Xylem WL550 User Manual

Global Water

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WL550

OIL WATER INTERFACE METERS

Global Water

Instrumentation, Inc.

151 Graham Road

P.O. Box 9010

College Station, TX 77842-9010

T: 800-876-1172

Int’l: [phone], Fax: [phone]

E-mail : [e-mail]

Operating Manual

Covers Models: AHA500, AHB500, A HC500, AHD500, AHE500, AHF500, AHG500,
AHK500, AHL500, AHM500, AHN500, AHO500, AHP500, AHQ500

Copyright  Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. 2012
02-083
Publication Number 39350712

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Global Water

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Congratulations on your purchase of a Global Water WL500, oil water
interface meter. This instrument has been quality tested and approved for
providing accurate and reliable measurements. We are confident that you
will find the meter to be a valuable asset to your applications. Should you
require assistance, our technical staff will be happy to help.

Table of Contents:

I. Quick Start Guide ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 3
II. Principle of Operation ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 4
III. Battery Installation & First-Time Use ▫ ▫ ▫ 4
IV. Basic Reel Features ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 5
V. Operating the unit in the fiel d ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 6
VI. Troubleshooting ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 8
VII. Customer Support ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 9
VIII. Technical Specifications ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ 10

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I. Quick Start Guide

1. To turn the unit on, push the red start butt on once brief ly . Note that the unit
will make a short lived beep when it is turned on. P us hing the start button
briefly (less than 4 seconds*) a second time will pow er down the unit, at which
time it will make a short pulsing sound. It w ill also make this sound when it
turns off automatically aft er 10 minutes.

2. When the unit is turned on and the battery is low but will s till allow for reliable
operation, the buzzer will make a longer pulsing tone, but will then resume
normal operation.

3. If the battery is too low for the unit to function properly it will power itself down
right after being turned on or it will make a continuous low volume tone until
the battery is removed.

4. There are two adjustments on the cir c uit board m ar k ed Water and Oil. They
are sealed to keep out moisture and should not be c hanged w ithout calling for
technical support.

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II. Principle of Operation

The instrument detects the presence of w ater with the two stainless steel pins and
electronic circuit that measures c ur r ent flowing through water which is not distilled.

The instrument detects oil with the pris m as s embly. An infrared light beam is emitted
from the sensor. This beam strikes the prism at a 45 degree angle and is refracted
internally as a result of Snell’s Principle. If the prism is immersed in a liquid with an
optical index similar to that of the prism, the light beam will not be refracted int er nally
and will escape from the prism assembly . A missing pulse detector indicates the
prism is in a liquid. A microprocessor, determ ines that if the prism assembly is in a
conductive fluid it must be water.

III. Battery Installation & First -Time Use

Only change the battery in a safe area. Make c ertain to follow the polarity for the
correct placement of the battery in t he dr awer. Although quite difficult, it is poss ible to
put some batteries in backwards, so if you have any dif ficulty placing the battery in
the holder, VERIFY the polarity. T he batt er y drawer c annot be inserted backwards.

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For standard logic, that is a solid tone in oil and a pulsing tone in water, remove and
replace the battery without holding down the st ar t button.

To reverse the above logic, hold down the red start button while inserting the battery
drawer. The unit will now produce a solid tone in water and a pulsing tone in oil.

The unit will make a brief audible tone when the bat tery is first installed, until the auto
off feature powers the unit down into the sleep m ode after 15 minutes. When the
unit is on, but not in any liquid, the red LED with flicker briefly every few seconds, so
that the operator knows the unit is turned on.

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IV. Basic Reel Features

The dipmeters come equipped with a probe holder and well cas ing br acket/hook.
When taking a reading it is possible to hang t he reel fr om the well c as ing and us e the

frame leg to guide the tape into the well. The frame leg should pr otect the tape from
the sharp edges of the well casing. In the event t he tape will be expos ed to the well
casing’s sharp edges, do not use the reel in t he above posit ion but order a separate
tape guide suitable for your specific r equir em ents.

The unit has a reel brake at the back of the frame. To lock the reel, tighten the brake
in the clockwise direction.

If equipped, make certain to use the grounding s trap located at the back of the reel.
Additional Features-Pump Monitor ing M ode
During a pump test or draw down test, the unit can be used t o aler t the operator that

the pump will run dry soon.
While the unit is in any liquid, hold down the start button for at least 4 seconds, and

the audio signal will stop and the unit will go into pump alarm mode.
Once the probe is removed from the liquid or the liquid level drops below the probe,

the audio signal will resume.

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To turn off this feature or resume normal operation, simply hold down the start butt on
for at least 4 seconds.

If you hold down the start button for 4 sec onds while the probe is not in a liquid, it will
signal that the probe is in the air and the signal will only stop once the probe is
immersed in a liquid.

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V. Operating the unit in the field

The oil/water interface meter c an be tested in most containers to detect water. It will
even detect distilled water that c ontains some dissolved solids. It is more sensitive
to water, since the pins are often coated with oil or product that coats the water
sensing pins. The unit will not typically det ec t product if there is more than low
ambient light conditions or a white c ontainer. This is completely normal and the unit
should NOT be recalibrated, since mos t wells ar e v er y deep and hav e v er y little
ambient light.

The water level meter is not as sensit iv e to wat er and will not us ually detect
commercial quality distilled water.

