Novalynx 255-110-B Series User manual

DOC 255-110x-B UM 20210324
255-110x-B
User Manual
255-110-B Evaporation Gauge Reader (inches)
255-110M-B Evaporation Gauge Reader (millimeters)
Evaporation Gauge Reader
Phone [phone]
Email no[email protected] Website www.novalynx.com

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Receiving and Unpacking
Carefully unpack all components and compare to the packing list. Notify NovaLynx Corporation
immediately concerning any discrepancy. Inspect equipment to detect any damage that may have
occurred during shipment. In the event of damage, any claim for loss must be filed immediately with
the carrier by the consignee. Damages to equipment sent via Parcel Post or UPS require the consignee
to contact NovaLynx Corporation for instructions.
Returns
If equipment is to be returned to the factory for any reason, call NovaLynx between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. Pacific Time to request a Return Authorization Number (RA#). Include with the returned
equipment a description of the problem and the name, address, and daytime phone number of the
sender. Carefully pack the equipment to prevent damage or additional damage during the return
shipment. Call NovaLynx for packing instructions in the case of delicate or sensitive items. If packing
facilities are not available take the equipment to the nearest Post Office, UPS, or other freight service
and obtain assistance with the packaging. Please write the RA# on the outside of the box.
Warranty
NovaLynx Corporation warrants that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of shipment from the factory.
NovaLynx Corporation's obligations under this warranty are limited to, at NovaLynx's option: (i)
replacing; or (ii) repairing; any product determined to be defective. In no case shall NovaLynx
Corporation's liability exceed product's original purchase price. This warranty does not apply to any
equipment that has been repaired or altered, except by NovaLynx Corporation, or that has been
subjected to misuse, negligence, or accident. It is expressly agreed that this warranty will be in lieu of
all warranties of fitness and in lieu of the warranty of merchantability.
Address
NovaLynx Corporation
431 Crown Point Circle, Suite 120
Grass Valley, CA 95945-9531 USA
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.novalynx.com
Copyright © 1988-2021 by NovaLynx Corporation

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CONTENTS
1 FORWARD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
3 SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
4 CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 APPLICATION: Evaporation Monitoring .......................................................................................................................... 6
6 APPLICATION: Evaporation Logging ................................................................................................................................ 7
7 APPLICATION: Evaporation Gauge Chain Installation ..................................................................................................... 7
8 APPLICATION: Evaporation Gauge Calibration Checkup ................................................................................................. 7
9 BATTERY REPLACEMENT ............................................................................................................................................... 10

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1 FORWARD
Thank you for purchasing NovaLynx products. NovaLynx has been designing and manufacturing
weather instruments since 1988. NovaLynx represents several well-known brands of quality
manufacturers, including Gill Instruments, RM Young, Kipp & Zonen, and Vaisala. It is our hope that our
products will meet all your monitoring requirements.
2 INTRODUCTION
The 255-110x-B Evaporation Gauge Reader is a portable display for the NovaLynx 255-100 Analog
Output Evaporation Gauge. The reader is calibrated in inches or millimeters, depending on the model
chosen. Readings from the display indicate relative depth of water in the gauge. The difference
between readings on successive days indicates the amount of evaporation.
The reader may be used during installation of the evaporation gauge and for checking the operation of
the evaporation gauge during regular maintenance. The large LCD display is visible through the clear
protective cover even in bright sunlight.
The NovaLynx 255-110x-B Reader is pre-calibrated using a generic slope with zero offset. Since the
float in the 255-100 Evaporation Gauge does not rise until a certain amount of water is present, the
display will not correspond to the actual depth of the water in the pan. However, since evaporation is a
relative quantity (the difference in level between two points in time), the offset is not important, as
long as the float is not resting on the bottom.
It is possible to calibrate the reader to a specific evaporation gauge using a two-point method, which
will adjust the slope and offset so that the readings match (within reason) the depth of water in the
evaporation pan. NovaLynx 195-BHW-KIT includes software and a USB cable for programming the
slope and offset. Instructions for programming the display are available in the NovaLynx 255-704-B
Evaporation Logger User Manual, available on our website at www.novalynx.com.
Raw Scaled
Units: Volts Inches
Value 1: 0.00000 0.00000
Value 2: 2.50000 9.44400
Raw Scaled
Units: Volts millimeters
Value 1: 0.00000 0.00000
Value 2: 2.50000 239.89000
255-110-B Generic Calibration
255-110M-B Generic Calibration

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3 SPECIFICATIONS
4 CONNECTIONS
255-100 ANALOG OUTPUT
EVAPORATION GAUGE
RED (+Vreg)
WHITE (Signal)
BLACK (Gnd)
1
2
3
Counter-
weight Float
255-110x-B EVAPORATION
GAUGE READER
Screw Terminals
Water
DWG 890-0092-01
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the display, connect the black
and white wires first. Connect the red wire last.
To disconnect, please disconnect the red wire first.

