HyQuest Solutions TB340A User manual

TB340A
User Manual
04-2023 – 01-02-000

© 2023 HyQuest Solutions 2
Table of Contents
I Disclaimer 4
II Safety Instructions 5
Part I Introduction 6
Part II Installation 7
2.1 Setting up the TBRG Calibrator Rig ............................................................................................................ 7
2.1.1 Turning the TBRG Calibrator On ......................................................................................................... 10
2.2 Preparing a TBRG on a station ................................................................................................................. 10
2.2.1 Connecting the Reed Switch Inputs .................................................................................................. 11
Part III Configuration 13
3.1 Setting up the PC .......................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.1 Install the Software ................................................................................................................................ 13
3.1.2 Connecting the PC to the TBRG Calibrator ...................................................................................... 13
3.1.3 Running the Software for the First Time ........................................................................................ 14
Part IV Operation 15
4.1 Preparing a Test Series ............................................................................................................................... 15
4.1.1 Opening the Setup Window ................................................................................................................. 15
4.1.2 Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge .................................................................................................................. 16
4.1.3 Test Options ............................................................................................................................................. 17
4.1.4 Nozzles ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
4.1.5 Tests ............................................................................................................................................................ 18
4.2 Performing a Wetting Cycle ...................................................................................................................... 19
4.3 Starting a Test ............................................................................................................................................... 20
4.4 Monitoring a Test Series ............................................................................................................................ 20
4.4.1 Units List ................................................................................................................................................... 21
4.4.2 Unit Details ............................................................................................................................................... 21
4.4.3 Test Overview and Control .................................................................................................................. 22
4.4.4 Current Test .............................................................................................................................................. 23
4.4.5 Test History .............................................................................................................................................. 24
4.5 Reporting ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
4.5.1 Unit List ..................................................................................................................................................... 25
4.5.2 Test Data Table ....................................................................................................................................... 26
4.5.3 Staged Test Data for Report ............................................................................................................... 27
4.5.4 Test Details ............................................................................................................................................... 29
4.6 Program Options ........................................................................................................................................... 30
4.6.1 Reports ....................................................................................................................................................... 31
4.6.2 Communications ...................................................................................................................................... 32

© 2023 HyQuest Solutions 3
4.6.3 PDF & Printing ......................................................................................................................................... 33
4.6.4 Configure PLC ........................................................................................................................................... 34
4.7 Model Management ...................................................................................................................................... 35
4.7.1 Model .......................................................................................................................................................... 36
4.7.2 Bucket ......................................................................................................................................................... 37
4.7.3 Catch Size .................................................................................................................................................. 37
4.7.4 Theoretical and Practical Values ........................................................................................................ 38
4.7.5 Tolerances ................................................................................................................................................. 38
4.8 Calibrating a Load Cell ................................................................................................................................. 40
Part V Troubleshooting 45
Part VI Repair 47
Part VII Technical Data 48
Part VIII Obligations of the Operator and Disposal 49
8.1 Obligations of the Operator ....................................................................................................................... 49
8.2 Dismantling / Disposal ................................................................................................................................ 49

Copyright Notice: No parts of this work may be
reproduced in any form or by any means without the
written permission of the publisher. HyQuest
Solutions waives copyright for users to print out
parts of the documentation in hard copy for their
own use only.
Trademark Notice: HyQuest Solutions (HS) and
KISTERS products and services referred to in this
document are trademarks or registered trademarks
of HyQuest Solutions or KISTERS AG. Other product
names used may or may not be the trademarks of
their respective owners.
© 2020 HyQuest Solutions, a KISTERS Group
Company. Any rights not expressly granted herein
are reserved.
The information provided in this manual was deemed
accurate as of the publication date. However, updates
to this information may have occurred.
This manual does not include all of the details of
design, production, or variation of the equipment
nor does it cover every possible situation which may
arise during installation, operation or maintenance.
HyQuest Solutions shall not be liable for any
incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages
whatsoever arising out of or related to this
documentation and the information contained in it,
even if HyQuest Solutions has been advised of the
possibility of such damages.
Any errors found in any HyQuest Solutions product
should be reported to HyQuest Solutions where
every effort will be made to quickly resolve the
problem.
This document is public.
4© 2023 HyQuest Solutions
I Disclaimer

§ Read the user manual including all operating instructions prior to installing, connecting and powering up the HyQuest
Solutions TB340A. The manual provides information on how to operate the product. The manual is intended to be
used by qualified personnel, i.e. personnel that have been adequately trained, are sufficiently familiar with
installation, mounting, wiring, powering up and operation of the product.
§ Keep the user manual on hand for later reference!
§ If you encounter problems understanding the information in the manual (or part thereof), please consult the
manufacturer or its appointed reseller for further support.
§ HyQuest Solutions TB340A is intended to be used in hydrometeorological or environmental monitoring applications.
§ Before starting to work, you have to check the functioning and integrity of the system.
§ Check for visible defects on the TB340A, this may or may not include any or all of the following mounting facilities,
connectors and connections, mechanical parts, internal or external communication devices, power supplies or
power supply lines, etc.
§ If defects are found that jeopardize the operational safety, work must be stopped. This is true for defects found
before starting to work as well as for defects found while working.
§ Do not use the HyQuest Solutions TB340A in areas where there is a danger of explosion.
§ The present user manual specifies environmental/climatic operating conditions as well as mechanical and electrical
conditions. Installation, wiring, powering up and operating the HyQuest Solutions TB340A must strictly comply with
these specifications.
§ Perform maintenance only when tools or machinery are not in operation.
§ If guards are removed to perform maintenance, replace them immediately after servicing.
§ Never make any electrical or mechanical diagnostics, inspections or repairs under any circumstances. Return the
product to the manufacturer’s named repair centre. You can find information on how to return items for repair in the
relevant section of the HyQuest Solutions website.
§ Disposal instructions: After taking the HyQuest Solutions TB340A out of service, it must be disposed of in
compliance with local waste and environmental regulations. The HyQuest Solutions TB340A is never to be disposed in
household waste!
§ Inputs and outputs of the device are protected against electric discharges and surges (so-called ESD). Do not
touch any part of the electronic components! If you need to touch any part, please discharge yourself, i.e. by touching
grounded metal parts.
II Safety Instructions
© 2023 HyQuest Solutions 5

