PCE Instruments PCE-RVI 4 User manual

PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
Manual
Viscometer PCE-RVI 4
Version 1.0
Date of creation: 10.11.2015
Date of last change: 07.06.2016

Manual
2
Contents
1Introduction .............................................................................................................3
2Safety notes.............................................................................................................3
3Specifications..........................................................................................................4
3.1 Technical specifications.............................................................................................................. 4
3.2 Delivery contents........................................................................................................................ 4
3.3 Optional accessories .................................................................................................................. 4
4System description.................................................................................................5
4.1 Button and display description ................................................................................................... 5
5Setup........................................................................................................................6
5.1 Insert / replace the batteries....................................................................................................... 6
5.2 Attach a spindle.......................................................................................................................... 6
5.3 Measuring vessel........................................................................................................................ 6
6Measurement...........................................................................................................7
6.1 Turn on the viscometer............................................................................................................... 7
6.2 Select a spindle .......................................................................................................................... 7
6.3 Take a measurement.................................................................................................................. 7
7Further functions ....................................................................................................8
7.1 Auto zero .................................................................................................................................... 8
8Troubleshooting......................................................................................................9
9Further information.................................................................................................9
9.1 Calibration................................................................................................................................... 9
9.2 Reference substances and viscosities ....................................................................................... 9
10 Disposal.................................................................................................................10
11 Contact...................................................................................................................10
11.1 PCE Instruments UK ................................................................................................................ 10
11.2 PCE Americas .......................................................................................................................... 10

Manual
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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a viscometer from PCE Instruments.
The PCE-RVI 4 viscometer measures the viscosity of fluids by using the Brookfield method. To increase
its field of application, the viscometer comes with 6 different spindle attachments for different measuring
purposes. The PCE-RVI 4 can be used as a laboratory viscometer or as a portable device, due to its
simple construction and its low weight.
There are two versions of the PCE-RVI available, which differ in their rotational speed and measuring
range. See chapter 3.1 for more information.
2 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.
The device may only be used in the approved temperature range.
The case should only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments.
The instrument should never be placed with the user interface facing an object (e. g. keyboard
side on a table).
You must not make any technical changes to the device.
The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner.
Do not expose the device or its components (except for the spindles) to water or other liquids. Do
not operate the device with wet hands.
Before replacing the batteries, please make sure the device is turned off and no spindle is
attached to the engine shaft.
The viscometer must not be operated in areas with explosive or inflammable atmospheres.
The device should only be operated in a controlled electromagnetic environment. Transmitters,
such as cell phones, should not be used near the viscometer.
Before taking a measurement, make sure that the device is levelled properly. Use a water level to
check and adjust.
This user's handbook is published by PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments.

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3 Specifications
3.1 Technical specifications
Rotational speed
PCE-RVI 4 VP 20: 20 rpm
PCE-RVI 4 VP 60: 60 rpm
Measuring range
VP 20: 200 … 200,000 mPa s
VP 60: 66 … 66,600 mPa s
Accuracy
±2 % f. s.
Repeatability
±1 %
Displayed data
RPM
selected spindle
dynamic viscosity (mPa s)
full scale range
full scale percentage
battery level indicator
Spindles
standard spindle set (R2 … R7)
Power supply
4 x AA LR6 or R6 batteries (6 V)
Battery life
24 … 30 hours of continuous operation
Operating conditions
+10 … +40 °C
≤80 % RH, non-condensing
max. 2,000 m above mean sea level
Pollution degree
2
Protection class
IP 20
Dimensions
170 x 110 x 410 mm
Weight
1.8 kg
Viscosity table
Spindle
R1
(optional)
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
R7
Model
Viscosity in mPa s
PCE-RVI 4 VP20
500
2,000
5,000
10,000
20,000
50,000
200,000
PCE-RVI 4 VP60
66
660
1,600
3,300
6,600
16,600
66,600
3.2 Delivery contents
1 x viscometer PCE-RVI 4 (VP 20 or VP 60)
1 x set of spindles (R2 … R7)
1 x calibration certificate
4 x 1.5 V AA batteries
1 x spindle protector
1 x measuring vessel
1 x instruction manual
1 x carrying case
3.3 Optional accessories
Newtonian calibration oils (500 ml)
R1 spindle
Spindle rack

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4 System description
4.1 Button and display description
Rotational
speed
Viscosity
Attached
spindle
Battery status
Full scale
percentage
Up button
Enter button
Down button