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The 255-110x-B Evaporation Gauge Reader uses very little power, and can typically run for a full year
on the two replaceable AAA batteries. The display remains on even when not in use, so it is ready to
take readings as soon as it is connected to the evaporation gauge.
1. Use a small screwdriver to loosen each screw on the terminal block.
2. Connect the black (ground) and white (signal) wires to the color-coded
terminals.
3. Connect the red (+Vreg) wire last.
4. The display will update with the water level reading within 15 seconds.
5. After recording the water level reading, disconnect the red wire first,
to avoid possible damage to the reader.
NOTE: when not connected to the evaporation gauge the readings on the
display will fluctuate randomly. This is normal. Connection Terminals
5 APPLICATION: EVAPORATION MONITORING
Evaporation is calculated as the difference in water level readings taken at regular intervals, typically
every 24 hours. To begin, the evaporation pan and analog output evaporation gauge must be set up
and filled with water. The installation and operation of the NovaLynx 255-100 Evaporation Gauge and
NovaLynx 255-200 Evaporation Pan are discussed in their respective user manuals, available at
www.novalynx.com
Each day (or other regular interval), connect the reader to the evaporation gauge following the
instructions (Section 4). Record the measurement in your log. Note: If the water in the pan is not still
(possibly due to wind), take two or more readings, calculate the average and record.
Observe the water level in the evaporation pan. The level should be maintained between 2 to 3 inches
below the rim of the evaporation pan. Avoid letting the level fall more than 5 inches.
 If it is necessary to re-fill the pan, be sure you have recorded your daily reading first, then refill
the pan.
 If a significant amount of precipitation has fallen it may be necessary to remove some water
from the pan. Be sure you have recorded your daily reading first, then remove excess water
from the pan.
 After adjusting the water level, wait until the water is still and then take a new reading. Record
the new level along with a note that the evaporation pan was refilled or water was removed.
The evaporation gauge reader may be left attached to the evaporation gauge or it may be
disconnected and used at another evaporation monitoring site. If the reader is to be left connected,
provide a shelter that will keep the sun and rain off of the reader, otherwise moisture on the terminals
could cause corrosion, and strong sunlight could overheat the display.

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6 APPLICATION: EVAPORATION LOGGING
The display in the 255-110x-B Evaporation Gauge Reader is the same device as the logger that is
incorporated in the NovaLynx 255-704-B Evaporation Logger. If the reader is going to be used at only
one site, and it is feasible to leave the reader connected throughout the season, then it can be used to
log the water level in the evaporation pan on a continuous basis. Please refer to the 255-704-B
Evaporation Logger User Manual (www.novalynx.com) for instructions on how to operate as a logger.
7 APPLICATION: EVAPORATION GAUGE CHAIN INSTALLATION
The 255-110x-B Evaporation Gauge Reader can be used to verify proper installation of the evaporation
gauge, as well as being the method for reading the gauge. The evaporation gauge consists of a
precision potentiometer connected to a sprocket which is turned by the float and counterweight
mechanism (diagram, below). It is important when setting up the evaporation gauge that the sprocket
is correctly synchronized with the chain that holds the float and counterweight. The reason is that the
potentiometer has an electrical "dead band" where the resistance is infinite and the readings from the
gauge would be meaningless.
Chain Installation Using the Reader
1. Make sure the gauge is empty of water.
2. Connect the reader (Section 4).
3. Turn the sprocket until the display
reads within the following range:
 Between 0.40 to 0.75 inches
Or
 Between 10.0 to 20.0 mm
Note: The white pointer will be at
approximately 11:00 o'clock or 30
degrees to left of top.
4. Lift the chain until all the slack is taken
up, but the float is still resting on the
bottom of the gauge. Drape the chain over the sprocket so that the float is on the right and the
counterweight is on the left. If the indication on the reader is not within range, re-adjust the sprocket.
Note: This method will not work correctly if the generic calibration of the display has been changed.
8 APPLICATION: EVAPORATION GAUGE CALIBRATION CHECKUP
The 255-110x-B Evaporation Gauge Reader can be used to check the accuracy of the potentiometer as
part of a regular maintenance cycle. At a minimum, the operation of the potentiometer should be
checked at the beginning of a monitoring season. The following procedure applies to the reader when
it is calibrated to the generic factory settings.
255-110x-B EVAPORATION
GAUGE READER
Screw Terminals
Counter-
weight
Float
Float Touching Bottom
of Evaporation Gauge
DWG 890-0092-01
30°
White Pointer
11:00 o'clock
Deadband
(Red)
(White)
(Black)

