FAQ:

By searching this information resource, you can find answers to common support questions, tips and solutions.

Sequencer Problems

How often do I need to manually calibrate my O₂ / CO₂ analyzer?

Answer:  Our computer control system will let you know when the analyzer is out of calibration and you could do it then. However, we believe that you should check and calibrate the analyzer at least once a week with a 2.00% O₂ and 2.00% CO₂ mixed calibration gas. Also you should check and zero the analyzer at least one a month.

My O₂ analyzer is reacting very slowly, and when it reads the outside air percentage it displays around 17% shouldn’t it be 20.8%?

Answer :  This sounds like you have an O₂ fuel cell in your analyzer. When these cells are at the end of their life span you will notice a slower response time and/or notice lower than normal levels reading the outside air percentage. These cells have a varying life span depending on the type of cell you have. Now most O₂ fuel cells have a life span of 2 years at 20.8% O₂, there are a few with a 3-4 year life span; however, some are only 1 year. Now most manufacturers only have a 1 year warranty on their cells. This is because as the O₂ levels vary and most sampling conditions are not perfect, the life span can get shortened below the manufacturers maximum life span specs and would require the cell to be replaced. Our recommendation to you is to replace the cell as soon as possible, and then zero and calibrate the analyzer after a one hour burn in time.

Do I need to service the sample and flow pumps, and if I do when?

Answer:  Every year you should check and replace the diaphragms in your pumps. It would not be overkill if you replaced the sample pump every couple of years instead of replacing the diaphragm. A lot is riding on an inexpensive pump that runs 24/7 and a small leak in the diaphragm or a pump malfunction could be disastrous to your company.

I have an MST/Honeywell ammonia detector, when should I replace the cell?

Answer:  Every year you should replace your cell. To save some money MST/Honeywell has a yearly service plan that you can set up with them on cell replacements instead of buying one cell every year. When you get setup with the yearly service plan MST will send you a replacement cell every 6 months. Now you need to remember to set up the yearly plan with MST every year.

After a power outage my dialer did not call me, what happened?

Answer:  When was the last time you checked or replaced your batteries in the dialer? If the batteries are dead the dialer will not work after a power outage because the setting in the dialer will disappear when the power is off to the dialer for a period of time. Check and replace the batteries if needed, then put the phone numbers and dialer number back into the unit. If the dialer still does not work it might have been knocked out buy the power outage and needs to be replaced.

My sequencer panel has two room sample lights on at the same time, this is not normal for my facility so what could it mean?

Answer:  When you see this situation it usually means one of the two solenoid coils have burned out. One light should switch to another room after the set sample time and the other will stay lit all the time. The light that stayed lit is the solenoid that has a bad coil. The light staying lit is caused by bleed through voltage that is usually dropped off when the coil is good and hooked in to the circuit, or a coil has been disconnected.

Opto Errors

I have seen this error on my alarm screen ‘No Communication with Opto board ***’, what should I do?

Answer:  The error means the controller has lost communication (cannot send or receive) with that particular Opto 22 board in your control panels. There could be a few reasons for this, one might be that there was a power brownout in that panel and that board might not have reset itself properly. If this was the issue you might try and cycle the power to the panel by pulling the F1 (120 VAC power to the power supply) fuse for about 10 seconds and then powering the panel back up. If this does not work you might need to replace the brain board. If you lost more than one board in the same panel you might have blown the F1 fuse, replace if blown or check to make sure you are getting 120 VAC in and out of the fuse. If not, check your circuit breaker. Or F4 fuse (for the 5 VDC if your system has one), replace if blown or check to make sure you are getting 5 VDC in and out of the fuse if not the power supply might be bad. Also the voltage to the brain board might be out of the manufacturers recommended voltage range. Opto 22 recommends that the voltage to the brain boards be between 4.90 VDC and 5.20 VDC. WARNING! Adjusting the power supply voltage could change the probe temperatures and need you to re-calibrate the temperature probes associated with that panel.

The light under the Opto module is lit but the device it is controlling is not coming on, when I flip the manual bypass switch for the device it starts working, so what is the problem?

Answer :  The cause of the problem could be the 5 Amp pico fuse on the right hand side of the module in question. Pull out the module and the fuse on the right and check for continuity across the fuse. If the fuse is blown replace it, and if this is happening a lot either the device the module is controlling is bad and needs to be replaced or the inrush of current is just enough to blow the fuse. This can be taken care of by using a slow blow 5 VDC pico fuse. If the fuse is good then the module might be the culprit, so you will need to replace it.

Can you explain the part numbers on the modules and what they are?

Answer:  This is a good question. Let’s see...

Digital Modules
OAC5 - N.O. Output, AC operating volts (12-140 VAC), 5 VDC logic power.
OAC5A - N.O. Output, AC operating volts (24-280 VAC), 5 VDC logic power.
OAC5A5 - N.C. Output, AC operating volts (24-280 VAC), 5 VDC logic power.
ODC5R - Reed Relay Output, AC/DC operating volts (0-130 VAC, 0-100 VDC), 5 VDC logic power.
IAC5 - Input, AC/DC operating volts (90-140 VAC, 90-140 VDC), 5 VDC logic power.
IAC5A - Input, AC/DC operating volts (180-280 VAC, 180-280 VDC), 5 VDC logic power.
IDC5 - Input, AC/DC operating volts (12-32 VAC, 10-32 VDC), 5 VDC logic power.
IDC5D - Input, DC operating volts (2.5-28 VDC), 5 VDC logic power.

Analog Modules
AD3 - 4 to 20 mA Input
AD3T - 4 to 20 mA Input, Isolated
AD5T - J Thermocouple Input, Isolated.
AD6 - 0 to +5 VDC Input.
AD9T - 0 to 50 mV Input, Isolated.
DA3 - 4 to 20 mA Output.
DA3T - 4 to 20 mA Output, Isolated.
Please visit Opto 22 for the latest white pages on these modules and other Opto 22 equipment.

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