Product Manual: Sprayer Calibrator Model SC-2

WARNING

Battery can explode or leak and cause burns if installed backwards, disassembled, charged, or exposed to water, fire, or high temperature. CR2032 Battery CALIFORNIA ONLY: Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

METER COMPONENTS

1. Diffuser Pad
2. LCD Display
3. ON/OFF Button
4. Battery Cover
5. +/- Adjustment Buttons
6. SETTING Button
7. Target Value Indicator (0% =)
8. Low Battery Indicator
9. Nozzle Flow Rate
10. Units of Measure
11. Sprayer Speed
12. Nozzle Spacing
13. Application Rate per Area
14. Nozzle Wear / Error

USE OF PRODUCT

Turning the Meter ON/OFF

The meter will turn on any time the ON/OFF button is pressed. The meter can be shut off by pressing and holding the ON/OFF button for 2 seconds, or by waiting for automatic shutoff after 90 seconds of inactivity.

Changing Measurement Units

With the meter powered on, press the SETTING button until the desired units of measure are highlighted, then press the +/- buttons as needed. When the correct units of measure are flashing, press the ON/OFF button to exit setting mode.

Measuring Nozzle Flow Rate

Press the ON/OFF button to turn the meter on. Wait for “- – -” to appear on the display. Place the meter under the operating nozzle at a slight backward angle of 10° to 15°, as shown in Fig. 2, until the meter displays the flow rate, as shown in Fig. 3. Pour out the contents before starting another reading. Press the ON/OFF button to reset the meter and check another nozzle. Readings remain on the display for 90 seconds before the unit automatically shuts off.

Measuring Nozzle Wear

First, determine the desired target flow rate in one of two ways. Best practice is to install a new nozzle on your sprayer and then measure its flow rate. If this cannot be done, reference the nozzle manufacturer’s flow specifications for the nozzles being tested and make sure the boom pressure matches their flow specification. Select a pressure of typical use, or use 40 PSI (2.76 bar) to make easy comparisons to manufacturer nozzle flow rates. See Fig. 4 for typical nozzle flow rates. (Please verify this chart with the nozzle manufacturer’s specifications before use.)

Second, set this desired target nozzle flow rate on the SC-2 by pressing the SETTING button and adjusting the 0% = target value. Subsequent measurements of nozzle flows will display the actual nozzle flow and the % error (nozzle wear) compared to the target setting. Nozzle manufacturers typically recommend replacing a nozzle if the flow rate exceeds that of a new nozzle by 10% or more.

Determine Nozzle Spacing to Use with the SC-2

For broadcast applications with a single nozzle operating at each boom location:
Nozzle Spacing = Boom location spacing (typically 20 inches or 50 cm)

For broadcast applications with twin nozzles operating at each boom location:
If both nozzles can be measured simultaneously with the SC-2:
Nozzle Spacing = Boom location spacing (typically 20 inches or 50 cm)

If each nozzle must be measured individually:
Nozzle Spacing = ½ × Boom location spacing (typically 10 inches or 25 cm)

For single-nozzle banding or boomless applications:
Nozzle Spacing = Sprayed band width or swath width (in inches or cm)

For multiple-nozzle directed applications:
Nozzle Spacing = (Row spacing in inches or cm) ÷ (Number of nozzles per row)

Measuring Application Rate

First, set the travel speed, nozzle spacing (as per the above section), and units of measure by pressing the SETTING button and using the +/- buttons as needed. Exit setting mode by pressing the ON/OFF button. Subsequent measurements of nozzle flow will display the true application rate on the display based on these settings. % error can also be displayed correctly if 0% = target application rate is set to the desired application rate.

Determine Required Speed or Nozzle Flow to Attain Desired Application Rate

First, set nozzle spacing (as per the above section) and units of measure by pressing the SETTING button and using the +/- buttons as needed. Then adjust speed and/or 0% = target nozzle flow as needed until the displayed application rate matches your desired application rate. Adjusting the actual sprayer speed and nozzle flow rate to these settings will result in the desired application rate during operation.

This function works with or without measuring nozzle flow; however, only if an actual nozzle’s flow was measured prior to adjusting these settings will the display show the % error.

Sprayer Calibration Instructions
(Verify with your chemical and equipment suppliers)

1. Determine application rate (GPA or LPH) from chemical label:
Find the desired application rate in GPA (gallons per acre) or L/ha (liters per hectare) from the chemical manufacturer’s label.
Note: GPA = Gal/1000 sq ft × 43.56

2. Select travel speed:
Make sure it is appropriate for field conditions (MPH or KPH).

3. Adjust for solution density:
A. If using a water-based solution, skip to Step 4 because the solution density factor is × 1.00.
B. If using a fertilizer-based solution, multiply the desired GPA or L/ha by the appropriate correction factor below to determine the water-based equivalent, then continue with Step 4 using this new value.

