Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Sonic Water Level Meter Maintenance

Batteries and power: The 6 AA batteries should be replaced at 6.5 V. Old batteries should be removed as soon as possible to prevent damage from leaking. To access the batteries, undo the screw from the back of the Control Unit and remove the battery cover and batteries. Ensure the new batteries are installed in the correct polarity, as labeled. Do not kink or damage the ribbon cable inside the Control Unit and be careful when reinstalling the battery cover. If the Control Unit is going to be stored for longer than a two month period, the 6 alkaline batteries should be removed to avoid any potential leakage.

Factory Reset: It is good practice to perform a Factory Reset before starting a new application, or at a minimum, once a month. A Factory Reset will default measurements to Metric.

 

 

Troubleshooting

Symptom Cause Remedy
Will not power on / Display is blank Contrast of the Control Unit is too low. If the Probe makes the normal "popping" sound when powered on, but nothing is displayed, check the contrast of the Control Unit screen. You may be able to see the screen in a different lighting condition to adjust it. If this still does not work, a hard reset can be done by removing one of the AA batteries and waiting a few minutes before reinstalling.
Control Unit needs a reset. Remove the Probe connector, reconnect and try again.
Batteries need replacing. Replace the 6 AA batteries in the Control Unit.
Powers up, but no Probe "pop" A bent connector pin, damaged cable or Probe. Check the Probe cable connection first, then contact Solinst for more options.
Erratic depth, an asterisk beside the depth reading, or reads "Depth* Searching" for more than 15 seconds. Probe not connected properly, a bent connector pin, damaged cable or Probe. If there is no Probe "pop' heard, check the Probe cable connection first, then contact Solinst for more options.
The well is not closed tightly enough. Ensure the well is closed and that there is a good seal around the Probe.
There is perforated casing, incomplete inner casing, excessive pump noise. Try using a drop tube, or adjusting the parameter settings.
The maximum or minimum range settings are not set properly. Try resetting the parameters.
Other parameters or settings are incorrect. Try a Factory Reset.
The depth reading seems too small. You set the minimum range too small. Try adjusting the minimum range parameter.
There is an obstruction or opening in the well. Set a minimum range to ignore the obstruction or opening at that depth.
Display reads "no probe". Probe not connected properly, a bent connector pin, damaged cable or Probe. Check the Probe cable connection first, then contact Solinst for more options.