Figure 2. Two stainless steel gauge adapters are supplied with
the GaugeCalXP Pressure Comparator.
Figure 3. O ptional quick-connect gauge adapters allow quick
interchange of gauges without the need for sealing tape or
wrenches.
the test uid that lls the system each
time you test a gauge. The test uid can be either water, lightweight hydraulic oil, or isopropyl alcohol. Wind the han-
dle fully counter-clockwise, then clockwise for at least 10 turns (this prevents uid ow through the comparator and
potential uid spillage). Then ll the reservoir with test uid to within 6mm (1/4”) of the top. Turn the handle counter-
clockwise until you see the uid level in the reservoir drop. This lls the system with uid and removes any trapped
air bubbles. The reservoir cap has an o-ring to allow the GaugeCalXP to be transported with the test uids in place.
Due to the sealing capabilities of the cap, it must be removed or ajar during testing to allow proper equalization of the
system.
C R Y S T A L
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Page 4 • GaugeCalXP Operator Instructions
XP2i Digital Test gauge
mounted with the supplied
NPT gauge adapter.
Analog gauge to be tested
mounted with a quick-connect
gauge adapter.
4 Install the digital gauge: Use a ¼” fe-
male NPT gauge adapter (Figure 4).
If you are using the ange stem, ap-
ply PTFE thread tape to the pressure
gauge threads, then screw the gauge
into the adapter (PN: 3116). Be sure to
use wrenches on both the tting AND
the gauge when tightening the tting.
CAUTION: Never use wrenches when
connecting the gauge adapter to the
stem adapter tting—hand tight is sucient to insure a leak free connection. The
wrenches are intended to help separate
the gauge adapter from the stem adapter
tting, if necessary.
PRESSURE is Our BUSINESS
®
If you are using the quick connect
adapter (PN 3126), just screw it onto
the gauge, nger tight, then onto the stem adapter, also nger tight. Although wrench ats are provided on the quick
connect adapter, these are intended only to help remove the adapter.
CAUTION: Never use a wrench to tighten a quick connect adapter.
5 Install the gauge to be tested: As with the digital gauge, choose the appropriate adapter, either the quick connect or
regular gauge adapter (Figure 4).
6 Remove any remaining air from the system: Each time you install a new gauge, air bubbles may be introduced
into the Comparator and cause problems with calibration. Check again that the reservoir is full, then turn the handle
counter-clockwise until it stops at the full out position. If air bubbles are present in the system, the test uid level in the
reservoir will drop as it ows into the Comparator. If necessary, repeat this step until all trapped air has been removed.
Another way to remove air bubbles is to tilt the comparator. Wind the handle fully counter-clockwise, then lift the back
of the comparator. Any remaining bubbles will come out the back ange adapter.
7 Set up the digital pressure gauge: Turn on the XP2i, and then select the pressure units required for the gauge to
be tested—kg/cm2, bar, kPa, or PSI. (Refer to the documentation you received with your Crystal Engineering XP2i for
detailed operating instructions.)
8 Start the test: We recommend that you exercise the gauges by applying the full scale pressure of the gauge being
tested, one or more times. To apply pressure to the gauges, wind the handle in a clockwise direction. (To decrease
pressure to the gauges, wind the handle in a counter-clockwise direction). After decreasing the pressure to zero, re-
check the uid level in the reservoir, and rezero the XP2i, if necessary. You will notice that the application of pressure is
non-linear, therefore pressure increases at a more rapid rate at higher pressures.
Figure 4. The GaugeCalXP Pressure Comparator can be congured with an XP2i digital test gauge and a gauge to be tested, in either
of the two ports.
C R Y S T A L
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GaugeCalXP Operator Instructions • Page 5
bar
4
2 8
6
0 10
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engineering corporation
300 PSI
Note: If you cannot generate the desired pressure it is because one of two reasons: Either the system has too much air
in it, or the volume being pressurized is too large. Repeat step 6 to bleed the system and start again. If this does not
solve the problem, the volume is too large, and an auxiliary hydraulic pump is required.