It is possible to recalibrate the unit for very viscous oils, for a severely scrat c hed
prism assembly or for very conductive wat er , for example brine or salt water
intrusions.

Adjustment of water sensitivity or hy dr oc ar bon sensit iv ity

DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT CALLING FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FIRST

There are two small potentiometers loc ated on the circuit board. One is labeled
water. Turn clockwise for very pure/low c onduc tivity water. For saltwater turn
counterclockwise. For white PVC casing or a heavily emuls ified layer, turn the fluid
potentiometer counterclockwis e. For highly viscous oils, turn the fluid pot entiometer
clockwise. Before beginning field work, it is worthwhile to test the unit quickly in any
container to verify it will detect water. The unit will sound continuously if the battery
is low. Since the battery is easily changed without any tools, it is recommended that
a spare battery be included in the carry c as e/f ield k it.

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The probe is fully pressure rated and the oil/ water interface meter will detect both
floating and sinking product. To avoid t he pr obe suddenly striking obstructions in the
well, lower the probe at a moderate speed.

The most accurate readings will be possible w hen the probe first detects oil as it is
being lowered. Upon removal however, ver y v iscous oil will dr ip from the probe, in
some cases completely covering the prism and the instrument may indicate it is still
immersed in product. To avoid this, when in ver y v is c ous oil, remove the probe more
slowly right at the oil/air interface for a more accurate reading.

As the probe passes through the oil/water interface, the oil will have a tendency to be
dragged down with the probe, which essentially coats the water sensing pins. For
that reason, the most accurate reading of the oil/water interface will be possible
when it is measured as the probe is being RAISED or r em ov ed fr om the water and is
entering the oil or floating product.

The above effects are very small and will not ser ious ly affect the accuracy of the
instrument, however for very pr ec is e r eadings , it is possible to reduce the above
effect to less than the resolution of the instrument.

Do not use the probe to measure sand backfill as the tape and or probe can very
easily trapped or locked into the bac k fill. A very small volume of sand will make it
impossible to remove the tape and probe.

Cleaning the Dipmeter
The probe and prism or electrode assemblies are m ade from Stainless steel, Teflon,

Nylon and Delrin. To ensure optimum perf or mance, c lean the meter after every use.
Although not cleaning the unit, w ill not harm the unit, it will typically perform more
satisfactorily if it is clean. Equal par ts vinegar and water can be used to clean the
water sensing electrodes after removing the battery! Soak in the solution overnight
for several hours then wipe clean. REMOV E BATT E RY FIRS T.
However do not use ANY abrasives, partially halogenated hydrocarbons, or w ater
soluble organic solvents to clean t he pr obe or unit. A lc anox 10%, det ergent 10%
can be used to clean the probe and reel. Rinse thoroughly with water right after
cleaning with detergent or Alcanox.

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VI. Troubleshooting

Unit makes no sound when start button pushed.

a. Battery is reversed or is flat. Replace battery in a safe area. Check

polarity.

Unit makes no sound in water.

a. Verify water is not distilled. Clean water s ens ing elec trodes.

Unit sounds constantly

a. Battery is low. Replace.
b. The connection to the tape and module should be chec k ed. Clean the

tape to module connection by attaching and detaching 4-6 times. This
will remove any oxides that may have formed. This is rare but can
happen and it is very easy to remedy.

c. Clean the pr is m assembly.

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VII. Customer Support:

Call Global Water for tech support: 800-876-1172 or 979-690-5560 (many
problems can be solved over the phone). Fax: [phone] or E -mail:

[e-mail].

When calling for tech support, have the following information ready:

1. Model #.

2. Unit serial number.

3. P.O.# the equipment was purchased on.

4. Our sales number or the invoice number.

5. Repair instructions and/or specific problems relating to the
product.

Be prepared to describe the problem you are experiencing including
specific details of the application, installation, and any additional pertine nt
information.

In the event that the equipment needs to be returned to the factory for any
reason, please call to obtain an RMA# (Ret ur n Material Authorization). Do
not return items without an RMA# displayed on the outside of the
package. Include a written statement desc ribing the problems.

Send the package with shipping prepaid to our factory address. Insure
your shipment; Global Water’s warr anty does not cover damage incurred
during transit.

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VIII. Technical Specifications

Power source: 9 volt alkaline battery (use only Duracell M N 1604) User

replaceable

Dimensions: H 362mm X W 294 X D 230 Reel
Weight: 2.7 Kg
Tape weight/30m: 0.45 kg
Probe diameter: 16 mm

Tape length: Available based on the model: 30M, 60M,

100M,150M,200M, 300M

Tape accuracy: Class II, EC standard measuring devices (972/362/EC),

1st amendment 78/629/EC, and 2nd amendment
85/146/ECPermissible errors acc or ding to table 7.1 -a +
bL (a=0,1 mm, b=0,1 mm, L= length m) for 10 m tape
maximum permissible tolerance is 0,3 + 10 X 0,1 mm +
+/- 1,3 mm

Operating temperature:
Reel: -20 to +60 C
Probe: -20 to +85 C

Relative humidity: 0-99% Non condensing
Reel Seal: IP
Materials of manufacture:

Reel: Aluminum-powder coated, nylon
Frame: Steel-powder coated, stainless steel
Probe: Stainless steel, Delrin, Nylon, Vit on
Tape: Band/Core: High tensile steel
Conductors: Stainless steel

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