Transtech PQI 301, Operator'S Handbook Manual

Page 1: ...Pavement Quality Indicator Model 301 Operators Handbook ...

Page 2: ...and Self Test 3 2 Starting and Self Test 3 2 Starting and Self Test 7 3 3 Setting the Date and Time 8 3 4 Setting the Mix Information 10 3 5 Changing Displayed Units 12 3 6 Calibration 13 3 7 The Operating Modes 18 3 8 Moisture Correcting Temperature Correction 24 3 9 Power Save Auto Shutoff 3 9 Power Save Auto Shutoff 3 9 Power Save Auto Shutoff 25 4 0 Remote Mode 25 5 0 Routine Operation 26 6 0 ...

Page 3: ...es electrical waves to measure dielectric constant using an innovative toroidal electrical sensing field established by the sensing plate The electronics in the PQI convert the field signals into material density readings and displays the results Once calibrated direct density readings can be consistently obtained 1 2 Purpose of this Handbook This handbook is intended to be both a training manual ...

Page 4: ...osed wiring Warning Use care in handling the unit Personal injury can occur through improper handling Take proper precautions to prevent accidental dropping of the unit Caution Turn the unit off when not in use and during transport Caution Unauthorized disassembly of the unit will void the warranty 2 0 Controls and Components 2 1 External Controls and Components Prior to learning how to operate th...

Page 5: ...alent lead acid cells The new microprocessor controlled battery charger will usually charge the PQI unit in a couple of hours For first use and after a fully discharged battery pack a minimum of 5 hours should be allowed for charging Under normal operation the PQI unit can operate in excess of 13 hours at full charge The internal 12 volt battery is designed to be recharged in approximately 2 4 hou...

Page 6: ... It is important to re charge the battery after each use 3 0 Operation of the PQI Unit 3 1 General Operation Overview The Pavement Quality Indicator is designed to be an extremely flexible unit with several useful modes of operation Each mode of operation is accessed through the keypad controls The number letter and arrow keys have several functions The immediate function is shown by the text in t...

Page 7: ...e four measurement modes or to scroll in the up direction Diag Used to display the DIAGNOSTICS screen when in one of the measurement modes Also used to scroll in the down direction Menu This key brings the unit back to the MAIN MENU Works as a back space key when it s necessary to delete and replace a single digit of information that was just entered by mistake Enter The ENTER key functions like a...

Page 8: ... Type stone size in the mix which the PQI is going to be used on is required as part of the initial calibration of the unit Select Pavement Type 1 25 35 mm Base 2 16 24 mm Inter 3 9 15 mm Top B The PQI will prompt the user for the correct unit of measurement either inches or mm The PQI 301 asks the user to input the depth of the pavement being laid out by the paver Lift Thickness Enter Units 1 inc...

Page 9: ...t the first screen of the MAIN MENU pressing the 1 key enters the Date and Time mode 1 Date 02 21 2002 current date 2 Time 20 02 37 current time 3 Date Format MDY ENT Exit 3 3 1 Setting the Date A Pressing the 1 key prepares the PQI for setting the month day and year The first line of the display indicates the date presently stored in the PQI If this date check is correct then press the key to can...

Page 10: ...ill move the cursor between the four spaces so that the year value can be changed if a mistake is made Pressing the ENT key sets the new date Pressing the key cancels and returns the PQI to the change date or the time screen without making any changes to the current date Option 3 Date Format allows the date format to be changed from M D Y to D M Y 3 3 2 Setting the Time A From the Main Menu press ...

Page 11: ...t making any changes to the current time Pressing Enter returns the PQI to the Main Menu Screen 1 Date Time 2 Mix Information 3 Displayed Units ENT Exit Scroll 3 4 Setting the Mix Information A From the MAIN MENU press the 2 key 1 Set MTD 150 0Lb current MTD 2 Lift 1 0 in current setting 3 Set Pave Type T current Setting ENT Exit 3 4 1 Setting the MTD value The Maximum Theoretical Density MTD valu...

