Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
(OP)
We installed several radar level sensors on the outdoor tanks. They are all identical. The installation location on the tank roof is correct. They worked fine in the summer and autumn. But when the weather gets very cold below 30oF, mostly in the night, they start giving false reading frequently here and there (I can not say that it is everytime and on every sensor). But when the temperature becomes warmer (over 32oF mostly in the day time), they automatically go back to normal and correct readings. It is weird. We have heavy oil in the tanks. For example, if the sensor reads the tank as 90% full during the day time. In the night, when the temperature drops down below 30oF, it reads the same tank level as 100% full. When the temperature goes up again in the day time of next day, the reading on the same sensor goes back to 90% full automatically.
Per the sensor spec., it should work at even much cold weather. The sensor manufacturer has its own guess.
Do you have any experience with this problem? Do you have an explanation and a fix of this problem?
Thanks.
Per the sensor spec., it should work at even much cold weather. The sensor manufacturer has its own guess.
Do you have any experience with this problem? Do you have an explanation and a fix of this problem?
Thanks.





RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
Anything just to do a test.
I realize this is next to oil so you may have issues with ignition sources.
Maybe an explosion proof bar heater. Something the raise the temp about 10F right near the radar head.
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
It may see thru it until it freezes. Then turns clear again when solidly frozen and sees thru it again??? Heating its case slightly will prevent condensation that could be occurring on the outside OR inside.
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
We had a system that would routinely collect cups of water after several days of humid days and cool nights.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
In TDR sensors, the false-reading effect is similar if there is enough condensation. One thing you can try is to tap the sensor, or the tank near the sensor when it is giving false readings. If it is dew, the drops will be super-large and a rap will cause them to drop off.
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
We've seen false high readings due to condensed water, too.
I sat in on a meeting with the Siemens sales guy today.
He showed a couple slides of their test stand with a Siemens LR250 with the horn antenna and screen shots of echo profiles for both dry and wet conditions. The photo showed a hand pumping a sprayer to coat the horn with water to create a 'wet' conditoin.
The dynamic baseline shifted between dry and wet conditions, but the peak level reading did not.
Apparently Siemens has done some signal processing that avoids the problem of false high readings due to moisture on the antenna.
Apparently, the capabilities reside with the LR250 with the 2" mount. The 1.5" LR250 is different.
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
Is there anybody there??
I think the line is dead...
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Problem of Radar Level Sensor in Cold Weather
Our radar sensors are made by E+H. They told me that they could adjust the settings of the sensor to solve this problem. But it has to be done with their technician and when the sensor is having problem in the cold weather. It is not free. I have not asked them to do it yet.
We considered using Siemens sensor before. Your information is useful. But I guess our ice condition is still different from the wet condition.
Thank all you guys, danw2, itsmoked, Comcokid, Operahouse, IRstuff, and macgyvers2000.