FAQ: Remote Monitor 101
Although our remote monitors have an accuracy rate of 99%, there are cases where you might receive off readings from your tank monitor. In this FAQ guide, we will talk about common issues we’ve found on the field and how you can fix them.
Barometric Pressure Basics
Most common issues and how to solve them
What affects my readings
My monitor is no longer recording hourly readings.
If your monitor has stopped recording hourly readings, there are a couple of troubleshooting steps while we can take before thinking the unit needs replacement;
If you have a solar panel powered monitor, make sure the battery is properly connected. You can verify the battery by opening the communication box and look for the white cable at the end of the battery. This cable must be properly connected to white receptor on the board next to the battery. If the battery is connected, make sure the solar panel is clean and facing south. You’ll see a red light under ‘charge’. This indicates that the battery is being charged by the panel.
Make sure the SIM card inside the communication box is clean and properly installed.
Verify that the antenna is properly attached inside the monitor. You can also try to move the antenna from its original position to boost the signal.
NOTE. It’s important that you give us a call while you are on-site, as you might be required to press the ‘Wake’ button on the monitor during the troubleshooting process.
2. The monitor is connecting every hour, but its showing inconsistent readings
There are a couple of things we need to cross of the list to make sure the sensor probe is functioning properly;
Did you have bad weather? If the answer is a resounding yes, there’s a good chance the change in barometric pressure might have affected the monitor’s probe. Our probe uses pressure to get the measurements from your oil or water tanks and any change in the ambient pressure can throw off the probe and deliver inconsistent readings. It's important to note that once the storm passes, the readings will normalize.
Do you have water inside your oil tank? If your oil tank does have water in it, it should be removed at the earliest opportunity. Water doesn't mix with oil and is heavier, so will therefore sink to the bottom. However based on this, your readings can be off.
Is the probe sitting at the bottom of the tank? The sensor probe is designed to sit about 12 inches off the bottom of your tank in order to prevent it from touching the BS&W in your tank. If you have an excessive amount of BS&W inside your tank or if the tank measurements initially provided are incorrect and cable length is longer than the tank height, your monitor will provide inconsistent readings.
NOTE. It’s important that you give us a call while you are on-site, as you might be required to press the ‘Wake’ button on the monitor during the troubleshooting process
Bonus. Why is barometric pressure important?
Barometric pressure is the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere, specifically the measurement of the weight exerted by air molecules at a given point on Earth. Barometric pressure changes constantly and is always different depending on where the reading takes place, (also known as atmospheric pressure) is the force exerted by the atmosphere at a given point. It is known as the "weight of the air". Barometric pressure also changes with the weather—or rather, the weather changes with changes in barometric pressure.
Standard barometric pressure at sea-level is commonly cited as 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI). However, this figure is just an average. In reality, barometric pressure varies across the world, especially at higher elevations where atmospheric pressure is much lower than at sea level. In fact, there are 50% fewer air molecules at 18,000 ft. than there are at sea level.
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