Model 615 Operating Instructions
Contents
1. consult the tutorial on filling the tank USING THE PRESSURE CHAMBER 1 Turn the Control Valve to the OFF position 2 Slowly open the valve on the Portable Tank One half to one turn is normally sufficient Pressure will register in the Tank Pressure gauge If tank is empty refer to Filling Portable Tank tutorial 3 Check the Safety Valve and set the Rate Valve using the following procedure 4 Remove the lid from the chamber by turning the lid counter clockwise and lifting Place a solid rubber stopper inside the recessed area under the lid as shown Put the lid back on the chamber by pushing down and turning clock wise to the stop Lid must be turned completely to the stop to close the brass Safety Valve If the stainless steel piston is not depressed chamber will not pressurize This is a Safety feature of the instrument to ensure lid is properly seated Turn Control Valve to CHAMBER position and pressurize the chamber Adjust Rate Valve until pressure in the chamber increases at the desired rate 1 2 Bar per second is a recommended rate of increase Rate may be changed at any time even while pressurizing a sample CAUTION Do not close Rate Valve completely or use as a Shut Off Valve Valve may be damaged as a result 5 Turn the Control Valve to EXHAUST position to release pressure from the chamber Remove the lid and solid rubber stopper from the inside of lid You are now ready to take readings 6 You can no2. Declare under our sole responsibility that the following products Pump Up Chamber 600 Pressure Chamber 605 Pressure Chamber 615 Pressure Chamber 615D Pressure Chamber 1000 Pressure Chamber 1005 Pressure Chamber 1000 upgraded to 100 Bar Pressure Chamber 1005 upgraded to 100 Bar Pressure Chamber In addition the following accessories are included Cavitation Chamber To which this declaration relates is in conformity with the following Standards or other normative documents EN ISO 12100 1 2003 EN ISO 12100 2 2003 97 37 EC Annex I SOLS MESURES Following the provisions of Directives 17 rue Jean Monnet BP 44 98 37 EC 97 37 EC Equipment is below class I limits per the oy Mar ELANCOURT FRANCE Fa 1 30 50 34 50 Fax 01 30 50 34 49 sols masures com info y Ssols mesures com Responsible party in the European Union Place Elancourt France Date May 6 2009 President PMS Instrument Company ia Place Albany Oregon USA Officer Jeff Ham el Pr esid ent Date May 6 2009 PMS Instrument Conipany 15 y A Viti err Atmospheric Demands The atmosphere of the plant puts four different demands on the plant wind humidity air temperature and radiation Plant Regulation The plant regulates water stress by opening and closing the stomata small holes on the backside of the leaf Other regulators used are leaf flagging rolling and leaf loss Good root development
3. in vehicle or all terrain vehicles Excessive shaking and vibration can cause damage If the instrument has received a hard blow or hit it should be evaluated prior to further use The instrument is not vulnerable to humidity but should never be submersed in water If the instrument becomes submersed allow it to dry and evaluate the instrument prior to further use Transporting Instrument Transporting the instrument by any mode should be done with care as not to strike the instrument against anything hard as this might damage the instrument If transporting by vehicle such as truck car or all terrain vehicle the instrument should be securely fastened in order to avoid any damage to the instrument Maintenance Most maintenance issues can be done without much training Consult the maintenance pages in this manual However any adjustments to piping or high pressure connectors should only be performed by factory or authorized personnel Consult us directly for more information Disposal or Decommission of the Instrument While the instrument should provide years of use it is possible that sometime it will be disposed of Local recycling guidelines should be followed for disposal PMS Instrument Company 1725 Geary Street SE Albany OR 97322 Phone 541 704 2299 FAX 541 704 2388 E mail info pmsinstrument com WWww pmsinstrument com U Declaration of Conformity PMS Instrument Company 1725 Geary Street SE Albany OR 97322 USA
4. is also key in regulating water stress Soil Supply Soil composition is critical for the plant Moisture content is a key factor in PMS In addition the temperature of the soil and depth will influence PMS Depending upon the texture of the soil and how it holds moisture is another important aspect of the soil Loose sandy soil will drain out moisture quickly while heavy clay will hold moisture longer
