Badger Meter Turbine Flow Meters (Hydraulic Fluids) - Manual (Page 15)

Turbine Flow Sensor
Installation & Operating Instructions
03/12 Form No. 05-TUR-UM-00194 Page 15
VII. TROUBLESHOOTING
TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY
Sensor indicates higher
than actual flow rate
• Cavitation
• Debris on straightening section
• Build-up of foreign material on sensor
bore
• Gas in liquid
• Increase back pressure
• Clean sensor
• Clean sensor
• Install gas eliminator ahead of sensor
Sensor indicates lower
than actual flow rate
• Debris on turbine
• Worn bearing
• Clean sensor and add filter
• Have sensor serviced and add filter
Erratic indications on
readout
• Any of the above
• Ground loop problem
• Turbulence in fluid stream
• Any of the above
• Be sure only one system ground is
present. Reroute cables away from
electrical noise
• Redo plumbing per instructions
Readout shows flow
when pumps are not
running
• Mechanical vibration or pump dither
causes turbine to oscillate even though
there is no flow
• Isolate flow sensor
No flow indication at any
flow rate
• Foreign material stopping turbine
rotation
• Damaged turbine and/or bearing
• Magnetic pick-up stopping turbine
rotation
• Magnetic pick-up shorted or open
• Clean sensor and add filter
• Have sensor serviced
• Readjust magnetic pick-up away from
turbine
• Have magnetic pick-up replaced
Erratic indications at
low flows, but good
indications at high flows
• Foreign material wrapped around
turbine
• Clean sensor and add filter
System works except
readings are lower than
expected
• Flow is being bypassed
• System has a leak
• Repair or replace faulty valves
• Find and repair any system leaks
No current output • Low or missing supply voltage
• Broken / disconnected wires
• Incorrect wiring polarity
• Check polarity of the current loop
connections for proper orientation
• Make sure receiving device is
configured to provide loop current
Analog output reads a
constant reading all the
time
• Electrical noise in vicinity
• Damaged electronics
• Make sure there is flow in the system
• Verify that the rotor inside the turbine
meter turns freely
• Check shield
• Remove noise producing device
Analog output is not
stable
• Electrical noise in vicinity
• Entrained gas in liquid
• Damaged meter rotor
• Foreign matter lodged in turbine
• External noise is being picked up by
the sensor. Keep all AC wires separate
from DC wires.
• Check for radio antenna in close
proximity. This usually indicates a weak
signal.
• Clean meter
• Recalibrate meter