Rice Lake EZ Mount 1 User manual

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EZ Mount 1
Load Cell Mounting Kit
25710
Installation
Guide
Version 2.0

Copyright © 2004 Rice Lake Weighing Systems. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
March 2004
Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................. 1
2. Mechanical Installation............................................................ 2
2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Tank Mounts ..........................2
2.2 Installing the EZ Mount 1 ..............................................................3
3. Load Cell Wiring & Junction Box Connections........................ 5
4. Adjustments & Calibration....................................................... 5
5. Troubleshooting....................................................................... 6
6. Maintenance and Replacement Parts ..................................... 7
7. EZ Mount 1 Limited Warranty.................................................. 8

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1. Introduction
The EZ Mount 1 Load Cell Mounting Kit provides an extremely accurate method for
weighingmediumandlarge capacity tanks andhoppersthataresubjectto 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.
Inthe majorityofapplications,theassemblies areself-
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
easesloadcellinstallationandreplacementwithoutthe
needto raisetheweighedvesselalargeamount,which
may disturb piping and other connections.
The EZ Mount 1 is available in mild steel or stainless
steel in five sizes from 5,000-250,000 lb. The mount is compatible with RL70000 and
RTI5103 mild steel load cells in capacities from 5,000 lb to 250,000 lb. The EZ Mount
1isalsoavailableinstainlesssteelwithRL70000SSandRTI9103availableincapacities
from 5,000 lb to 150,000 lb. The RL71000HE hermetically-sealed stainless steel load
cells are available in capacities from 5,000 lb to 60,000 lb.
The installation should be planned by a qualified structural engineer. Each installation
is unique, and this manual is meant to serve only as a general guideline for installation.
Thermal
Expansion
Authorized distributors and their employees can
view or download this manual from the Rice Lake
WeighingSystemsdistributorsiteatwww.rlws.com.

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2. Mechanical Installation
2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Tank Mounts
1. Themountingsurfaceforbaseandtopplatemustbelevel.Afterinstallation,thetop
andbottomplatesmustbelevelwithin±0.5°.Ifthemountingsurfacesarenotlevel,
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
forceswhichgreatlyaffectaccuracy.Deflectionofthemount’stoporbaseplatedue
to loading should not exceed ±0.5°. Reinforcement of legs or other support
structuresmaybenecessarytocorrectthis.Vesselswithlonglegsshouldhavecross
bracing applied between adjacent legs to keep them from spreading under load.
2. Compression mounting systems use three, four, or more mounts. More than eight-
mount systems should be avoided as even weight distribution becomes extremely
difficulttoachieve.Theload on each mount assembly should vary bynomorethan
20%. Add shims where necessary to achieve correct load distribution.
3. 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.
4. It is crucial that all piping or conduit be horizon-
tal and flexible. If flexible piping is not used,
make sure distance from vessel to the first pipe
supportis20-30timespipediameter.Fordetails,
see the “Technical Information” section of the
RLWS Load Cell Product Selection Guide. In
smaller, lower capacity tanks and hoppers, iso-
lating resultant forces becomes extremely criti-
cal.
5. Loadcellsshouldnotbeinstalledinmountsuntilallweldingiscompleted.Theheat
generatedfromweldingcurrentpassingthroughaloadcellcandamagetheadhesive
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,connectthegroundinsuchawaythatthecurrentdoesnotflowthrough
the load cell. For example, if welding on the mount top plate, the ground must be
connectedto thevessel,nottothe mountbaseorsupportstructure. Also,protectthe
load cell and cable from weld splatter.
6. Use only “hermetically sealed” RL71000HE load cells in washdown applications.
“Environmentally protected” load cells are not suitable for such applications and
willbe damaged. If tanks and surrounding equipmentare frequentlysteamcleaned
or if the load cell is subjected to direct washdown, a protective shroud for the
weighingassembly is recommended. Proper drainageis necessarysotheweighing
assembly is not standing in water.
7. All support points should be equally stiff so that they deflect by the same amount
as the vessel is loaded.
LEVEL±0.5°
FLEXIBLE PIPING
J-BOX

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2.2 Installing the EZ Mount 1
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?
2. Determinewheretopositionthemountandinwhichdirectionitshouldbeoriented.
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
perpendicularto thelongitudinalaxis. Samplemountingorientations toaccommo-
date 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
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SUBPLATE RECOMMENDE
D
1" up to 60,000 lb
1.5" up to 150,000 lb
2.0" up to 250,000 lb
3. MakenecessarypreparationstothemountingsurfacesnotingthattheLOADCELL
BOLTS protrude beyond the BASE PLATE.