Veris 3150 Troubleshooting

Trouble-shooting

(Refer to Operations Manual for complete

instructions, including software installation, safety,

maintenance, and troubleshooting.)

2000 XA, 3100, 3150

Soil EC Mapping System

Table of Contents

Procedure #1: EC Surveyor Instrument Signal Testing
Procedure #2: Testing Electrical Continuity
Procedure #3: Diagnosing and Correcting EC Signal Problems.
Procedure #4 Spring Plunger adjustment and replacement
Procedure #5: Diagnosing GPS-related problems

Procedure #1: EC Surveyor Instrument Signal Testing

Signal Test Load

Perform this test daily or every 10 hours of data collection to ensure you are obtaining
reliable data, and whenever EC data is questionable. The purpose of this test is to insure
that the instrument is performing properly.

The EC Surveyor is shipped with an Instrument Test Load (Part No. 10447) that will
enable you to quickly check the instrument to ensure that it is functioning properly. To
perform this test:

1) Disconnect the signal cable from the signal terminal on the EC Surveyor.

2) Connect the test load to the signal terminal.

3) Switch on the EC Surveyor and view display.

4) The display should show:
Shallow: (2000XA and 3100) 14 (3150) 11

Deep: (2000XA and 3100) 21 (3150) 40

5) If the readings vary significantly (more than one whole number) contact Veris
service department.

6) Once the test is complete, remove the test load and reinstall the implement
signal cable.

Figure 1.1 Signal Test Load installed (display showing proper EC readings for 2000XA and

3100)

Procedure #2: Testing Electrical Continuity

Perform this test daily or every 10 hours of data collection to ensure you are obtaining
reliable data, and whenever EC data is questionable.

The purpose of this test is to insure that each coulter-electrode has an uninterrupted signal
path from the EC Surveyor to the disk blade. Think of each coulter-electrode and its wire
path as a ‗channel‘. On a 3100 and 3150, there are 6 signal channels that must be clear
and isolated from each other (4 on a 2000XA). You will first test the complete pathway for
each channel—each coulter-electrode. One easy-to-take reading for each channel tests
the cable, wiring harness, and each coulter-electrode and disk blade. If no problems
surface during this test, there is no need to test individual components. This test should
take only a couple of minutes to perform.

To perform this test, you will need the EC Signal Test Box (part #10759) and an ohmmeter
(sometimes referred to as a multi-meter or voltmeter). Make sure the meter is set to ohms,
Ω. If a range of ohms is available, choose the lowest setting--ohms rather than kilo or
mega ohms. If unfamiliar with ‗ohming-out‘ or resistance testing, make a few trial tests
before performing the Veris signal test procedure. Touching the meter leads together will
display a zero resistance reading, touching two places on the same piece of metal will
produce a nearly zero reading, touching nothing will produce an OL (overload or over limit)
reading—meaning complete resistance, and no continuity.

Figure 2.1

Remove the signal cable from the EC Surveyor and connect it to the terminal on the test

Connect to coulter
blade

Ohmmeter

Connect one lead to Signal Test
Box terminal (corresponding to
each coulter)

Signal extension cable
(from implement)

box. If you have hard-wired the signal cable extension into the cab, making it difficult to
reach the implement with the cable end, you may want to purchase an extension cable
from Veris (part #12269). This cable attaches to the signal cable end and allows you to
position the Signal Test Box in close proximity to the coulter-electrodes.

Figure 2.2
Firmly press one lead of the ohmmeter to the #1 coulter blade edge (left hand, standing

behind the unit) and the other lead to the #1 terminal on the test box. Maintain firm
pressure on the ohmmeter lead touching the disk blade. A reading of less than 2 ohms is
normal. Rotate blade ¼ of a turn back and forth as you view the ohmmeter. Any jump in
the readings above 2 ohms indicates a problem.

Figure 2.3
Continue to check each coulter electrode in succession, left to right.

If any coulter electrode exhibits no continuity or resistance higher than 2 ohms, refer to
Procedure #3 Diagnosing EC Signal Problems.

Procedure #3: Diagnosing and Correcting EC Signal Problems.
Use this Troubleshooting tree to work through the system, locate the problem, and take corrective action.

Figure 3.1

Coulter Electrode Functions-

Each coulter electrode on the implement is part of a pair, and each pair has a distinct
function.

a) Coulters 1 & 6 are the Deep EC receptors. If you are seeing problems only with the

―Deep‖ readings, focus on testing continuity on these two coulter-electrodes.

b) Coulters 2 & 5 are the ―charged‖ coulters that inject the voltage into the soil. If you

are getting no (or intermittent) readings on both the ―Shallow‖ and the ―Deep‖ -­continuity to one of these two coulter-electrodes is likely the cause.

c) Coulters 3 & 4 are the ―Shallow EC‖ receptors. Focus on this pair if you see

problems in the ―Shallow‖ reading.

If the continuity ohm test indicates a problem on a channel, you will need to determine
where the interruption is located. Listed below are detailed instructions on how to
determine exactly where a continuity or isolation problem is located:

A. Testing Cable and Wiring continuity:

1. Once a high resistance reading on a channel is confirmed, determine whether the
problem is in the wiring or in the coulter-electrode. To test all cable and wiring, place
one ohmmeter lead in the Test Box terminal pin for that channel and the other on
the corresponding coulter wire terminal bolt. Grasp sure-seal connector and move
back and forth during this test – vibration from rough fields can weaken the contacts
on the sure seal, causing breaks in continuity during operation that might no show
up in a static test. Repeat process on all coulter-electrodes.

Figure 3.2 Testing cable at coulter electrode #3 terminal

2. If you see <2 ohms on all, test the coulter electrodes as explained in B below.

3. If you see a > 2ohms reading on any channel, separate sure-seal connector and
insert one ohmmeter lead in the end of wiring harness and the other lead in the
corresponding terminal on the Test Box. If reading is < 2 ohms at that point, the