SiloWeigh Installation

SiloWeigh vessel inventory systems are self-install kits. You can do it yourself from scratch, and we provide the critical tools. Read on and see how simple it really is, or ask for our installation training presentation. If you wish, we can do it all for you; just call us.

Calculate the stress, choose the location

Before you start, calculate the stress and ensure that you have enough for a successful L-Strain sensor installation. Download Excel file. Determine the best model for your needs.

The location which gives best accuracy for your SiloWeigh sensor installation is in the middle of the longest unobstructed run of the vessel leg, but it should also be in a place where it is easy to work. Our manual gives you some tips but you make the choice. In this Dubai installation, we chose to install in the center of the leg, as indicated by the person pointing.

How to install L-Strain sensors and connect to DJBs and indicator

L-Strain boltable sensors – mark and drill holes

Mark a center line and, using drilling template for L-Strain sensor and center punch supplied, mark and drill attachment holes. Using smallest drill supplied, drill starter hole and follow with increasing sizes of drill up to full size. Check sensor against holes for a perfect fit. The drills supplied are adequate for SiloWeigh installation on a few silos. If installation is to be done on many silos, we recommend the use of a drilling machine with magnetic base fitted with a cutter that drills the correct sized hole in a single pass. The best cutters have a hollow center through which a spring loaded pilot pin extends; this locates the cutter onto the center-punch mark.

Attach L-Strain sensors and connect cables

Add Loctite to sensor mounting pads, then bolt L-Strain sensors and connection boxes in place, leaving bolts a little more than finger-tight. Connect the sensor wires to the screw connector blocks and then connect each leg through the seals in the waterproof covers to the Digital Junction Box, using the cable provided. At each connector block, match all identical colors together for foolproof connection. The final connection is a single cable from all the silo DJBs, in daisy-chain fashion, to the indicator or DAQ box (SiloWeigh.Net), mounted in a convenient indoor location. Conduit is not supplied but you can use it if you choose. Always enter the J-boxes from below to eliminate leakage problems.

Before tightening the sensors to the final torque, power must be applied to the sensor. Many installers prefer to use a 9 volt battery equipped with alligator clip leads to power the sensor as shown at left. When using a 9 volt battery, you can double the tolerance of the final mV signal from the sensor, i.e. if the regular power is from the DJB and the maximum is -5 to +5 mV, you can double these values: -10 to +10 mV.

Test and calibrate

Apply power. Enter your vessel data (capacity, graduation size etc.) into the indicator’s calibration memory and wait until the vessel is empty (or as low a level as possible). Enter your estimate for the remaining weight. Unload your delivery truck into the vessel and enter the delivery ticket weight as the calibration value. Your SiloWeigh installation is complete and you are good to go!