Alicat VC Series Volumetric Flow Controller - Manual (Page 46)

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Option: Remote Electronics for High Line or Gas Temperatures
Some applications involve operating temperatures outside the standard Alicat device specifications. A
solution using remote electronics is available. (This option is not applicable to liquid devices.)
The flow body’s components are minimized to only the required sensors. The flow data is sent to
the microprocessor electronics up to 6 feet away from the sensor package. Relocating the sensitive
electronics, including the LCD, allows for installation of the flow body in ambient temperatures as high
as 85° Celsius with gas temperatures under 100°Celsius.
In these applications we recommend our custom gauge calibration at a gas temperature of up to
70°Celsius. This will reduce zero shift errors that occur when actual gas flow temperatures deviate
substantially from the gas calibration temperature. This configuration is also used in integrations that
require a compact flow package at the installation point.
Maximum distance
between electronics
and sensor package is
6 feet.
Accessory: BB-9 Multi-Drop Box
The BB-9 Multi-Drop Box makes it convenient to wire multiple flow and/or pressure
devices to a single RS-232 port.
The Multi-Drop Box has nine 8 pin mini-DIN ports available. The ports are to be used
with a standard double ended 8 pin mini-DIN (DC-62) style cable going from the box
to each flow or pressure device. A single DB9 D-SUB type connector (COM PORT)
connects, using the included cable, to the serial connector on a PC or laptop.
All of the flow and/or pressure devices are powered via a terminal block on the front
of the box.
If more than nine devices will be required, additional Multi-Drop Boxes can be daisy chained together
with a double ended 8 pin mini-DIN cable plugged into any receptacle on both boxes.
Accessory: RS-232 to RS-485 Converter
Since most computers have RS-232 communication onboard, Alicat has chosen RS-232 as the digital
standard on all of its flow instruments. For those using RS-485 as their primary standard, our RS-232
to RS-485 converter will allow interface between an RS-485 system and Alicat’s flow instrumentation.