Page 12: ...ickness value Set MTD 150 0 Lb CuFt New Lift Thickness Enter Thickness in At this display if the ENTER key is pressed a 0 0 Lift Thickness value will occur and the display will return to the Mix Information Menu B Use the keypad to enter a new Lift thickness value At this time the key can be used to back space and change any of the digits When the new value is set pressing the ENTER key sets the n...

Page 13: ...ty lb ft3 2 Temperature F 3 Compaction ENT Exit At this display by pressing the corresponding the unit of measurement will be changed For items 1 and 2 the units will switch from imperial to metric units Item 3 allows you to set the PQI to read compaction or voids depending on the type of pavement being used After setting the units pressing the ENTER Key will return the display to the Main Menu Us...

Page 14: ...t methods Method Description Normal Convenient method for adjusting offset after PQI readings have been taken and cores have been obtained from those reading areas Simply enter the amount that the PQI is reading too high or low relative to the core readings One Point Method Quick calibration estimate that can be used by Factory Use Only taking a reading of the unrolled mat and entering the expecte...

Page 15: ...e the PQI approximately 2 inches up and to the right on the outside of the circle Consider this position as the 2 o clock location Press the ENT key to take another reading and record it in the table given in the back of this manual Move the PQI clockwise around the marked circle to about the 4 o clock position Press the ENT key to take another reading and record it in the table Continue to move t...

Page 16: ...n function which will display the following screen Offset D 0 0 1 PQI reads to hi 2 PQI reads to lo ENT Exit The function is used when you have obtained a number of PQI readings obtained a number of core readings and calculated the average amount that the PQI is reading too high or low The first step is to press a key to indicate whether the PQI is reading too high or low After pressing the key th...

Page 17: ...ethod Many users have found that their screeds obtain a fairly uniform compaction If this compaction is known it can be used to perform a quick offset calibration of the PQI using the One Point Method To use this method first press 2 Special from the Calibration Menu After displaying a message recommending that you first read this guide the following menu will be displayed 1 Manual Slope 2 One Poi...

Page 18: ...his guide The worksheet includes full instructions for performing the calibration and entering the readings Note The worksheet calls for a reading to be taken on a finished or peaked section of the mat To peak the mat the following instructions should be followed 1 Reduce the water spray on the roller to the minimum setting 2 Allow the roller to pass by the sample location 3 Place the PQI on the m...

Page 19: ...last time the mix was used press 2 and enter the new value as instructed The new slope value will be used immediately when you return to one of the run modes 3 7 The Operating Modes Your PQI can be used in four different measurement or run modes Continuous Average Single and Segregation If the PQI is not in one of the run modes e g it might be displaying the Setup Menu you can switch to the last R...

Page 20: ...laying percent voids the value will be enclosed in To change between these units go to the Setup Menu and select Displayed Units and the select Remember that the percentage values will not be accurate unless you have properly entered the MTD value of the mix you are currently measuring If the PQI is running in Continuous Mode and no keys have been pressed for the last 5 minutes the PQI Mode will e...

Page 21: ... downloaded to a computer Avg Mode 5 B ENT Take Reading 1 Eample of Average Mode Screen A Press Enter and Do Not Touch the PQI while it takes a reading B Move the PQI and follow the instructions on the display for the next reading Press Enter to start next reading After reading number 5 is complete press Enter to have the PQI calculate the average of the 5 readings Avg Mode 5 B ENT Display Average...

Page 22: ...pace and correct numbers Put in the numbers for the current location then press Enter Bypass the Set Location screen by pressing Enter twice Enter Station Example 300 50 First Second Data Added to Log Press any key Note If you choose not to log an average the PQI returns to the first Average Mode screen and is ready to begin a new set of readings 3 7 4 Stored Data From the MAIN MENU press the Down...

Page 23: ...de The third row displays the H2O and temperature The fourth row displays the average density reading Pressing the Enter key returns the display to the previous menu 3 7 5 Segregation Mode Segregation is the separation of the course and fine aggregate particles in the asphalt mix A segregated mix will usually result in density fluctuations in the finished mat The PQI s Segregation Mode can be used...

