Tech Self Help Articles » Gen 1.3 - Troubleshooting » Leak Diagnosis and Troubleshooting (No Leak Detection)

Leak Diagnosis and Troubleshooting (No Leak Detection)

Symptoms:

  • Visible Leak
  • Portion(s) of nozzle circuit not misting adequately
  • Drum’s actual fluid level runs empty before the controller’s volume gauge

Troubleshooting Tests:

1.  Visually Inspect Nozzle Circuit To Find Leak

  • Run an inspection mist cycle by going to the controller’s “Maintenance” menu, looking for “INS“, and holding down the “green” button. Take note of/record the pressure that is being read by the pressure gauge on the misting unit.
  • Walk around and inspect nozzle circuit while unit is misting.
  • Look for difference in mist intensity between adjacent nozzles or sections of nozzles that are misting poorly/not misting at all.
  • Check for and fix any leaks in tubing or fittings around these areas.
  • Run another inspection mist cycle.
  • Compare the pressure at the misting unit and the mist intensity of the nozzles to the previous mist.
  • Repeat Test 1 as necessary until pressure and mist intensity of nozzles meets expectation.

2.  Segment Nozzle Circuit Branches To Find Leak

  • Run an inspection mist cycle and take note of/record the pressure that is being read by the pressure gauge on the misting unit.
  • Stop the inspection mist cycle and choose the branch or section of the nozzle circuit that is not misting well to temporarily remove for testing purposes.
  • Block off the chosen branch of the nozzle circuit using a metal plug.
  • Run another inspection mist cycle and observe if pressure rises at the misting unit:
    • If pressure goes up to expected levels (230 psi – 250 psi), then your leak can be found at the branch that was blocked off for testing.
    • If pressure does not change, then the leak is in another area of the nozzle circuit and Test 3 will have to be repeated with a different branch.
    • If pressure only marginally goes up, the nozzle circuit may have leaks in multiple branches. Re-add the currently removed branch to the nozzle circuit, run an inspection cycle, and look closely for any potential leaks to fix.
  • Repeat Test 2 as necessary until pressure and mist intensity of nozzles meets expectation.

3.  Replace Buried Tubing With New Tubing Above Ground

  • This test is ideal for nozzle circuits that have a small amount of tubing that runs underground.
  • Run an inspection mist cycle and take note of/record the pressure that is being read by the pressure gauge on the misting unit.
  • Choose a section of tubing that is underground and disconnect it from the rest of the nozzle circuit at each end.
  • Connect a new line of tubing in its place above the ground.
  • Run another inspection mist cycle.
  • Compare the pressure at the misting unit and the mist intensity of the nozzles to the previous mist.
    • If pressure or nozzle performance improves, that section of buried tubing has a leak.
    • If there is no improvement in either metric, then other sections of buried tubing must be tested.
  • Fix any leaks or replace the chosen buried line with new tubing.
  • Repeat Test 3 as necessary at other sections of the nozzle circuit that are buried until pressure and mist intensity of nozzles meets expectation.