|
We have compiled
a list of questions that are commonly
asked. This section will continue to grow and
new Q&A will be added.
Nuclear
Gauge Questions
Batteries:
My
batteries don’t seem to be taking a charge even
though it has been on an AC (wall) charger all
night.
Can
I install Lithium-Ion batteries into my nuclear
gauge?
Errors:
My
gauge display shows weird characters and/or all
plus signs (+++++) when I start and take test.
Why is my
3411 is giving an error 30 message?
My gauge displays
tube error.
Service:
Why are my gauge readings
off?
My gauge readings
do not match my sand cone readings.
My gauge is locked up and
there is no keypad response.
How often should my gauge
be calibrated?
Why
does my gauge fail the standard count?
Gyratory
Questions
What
kind of basic maintenance can I do to my
gyratory?
What
kind of basic maintenance can I do to my
gyratory?
The
printer for my model 4140 is not working or is
printing strange characters?
The
outlet on the back of the gyratory is not
working (printer is not turning on)?
Why
are my gyratory specimens not matching specimens
of another gyratory?
Answers –
My batteries don’t seem to be
taking a charge even though it has been on an AC
(wall) charger all night. What is the problem?
• Answer – There are several things that could
be the issue.
A. The first check is to see if the AC charger
is good. Does it charge other gauges?
1. Try another charger
2. Purchase a new AC charger
B. Next check the charger jack, where the charger plugs into
the gauge. Is it loose and/or seem to flop
around?
1. NETS will have to installed a new
charger jack
C. Next check battery life (if it is a Troxler 3440 or 4640)
and reset if needed. Display should show a sign
that is charging.
Different
models have
different signs such as “battery charging” or
just a “c”.
1.
For 3440, follow this link to
step-by-step instructions for resetting battery
life.
2.
For 4640, follow this link to
step-by-step instructions for resetting battery
life.
D. Finally, the batteries may be worn out.
1. NETS will replace the battery
pack(s)
Can I install Lithium-Ion
batteries into my nuclear gauge?
• Answer – No,
Lithium-ion batteries are not available in
standard sizes that nuclear gauges use like
AA or D cell. We believe this is because it
would be too easy for users to inadvertently put
them in equipment not designed for Lithium-ion
batteries creating a potentially dangerous
situation. (If an alkaline battery is charged
it might leak or even burst, but a lithium-ion
battery put into equipment that typically uses NiCd
batteries might ignite. Also, because Li-ion
batteries operate at much higher voltage
(typically 3.7V per cell) than the 1.2 to
1.5V of most cell batteries, designing a 1.5V
lithium-ion cell would be expensive.
Additionally, a nuclear gauge cannot
operate on the voltages of Li-ion with their current
design.
Lithium-ion
batteries also require sophisticated chargers
that can carefully monitor the charge process.
And because of their different shapes and sizes
each type of Li-ion battery requires a charger
designed to accommodate its particular size.
This means lithium ion battery chargers are more
expensive and more difficult to find than iCd
battery chargers. Nuclear density gauges do not
contain the internal circuitry to charge a
Lithium-Ion battery safely.
Lithium-ion batteries are more
expensive than similar capacity NiCd batteries,
but sometimes last twice as long. The
reason for the price is because they are
much more complex to manufacture. Li-ion
batteries actually include special circuitry to
protect the battery from damage due to
overcharging or undercharging. They are
also more expensive because they are
manufactured in much smaller numbers than NiMH
or NiCd batteries. Li-ion batteries are becoming
less expensive and over time we should see their
price decrease significantly. Maybe one day we
will have a gauge that can utilize the
economical Lithium-Ion battery.
My gauge display shows weird
characters and/or all plus signs (+++++) when I
start and take test. What is the problem?
• Answer – Most likely the gauge lost its
calibration constants.
A. Plugging in
the constants can be done in the field if you
have the last calibration report for your gauge.
1.
For 3411 with smart panel, follow this link for step-by-step instructions for re-entering constants.
2.
For 3430, follow this link for step-by-step instructions.
3.
For 3440, follow this link for step-by-step instructions.