5. is inside the safety valve Turn the lid clockwise to the stop Ensure the cam is directly over the piston Install the lid on the chamber 10 i N k z ij Then turn Tri CONTROL the lid back o gt so that the EXHAUS cam R is not f blocking the piston Begin to slowly apply pressure to the chamber ii Jif p SAFETY VALVE Gi om Collar 3 lt Piston gt am Buna 70 O Ring 006 The safety valve should pop open before the pressure reaches 2 bar Elbow You will hear nitrogen escaping from the valve and the pressure will not increase in the chamber If it does not turn the control to EXHAUST then remove the nut and piston of the safety valve and lubricate the O ring on the piston with petroleum jelly Reassemble and test the safety valve again When the safety valve opens the pressure in the chamber should drop to near zero This time the safety valve should open at a pressure below 2 bar If it does not remove the nut and piston of the safety valve and again clean and lubricate the O ring on the piston with petroleum jelly Check for any foreign debris then reassemble and test the safety valve again The safety valve is an important safety component of the instrument Do not attempt to operate the instrument until the safety valve is operating properly that is until it is releasing the chamber pressure at less than 2 bar pressure As an added safety precaution the cover should be
6. left in only one of two positions 1 On the chamber and completely locked in place or 2 Completely removed from the chamber The lid should never be left in any intermediate position 11 INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE 1 Remove the O Ring from around the lid Clean with rag and lubricate with Petroleum Jelly for optimal performance Remove the Compression Gland Screw from the lid Clean the threads of the Screw and the Compression Gland Base with a rag Lubricate this with Lithium Grease White Grease for optimal performance 3 Compression Gland Gasket can be cleaned with a rubber treatment such as used with automobile detailing Armour All brand for optimal performance When Compression Gland Gasket becomes worn replace with new gasket for optimal performance 2 CONTROL VALVE ADJUSTMENT The control valve will need periodic adjustment depending upon usage Adjustment is required if leakage occurs in the pressurized instrument with the control valve in the OFF position Two tools are needed and have been provided with your instrument A 3 32 inch Allen Key is used to remove the Control Valve Handle A 11 82 inch wrench is used to adjust the packing on the valve 1 Pressurize the instrument with the control valve in the OFF position 2 Loosen the hex screw with the Allen Key It is located on the side of the Control Valve Handle 3 Using the 11 32 wrench slowly tighten the packing gland nut un
7. Model 615 Pressure Chamber Instrument PMS Instrument Company 1725 Geary Street SE Albany OR 97322 USA Phone 541 704 2299 FAX 541 704 2388 info pmsinstrument com WWw pmsinstrument com OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF PICTURE TUTORIALS AND VIDEOS WWW PMSINSTRUMENT COM 20 Cubic Foot Aluminum Tank 40 Bar Analog Gauge Safety Valve Rate Valve Compression Gland Portable Tank Valve Screw Pressure Chamber Portable Tank Hose Lid Pressure Chamber 1 of 5 Tie Down Points Control Valve Tank Hose Connection Tank Pressure Gauge Instrument Specifications PBOUNGes a Maximum Instrument Operating Pressure 40 BAR 600 PSI Chambers Construction Anodized Solid Stock Aluminum Maximum Portable Tank Pressure 207 BAR 3000 PSI Weight 32 Pounds 14 Kg 1 Alower canopy shaded leaf is covered with foil laminate bag 2 The water in the stem Is under tension 3 The stem is cut and the leaf with bag is sealed inside chamber 4 Pressure is applied to the leaf until water appears at the cut surface How it Works Simply put the pressure chamber is just a device for applying pressure to a leaf or small shoot Most of the leaf is inside the chamber but the cut end of the stem the petiole is exposed outside the chamber see illustration above The amount of pressure it takes to cause water to appear at the cut surface of the petiole tells you how much t
