Rice Lake EZ Mount User manual

EZ Mount
Load Cell Mounting Kit
Installation Guide
PN 25710 Rev C
March 10, 2018

An ISO 9001 registered company
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems. All rights reserved.
Rice Lake Weighing Systems®is a registered trademark of
Rice Lake Weighing Systems.
All other brand or product names within this publication are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
All information contained within this publication is, to the best of our knowledge, complete and
accurate at the time of publication. Rice Lake Weighing Systems reserves the right to make
changes to the technology, features, specifications and design of the equipment without
notice.
The most current version of this publication, software, firmware and all other product updates
can be found on our website:
www.ricelake.com

Contents
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved i
Contents
Technical training seminars are available through Rice Lake Weighing Systems.
Course descriptions and dates can be viewed at www.ricelake.com/training
or obtained by calling 715-234-9171 and asking for the training department.
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................ 1
1.1 Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.0 Mechanical Installation.............................................................. 3
2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Tank Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Installing the EZ Mount 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.0 Load Cell Wiring......................................................................... 7
4.0 Junction Box .............................................................................. 8
5.0 Maintenance & Troubleshooting .............................................. 9
6.0 Replacement Parts................................................................... 11

EZ Mount Load Cell Mounting Kit
ii Visit our website www.RiceLake.com
Rice Lake continually offers web-based video training on a growing selection
of product-related topics at no cost. Visit www.ricelake.com/webinars.

Introduction
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved 1
1.0 Introduction
The installation should be planned by a qualified structural engineer. Each
installation is unique, this manual is meant to serve only as a general guideline for
installation.
Manuals can be viewed or downloaded from the Rice Lake Weighing
Systems website at www.ricelake.com/manuals
Warranty information can be found at www.ricelake.com/warranties
Figure 1-1. EZ Mount Weigh Modules
The EZ Mount 1 Load Cell Mounting Kit provides an extremely accurate method
for weighing medium and large capacity tanks and hoppers that are subject to
large thermal expansion/contraction or vibration forces. The design uses a double
ended shear beam load cell (700Ωbridge) and transmits the load with a sliding
pin on the load-bearing groove of the cell. This design is very effective in providing
for thermal expansion/contraction with little friction.
In the majority of applications, the assemblies are
self-checking and held captive with no need for check
or stay rods, making this mount a good choice for
areas with frequent seismic activity. The sliding pin
design eases load cell installation and replacement
without the need to raise the weighed vessel a large
amount, which may disturb piping and other
connections.
The EZ Mount 1 is available in mild steel or stainless steel in five sizes from 5,000
lb to 250,000 lb. The mount is compatible with RL70000 and RTI 5103 mild steel
load cells in capacities from 5,000 lb to 250,000 lb. The EZ Mount 1 is also
available in stainless steel with RL70000SS and RTI 9103 in capacities from
5,000 lb to 150,000 lb. The RL72010MH hermetically-sealed stainless steel load
cells are available in capacities from 5,000 lb to 60,000 lb.
Thermal
Expansion

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1.1 Safety
Safety Signal Definitions:
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury. Includes hazards that are
exposed when guards are removed.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided
could result in serious injury or death. Includes hazards that are
exposed when guards are removed.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
Indicates information about procedures that, if not observed,
could result in damage to equipment or corruption to and loss of
data.
General Safety
Do not operate or work on this equipment unless this manual has been
read and all instructions are understood. Contact any Rice Lake
Weighing Systems dealer for replacement manuals.
Failure to heed may result in serious injury or death.
Do not use for purposes other than weight measurement.
Do not use any load-bearing component that is worn beyond 5% of the original
dimension.
Do not use this product if any of the components are cracked.
Do not exceed the rated load limit of the unit.
Do not make alterations or modifications to the unit.
WARNING
CAUTION
IMPORTANT
WARNING

Mechanical Installation
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved 3
2.0 Mechanical Installation
2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Tank Mounts
• The mounting surface for the base and top plate must be level. After
installation, the top and bottom plates must be level within ±0.5°. If the
mounting surfaces are not level, then shims and/or grout may be used to
level the mount.
• If possible, check that the mount is level when the vessel is fully loaded
because excessive deflections in legs and supporting structures may
cause additional side forces which greatly affect accuracy. Deflection of the
mounts top or base plate due to loading should not exceed ±0.5°.
Reinforcement of legs or other support structures may be necessary to
correct this. Vessels with long legs should have cross bracing applied
between adjacent legs to keep them from spreading under load.
• Compression mounting systems use three, four, or more mounts. More
than eight-mount systems should be avoided as even weight distribution
becomes extremely difficult to achieve. The load on each mount assembly
should vary by no more than 20%. Add shims where necessary to achieve
correct load distribution.
• If the actual load cells are
used during installation, take
extreme care to prevent
overload damage. A tank or
hopper can exert huge forces
when dropped only a fraction
of an inch. Dummy load cells
can be used during
installation.
• It is crucial that all piping or
conduit be horizontal and flexible. If flexible piping is not used, make sure
distance from vessel to the first pipe support is 20-30 times pipe diameter.
For details, see the “Technical Information” section of the RLWS Load Cell
Product Selection Guide (PN 22054). In smaller, lower capacity tanks and
hoppers, isolating resultant forces becomes extremely critical.
• Load cells should not be installed in mounts until all welding is completed.
The heat generated from welding current passing through a load cell can
damage the adhesive holding the strain gauge to the body. If possible, use
a dummy load cell when welding to maintain finished height. If welding is
unavoidable after load cell installation, connect the ground in such a way
that the current does not flow through the load cell. For example, if welding
on the mount top plate, the ground must be connected to the vessel, not to
the mount base or support structure. Also, protect the load cell and cable
from weld splatter.
Level - 0.5
Flexible Piping
J-Box

