Service Troubleshooting FAQs
Gauge Service FAQs
My gauge is not charging.
My gauge displays tube error.
Why does my gauge fail the standard count?
When I try to get my density, I get nothing but +'s.
Why are my gauge readings off?
Why is my gauge hard to index?
Why does my gauge indicate safe position when it is in backscatter mode?
What is the prescale factor for my Troxler gauge?
My gauge is locked up and there is no keypad response.
My 3440/4640B is displaying random characters on the display.
My 3411 displays "ERROR 30."
Gyratory Compactor Service FAQs
What could cause the voids to be high in compacted specimens on a 4140?
What causes the mold to get stuck in a 4141? How is the mold removed?
What causes the 4141 to fail pressure calibration?
What causes a loud noise combined with the ram stopping on a 4140?
What causes garbled display data on the 4140 console display?
What causes the angle to not be displayed during gyration on a 4141?
What can cause the turn table on a 4140 to not turn at all?
Ignition Oven FAQs
What causes the 4155 to continue to heat well past the set point?
What causes the 4155 to signal end of burn after only twenty some minutes?
What causes the 4155 temperature display to show around 1480 and the chamber to not heat?
My gauge is not charging. What could it be?
Reset battery life to 190 hours. Ensure charger is good. Check charger jack to see if it is loose/broken. Possible bad battery pack.
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My gauge displays tube error. What's the problem?
Take the gauge to a clean, dry environment and remove the control panel or "scaler". Check for loose hardware inside the gauge that could short the high voltage. Check for moisture inside the gauge and, if moisture is present, remove the scaler and dry overnight with a fan.
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Why does my gauge fail the standard count?
Ensure that the gauge is positioned properly. Make sure that stored standard counts are appropriate by comparing to the factory standard counts.
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When I try to get my density, I get nothing but +'s. Why?
Obtain the gauge's most recent calibration printout and check that the calibration constants in the memory match those on the printout. Also, verify that the depth strip is functioning correctly. Check for correct standard counts.
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Why are my gauge readings off?
Ensure you have a good standard count. Verify you are at the correct depth. Check to make sure no offsets are enabled.
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Why is my gauge hard to index?
Magnalube is the recommended lubricant. Place a small amount on the source rod and exercise the rod up and down. Check the bottom of the gauge to make sure dirt has not accumulated in the sliding block or base plate area.
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Why does my gauge indicate safe position when it is in backscatter mode?
You need to calibrate the depth strip. If this doesn't fix the problem, your gauge may need servicing.
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What is the prescale factor for my Troxler gauge?
In order to scale the count values to a reasonable number of digits, Troxler devices use prescale factors when performing measurements, standard counts and any other diagnostics count. In other words, the count that a gauge displays is the total number of ionization events measured by the gauge divided by the appropriate prescale factor.
The prescale factor is typically not needed by the gauge operator. However, the ASTM standards D 6938 and D 2950 give a formula to check the stability of the standard counts which requires the use of the prescale factor. The prescale factors are listed below:
For Troxler Models 3401, 3411, 3430, 3430 Plus, 3440, 3440 Plus, and 4300 devices, a prescale of 16 is to be used in the formula when a 4-minute standard count is performed.
For Troxler Models 3450 and 4640 devices, a prescale of 8 is to be used in the formula when a 4-minute standard count is performed.
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My gauge is locked up and there is no keypad response.
Press and hold the OFF button for 15-30 seconds until the gauge turns off. If it does not turn off, remove the scaler and unplug the ribbon cable from the baseboard. Plug the cable back in and turn the gauge on, allowing it to go through its 5 minute self-test.
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My 3440/4640B is displaying random characters on the display.
Perform memory reset on gauge. 3440 / 4640
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My 3411 displays "ERROR 30." What is wrong?
Take a new standard count. (Note: A standard count must be taken each time a 3411 is turned off. It does not store standard counts.) Ensure depth switch is at the correct depth.
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What could cause the voids to be high in compacted specimens on a 4140?
Possibly the brake is slipping and thereby not allowing the angle to be fully set on. Tighten the brake cable until the brake ring doesn't slip during angle on operation.
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What causes the mold to get stuck in a 4141? How is the mold removed?
A zero angle screw stuck in the down position. Power off machine and remove the top electronic box. Unscrew the three zero angle screws (pulley atop each). Power on machine and escape to Idle screen. Press Setup then item 6 (manual). Select item 5 (unlatch mold). Select item 4 (lower ram).
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What causes the 4141 to fail pressure calibration?
The most likely cause is a loose one inch nut on the jack. Remove the front panel and lift the jack shaft by hand (place height standard under head inside chamber to keep it held up). Remove the one inch nut atop the jack screw and turn the shaft counterclockwise to screw the anti-rotation bar firmly down. Clean the nut and apply blue Loctite to the treads before tightening it back on the jack shaft.
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What causes a loud noise combined with the ram stopping on a 4140?
This is most likely caused by a failure on the CPI board. Please contact technical support for assistance.
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What causes garbled display data on the 4140 console display?
A power glitch can cause this if the printer power cord is plugged into an outlet other than the Aux outlet on the rear of the compactor. Power down both printer and compactor and plug printer power cord into compactor. Power on compactor and then printer.
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What causes the angle to not be displayed during gyration on a 4141?
Either a defective angle sensor or the sensor has become unplugged.
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What can cause the turn table on a 4140 to not turn at all?
A defective DCMI board or failed D.C. Motor Controller. Please contact technical support for assistance.
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What causes the 4155 to continue to heat well past the set point?
A failed solid state relay (the middle one on the power cord panel). Please contact technical support for assistance.
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What causes the 4155 to signal end of burn after only twenty some minutes?
The constants may have been corrupted by a power glitch. Print the constants, reset the machine and chamber, re-calibrate the Weight Window, recalibrate the scale, and re-enter the temperature constants.
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What causes the 4155 temperature display to show around 1480 and the chamber to not heat?
A broken chamber thermocouple. Please contact technical support for assistance.
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