Rice Lake RL1600 User Manual

RL1600

Weigh Module Kit

Installation

Guide

16952

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................ 1

2. Mechanical Installation.......................................................... 2

2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Weigh Modules....................2

2.2 Installing the RL1600..................................................................3

3. Load Cell Wiring..................................................................... 5

4. Junction Box Connections, Adjustments & Calibration..... 6

5. Troubleshooting..................................................................... 6

6. Maintenance and Replacement Parts................................... 8

7. RL1600 Limited Warranty.................................................... 10

Printed in the United States of America.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

02/04

1. Introduction

The RL1600 Weigh Module Kit provides an extremely accurate method for weighing medium and large capacity tanks, hoppers, bins, and reactors. The design uses a double-ended shear beam load cell (700Ω bridge) and transmits the load through a clamping load plate to the center of the load cell. This design is very effective in providing for thermal expansion/contraction with little friction.

In the majority of applications, the modules 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 RL1600 is available in cast iron, mild steel, or stainless steel in sizes from 1,000-75,000lb. The module is compatible with RL75016, RL75016 Stainless Steel, RL75016HE, Sensortronics 65016 and Sensortronics 65016W Stainless Steel load cells in capacities from 1,000 lb to 75,000 lb.

Thermal Expansion

Caution

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.

Authorized distributors and their employees can view or download this manual from the Rice Lake Weighing Systems distributor site at www.rlws.com.

2. Mechanical Installation

LEVEL ±0.5°

FLEXIBLE PIPING

J-BOX

2.1 General Installation Guidelines for Weigh Modules

1. 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 module 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 ±.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-module systems should be avoided as even weight distribution becomes extremely difficult to achieve. The load on each module should vary by no more than 20%. During installation, add shims where necessary to achieve correct load distribution.

3. If the actual load cells are used during installation of the weigh module, extreme care must be taken to prevent overload damage. A tank or hopper weighing several tons 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 horizontal and flexible. If flexible piping is not used, make sure the distance from the vessel to the first pipe support is 20-30 times the pipe diameter.In smaller, lower capacity tanks and hoppers, isolating the resultant forces becomes extremely critical. For details, see our Weigh Modules & Vessel Weighing Systems manual, PN 43918.

5. Load cells should not be installed in the modules 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 module 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. When possible, use only “hermetically sealed” 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

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