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In-Person

Email

Technical Support

Please contact us when you need technical support for any of the BinTrac products.
We have made several options available for you to contact us.
Click on the icons above for details.

Below you will find How-To Videos and Technical Manuals
to support your efforts.

Tech-Phone

Talk with one of our technical experts over the phone and we can provide the necessary technical support to quickly help diagnose any issues on your BinTrac system.
24HR Service 7 Days a week
Call 507-344-8005
Select "2" for technical support

Tech-Fax

If you need to send us documentation and would like to use our fax, please send it to:
Fax: 507-344-8009

Tech-In-Person

Sometimes you just need to talk with someone face to face.
Stop by our office located in Mankato.
Herdstar, LLC.
1400 Madison Ave, Suite 504
Mankato, MN 56001

Tech-Email

When questions arise after hours or when you can only send an email, you can contact our support team by using this email.  This allows you to attach documents or photos to help us provide more accurate support.
Support@bintrac.com

How-To Videos

Technical Manuals

Frequently Asked Questions

BinTrac System

  • What do I check if BinTrac Indicator weight display is completely blank?

    This can be caused by loss of power to the unit, disconnected or broken wires, or damaged equipment.

    1. Reset Problem
      • A brown out condition can sometimes cause a problem with reset and startup of an Indicator.  Disconnect power to the devices with a 20 second delay before reapplying the power.
    2. Loss of Power
      • Inspect the electrical outlet for the BinTrac Power Supply.  Ensure it is making a good electrical connection.
      • Verify the breaker or GFI for the electrical outlet is not tripped.
    3. Measure Input Voltage from BinTrac Power Supply
      • Disconnect +12 and -12 PWR wires within BinTrac Indicator and measure input power.  Input power should read between 11.5 to 12.7 VDC.   If no voltage is detected, the BinTrac Power Supply may be defective.
    4. Inspect all cabling between power supply, Indicator, and Smart Summing Boxes to ensure it has not been damaged.
      • Ensure wiring is making a good connection at all points.
    5. Disconnect components until the defective component is located that is shorting power.
      • Disconnect Smart Summing Boxes and cycle power.
      • Disconnect +12 and -12 PWR connects in the BinTrac Indicator and measure Smart Summing Boxes. Verify the electrical outlet the BinTrac Power Supply is plugged into is in good condition.

     

  • What do I check if system is displaying inaccurate weight readings?

    Inaccurate weight readings, large fluctuations in readings, weight not changing, or error messages can be caused by obstructions and binding, incorrect user programmed settings, a problem within the Smart Summing Box, or a problem with a load cell.

    1. Check for binding and/or obstructions
      Slow weight shifts or not returning to zero are frequently symptoms of a binding or obstruction problem.

        • Check for binding of brackets and/or bin legs. Ensure there is approximately ¼” clearance between the leg and the bracket.
        • Check for loose bolts. Inspect bolts connecting bracket to bin leg and C-Channel to load cell.
        • Check for material under the bin leg. Small rocks between the bin leg and the concrete can cause inaccurate
    2.  Check the Indicator settings
      Incorrect weight readings when the system is otherwise functioning normally can be due to incorrect settings.

      • Confirm Rated Output – should match the average output recorded on each load cell (3.000 for HerdStar-supplied load cells)
      • Confirm Capacity – equals the total capacity of all load cells summed together.
      • Confirm Zero – bin may have been zeroed when not empty.
    3. Inspect the Smart Summing Box
      Small fluctuations in weight can be caused by a problem with the Smart Summing Box.

      • Inspect for moisture and/or foreign material.
      • Inspect for loose wires and connections.
    4. Inspect Load Cells
      Wild fluctuating weights, a weight that does not change, a negative weight reading, or “Error” on the Indicator display are common indications of a load cell problem.

      •  Inspect load cell connections within the Smart Summing Box. A wire that is not seated properly within the load cell connector can cause inaccurate readings.
      • Check for cut or pinched load cell wires.
      • Otherwise reference “Load Cell Troubleshooting Procedures”

  • What do I check if “Error” is displayed, unit is unable to display current weights, or weight values are outside the displayable range on the display of the BinTrac Indicator?

    1. Verify programmed settings are correct
      • Verify Zero calibration is valid and in range
      • Verify load cell capacity (L.C.Cap) has been correctly programmed
    2. Open Smart Summing Box and inspect load cell connections
      • Verify connector is properly aligned with its associated header
      • Verify wires are properly seated in each connector
    3. Check for faulty load cell (See Load Cell Troubleshooting Procedures)

  • What do I check if "no.bin" is displayed on the BinTrac Indicator?

    This means that the Smart Summing Box for the selected bin is not communicating with the BinTrac Indicator.

