Instrumentation Covers / Shades

............................................What's the air temp/latitude/power consumption/where are you?

what's the instrument?

give us some help.

It may make reading your instrument display easier to read. A shade just might hide the erratic readings from your eyes. If you're taking your radar level readings from somewhere in the Sahara desert or the plains of the Serengeti, some shade might help your instrument from overheating. But if you are working in the Maudlandia desert then every erg of sunlight energy would only help to keep it warm.

Maybe it would help if you tell us how it is giving you problems.

A shade works great.

Another issue you may need to consider:

If the tank or vessel contains vapor/liquid phases of the same substance, pressure variations (surges) may cause rapid fluctuations in the sensed level. If so, your "erratic" readings may actually represent a bona fide condition. (An analogous problem can affect various types of level sensors used in refrigeration vessels.)

Is there turbulence in the vessel?

Is there foam on the liquid surface?

1) dished tank bottoms give radar headaches as the tank empties exposing dished surfaces.

2) location of the radar plays a role in getting good readings. Putting some models at the center of a domed top creates problems, they need to be between the wall and the center. Too close to a wall and the radar can have problems.

3) solids are another issue with angles of repose.

Let's not assume it's in a tank. More likely open channel as shade is an issue.

The main question: are the "erratic readings" related to time of day or temperature? If so then it is quite possible that the sun's heat is causing the problems.

Frank

Hi , I have come across the same problem.In Gulf,The direct sunrays falling on the instrument giving erratic reading. Fixing a canopy solved our problem.