Rice Lake RL2200 User manual
RL2200
Load Cell Mounting Kit
Installation
Guide
49596 Rev A
Copyright © Rice Lake Weighing Systems. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
July 31, 2013
RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation i
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Mechanical Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
General Installation Guidelines for Tank Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing the RL2200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Load Cell Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
4 Junction Box Connections, Adjustments & Calibration . . . . . . . . .7
5 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
6 Maintenance and Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
7 RL2200 Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
© Rice Lake Weighing Systems. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
July 31, 2013
ii RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation
RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation 1
1.0 Introduction
Figure 1-1 RL 2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit
The RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit provides an extremely accurate method for
weighing medium and large capacity tanks and hoppers that are subject to large ther-
mal expansion/contraction or vibration forces. The design uses a low profile com-
pression disk load cell (350Ωbridge) and transmits the load with a rocker pin on the
load-bearing hub of the cell. This design is very effective in providing for thermal
expansion/contraction with little friction.
Thermal
Expansion
In most 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 rocker
pin design eases load cell installation and replace-
ment without the need to raise the weighed vessel
a large amount, which could disturb piping and
other connections.
The RL2200 is available in mild steel or stainless
steel, in capacity sizes from 5,000-50,000 lb. The RL2200 is also available with her-
metically-sealed stainless steel load cells which are available in capacities from 5,000
lb to 50,000 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 installa-
tion.
Authorized distributors and their employees can view or download this
manual from the Rice Lake Weighing Systems distributor site at
www.rlws.com.
WARNING
2 RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation
Safety
Failure to heed may result in serious injury or death.
The installation should be planned by a qualified structural engineer. Each installa-
tion is unique, and this manual is meant to serve only as a general guideline for
installation.
Do NOT install or work on this equipment unless you have read and understand the
instructions and warnings in this manual.
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.
Contact Rice Lake Weighing Systems for replacement manuals. Proper care is
your responsibility.
RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation 3
2.0 Mechanical Installation
2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Tank Mounts
1. The mounting surface for 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 mount’s 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.
2. 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 distribu-
tion.
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.
Level - 0.5
Flexible Piping
J-Box
It is crucial that all piping or
conduit be horizontal and flexi-
ble. If flexible piping is not
used, make sure distance from
vessel to the first pipe support is
20-30 times pipe diameter. In
smaller, lower capacity tanks
and hoppers, isolating resultant
forces becomes extremely
critical. For details, see our
Weigh Modules & Vessel Weigh-
ing Systems manual, P/N 43918.
5. 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 possi-
ble, 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.
6. Use only “hermetically sealed” load cells in washdown applications. “Environ-
mentally 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 weigh-
ing assembly is recommended. Proper drainage is necessary so the weighing
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.
4 RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation
2.2 Installing the RL2200
1. The type of installation and strength of the mounting surface governs the method
of locating, attaching, and assembling the RL2200 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. Determine where to position each mount. The RL2200 is designed to allow for
lateral movement in any direction. Sample mounting orientations to accommo-
date different vessel shapes are as follows:
Top Plate Rocker Pin
Set Screw
Shoulder
Screw
Load Cell
Base Plate
Subplate
(1” Recommended)
Load Cell Screws Bearing, Upper Insert
Dust Boot
RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation 5
3. Make necessary preparations to the mounting surfaces. A 1" sub plate is recom-
mended to ensure a good mounting surface.
4. The mounts are normally factory assembled. If mounts are not already assem-
bled, complete the assembly by placing the rocker pin and boot in the load cell
hub socket, place the top plate on top with the rocker pin in the top plate socket,
and install the shoulder screws through the top plate into the base plate risers.
Torque the shoulder screws to 100 ft-lb. Tighten the shoulder screw set screws.
5. Lift and block the vessel to the same height as the assembled mounts.
6. Remove the block from one support point and slide that mount into position.
7. 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).
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Repeat steps 4-10 for the mounting assemblies at the remaining corners or sides.
11. Verify that there is no initial misalignment between the base plate and top plate
and that the rocker pin is in the center of the hole in the top plate.
12. Attach the base plates to the foundation using suitable anchors for concrete or by
bolting or welding to a steel structure or subplate. Verify that the base plates are
as level as possible. They should be fully supported. Shimming is not recom-
mended.
13. Check that the top plates are no more than ±.5° out or level. Shim if necessary
and fully tighten mounting bolts.
14. To achieve equal load distribution, final height adjustments can be made with
shims between the top plate loading bracket and the weighing vessel. The varia-
tion in load among the cells should be no more than 20%. The load distribution
can be checked accurately by exciting each load cell in turn and measuring the
output with a voltmeter..
6 RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation
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. Cut-
ting 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.
