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7.
As oil flows through the precipitator tube, the Display Messages will change through the following
phrases, colored white, letting the operator know the progression of the test.
•
Waiting for Start
•
Waiting for Oil
•
Oil – Start Testing
•
Waiting on End of Oil
•
Done – Waiting for Start
8.
When DONE – WAITING FOR START appears the DL and DS readings will be frozen. This is
when the DL and DS readings are recorded for the oil sample; but only if a control number was
entered for the sample. This data is written to the DR-7 data folder of the program and can be
accessed through windows explorer under the C:\Programs\Trico folder. If downloading data, your
software will need a script written to pull this data from the file. Files are named per control number
along with a date time stamp.
9.
This completes a STANDARD test, and another test can then be performed. Remove the used
precipitator tube and install a new one for the next test to give accurate results.
NOTE:
While the test is running the precipitator tube should not be moved or readjusted in the holder.
Doing so will give false readings and inaccurate results. If a problem occurs remove and discard the
precipitator tube and oil sample to begin a new test.
7.1.2 – OPAQUE Operation
An opaque sample is defined as one which is too dark to read under the optical sensors. Usually, samples
filled with carbonaceous material produce a reading of 190 in one or both sensors as soon as they start to
flow through the glass section of the precipitator tube. These dark particles cut off all the monochromatic
light going to the sensors. Diesel oil is a good example of an opaque sample. If an opaque sample is run
as a regular sample on the DR-7, the top line of the display will read TOO DARK – USE OPAQUE.
A special procedure is used to test opaque samples. Filtered heptane is run through the DR-7 to establish a
baseline for the wash fluid. The opaque sample is then run using the same precipitator tube. After the oil
has drained from the sample vial, heptane is used again to wash out the dark oil in the precipitator tube
while the magnet assembly holds the metallic wear particles in place to provide the actual DL and DS
readings.
The first time the DR-7 is used for an opaque test, you are prompted to perform a baseline test using
heptane. This baseline will stay in the DR-7’s memory until the program is shutdown. A sample vial of
the heptane does not have to be run at the beginning of every test for a baseline, just at the end to wash
away the dark oil.