8. ension the leaf is experiencing on its water supply A high value of pressure means a high value of tension and a high degree of water stress These stress levels vary within different species The unit of pressure most commonly used is Bar 1 Bar 14 5 PSI What is Plant Moisture Stress The water status of plants and how to measure it has received much attention in recent years and for good reason Plant moisture stress PMS or plant water potential indicates the demand for water within a plant A PMS measurement indicates the water status of a plant from the plant s point of view PMS also tells how the environment affects the plant High PMS levels cause many physiological processes such as slowing or stopping photosynthesis Conditions producing high PMS reduce plant growth and may eventually result in the death of the plant PMS information can be used to evaluate the plants need for water or how well it is adapted to its environment Why Measure Plant Moisture Stress Measuring PMS gives an indication of a plants ability to grow and function and can be used as a guide for managing the plants moisture environment so as to improve growth and crop yield Air temperature wind speed humidity and soil moisture are all integrated by the plant into one single value PMS A measure of PMS thus gives an evaluation of the moisture status of a plant from the plants point of view It is an excellent tool for aiding in irrigation sched
9. ere it was when the leaf was cut However in practice the only important factor is for the operator to recognize when water just begins to appear at the cut end of the petiole The Plant Moisture Stress PMS reading at any given time reflects the plant s interaction with the water supply and the demand for water placed upon the plant by its environment see diagram on back cover Since these factors are almost always changing PMS is nearly always changing The time of measurement therefore requires careful consideration PMS is most at midday and least just before sunrise Pre sunrise PMS values will usually reflect average soil moisture tension if the soil is uniformly irrigated Midday PMS values reflect the tension experienced by the plant as it pulls water from the soil to satisfy the water demand of the atmosphere GETTING STARTED The instrument is complete with a 20 Cubic Foot Portable Nitrogen Tank The Tank is fitted with a CGA 580 Nitrogen Valve which is standard for US Nitrogen Service Tank is rated for a maximum pressure of 207 Bar 3000 PSI The tank may be safely filled by using the Trans filling method described in Filling the Portable Tank or having it filled at a Gas Supply Store The instrument is designed for use with nitrogen N2 Welding Grade is sufficient Maximum pressure in the Portable Tank or any tank connected to the instrument should not exceed 207 Bar 3000 PSI lf the tank has not yet been filled
10. insert down tight make sure that the 4 small O rings are in place first 3 Put the Compression Gland Gasket into the Compression Gland Base 4 Put the Compression Gland Insert on top of the gasket and the Friction Washer on top of the Compression Gland Insert 5 Be sure to lubricate the threads and screw the Compression Screw into the Compression Gland Base 6 The Compression Gland Cover is now ready for use 13 Warnings Considerations and Limits Intended Usage The Pressure Chamber Instrument usage is intended for applying pressure to plant material to determine water potential or to extract water xylem from plants It should not be used to pressurize anything other than plant material Using this instrument for any other purpose or in an unsafe manner could result in harm to the user Upon receiving the instrument or using it for the first time each user should familiarize themselves thoroughly with all safety features and set up process to avoid damage of instrument or physical injury to operator Working Environment The instrument is robust and durable and designed for outdoor use It may be used in temperatures as high as 55 C and as low as 10 C It is best to store inside where temperatures do not exceed 40 C or lower than 0 C Keep in clean and dry area Store on a flat surface that is protected from being struck or damaged Normal vibration during use will not affect performance of the instrument such as travel
11. nk Valve is completely closed 9 The system should now look like this 10 Next open the valve on the Nurse Tank slowly This allows pressure down to the Portable Tank and you can verify quantity of pressure in Nurse Tank by looking at the 6 Foot Filling Hose gauge 11 Next open the Portable Tank Valve just barely 1 6 of a turn at first and you will hear the gas begin to enter the tank Wait for the gas to equalize you will be able to hear the gas enter the tank When the noise stops simply open the Portable Tank Valve a little more Eventually you will have the valve completely open The whole process should take about 4 5 minutes CAUTION Ensure you fill the tank slowly Filling it too quickly will cause the valve to heat up and can cause damage to the valve 12 Now the tank is full close the Portable Tank Valve Close the Nurse Tank Valve 13 Open the Purge Valve on the 6 Foot Filling Hose to release the pressure from the hose 14 Reconnect the Portable Tank Hose to the Tank Hose Connection and give it a tug to ensure properly connected Testing the Safety Valve The instrument is fitted with a Safety Valve to ensure that the lid is properly seated prior to pressurizing the chamber The Safety Valve will vent the chamber if the lid is not properly closed This valve MUST be tested at the beginning of each measurement session First use your finger to depress the piston so that it
