off of them, and noticed the rod inside the tubes, the one with the black rubber cap, is corroded and starting to pit.  The guy that used this before must have had hard water, everywhere there was buildup on it, there is pitting.  Will this affect the cooling, and if so, can they be replaced, and from where.  Thanks for the info, and I'm sure I will be looking for more help as I go along.

[cdc1960]

i don't think pitting will affect operation, unless the tube is perforatted through, which is unlikely. I'd just give it a good cleaning, like you propose, and make sure that you use soft water in the tank when you return it to use. Parts for these things are almost nonexistent ( as you've found), and you need to rely on donor machines... I've had some success getting Diplomat parts from used restaurant equipment places (try the Yellow Pages), and did source some tap parts about 10 years ago from a Coke service tech that I knew... you might try a Coke bottling plant near you and see if you can talk to one of the service guys to see if they have taps still laying around... good luck, and post some pics... i'm going to continue with my Diplomat this weekend, and will powst some progress pictures if I get enough done...

Chris

[stuntpilot]

Lurker,
     I'll bring this topic back to the top.

     That tube with the black cap is the anode tube, all it does is attract the calcium and deposits to keep them from forming on the coils, it has nothing to do with the cooling operation. Being pitted won't affect anything.

     The cooling coils are integrated into the side of the tank, you can see them imbedded beneath the white plastic covering, if you notice any holes or ballooned areas on the side of your tank most likely the coils are blown and you 've lost all your freon. In this case the entire tank needs to be replaced.