Model 300 Online Manual*
* This information is provided in addition to the manual included with the instrument and not to be considered all inclusive. Do read the manual. To download a copy of the Operator's Manual in Adobe Reader (a pdf file) click here.
Before plugging the instrument in, the hose and probe assembly should be attached. If the thermocouple is not plugged in you will get a t-couple error after the 60 second warm up period.
Behind the display of the instrument you will see a thermocouple outlet and additional port for the moisture trap from the hose assembly.
To facilitate plugging in the moisture trap, push down on the release button and slide the fitting in. You might also want to put a little Vaseline or water proof grease on the stem of the moisture trap to help it slide in a little easier, create a good tight seal and extend the life of the O ring.
To obtain stack temperature readings, plug the yellow thermocouple plug into the yellow port. You will notice that the right spade plug is slightly larger than the left one and corresponds with the slightly larger connection on the outlet. You may want to put a mark on the topside of the plug to make it easier to determine which way the plug goes in.
Turn the instrument on by the switch located on top of the battery pack below the thermocouple port.
Warning: do not place the probe in the sample location until after the instrument has gone through the 60 second warm up period. Doing so will not damage the instrument but will result in meaningless test results.
Then Press the CAL button.
At this point you should hear the pump running and the display should start counting down for 60 seconds.
During the 60 second countdown, the middle display reads the strength of the Oxygen sensor.
If you have a one year sensor, you will start getting O2 sensor errors (W*O2) when this number gets much below 20. We recommend ordering a new sensor when this number gets down to about 25.
If you have a two year sensor, you will start getting O2 sensor errors (W*O2) when this number gets much below 12. A strong two year sensor shows approximately 20 in the display.
Warning: Should the instrument display read W*CO (CO Sensor Error) after the 60 second warm up period, this means one of two things:
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The Carbon Monoxide sensor needs replacing or |
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The instrument has been turned on in an environment contaminated with carbon monoxide and the operator may be in danger of Carbon Monoxide exposure. |
This instrument performs what is termed an 'automatic calibration' during the warm up period and will calibrate to 0 ppm's CO unless the levels are in excess of approximately 80ppm's. In the event that the ambient air has in excess of approximately 80 ppm's CO, the display will read 'W*CO' (CO sensor error) to warn the operator that they may be in danger of exposure.
Should this occur, vacate the area and attempt to turn the instrument on outside in clean air. Should the instrument again display the error message, the sensor needs replacing. If it calibrates down successfully, re-enter the building while watching the CO reading to see if carbon monoxide is present and take any appropriate actions.
This instrument can be used for CO source investigations, just remember to turn it on outside in clean air (not near a busy intersection, for example).
Important note: Keep in mind that during the 60 second warm up period, the thermocouple is determining the temperature of the combustion air. Remember, the Steady State Efficiency (SSE) calculation is determined by the net stack temperature (the temperature reading in the display is gross or actual temperature) . During the warm up period, place the probe where it will be sensing combustion air temperature. Generally, near the burner's combustion air intake is sufficient. Testing a 'sealed combustion' burner where combustion air is drawn through a pipe from the outside requires that a hole be drilled in the intake pipe and the probe placed there during the 60 second warm up period while the burner is operating.
After completing the 60 second warm up period, the pump will shut down and you will be prompted to enter the type of fuel being tested.
Press the FUEL button once for natural gas, press the Fuel button a second time for #2 oil, a third time for #6 or bunker oil, a fourth time for LPG or propane, a fifth time for coal, a sixth time for wood and a seventh time for bagasse (fuels derived from organic matter such as rice or corn).
NGAS - Natural Gas |
OIL2 - Number 2 Fuel Oil |
OIL6 - Number 6 Fuel Oil |
LPG - Propane |
COAL |
WOOD |
BAGA - Bagasse |
Once the proper fuel type is displayed in the screen (Natural Gas in this example), press RUN. The first display should read RUN for a moment and then the temperature reading. The Oxygen reading in the second display should read approximately 20.9%.
Until flue gases are introduced into the instrument, several screens will display several dashes like the third screen (the Steady State Efficiency) in the above example.