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Disassembly
1. Remove the four screws holding the evaporation gauge cover and lift the cover off.
2. Remove the chain from the sprocket by lifting the counterweight. Drape the counterweight and
chain over the outside of the gauge. Do not attempt to remove the float.
3. Rotate the sprocket by hand to verify that it turns freely 360° without binding. It should spin freely
when given a small push.
255-110x-B EVAPORATION
GAUGE READER
Screw Terminals
(Red)
(White)
(Black)
White Stripe
DWG 890-0060-03
Testing with Evaporation Gauge Reader
Setup
1. Note that one ridge on the sprocket face has been painted with a white stripe. The other ridges are
not painted and are spaced 60° around the face of the sprocket. The back side of the sprocket has
similar ridges but none are painted.
2. Connect the reader to the evaporation gauge and verify that it responds to small movements of the
sprocket. Remember, the display updates only once every 15 seconds. Be patient.
Procedure
1. Adjust the position of the sprocket until the display reads 9.00"
or 228.6 mm. The white stripe on the front of the sprocket
should be at approximately 1 o'clock position as viewed from the
front.
2. While looking at the back of the sprocket, use a sticky-note as a
pointer and apply it to the top of the evaporation gauge housing,
aligning one corner to point at a rib on the back side of the
sprocket.
3. Enter the measured value as the starting point in the table (next
page). View from Back of Sprocket
4. Rotate the sprocket 60° counter-clockwise to the next ridge and record the measured value.
5. Continue recording measurements in 60° increments.
White Pointer
DWG 880-0002-01
60°
Sticky Note

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6. Compare the actual readings with the expected readings at each measured point, and determine
the Pass/Fail status.
Remedial Steps
 If the white stripe is not between 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock at the starting point (9.00" or 228.6 mm),
the sprocket may have slipped on the shaft and be out of position.
 If the readings on the display are progressively worse the farther the sprocket is turned, the
potentiometer may be out of specification, or there is added resistance in the circuit. Check all
connections.
 If successive readings are non-linear then the potentiometer may need to be replaced.
 The measured depth of water and the display will not agree when calibrated to the generic
settings, because the amount of water required to raise the float is not accounted for. This is
normal as the amount of evaporation is relative (i.e. the difference of two readings). If precise
agreement is desired, the display can be re-calibrated (Section 2).
Reassembly
Refer to Section 7 for instructions on synchronizing the chain and sprocket. Replace the cover of the
evaporation gauge. Fill the evaporation pan and take a reading after the water has settled.
inches millimeters inches millimeters
9.00" Starting point 9.000 228.6 ±0.074 ±1.9
Rotated 60° 7.333 186.2 ±0.074 ±1.9
Rotated 120° 5.666 143.9 ±0.074 ±1.9
Rotated 180° 4.000 101.6 ±0.074 ±1.9
Sprocket Position
Expected Value
Measured Value
Acceptable Limit
Pass Fail

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9 BATTERY REPLACEMENT
WARNING: Keep all batteries away from small children. Dispose of used batteries properly.
The battery status indicator is located in the upper right corner
of the display screen. Replace the batteries at the beginning of
the season, and as required. Battery life can vary depending on
circumstances from 7 months to a year.
IMPORTANT: When the batteries are removed all programming is
lost and the display will go blank UNLESS you provide power to
the display while the batteries are being changed.*
FIRST: Connect a USB cable from your logger to a computer, USB
wall charger, or USB output battery pack. The cable type is USB
2.0 A to Mini-B.
1. Open the battery door on the back of the logger.
2. Remove the old batteries.
3. Insert two new batteries observing polarity.
4. Reinsert the battery door and snap it back into place.
Note: A desiccant pack may be inside the logger box. It can be
replaced or re-dried if needed.
* If the programming is lost, either return the unit to NovaLynx for inspection and reprogramming, or
obtain the software (free download) and re-program the unit. Instructions for programming the display
are detailed in the NovaLynx 255-704-B Evaporation Logger User Manual, available on our website at
www.novalynx.com.