12. til the leak stops CAUTION Do not overtighten the packing gland Permanent damage to the valve will result 4 Replace the handle and tighten the hex screw For a complete list of picture tutorials and videos www pmsinstrument com 12 Maintenance for Compression Gland Lid Maintaining the Compression Gland Lid is quite simple Keep the O ring around the Compression Gland Insert clean and lubricated with petroleum jelly Occasionally unscrew the compression screw and take out the Compression Gland Insert and Compression Gland Gasket inside for cleaning We recommend lubricating the compression screw threads with a Lithium based lubricant such as white grease or other lubricant to maintain the threads and ensure easy operation Keeping these threads clean is important for ensuring operability of the cover Clean the Compression Gland Gasket with ARMOR ALL or other similar cleaner Over time the compression gland gasket will become worn a replacement has been supplied for your convenience If additional gaskets are needed you may purchase them directly from PMS Instrument Company Friction washer gt Is Red To es e c gt om 4 Buna 70 O Rings 006 7 om Compression Gland Insert 2am Compression Gland Gasket 5 gt CT Compression Gland Base TO RE ASSEMBLE THE COMPRESSION GLAND START BY 1 Sliding the Compression Gland into the Chamber Lid 2 Insert the 4 brass screws and screw the
13. uling for crop plants such as almond walnut prunes cotton and wine grapes or for any application where plant growth is managed such as in nurseries greenhouses seedlings or reforestation Principle of Operation The pressure chamber can be thought of as measuring the blood pressure of the plant except that for plants it is water rather than blood And the water is not pumped by a heart using pressure but rather pulled with a suction force as water evaporates from the leaves Water within the plant mainly moves through very small inter connected cells collectively called xylem which are essentially a network of pipes carrying water from the roots to the leaves The water in the xylem is under tension As the soil dries or humidity wind or heat load increases it becomes increasingly difficult for the roots to Keep pace with evaporation from the leaves This causes the tension to increase Under these conditions you could say that the plant begins to experience high blood pressure Since tension is measured negative values are typically reported An easy way to remember this is to think of water stress as a deficit The more the stress the more the plant is experiencing a deficit of water The scientific name given to this deficit is the water potential of the plant The actual physics of how the water moves from the leaf is more complex than just squeezing water out of a leaf or just bringing water back to wh
14. w select a leaf to test To seal the sample insert the cut end of the petiole stem through the hole from the bottom side of the chamber lid Twist the Compression Screw clockwise to seal the sample in the lid For more detailed information about sampling consult our website WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED MEASUREMENTS 1 Close the Valve on the Portable Tank FILLING THE PORTABLE TANK In order to successfully fill the Portable Tank the following items are needed 1 6 Foot Filling Hose 2 Nurse Tank Large Tank 3 Model 615 Pressure Chamber 1 Ensure the Portable Tank Valve is closed Check the Tank Pressure Gauge to ensure it reads zero and that there is no pressure in the instrument or Tank Hose If there is still pressure remove the lid of the instrument and cycle the Control Valve to Chamber position 2 Detach the Tank Hose by releasing the quick coupler 3 Connect the end of the 6 Foot Filling Hose to the Tank Hose 4 Connect the other end of the 6 Foot Filling Hose to a Nurse Tank that has 207 Bar 3000 PSI or less pressure in it 5 Ensure that the Control Valve is in the OFF position TA i RESSURE Liine CLER AAT lel F ALES T ii i aka Dh ad P RATE wp VALVE CHAMBFR OF g EXHAUST 6 Ensure that the Nurse Tank Valve is completely closed 7 Ensure that the Purge Valve on the 6 Foot Filling Hose is completely closed 8 Ensure that the Portable Ta
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