Page 24: ...he first desired location 2 Press 1 to Read 3 Remove your hand from the gauge 4 Wait for the reading to be taken this will take approximately 5 seconds After the reading has been taken the screen will appear similar to the following a description of each value is given in the Continuous Mode section Segregation Mode 1A 1 Accept 2 Reject H2O 2 7 142 4 º F D 147 4Lb 93 1 You should press 1 to accept...

Page 25: ... The Relative Water Value is displayed as H2O in all measurement modes of the PQI The third generation PQI has a built in moisture correcting formula Care should still be used when taking PQI density readings in areas of the mat where there is standings surface moisture Continuous Mode B Batt 12 7V H2O 3 2 187 6 F D 156 5 Lb 87 8 Example of H2O being displayed The PQI shows H2O values up to three ...

Page 26: ...emote Mode the PQI can communicate with a personal computer with a serial COM port and terminal emulation software such as Windows HyperTerminal Using a suitable nine pin serial cable you should first connect the PQI to one of your personal computer s serial ports making sure to note which port e g COM1 COM2 etc After connecting the cable start the communications program on your PC The program sho...

Page 27: ...nce calibrated the PQI is ready to be used at each job site and asphalt mix It is suggested that 5 or more readings be taken at each site following the reading pattern of Fig 3 6 2 Keep PQI bottom surface clean and dry For accurate readings the PQI should have a clean dry smooth interface with the mat Therefore you should wipe the PQI probe surface dry and clean after each reading Also before plac...

Page 28: ... The PQI measures percentage of air voids in the area beneath the probe including the voids on the surface of the mat while the AASHTO T 166 specific gravity determination method ignores these voids In order to better track what the AASHTO T 166 method is measuring PQI readings should be taken on areas where there are relatively few surface voids This is especially important when the PQI is used o...

Page 29: ...nt to adhesion of pavement particles If pavement materials begin to adhere to the bottom a rag moistened with WD40 kerosene will clean it off 6 2 Trouble Shooting The chart below provides guidance to a few suspect conditions Trouble Shooting Chart Problem Remedy Incorrect Screen Display Turn unit off and then back on Reset Incorrect Density Reading Clean off probe Check calibration Check H2O readi...

Page 30: ...ither at the Company s option by repairing any defective or damaged parts of the product replacing the product or by making available the necessary repaired or replacement parts The liability of the Company under this warranty for any loss whether the claim is based on contract or negligence shall not in any case exceed the cost of correcting defects in the product as herein provided and upon the ...

Page 31: ...alue Position Location1 Location2 Location3 Location4 Location5 Position Location1 Location2 Location3 Location4 Location5 Position Location1 Location2 Location3 Location4 Location5 Position Location1 Location2 Location3 Location4 Location5 Position Location1 Location2 Location3 Location4 Location5 Position Location1 Location2 Location3 Location4 Location5 Center 2 o clock 4 o clock 8 o clock 10 o...

Page 32: ...uires an estimate of the actual percent compaction behind the paver This density is typically 82 of MTD but may vary with mix and with paver type In the following table enter your estimate of percentage of MTD you would expect behind the paver Enter in percent e g 82 should be recorded as 82 not 0 82 To compute slope the PQI also requires an estimate of the actual percent compaction of the finishe...

Page 33: ...TD Density Targets Enter Maximum Theoretical rice gravity in A Lab values are commonly in gcc i e 2 54 A Convert to lbft3 pounds per cubic foot i e 158 50 A x 62 4 B Enter Density Target B In PQI See Entering MTD in Manual 32 ...

Page 34: ...the PQI 301 on soils or stone base At this time the PQI 301 is only designed for use on Asphalt Pavement 5 How can I charge the PQI 301 in my car We suggest that you purchase a 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC power inverter from a local retailer and plug the PQI charger into the inverter Follow the inverter instructions 33 www transtechsys com 1 800 724 6306 7500 0199 PQI 301 AC Charger 7500 0142 PQI 30...

Page 35: ...00 0039 PQI 301 Mobile Thermal Printer 2000 0002 Thermal Printer Paper Replacement Parts Order parts online at www transtechsys com opencart 8000 0032 PQI 301 Test Block 1400 0028 SDG 200 StrongHold Carry Case 7500 0235 SDG 200 Extension Handle Kit ...

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