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• Use only hermetically sealed RL72010MH load cells in washdown
applications. Environmentally protected load cells are not suitable for such
applications and will be damaged. If tanks and surrounding equipment are
frequently steam cleaned or if the load cell is subjected to direct
washdown, a protective shroud for the weighing assembly is
recommended. Proper drainage is necessary so the weighing assembly is
not standing in water.
• All support points should be equally stiff so that they deflect by the same
amount as the vessel is loaded.
Figure 2-1. Parts Illustration
2.2 Installing the EZ Mount 1
The type of installation and strength of the mounting surface governs the method
of locating, attaching, and assembling the EZ Mount 1 assembly. Carefully
consider three areas which commonly cause accuracy problems:
• Are the supporting legs adequately braced so they will not spread when the
system is fully loaded?
• Does the supporting structure have the necessary strength to prevent
excessive deflection when the system is fully loaded?
• Is there attached equipment such as skirting, venting, or piping which is
likely to cause binding or lack of flexibility?
1. Determine where to position the mount and in which direction it should
be oriented. The EZ Mount 1 is designed to allow for lateral movement in
the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the load cell. These
tank weighing units should be oriented so that the movement due to
thermal expansion/contraction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Sample mounting orientations to accommodate expansion for different
vessel shapes are as follows:
Top Plate
Loading Bracket Cotter Pin
Load Cell Bolt
Load Cell Cotter Pin
Base Plate
Load Pin
Locating Pin
Washer
Load Bar

Mechanical Installation
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved 5
Figure 2-2. Orientation
2. Assemble the mounts by inserting either a dummy load cell or the actual
load cell into the hole in the top plate loading bracket, then installing the
load pin and locating pin*. Then pass the load cell bolts through the ends
of the load cell and load bars and thread into the base plate. Tighten by
hand.
The arrow on the load cell should point in the direction of the load.
3. Lift and block the vessel to the same height as the assembled mounts.
4. Remove the block from one support point and slide mount into position.
5. If the mount is being fitted under the leg of a vessel, verify that the leg’s
center line passes through the center of the top plate (through the center
of the load cell).
6. Lower the corner or side of the vessel carefully onto the top plate. The
force of a vessel weighing several tons can damage a load cell if
dropped only a fraction of an inch.
7. With the top plate positioned approximately level, mark holes for
attaching the top plate to the vessel’s mounting surface. Drill holes and
attach top plate loosely to vessel with suitable fasteners.
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the mounting assemblies at the remaining corners
or sides.
9. Verify that there is no initial misalignment between the base plate and
top plate and that the load cell is in the center of the hole in the top plate
loading bracket. Relocate if necessary.
10. Attach the base plates to the foundation using suitable anchors for
concrete or by bolting or welding to a steel structure. Verify that the base
plates are no more than ±0.5° out of level. Shim as necessary.
Note

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11. Check that the top plates are no more than ±0.5° out or level. Shim if
necessary and fully tighten mounting bolts.
12. If dummy cells are used, replace with actual load cells. Refer to step 3.
13. To achieve equal load distribution, make final height adjustments by
placing shims between the top plate loading bracket and the weighing
vessel. The variation in load among the cells should be no more than
20%. To accurately check load distribution, excite each load cell and
measure the output with a voltmeter.
14. Check that the bolts securing the load cell to the base plate are tight.
Torque the load cell bolts to only 20 foot-pounds. This allows the double-
ended load cell to flex under load.

Load Cell Wiring
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved 7
3.0 Load Cell Wiring
1. Route the load cell cables so they will not be damaged or cut. Cable should
not be routed near heat sources greater than 150 °F. Do not shorten any
load cell cable. The load cell is temperature compensated with the supplied
length of cable. Cutting the cable will affect temperature compensation. Coil
and protect excess cable so it will not be mechanically damaged or be sitting
in water.
2. Provide a drip loop in all cables so that water or other liquids will not run
directly down the cables onto either the load cells or the junction box. Attach
load cell cable to the dead structure, not the vessel.
3. If conduit protection is necessary against mechanical or rodent damage to
the load cell cables, use flexible conduit and conduit adapters at the load
cells. Conduit can also provide protection against moisture ingress into the
load cell.
4. Connect cables for standard RL70000, RL70000SS, RTI 5103, RTI 9103
load cells or RL72010MH hermetically sealed load cells to the summing
board in the junction box according to the guide shown below and the labels
on the terminal strips of the junction box. To verify the wiring scheme, see the
certification shipped with each load cell.
5. For better performance, use positive and negative remote sense lines if the
wiring running from the junction box to the indicator is longer than 25 feet.
Load Cell Wire Color Function
Red +EXC
Black –EXC
Green +SIG
White –SIG
Gray or Bare SHIELD
Table 3-1. Load Cell Wiring
Drip
Loop