9 Compare pressure readings: Wind the handle clockwise on the comparator so that the needle on the gauge being
tested is centered on the rst major graduation mark (or rst calibration point). These major marks are usually placed
at 10% or 20% increments of the full scale of gauge being tested. Hold the pressure for 15 seconds, then compare the
pressure on the gauge to be tested to the pressure displayed on the XP2i digital gauge, and record the reading on the
XP2i (Figure 5).
Normally, pressure will drop at rst,
as each ascending pressure point is
reached. This is due to the residual,
trapped gas, rst heated by compres-
sion, then cooled, so that the com-
pressed gas is at the same temperature
as the ambient environment. An equal
and opposite eect happens when re-
ducing pressure—the pressure will rise
as each new lower pressure is achieved.
Waiting for these thermal eects to sta-
bilize can add a lot of time to the cali-
bration.
10 Quick test method: An alternative
method eliminates the time required
to wait for thermal pressure stability. Start by setting the XP2i into the Peak “Hi” mode and clearing any stored peak
value. As above, increase pressure to the rst major graduation on the gauge (or calibration point), but increase pres-
sure slowly, so that you don’t overshoot the mark (or point). The pressure recorded on the XP2i will be the pressure
that was applied when the gauge was on the mark—even if actual pressure drops. Just record the reading from the
XP2i and continue to the next test point or mark. If you are also checking the gauge for hysteresis, the procedure is the
same, except that you start at full scale and set the XP2i to indicate the Peak “Lo”, and then clear the peaks at full scale
pressure. The XP2i will record the descending points in the same way.
Eliminating the time required to wait for thermal equilibrium, signicantly shortens the amount of time it takes to
calibrate a gauge.
Note: Below the rear gauge ange base of the Pressure Comparator are ports for an optional Fine Adjust accessory.
The Fine Adjust can be mounted on either side of the manifold block at the rear of the comparator. While the Fine
Adjust accessory is helpful for ne pressure adjustments, it is not necessary for general calibration. The Fine Adjust Kit
(P/N 3205) can be ordered directly from Crystal Engineering.
Figure 5. Checking the accuracy of an analog pressure gauge against the display of the XP2i digital pressure gauge.
C R Y S T A L
engineering corporation
Page 6 • GaugeCalXP Operator Instructions
Up to 10,000 PSI-700 bar
Kit p/n Individual Component p/n
GaugeCalXP Pressure Comparator
Fine Adjust Kit for GaugeCalXP
Rebuild Kit for GaugeCalXP
Rolling Carry Case Kit for GaugeCalXP
1
/8" Female NPT Gauge Adapter
1
/4" Female NPT Gauge Adapter (included)
1
/2" Female NPT Gauge Adapter (included)
1
/4" BSPP Gauge Adapter
1
/2" BSPP Gauge Adapter
3
/8" BSPP Gauge Adapter
NPT Quick-Connect Gauge Adapter Kit
Quick-Connect 1/8" Female NPT Gauge Adapter
Quick-Connect 1/4" Female NPT Gauge Adapter
Quick-Connect 1/2" Female NPT Gauge Adapter
1
/4" Male NPT Stem Adapter
BSPP Quick-Connect Gauge Adapter Kit
1
/4" Male NPT Stem Adapter
Quick-Connect 1/8" BSPP Gauge Adapter
Quick-Connect 1/4" BSPP Gauge Adapter
Quick-Connect 3/8" BSPP Gauge Adapter
Quick-Connect 1/2" BSPP Gauge Adapter
PTFE Thread Tape, 6mm (1/4") wide
3134
3116
3117
3137
3135
3136
3125
3126
3127
3254
3254
3184
3185
3186
3187
1810
3205
3143
3395
3183
3188
Up to 5,000 PSI-350 bar
Optional Accessories
PRESSURE is Our BUSINESS
®
C R Y S T A L
engineering corporation
GaugeCalXP Operator Instructions • Page 7
Warranty
Crystal Engineering Corporation warrants the GaugeCalXP Pressure Comparator to be free from defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service for one (1) year from date of purchase to the original purchaser. It does not
apply when the product has been misused, altered, or damaged by accident, or abnormal conditions of operation.
For in (or out) of warranty service, we can be reached at: