Dynamax HPFM3, Installation And Operation Manual, Page: 37 / 86

Revision: JUNE 2017 37
5.5.3 Removing Microscopic Air Bubbles from Pressure Transducers
Use the 3cc syringe and 7/8” needle we provided in the accessory kit. Fill it with Algaecide contained water. Eliminate
all air bubble inside the syringe and fill the water into Transducers. Keep tapping the adapter on the transducer to move
the air bubble to the opening of the Transducer then add water to push air bubble out. Make sure you DO NOT use the
big 1 3/8” stainless steel needle on this procedure or it may damage your Pressure Transducers.
CAUTION!
Be very careful to use 7/8” needle with a dull tip and not to push it all the way to
the bottom of the transducers. Failed to do so could cause damage.
5.5.4 Removing Microscopic Air Bubbles from the HPFM - Bleeding
After removing the air bubbles that you can see, we must remove the microscopic bubbles as well. Increasing the pressure
and forcing water through a small orifice, or small inner diameter tubing accomplishes this. The bubbles are then either
removed or are reabsorbed by the water:
a. Increase the pressure on the HPFM with the Compressed Air Supply system to 550 kPa (80 PSI). If
you have not done this or need to review this procedure, please see Section 4.3 ,
“Pressurizing the
HPFM.”
b. Connect the 1.5 m (5 ft) Red HPLC tubing (ID 0.0127 mm / 0.0005”) to the Flow- Out Port of the
HPFM. Make sure that the Flow-Out Manifold is closed. You may also connect the Red HPLC
tubing to the Teflon FEP hose that may already be attached to the Flow-Out valve of the Manifold.
This can be accomplished with the HPLC Union included with the HPFM accessories.
c. Open the Water Supply Control Valve to the right allowing water from the CAT to flow
through the filter and to the manifold. Open all manifold valves except the Flow Outlet alve.
d. Since there will be a small flow of water from the Red HPLC tubing, place the end of the Red
tubing into a container. Open the Flow Outlet Valve on the manifold. Water should begin to
flow in a very small quantity, usually a few drops a minute.
e. As always, check for leaks. Let the HPFM flow like this for 12 hours. Check the pressure gage on a
regular basis and add pressure if needed.
f. After 12 hours close all manifold valves and the Water Supply valve.
g. Check for small leaks again. Wipe off any excess water from the frame.
h. Finish filling the HPFM CAT by following Subsection 5.4.3, “Adding Water to a Partly Empty
Captive Air Tank (CAT)”.
i. Remove the red tubing before making measurements. Install the connecting hose (1 mm ID
“Natural” or 1.5 mm ID “Clear”) and bleed out bubbles before connecting to a plant coupling.
Proceed to Section 9 Connecting the HPFM to Roots and Shoots.
j. Now, you are ready to use HPFM on a plant.