© 2023 HyQuest Solutions 6
Introduction
1Introduction
Thank you for choosing our product. We hope you will enjoy using the device.
HyQuest Solutions manufactures, sells, installs and operates quality instrumentation, data loggers and communication
technology. Products are designed with passion for environmental monitoring and with a deep understanding of the
quality, accuracy and robustness needed to fulfil the requirements of measurement practitioners in the field.
The present User Manual will help you understand, install and deploy the device. If, however, you feel that a particular
information is missing, incomplete or confusing, please do not hesitate to contact us for further support!
HyQuest Solutions’ TB340A is a fully automated laboratory calibration and test bench for a wide selection of tipping
bucket rain gauges differing in type, make, shape and size. Thoughtful system design, quality hardware components and
professional software development ensure the reliability and overall quality of the TB340A. The autonomous calibration
bench is software controlled and thereby allows for fast, well documented and repeatable testing, and does not require
particular user attendance.
The hardware element consists of a stand that can support simultaneous testing of two tipping bucket rain gauges. All the
elements required for testing are managed by a central controller mounted in the cabinet of the stand. 5 solenoid valves
can be used interchangeably to provide up to 31 different dispense rates for testing. Through the use of MODBUS over
RS-485, multiple stands can be daisy chained together and connected to software running on a PC, which manages the
test procedure.
The software element is a PC application that has been developed to support the automation of the TBRG testing process.
A high level of flexibility allows for the testing of third party TBRGs and is not limited to HyQuest Solutions products. The
application will run a planned test series, collecting and storing the TBRG tip count as it progresses. It will then compare
the test data to the specified performance of the TBRG before generating a report on successful completion of a test.
Figure 1 - TBRG Calibrator overview

© 2023 HyQuest Solutions 7
Installation
2Installation
This chapter contains the following subsection:
§ Setting up the TBRG Calibrator Rig
§ Preparing a TBRG on a station
2.1 Setting up the TBRG Calibrator Rig
Unpacking
Your Rain Gauge Calibrator has been shipped in a wooden crate for protection during transit, please take extreme care
when opening the crate so as not to damage the unit.
Once the Calibrator has been removed from the crate, place upright on a flat level surface, preferably at the final location
where the Calibrator will be used.
The Calibrator has been fitted with two transit brackets to help protect the load cells during transit. These can now be
moved by undoing the 2 x Philips head screws and 10mm bolt as shown. (Slide the transit bracket up and re-secure for
future use.)
Important: Do not apply too much downward pressure to Philips head screws as this may damage the load cells.
7
10

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Installation
Setup and levelling
Select a site to install the TB340A taking the following points into consideration.
A. 110V - 240V AC mains power supply.
B. Access to a clean filtered water source.
C. Close to an appropriate water drain.
D. A flat level surface.
After selecting an appropriate area place the TB340 in position and level using the 6 Adjustable feet to ensure the
mounting plates are level in both planes.
Connect a clean and filtered water supply to the manifold using 1/4’’ nylon tube

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Installation
Connect to appropriate drain outlets.
Pour a small amount of water down the drain holes located in the mounting plates to ensure the water is making its way
into the drain before running the system in automatic mode.
For more information, see the following subsection:
§ Turning the TBRG Calibrator On
10

© 2023 HyQuest Solutions 10
Installation
2.1.1 Turning the TBRG Calibrator On
In addition to plugging power into the device, there is a switch in the cabinet of the TBRG Calibrator. Switch this to the ON
(I) position after the rig is plugged in and power will be applied to the rest of the board.
Figure 2 – Power switch in cabinet of TBRG Calibrator
When power is applied, the LED on the CR-800 main controller will come on for a short period (about 30 secs) before
changing to a flash once every 15 seconds. (Relay #8 will also click on and off the same number of times as the Modbus
(front of cabinet, left side) to the ON position. The LED should come on and a clicking sound should be heard. Return the
switch to the AUTO position once testing is complete. Only do this while water is switched off to the system.
2.2 Preparing a TBRG on a station
Place your Rain Gauge base on the supplied PVC mounting plate. (Please note this calibration rig has been designed to suit
HyQuest Solutions model TB3 TB4 TB6 Rain Gauges. A custom adaptor may be necessary to suit other manufacturer’s Rain
Gauges)
Insert the syphon body into the collector funnel. (Please note this calibration rig has been designed to suit HyQuest
Solutions model TB3 TB4 TB6 Rain Gauges. A custom Syphon adaptor may be necessary to suit other manufacturer’s Rain
Gauges)