Under normal conditions, the LEDs on the IM’s display should be all dashes during start-up and should display the following messages as it establishes communications and synchronizes with the pyrometer.
Once communication has been established, the sensor and IM should display either “LO”, “HI” or an actual temperature value as shown below. If it isn’t displaying any of these after one minute of startup then there is a problem with the sensor. Open up the back hatch of the sensor and verify that the LCD display is working by using the buttons to scroll through and activate the menu items. If these work, then the problem lies in the connection to the IM.
Initializing Error
If the display on your Williamson IM only displays “Initializing” and doesn’t go away after a few minutes there are steps we can take to figure out the issue and return to normal operation. When an error like this one occurs it is an indication that the sensor and IM are failing to communicate. This can be attributed to a problem with the wiring, the IM, or the sensor itself.
If there are spare pyrometers, IMs or cables on site try swapping these out individually to see if we can narrow down the problem. If not, below are three additional steps to take:
1.) Ensure the Pyrometer is Configured to Operate in Digital Mode
A Pro 1 model is designated by the “Pro” at the beginning of the part number. A Pro 2 simply has a two letter designation. (IE: Pro 1: Pro 41-30; Pro 2: SW-16).
If your sensor is a Pro1 model, there is a physical ribbon cable in the rear hatch that must be set to the digital position “D” as shown in the image below.
If your sensor is a Pro 2 model, this will be a menu setting and can be found under “Sensor Output” in the sub-menu “Configure I/O” of the main menu. We want to make sure this parameter is set to “Digital.” Please note that if the sensor is currently in analog mode its settings can only be altered to digital mode through the sensor and not the IM.
2.) Check All Aspects of Wiring
Typically when this “initializing” error appears it is usually associated with poor wiring connections or an incorrect wiring configuration.
- Check each wire on the J7 connector to ensure there is not any damage and test the connections to ensure nothing is loose. Below is a properly wired IM with an image of the J7 connector securely wired.
- If the connector is wired correctly and there is no damage, try swapping it out with another sensor and then try with another IM
3.) Ensure the Pyrometer Has Not Overheated
If we can confidently eliminate wiring as the issue we need to next confirm that the sensor has not been exposed to elevated temperatures. There is a heat sticker located on the interior of the rear hatch for Pro 1 models. For Pro 2 models this sticker can be found on the interior side panel of the sensor, this may require minor disassembly.
Ensure that this sticker is still partially white and that the internal temperature has not exceeded 140°F. If this sticker has exceeded 140°F this indicates that the sensor has been damaged and will need to be further evaluated by Williamson. Below are examples of a new heat sticker and an overheated sticker side by side. As you can see there is a clear distinction between an overheated label and one that is not.
If you are still experiencing the “Initializing” error after confirming: digital mode operation, the wiring is intact and the sensor has not overheated please contact Williamson directly for further assistance. A manual for the Pro 2 pyrometer can be found in the following link for further operating/installation details. Pro Series Manual.
