When conducting in-use testing, there are a host of factors that can impede your progress and influence the quality of the data that you collect. While a fair number of these factors are completely out of your control, such as weather and traffic, the old boy scout motto, ‘Be Prepared’, can go a long way to making the process run as smoothly as possible. In that light, we’ve gathered a list of ten key items to help you be prepared the next time you are testing in the field.
- Analyzer Maintenance: Proper maintenance of your emissions analyzer(s) is vital to collecting accurate emissions data. Be sure to check all flow paths before and after each test, and to inspect and change all filters when necessary. Refer to your owner’s manual for the proper maintenance schedule of your equipment.
- Test Cables: Make sure that you have all of the cables that you need, in the correct lengths, and that they are in proper working order. Custom cables can’t be found at the local hardware store!
- Power Check: Make sure that you have any batteries that you need, and that they are fully charged.
- Double Check Those Calibration Gas Bottles: Make sure that the FID fuel bottle and the calibration gas bottles that you are using to span and audit your analyzers contain the proper gases and gas mixtures, and supply the gas at the proper pressure for your analyzer.
- Communications Check: Make sure that your flow tube, accessories, vehicle interface, analyzers and Host PC are talking to each other as expected before you hit the road.
- Check the Test Vehicle: This is important not only to ensure that the vehicle is in good working order, but to ensure that your analyzer is set up properly for the type of engine and fuel that you are testing.
- Ensure Clean Ambient Air: Your analyzer will need to be zeroed while testing, and most likely will use ambient air to do so. When installing the test equipment, make sure you route tubing to clean, outside air, away from the analyzer’s exhaust.
- Pre-Flight Check List: Develop a pre-flight checklist that is specific to your test application, and work through it carefully every time you test.
- Record Pre & Post Data: Be sure to zero and span your analyzer(s) before and after each test run, and to save the data within your test file.
- Check Your Data: Before you shut down and un-install all of your test equipment, check all of your data to ensure it passes the test of reason.
When conducting in-use testing, there are a host of factors that can impede your progress and influence the quality of the data that you collect. While a fair number of these factors are completely out of your control, such as weather and traffic, the old boy scout motto, ‘Be Prepared’, can go a long way to making the process run as smoothly as possible. In that light, we’ve gathered a list of ten key items to help you be prepared the next time you are testing in the field.
