Frequent questions

DEVELCO is interested in the client, that is why it offers the best technical advice on all its products, we invite you to consult our technical questionnaire:

01- Is the SMC-1000 system suitable for CNG?

Yes. The SMC-1000 system was specially designed to meet all the necessary requirements for the dispatch of compressed natural gas.

02- Can I use the SMC-1200 Meter for liquids?

Yes. The SMC-1200 Meter can measure flow in gaseous or liquid fluids. Due to its operating principle, it measures the mass of the circulating fluid, therefore it must only operate with gases or liquids and not with mixtures.

03- What type of power supply does the SMC-1000 system require?

The primary supply voltage of the SMC-1100 system is 220 Vac 50Hz. The SMC-1100 system is supplied with the SMC-1102 or Power Board. This transformer-based device has the standardized protection circuits and those necessary to supply low voltage to all subsets of the system (including up to two SMC-1200 meters). The supply of the solenoid valves used for the control and passage of the CNG is also low voltage. In cases where the installation of an SMC-1200 meter is required, regardless of the Electronic Head, a SMC-1202-PS Power Supply is supplied separately (with capacity for up to two SMC-1200 meters).

04- In the SMC-1100 Electronic Head, can the representative value of the input signal (mass constant) be adjusted?

Yes. The Mass Constant can be adjusted between 1 and 10 grams per pulse.

05- Does the SMC-1000 system measure pressure?

No. The primary parameter is instantaneous mass (flow) which can be totaled and converted to volume. The pressure measurement and the maximum stops or alarms must be measured using manometers and / or pressure switches independent of the SMC-1000 system. Alarm conditions must be reported to the system through dry contacts.

06- In the SMC-1100 Electronic Head can you enter the density and convert the measured mass values to volume?

Yes. CNG is invoiced in most countries by sales volume expressed in cubic meters. It is possible to record in the Electronic Head a representative value that allows the conversion from mass to volume.

07- Does the SMC-1100 Electronic Head work as a totalizer?

The SMC-1100 Electronic Head is much more than a totalizer, therefore it can be used as such.

08- Does the SMC-1000 system have any communication channel to be able to control it remotely?

Yes. The Mother Board SMC-1101 subset is the heart and brain of the System, and has a differential RS-485 type Serial communication interface. This interface is not optional, absolutely all the Electronic Heads leave the factory with the ability to integrate with a communication network.

09- What communications protocol does the SMC-1000 system use?

The DEVELCO remote connection protocol is of the dedicated master / slave bus type, specially designed to control and transfer data between a computer (master) and one or more remote heads (slave). The protocol allows the computer (master) to send commands or requests to the pumps (slaves), which return the required information or execute the commands sent, obtaining complete and safe control.

10- What type of signal enters the SMC-1100 Electronic Head from the Flow Meter?

The Electronic Head input is prepared to receive a pulse signal with an amplitude between 5 and 15V. The Flowmeter output generates pulses with an amplitude of 15V. The width or duration of each pulse can be programmed in the Control Electronics SMC-1202. Each pulse represents a certain amount of mass, this value varies between 1 and 10 grams depending on the sensor model used and the calibration.

11- Does the SMC-1100 Electronic Head have alarms of malfunction or operation?

Yes. The Electronic Head has diagnostic routines that are run at power up, with the hose off the hook and even during charging. It presents on-screen (Display Board SMC-1103) visual error information and at the same time generates an audible attention signal. This error is also reported by the communication channel. There are different types of errors, some are simply warnings (they do not harm the operation), others are minor errors (the system continues to operate but with some restrictions), the rest are major errors (these cancel the load in progress and / or the successive loads). This division is general since the error messages correspond to Alarms, Errors themselves, or Detection of inappropriate use or operation by the staff.

12- Is it possible to adjust the same SMC-1100 Electronic Head for different configurations?

Most of the technical characteristics of the Electronic Head depend on the Mother Board SMC-1101 subset. Local and Remote control, diagnostics, error reports, start and end of load, solenoid valve management including intelligent and dynamic switching of load lines, keyboard attention alarms, the HMI are all functions of the Mother Board. There are a large number of programmable parameters that allow the system to accommodate the requirements of each type of dispenser. In this way, each supplier manufacturer can adjust the configuration and therefore the behavior of their SMC-1000 system without the need for reforms.

13- What is the operating voltage of the solenoid valves and what is the maximum available consumption?

The SMC-1000 system, for electrical safety and maintenance reasons, uses a 24Vac supply voltage. For this reason the user must supply or build 24Vac solenoids. Because the solenoids are powered through the Power Board SMC-1102 subassembly, the consumption requirements must be restricted to the capacity of the subassembly, which is loose enough for the application. Typically a solenoid consumes a power of 12W, corresponding to a 24Vac current consumption of 0.5Amp.

14- Do you have any indication of end of charge?

Yes. It has an indication of the end of visual and auditory load.

15- What do I need besides the SMC-1000 System to build a CNG dispenser?

The SMC-1000 System is not simply about supplying parts for the manufacture of dispensers; It consists of a fully integrated set, which solves all the inconveniences of CNG dispensing in a service station.
The SMC-1000 System has all the electronics necessary to build a dispenser and integrate it into a point of sale, all without options or additions.

16- Does DEVELCO have any adequate electrical protection system for the Service Station?

For places where the power supply is of low quality (frequent micro-cuts, low frequency transients and high energy), DEVELCO markets an Ultra Isolation Transformer (TUA), model SMC-1410, in two power versions: 600VA and 1200VA. The use of the TUA for the supply of the dispenser is a quick and economic solution to these problems and is often less expensive than modifying a pre-existing installation. In places classified as Hazardous Areas where it is required to install an intrinsically safe device which must be linked with another device in the Safe Area, DEVELCO developed a Zener Safety Barrier SB-15/20 model.

17- What is the recommended position for the correct operation of the Mass Sensor?

The installation position of the SMC-1201 Mass Sensor depends fundamentally on three factors: the type of fluid to be measured, the mechanical interferences (vibrations, etc.) and the electromagnetic interferences (transformers, solenoids, etc.). From a fluid point of view, the Sensor should be oriented with the housing up for gases or down for liquid fluids. With regard to interference, the appropriate position should be sought to minimize its influence.