4. Connect cables for 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.
Drip Loop
Load Cell Wire Colors
Wire Color
Function
Negative Reading Positive Reading
Red +EXC +EXC
Black -EXC -EXC
Green +SIG -SIG
White -SIG +SIG
Gray or Bare Shield Shield
RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation 7
4.0
Junction Box Connections, Adjustments & Calibration
1. Refer to junction box manual for trimming details.
2. Refer to indicator manual for system calibration details.
5.0 Troubleshooting
If the system powers up and gives some type of stable digital readout that varies with
the load on the system, any system problems are probably caused by factors other
than the load cells. The load cells are often blamed for a malfunctioning system, but
90% of the time, the problem lies elsewhere. Look for mechanical causes for your
problem first.
If the system can be calibrated but doesn’t return to zero, loses calibration, or demon-
strates non-linearity or non-repeatability, see the following chart for possible causes
and do the following checks.
Symptom Possible Cause
No return 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 shock damage; mechanical binding
Lost calibration Out of level or plumb; moisture problem; mechanical binding
Drifting readout Moisture in junction box, cables, or load cell; mechanical binding
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.
9. 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 prob-
lem with a particular load cell, the symptom should disappear when that load cell
is disconnected and replaced with simulator.
8 RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation
6.0 Maintenance and Replacement Parts
RL2200 Mild Steel Mounts
No. Description Replacement Part Numbers
A* B* C* D*
1Top Plate 45562 45562 45547 45547
2Shoulder Screw 45567 45567 45553 45553
3Load Cell Bolts 45569 45569 45554 45554
4RL2200 Load Cell 45708 45709 45710 45711
5Bearing, Upper Insert 45564 45564 45549 45549
6Base Plate 45556 45556 45541 45541
7Rocker Pin 45565 45565 45550 45550
8Dust Boot 45566 45566 45566 45566
9Set Screws 14949 14949 45696 45696
RL2200 Stainless Steel Mounts
No. Description Replacement Part Numbers
A* B* C* D*
1Top Plate 45563 45563 45548 45548
2Shoulder Screw 45568 45568 45552 45552
3Load Cell Bolts 45570 45570 45555 45555
4RL2200 Load Cell 45712 45713 45714 45715
5Bearing, Upper Support 45564 45564 45549 45549
6Base Plate 45557 45557 45542 45542
7Rocker Pin 45565 45565 45550 45550
8Dust Boot 45566 45566 45566 45566
9Set Screws 14950 14950 45697 45697
*A-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 5,000 lb.
*B-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 10,000 lb.
*C-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 25,000 lb.
*D-size mounts use load cells with a capacity of 50,000 lb.
RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation 9
7.0 RL2200 Limited Warranty
Rice Lake Weighing Systems (RLWS) warrants that all RLWS brand load cells prop-
erly installed by a Distributor or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will oper-
ate per written specifications. All load cell products are warranted against defects in
materials and workmanship for two (2) years. Products marked as “waterproof” are
warranted against defects in materials and workmanship relating to moisture ingress.
RLWS warrants that the equipment sold hereunder will conform to the current written
specifications authorized by RLWS. RLWS warrants the equipment against faulty
workmanship and defective materials. If any equipment fails to conform to these war-
ranties, RLWS will, at its option, repair or replace such goods returned within the
warranty period subject to the following conditions:
• Upon discovery by Buyer of such non-conformity, RLWS will be given prompt
written notice with a detailed explanation of the alleged deficiencies.
• Examination of such equipment by RLWS confirms that the non-conformity
actually exists, and was not caused by accident, misuse, neglect, alteration,
improper installation, improper repair or improper testing; RLWS shall be the
sole judge of all alleged non-conformities.
• Such equipment has not been modified, altered, or changed by any person other
than RLWS or its duly authorized repair agents.
• RLWS will have a reasonable time to repair or replace the defective equipment.
Buyer is responsible for shipping charges both ways.
• In no event will RLWS be responsible for travel time or on-location repairs,
including assembly or disassembly of equipment, nor will RLWS be liable for the
cost of any repairs made by others.
THESE WARRANTIES EXCLUDE ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MER-
CHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NEITHER
RLWS NOR DISTRIBUTOR WILL, IN ANY EVENT, BE LIABLE FOR INCI-
DENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
RLWS AND BUYER AGREE THAT RLWS’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABIL-
ITY HEREUNDER IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF SUCH
GOODS. IN ACCEPTING THIS WARRANTY, THE BUYER WAIVES ANY AND
ALL OTHER CLAIMS TO WARRANTY.
SHOULD THE SELLER BE OTHER THAN RLWS, THE BUYER AGREES TO
LOOK ONLY TO THE SELLER FOR WARRANTY CLAIMS.
No terms, conditions, understanding, or agreements purporting to modify the terms of
this warranty shall have any legal effect unless made in writing and signed by a cor-
porate officer of RLWS and the Buyer.
© 2003 Rice Lake Weighing Systems, Inc. Rice Lake, WI USA. All Rights Reserved.
RICE LAKE WEIGHING SYSTEMS • 230 WEST COLEMAN STREET
RICE LAKE, WISCONSIN 54868 • USA
10 RL2200 Load Cell Mounting Kit Installation
Rice Lake Weighing Systems
July 31, 2013 49596 Rev A
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