EZ Mount Load Cell Mounting Kit
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4.0 Junction Box
Connections, Adjustments & Calibration
• Refer to Junction Box manual for trimming details.
• Refer to indicator manual or “Technical Information” section in Rice Lake
Weighing Systems’ Load Cell Product Selection Guide (PN 22054) for
system calibration details.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved 9
5.0 Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Load cells are often blamed for a malfunctioning system, but 90% of the time, the
problem lies elsewhere. When powering up the system and seeing different digital
readouts that vary from the load on the system, it’s probably caused by factors
other than the load cell.
If the system can be calibrated but doesn’t return to zero, loses calibration, or
demonstrates non-linearity or non-repeatability, see the following chart for
possible causes and do the following checks.
1. Check load cell mount for debris restricting load cell movement or debris
between scale and structure.
2. Check that tank/vessel and mounts are plumb, level, and square at critical
areas.
3. Check all piping and conduit for connections which restrict vessel movement.
4. If check rods are used, loosen all connections to finger tight only for testing.
5. Check load cell cables for physical or water damage.
6. Check all electrical connections, especially in the junction box.
If the problem still is not found:
7. Check possible indicator malfunction by using a load cell simulator to input a
known good signal into the indicator.
8. Disconnect each load cell’s signal leads at the junction box and check
individual load cell outputs with a multimeter. Then check input/output
impedances for comparison with load cell manufacturer’s specifications.

EZ Mount Load Cell Mounting Kit
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If after all these checks the problem still cannot be isolated, reconnect all but one
load cell. Replace load cell with a load cell simulator. Alternate so that each load
cell is individually disconnected and replaced with a simulator. If there is a
problem with a particular load cell, the symptom should disappear when that load
cell is disconnected and replaced with simulator.
Symptom Possible Cause
No return to zero Mechanical binding or debris in seals or under load cells
May have lost system calibration
Non-linearity Thermal expansion or deflection under load causing binding or side load
Non-repeatability
Loose load cell mount
Drifting caused by moisture
Load cell overload or shack damage
Mechanical binding
Lost calibration
Out of level or plumb
Moisture problem
Mechanical binding
Drifting readout Moisture in junction box, cables or load cells
Mechanical binding
Table 5-1. Troubleshooting

Replacement Parts
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6.0 Replacement Parts
Figure 6-1. Replacement Parts
Mild Steel Mounts
Item
No. Description Qty Replacement Part Numbers
A* B* C* D* E*
1 Top Plate Loading Bracket 1 18273 18274 18275 29014 26061
2 Load Cell Bolt 2 14773 14795 14797 14797 26071
3 Washer 6 15177 15184 15184 15184 26070
4Double-Ended Shear Beam
Load Cell 1 See Load Cell Selection Guide
5 Load Bar 2 18267 18268 18269 18269 26073
6 Base Plate 1 18264 18265 81266 82166 26074
7 Load Pin 1 18270 18271 18272 18272 26067
8 Locating Pin 1 18261 18262 18263 18263 26076
9 Cotter Pins 2 15229 15251 15257 15257 26069
10 JB4SS Junction Box
(30 to 250K Capacity Kits) 107700
Table 6-1. Mild Steel Mount Parts List
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EZ Mount Load Cell Mounting Kit
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Stainless Steel Mounts
* A-size mounts use load cells with capacities from 5,000-20,000 lb.
* B-size mounts use load cells with capacities from 30,000-60,000 lb.
* C-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 100,000 lb.
* D-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 150,000 lb.
* E-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 200,000 lb. and 250,000 lb.
Item
No. Description Qty Replacement Part Numbers
A* B* C* D*
1 Top Plate Loading Bracket 1 18376 18377 18378 29013
2 Load Cell Bolt 2 14774 14796 14798 14798
3 Washer 6 15178 15187 15187 15187
4Double-Ended Shear Beam Load
Cell 1 See Load Cell Selection Guide
5 Load Bar 2 18267 18268 18269 18269
6 Base Plate 1 18370 18371 18372 18372
7 Load Pin 1 18270 18271 18272 18272
8 Locating Pin 1 18373 18374 18375 18375
9 Cotter Pins 2 15230 15252 15258 15258
10 JB4SS Junction Box
(30 to 250K Capacity Kits) 107700
Table 6-2. Stainless Steel Mount Parts List

Replacement Parts
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems ●All Rights Reserved 13

EZ Mount Load Cell Mounting Kit
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230 W. Coleman St. • Rice Lake, WI 54868 • USA
U.S. 800-472-6703 • Canada/Mexico 800-321-6703 • International 715-234-9171 • Europe [phone]
Rice Lake Weighing Systems is an ISO 9001 registered company.
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems Specifications subject to change without notice.
www.ricelake.com
March 10, 2018 PN 25710 Rev C