    1. Disable bins on Indicator that do not have an associated Smart Summing Box and bin
    2. Verify wiring between Indicator and Smart Summing Box
    3. Inspect Smart Summing Box internal diagnostic light
      • Off: Smart Summing Box not receiving power
      • Steady flashing: normal working condition
      • Irregular flashing: unable to communicate.
    4. Verify Smart Summing Box has been programmed as the correct bin
      • Verify Smart Summing Box dip switch settings below
        BIN A B C D
        S1 OFF ON OFF ON
        S2 OFF OFF ON ON
    5. Verify that two or more Smart Summing Boxes have not been programmed as the same bin
      • Check for broken wires or loose connections
    6. Check for faulty load cell (See Load Cell Troubleshooting Procedures)

  • What do I check if “O.LOAD” is displayed on the BinTrac Indicator?

    This means that the weight in the bin has exceeded the programmed system capacity by 150% and the system is in an over-load state.

    1. Verify programmed settings are correct
    2. Check for physical binding of brackets/hardware
    3. Remove the weight from the system and check the condition of each load cell (See Load Cell Troubleshooting Procedures)

  • What do I check if “no.con” is displayed on the BinTrac Indicator?

    This means that the Remote Display has lost communications with the host BinTrac Indicator.

    1. Verify unit was intended for use as a Remote Display and not programmed incorrectly
      • Bin A LED should be solid in setup menu if unit is intended to be configured as remote display. If unit is NOT intended to be a remote display, Bin A LED should be blinking in setup menu.
    2. Check for broken wires or loose connections
    3. Verify wiring is correct between Indicator and Remote Display

  • What do I check if “no.PUL” is displayed on the BinTrac Indicator?

    This error message indicates that the BinTrac Indicator has been programmed for a pulse output and is unable to communicate with the HL-10D.

    1. If system does not have a HL-10D, set the programmable PULSE parameter to “0” in the INTR menu.
    2. Verify H L-10D dip switch settings (See HL-10D manual)
    3. Check for broken wires or loose connection

  • Load Cell Troubleshooting Procedures

    The procedures below outline the steps for identifying and locating a defective load cell. The Quick Load Cell Inspection Procedure is most
    commonly used, but the Comprehensive Load Cell Inspection Procedure can be used for better analysis and for determining even loading
    across all load cells.

    1. Check for cut/damaged load cell cables.
    2. Check connections in Smart Summing Box.
    3. Check for debris under bin legs.
    4. Check for binding/clearance between bracket and bin legs.

    Quick Load Cell Inspection Procedure

    1. Record/Note Current Weight Reading on BinTrac Indicator.
    2. Disconnect a single load cell from Smart Summing Box.
    3. Observe for change in weight display. If weight change is significant and/or more stable, note this load cell as
      possible defect.
    4. Reconnect load cell if symptoms did not change.
    5. Repeat for remaining load cells.
    6. Replace load cell that when disconnected provides the most accurate reading or proceed to Comprehensive
      Load Cell Inspection Procedure.

    Comprehensive Load Cell Inspection Procedure

    1. Record/Note Current Weight Reading on BinTrac Indicator.
    2. Disconnect all but one load cell within summing box.
    3. Record weight reading.
    4. Disconnect load cell and connect next load cell and repeat for all remaining load cells.
    5. Review weight readings.
    6. Variations in readings can be caused by offset loading within bin and/or improper lifting screw tension.
      • Inspect loading within bin matches load cell reading variations.
      • Examine bracket assembly and lifting screw tension.
      • If reading is low and others beside it are high, tighten screw slightly.
      • If reading is high and others beside it are low, loosen screw slightly.
      • If reading is out of range, replace load cell.
      • Repeat individual readings inspection and adjustments then return to Step 2.
    7. Reconnect all load cells except for known defective one.
    8. Repeat procedure if weight reading is not accurate.

    Note: If a defective load cell is located, by unplugging it the scale system will continue to function until time is available to replace the defective load cell.

BinTrac Pancake Load Cell

BinTrac Communication Hub (BinTrac Vision and BinLink)

HouseLINK Interfaces

BinTrac® Product Suite

BinTrac is a complete system using various interfaces or our remote data collection to monitor multiple sites.

Bin Weighing Module

Load cell with patented mounting bracket that stores and displays current inventory by bin, 24-hour feed use and feed delivery weight.

Learn More

HouseLINK™ Interfaces

HouseLINK™ is hardware designed to transmit data from the BinTrac bin weighing system to any third-party house control system.

Learn More

Site Communications

Proprietary radios that connects our Communication Hub.

Learn More

Remote Data Collection

Data is collected and stored on our secure database or manually collected on site through BinLINK.

Learn More

BinTrac VIsion

Complete web-based remote monitoring solution. Access data anywhere using any web browser on a computer, tablet, or smart phone.

Learn More

Breeder Control

Electronic feed weighing system replacing mechanical scales with an integrated solution for bin filling, batching and feed tracking.

Learn More
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