Note: Nozzle manufacturers typically specify nozzles based on the density of water. When something other than water is used as a base, this adjustment accounts for changes in nozzle performance.

• Multiply rate from Step 1 by 1.11 for 4-10-10 liquid fertilizer base
• Multiply rate from Step 1 by 1.13 for 28-0-0 liquid fertilizer base (28% nitrogen)
• Multiply rate from Step 1 by 1.15 for 32-0-0 liquid fertilizer base
• Multiply rate from Step 1 by 1.16 for 7-21-7 liquid fertilizer base
• Multiply rate from Step 1 by 1.18 for 10-34-0 liquid fertilizer base

4. Use the SC-2 to calculate required single-nozzle flow (GPM or LPM):
See the section above on determining correct nozzle spacing for the SC-2.

The following equations may also be used:

• GPM = (GPA × MPH × Nozzle Spacing in Inches) / 5940
• LPM = (L/ha × KPH × Nozzle Spacing in cm) / 60000

5. Determine the best droplet size based on the chemical manufacturer’s label or spray drift concerns.
(Small droplets = penetration & coverage; large droplets = less drift)

6. Select the proper spray nozzle by finding one that produces the desired flow (GPM or LPM) and the desired droplet size at that flow. Review the detailed specifications from the nozzle manufacturer and note the required nozzle pressure.

7. Check for nozzle wear if you plan to use nozzles that are not new. The SC-2 can quickly check each nozzle for wear. See the previous section on checking nozzle wear.

8. Test nozzle flow with the SC-2:
Install the selected nozzles on your sprayer and run them with water or fertilizer base at the required pressure from Step 6. Use the SC-2 to check flow from several nozzles. If the average flow rate in GPM or LPM does not match the value calculated in Step 4, adjust your pressure until it does. (See Fig. 4 for the effect of pressure on nozzle flow rate.)

9. Check your sprayer’s speed:
Use the following equations to verify the sprayer is traveling at the speed selected in Step 2:

• MPH = (Distance in Feet × 60) / (Travel Time in Seconds × 88)
• KPH = (Distance in Meters × 3.6) / (Travel Time in Seconds)

Changing the Battery

The LCD will show an empty battery icon, as shown in (8) of Fig. 1, when it is time to change the battery. Remove the screw cover (4) in Fig. 1 by rotating it counterclockwise. A screwdriver may be required to loosen the cover. Gently pry out the old battery with a small knife or small screwdriver, as shown in (15) of Fig. 5, being careful not to damage the battery holder.

Replace with a new CR2032 lithium coin cell battery and reinstall the screw cover. Tighten the cover clockwise until the O-ring is slightly compressed.

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

This meter measures flow rate by timing how long it takes to fill a portion of the meter’s container. The rising water level is sensed by three electrodes inside the meter. The meter will only function with fluids that conduct electricity, such as water. In the case of distilled water, conductivity may be too low for proper operation. All tap water will work well with the meter.

Any substance that coats or covers the exposed metal on the electrodes will hinder their ability to sense the water level. Care should be taken to rinse the inside of the meter with clean tap water when contaminants are present in the measured flow. This will help prevent foreign material from building up on the electrodes.

If the electrodes need to be cleaned, they can be accessed by removing the bottom red plug and/or removing the upper diffuser pad. The diffuser pad can be pulled straight out of the top of the unit once the front retaining screw is removed. When replacing this screw, do not over-tighten.

Do not bend the electrodes while cleaning, as this can affect the meter’s calibration. Thorough rinsing will also help prevent the diffuser pad from becoming clogged and hindering water flow into or out of the meter during operation. If foaming or bubbles are a significant problem, a small drop of de-foaming agent (for carpet cleaners or spas) may be added to the diffuser pad prior to use.

REPAIR AND SERVICE POLICY

Contact your local dealer for returns or repairs.

EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer:
Innoquest, Inc.
910 Hobe Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
USA

Effective Date: 1 May 2021

Model Number: 38790
Description: SpotOn® Sprayer Calibrator SC-2
Type: Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use

Directives:

• Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive: 2014/30/EU
• RoHS Directive: 2011/65/EU

Standards:

• EN 61326-1:2013
• EN 55011:2016 + A1:2017

Innoquest, Inc. declares under its sole responsibility that the SpotOn® Sprayer Calibrator SC-2, model 38790, is in conformity with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU.

William C. Hughes
President
Innoquest, Inc.