To read Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels, press the SELECT button on the left side of the display once. Pressing the SELECT button again initiates a self check feature. If all is functioning as it should, OK should come up in the display. Pressing the SELECT button again will return the temperature reading.
When first turned on, the second screen defaults to the Oxygen (O2) reading and the third screen defaults to the Steady State Efficiency (SSE) reading. Again, unless the instrument is pulling flue gases, three dashes will appear in the display (as seen in the photo below).
Pressing the SELECT button in the second display once will change the reading to Excess Air. Pressing it again will read the strength of the Oxygen sensor and pressing it a third time will return the display to read Oxygen.
Pressing the SELECT button below the third display will change the reading to Stack Loss or 100% minus the SSE reading. Pressing it again will translate the Oxygen (O2) reading to a Carbon Dioxide (CO2)reading. Remember that O2, CO2 and Excess Air are just different ways of measuring the same thing.
Miscellaneous Operation and Maintenance Notes on the Model 300
Moisture Removal
In order to maximize the life of the sensors, it is important to empty the moisture trap anytime moisture is evident.
We also recommend that the filter be changed out when damp. The wet filter can be left in the case to dry out and used again when the filter in use becomes damp. The filters will last 6 months or so (depending on use). You may also want to spread a thin film of Vaseline or water proof grease on the threads of the plastic bowl to make it easier to put back on and insure a good tight seal.
When replacing the filter it is important to get the filter shield on the proper way. You will notice the shield has a straight end and a rounded end. The rounded end has to be seated against the top metal portion of the trap as pictured below.
Inspect the two O rings on a regular basis to insure no air is being pulled in as this will throw off the readings.
It is also good practice to (once testing is completed) disconnect the trap from the back of the instrument and allow the pump to suck fresh air for 10 minutes or so to purge out any remaining flue gases.
When packing the hose and probe assembly back into the case, try to tuck the probe end of the hose assembly under the elastic straps holding the operators manual. This will keep the thermocouple wire from bending in the same place every time the case is closed. Thermocouple wires are somewhat brittle and repeatedly bending it in the same location will eventually result in the wire breaking.
NOx versions of the Model 300
Model 300's equipped to measure NOx have a lithium battery which keeps power to the NOx sensor all the time. When that battery is exhausted, W*NOx (NOx sensor error) will appear in the display. Replace the lithium battery before replacing the NOx sensor as the sensor may still be good (depending on the age of the sensor).
When the lithium battery is replaced it is important to allow the instrument to set for 24 hours to allow the NOx sensor to stabilize.
Model 300's equipped with a battery to operate the instrument must have a good charge in the battery before the instrument will run. Should the battery become completely discharged, you will need to plug it in for approximately 2 hours before the charge is sufficient to operate the instrument.
CO Sensor Overload
Should the Model 300 carbon monoxide sensor be exposed to CO levels in excess of 4,000 ppm's, the instrument will go into a CO overload (to protect the sensor), W*CO will appear in the display and the pump will shut down.
To return the instrument to operation, we suggest you remove the probe from the sample location and disconnect the moisture trap from the back of the display. Press the SELECT button below the CO display twice and press the RUN button (once). You should hear the pump start to run, then one of two things will happen:
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The instrument returns to normal operation or |
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If the CO levels in the sample were tremendously high, the pump will run for several seconds, then shut down with W*CO again displayed in the screen. Keep pressing the SELECT button twice, then RUN (once) until the instrument purges the CO from the sensor and returns to normal operation. In extreme cases, you may have to do this several times. |
Should the hose from the probe assembly be saturated with extremely high levels of CO you may need to disconnect the tubing from the moisture trap and blow (don't inhale!!!) to purge the sample from the tubing or use an air compressor to 'gently' remove the sample from the tubing.
While Bacharach's CO sensor will take a hit of approximately 40,000 ppm's before sensor damage occurs we do recommend that you monitor CO levels in combustion gases (particularly on light off or while ramping up or down from high fire). Should CO levels rapidly rise, remove the probe from the sample location or disconnect the moisture trap from the back of the display to keep from going into CO overload .
For more information regarding electronic test instrument maintenance go to Instrument Maintenance Tips.
Find out more about where to test and what results you should expect see, go to Application Information.
For information about interpreting test results and troubleshooting, go to Combustion Test Interpretation.