Manual
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5 Setup
5.1 Insert / replace the batteries
The battery compartment is located at the back of the display unit. To open it, you have to loosen 2
screws first. Then you can remove the cover.
Replace the old batteries with 4 new AA batteries and make sure you insert them properly before
mounting the cover plate back on.
5.2 Attach a spindle
The spindles can be attached to the viscometer via a screw connection.
To do so, gently place the spindle at the bottom end of the engine shaft at the bottom of the display unit
and carefully turn it clockwise.
Note: Be careful when attaching the spindle to prevent damage to the spindle and shaft.
Note: Always keep the engine shaft and spindles clean, especially the screw connection.
Note: Every spindle has a mark with its name on it at the top end.
5.3 Measuring vessel
The included measuring vessel has 3 pins at the bottom side, which fit into the 3 holes on the base plate
of the viscometer. This prevents the measuring vessel from moving when you are taking a measurement.
To prepare a measurement, fill the vessel with a fluid up to the filling mark (370 ml) and place it on the
base plate.
Note: Make sure the viscometer is levelled properly before taking a measurement.
Spindle
Screw
connection
Engine
shaft

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6 Measurement
6.1 Turn on the viscometer
To turn on the viscometer, you have to press and hold the Enter button for 2 seconds.
First, the display shows an information screen where you can see the version of your viscometer and its
firmware, as well as the battery status.
After that, you are redirected to the main screen. Here you can see the rotational speed, the current
viscosity, the selected spindle, the battery status and the full scale percentage.
To turn off the device, press and hold the Enter button for a few seconds.
Note: The full scale percentage refers to the maximum viscosity reading, which can be achieved with the
attached spindle.
6.2 Select a spindle
If the selected spindle on the display does not match with the one you attached to the engine shaft, you
have to select a different spindle.
To do so, press the Up / Down buttons when you are in the main screen. Now you can navigate through
all spindles available. The display shows the name of the spindle on the left side and its measuring range
on the right side.
By pressing the Up or Down button you can go to the next or previous spindle. Once you have found the
attached spindle, press Enter to confirm the selection.
6.3 Take a measurement
First, please make sure that the viscometer is levelled properly. Next, use the height adjustment at the
side of the viscometer and adjust it so that the measuring vessel can be placed on the base plate without
touching the spindle. After you placed the vessel on the base, use the height adjustment again and set it
to the lowest position possible. The wheel of the spindle should now be inside of the measuring vessel
and covered with the fluid to be measured.
Now, turn on the viscometer, select the attached spindle and press the Enter button to start the
measurement.
You will see the following screen:
The question marks mean that the device is waiting for the viscosity reading. After a short time, the
reading will show on the display.
If the viscosity of the fluid exceeds the measuring range of the spindle or the device, the display shows
the following:
Note: The full scale percentage can show readings between 5 and 100 % of the full scale. The optimum
lies between 10 and 90 % f.s. When below 5 %, the display shows “0” viscosity.
When you have finished your measurement, press Enter to stop the measurement and the rotation.

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7 Further functions
7.1 Auto zero
If you start a measurement and initiate rotation without immersing the spindle into a fluid and the display
does not show zero, you have to use the auto zero function.
To do so, follow these steps:
Turn on the device by pressing and holding the Enter button for 2 seconds.
When the information screen appears, press the Down button and then the Enter button shortly, one after
the other.
Now you will see this screen:
Press Enter to get to the next screen:
Now, remove the spindle and press Enter again to start the zeroing procedure. During the zeroing, the
display shows the following screen:
After the zeroing was successful, the viscometer automatically goes back to the information screen.

Manual
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8 Troubleshooting
Problem
Possible solution
The viscometer does not work
Check the batteries
The instrument does not show “zero” without any
fluids
Use the auto zero function
Viscosity speed is unstable and inaccurate
Check the rheological characteristics of the fluid
Perform a calibration check by using calibration
standards
Check if the spindle disk rotates steadily
Check if the temperature of the sample is stable
9 Further information
9.1 Calibration
The viscometer comes factory-calibrated and with a calibration certificate.
We recommend checking the accuracy of the viscometer on a regular basis by using optional calibration
oils.
Model
Viscosity standard (suggested)
PCE-RVI 4 VP 20
Approx. 5,000 mPa s
PCE-RVI 4 VP 60
Approx. 2,500 mPa s
For the verification, we recommend using the R4 spindle. Perform at least 5 measurements and compare
the reading to the viscosity of the calibration oil.
Note: Keep in mind that the viscosity is greatly influenced by the temperature. Therefore, you should
perform the verification under the specified conditions of the calibration oil.
9.2 Reference substances and viscosities
Substance
Approx. viscosity (mPas)
Motor oil SAE 10
65
Olive oil
84
Coatings (airbrushed)
100
Yoghurt
150
Sugar solution 70 %
400
Lubricating oil
50 –1,000
Concentrated juice
1,500
Inks
550 –2,200
Honey
10,000
Nanocellulose (common additive)
8,000 –10,000
Toothpaste
100,000

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10 Disposal
For the disposal of batteries, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the
contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to
collection points designed for that purpose.
In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or
give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.
If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.
11 Contact
If you have any questions about our range of products or measuring instruments please contact PCE
Instruments.
11.1 PCE Instruments UK
By post:
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13 Southpoint Business Park
Ensign Way, Southampton
Hampshire
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
By phone:
02380 987 035
11.2 PCE Americas
By post:
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
33458 FL
USA
By phone:
561 320 9162