This help topic is for scenarios where there is "no data" coming from a pulse signal on a water meter.
First it is important to distinguish "no data" from data that is all zeros.
No data is where there is no time-stamped data log available. This will generally only occur where the input is set to "Not log" or the data logger is offline.
Data that is all zeros can appear as "no data" because most graphs will display data series without data markers, meaning that data that is all zeros is indistinguishable from no data for many graph setups.
To check whether you are seeing no data or data that is all zeros in a graph, access the graph by clicking on it once to expand and then turn on the data markers:
This is an example of a flow meter graph recording zeroes that are not obvious upon first view. It's hard to tell if there are data in the form of zeroes or no data at all
This is the same graph except this time we have clicked on the 'Toggle markers for all data series' button (circled in red) - this now confirms the presence of data in the form of zeroes, as opposed to no data at all which would look identical to the first graph)
If you have determined that the data is all zeros, but you expect to see data that represents water consumption, the following should be checked/investigated:
1. Is the water meter actually measuring flow?
The data may be all zeros because the water meter might be stopped/faulty, or the expected flow may not be occurring. Check this by collecting and comparing manual meter readings, and confirming that sufficient flow has been registered by the meter to cause pulses to be generated during a period of all zero data.
2. Is the data logger still connected to the meter?
The data logger may have been disconnected from the meter due to a routine meter change, accidental damage, theft, vandalism etc.
3. Is the interface between the meter and data logger intact?
The data logger will typically be connected to the meter via a reed switch or inductive pulse pickup. Is the reed switch fitted correctly (some meters have locations that allow a reed switch to be fitted but which do not generate a pulse for some models)? Is it connected to the correct wires on the data logger (varies by individual model of logger)? is the plug and wiring still intact? If a battery-powered inductive style of pulse lead, is the pulse lead's battery still OK (most easily checked by swapping for a known/new lead with know working battery).
4. Does the logger detect test pulses?
You can force pulses on the loggers counter channel by simply shorting out the loggers pulse input wire pair/pins. If you do this while the logger's Status LED is on (i.e. during a forced upload/activation event) you should see the Meter 1/Meter 2 LED illuminate for every pulse generated. If you can do this and see the pulses you're creating, then the issue is somewhere within the meter/reed switch configuration.
If you still can't determine the cause of your zero data, send a description of the problem and a set of several photographs clearly showing the following to support@outpostcentral.com and we will assist.
- Meter make/model
- Meter register
- Attachment of reed switch to meter
- Wiring of reed switch to data logger/connector