4.
For 4640, follow this link for step-by-step instructions.
Why is my 3411 is giving an error
30 message?
• Answer – This message means the gauge can not
calculate the test results. There is two
possibilities for this error
A. There is no standard count
B. The depth switch is at the wrong depth
My gauge displays tube error.
What’s the problem?
• Answer – There are two possible problems.
First, the tubes have actually gone bad or the
gauge may have gotten wet. The easy check in the
field for 3440 and 4640 is to skip the countdown
by pressing shift and the start/enter button at
the same time. For 3430 press the down arrow and
the start/enter button at the same time. At this
point you should be at the ready screen. Take a
standard count on the gauge and view the next
step. If the standard counts are fine then
continue operating the gauge. The gauge
sometimes may give an erroneous error. If the
standard counts are not proper do the following.
A. The first step is to eliminate the possibility that
moisture may have affected the gauge. Remove the
keypad from the gauge and disconnect the ribbon
cable. Allow the gauge to air dry for at least 2
hours, but preferably overnight if possible.
Reconnect the keypad and bypass the countdown as
stated above
B. If the counts are off, density halved or if the moisture
standard is off, NETS will have to troubleshoot
the error and determine its cause. It may be a
bad GM or Helium tube as the error stated or it
may be an electronic component that controls the
tubes.
Why are my gauge readings off?
• Answer – Ensure you have good standard count.
Verify you are at the correct depth and no
offset are enabled that should not be used.
My gauge readings do not match my
sand cone readings. Why?
• Answer - Usually they will not. There is a lot
of room for operator error when performing a
sand cone test. There is really no way to prove
which test is more "accurate" because there is
no absolute test for soil density. The best way
to compare the two test methods is to take at
least three 4 minute nuclear gauge measurements
at different locations (preferably direct
transmission @ 6 or 8 inches) and at least 3
sand cone tests (at the same locations as the
gauge readings). Find the difference at all
locations and average them.
My gauge is locked up and there is
no keypad response.
• Answer - Press and hold the OFF button for
15-30 seconds until the gauge turns off. If it
does not turn off, remove the scaler and unplug
the ribbon cable from the baseboard. Plug the
cable back in and turn the gauge on allowing it
to go through its 5 minute self-test.
How often should my gauge be
calibrated?
• Answer – NETS recommends once every twelve to
eighteen months, but can go as long as 24
months.
Why
does my gauge fail the standard count?
• Answer - Ensure
that the gauge is positioned properly. Make sure
that those std. counts stored are appropriate by
comparing to the factory std. counts.
Gyratory
Compactor Questions What
kind of basic maintenance can I do to my
gyratory?
• Answer - Grease cam followers daily using
Teflon based lubricant such as Magnalube-G. Keep
gyratory clean of binder build up. Clean the ram
head, and molds daily and cam followers weekly
using WD-40. Remember to re-grease cam followers
after cleaning. What
kind of basic maintenance can I do to my
gyratory?
• Answer - Grease
cam followers daily using Teflon based lubricant
such as Magnalube-G (a can supplied with the
gyratory). Keep gyratory clean of binder build
up. Clean the ram head, and molds daily and cam
followers weekly using WD-40. Remember to
re-grease cam followers after cleaning. The
printer for my model 4140 is not working or is
printing strange characters?
• Answer - Make
sure to plug the printer into the outlet on the
back of the gyratory (not into a standard wall
outlet) and make sure the printer's On-Line
light is on. The printer should be turned on
before the gyratory is turned on. The
outlet on the back of the gyratory is not
working (printer is not turning on)?
• Answer - Check
and replace the fuse for the outlet. Why
are my gyratory specimens not matching specimens
of another gyratory?
Check
the preheat temperature of molds and
hot-mix-asphalt (HMA). Make sure they have been
heated up to the same specified temperature. Low
mold and/or HMA temperature will cause lower
compaction. Make sure the HMA is covered while
preheating the mix. Uncovered mix will not
compact as well.
Make
sure the millimeter machine setting for your mold
is the same as the mold you are using (i.e. 150
mm or 100 mm).
back to top |