Operating Instructions
Please record the model and serial number of your viscometer. Hav-
ing this information readily available will help us to assist you should
there be any questions regarding your instrument.
SPECIALISTS IN THE
MEASUREMENT AND
CONTROL OF VISCOSITY
I. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................3
I.1 Components.....................................................................................................................3
I.2 Utilities............................................................................................................................4
I.3 Specifications...................................................................................................................4
I.4 Set-Up..............................................................................................................................5
I.5 IQ, OQ, PQ......................................................................................................................5
I.6 Safety Symbols and Precautions......................................................................................5
I.7 Cleaning...........................................................................................................................6
The Viscometer is able to measure over a number of ranges since, for a given spring deflection, the
actual viscosity is proportional to the spindle speed and is related to the spindle's size and shape.
For a material of given viscosity, the resistance will be greater as the spindle size and/or rotational
speed increase. The minimum viscosity range is obtained by using the largest spindle at the highest
speed; the maximum range by using the smallest spindle at the slowest speed.
The higher the torque calibration, the higher the measurement range. The viscosity measurement
range for each torque calibration may be found in Appendix A.
All units of measurement are calculated in units of centipoise (cP) by using a look-up table
known as "the Brookfield Factor Finder" to convert torque reading. The equivalent units of
measurement in the SI system are calculated using the following conversions:
CGS SI
Viscosity: 1 cP = 1 mPa•s
Torque: 10 dyne-cm
7
= 1 Newton•m
I.1 Components
I.2 Utilities
Main supply voltage fluctuatons are not to exceed 10% of the nominal supply volt-
age.
I.3 Specifications
Speeds:
LVT 60, 30, 12, 6, 3, 1.5, 0.6, 0.3
RVT 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 4, 2.5, 2, 1, 0.5
HAT 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 4, 2.5, 2, 1, 0.5
HBT 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 4, 2.5, 2, 1, 0.5
Weight:
Gross Weight 20 lb 9 kg
Net Weight 17 lb 7.7 kg
Carton Volume 1.65 cu ft 0.05 m3
Electrical Certifications:
Conforms to CE Standards for: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Low Voltage (LVD) and
Safety Requirements for electrical equipment for measurement control and laboratory use.
This product has been certified to the applicable CSA and UL Standards, for use in both Canada
and the U.S.
UL Certification File No. E22083 for explosion-proof version of Dial Reading Viscometer: Built
to Class 1, Division 1, Group D standards.
Brookfield Dial Reading Viscometers now have two year limited warranty from date of purchase
against defects in materials and workmanship. The Viscometer must be returned to Brookfield
Engineering Laboratories, Inc. or the Brookfield dealer from whom it was purchased for no charge
warranty evaluation service.
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Page Manual No. M/00-151-D1207
I.4 Set-Up
The shipping box containing your instrument should be saved for future use when re-
turning your instrument to Brookfield or an authorized dealer for service. The carrying
case for standard viscometers/rheometers should also be saved since this provides added
protection for these instruments during shipment. Failure to use these specially designed
containers for transportation can negate the warranty on your instrument. Please contact
Brookfield if you misplace or damage these containers. Replacements are available for
a small cost.
2) Mount the Viscometer securely on a Brookfield laboratory stand. The metal handle
should be inserted into the laboratory stand clamp.
Level the viscometer, referring to the bubble level on the instrument. If the viscom-
eter cannot be leveled, recheck the laboratory stand assembly.
Verify that the viscometer's power requirements match your power source before
connecting it to power.
Safety Symbols
The following explains safety symbols which may be found in this operating manual.
Indicates hazardous voltages may be present.
Refer to the manual for specific warning or caution information to avoid personal injury
or damage to the instrument.
Precautions
If this instrument is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the instrument may be impaired.
This instrument is not intended for use in a potentially hazardous environment. Contact
Brookfield for special application instruments.
In case of emergency, turn off the instrument and then disconnect the electrical cord
from the wall outlet.
I.7 Cleaning
Be sure to remove spindle from instrument prior to cleaning. Severe instrument damage
may result if cleaned in place.
Immersed Components: All immersed components are No. 302 stainless steel.
(Spindles and Guard Leg) Clean with non-abrasive cloth and solvent appropriate for
sample material that is not aggressive to immersed compo-
nents.
Note: When cleaning, take care not to apply excessive force which may result in bending
spindles.
5. Speeds (rpm) are changed by turning the black knob on the top of the viscometer (to the left
or right) to the desired speed.
6. The clutch lever, when depressed, raises the dial against the red pointer and "holds" the Vis-
cometer reading. Releasing the clutch lowers the dial and frees the pointer.
2. With no spindle on, lower the Viscometer by turning the black knob on the right side of the
clamp. Center the viscometer over the test material.
3. Take care to avoid trapping air bubbles under the disk spindles. Begin by immersing the spindle
on a diagonal path across the surface of the fluid. Slowly drag the spindle across the fluid surface
and then bring the spindle to the upright position. Thread the spindle onto the Viscometer.
4. Attaching the spindle correctly is important. Gently push up on the Viscometer coupling screw,
avoiding any side to side movements. Hold it securely while screwing the spindle on (Note:
left hand thread).
5. Lower the Viscometer and center the spindle in the test material until the meniscus is in the
middle of the immersion mark.
3. Allow time for the indicated reading to stabilize; this time may vary, depending on your fluid,
or your test method. A minimum of 5 revolutions is recommended before taking any reading.
4. To take a reading, depress the clutch lever and hold it in the down position. With the lever still
depressed, move the motor switch to the "Pause" or "Off" position. Adjust the dial position, if
necessary, to allow the red pointer to appear in the viscometer window.
Depressing the clutch lever locks the calibrated spring deflection in place, thereby providing
the dial reading; holding the motor switch in the "Pause" position (or moving it to the "OFF"
position) stops the motor and causes the dial to stop turning so you can record the reading.
It is advised, though not necessary, not to take readings when changing speeds.
5. Record the reading, indicated by the red pointer on the dial: this number is known as %
torque.
To convert the % torque reading to viscosity in centipoise (cP), multiply the dial reading by the
appropriate factor for the spindle and speed in use. (See pages 9 and 10)
Do not run your Viscometer for extended periods of time at a % torque greater than 100%.
6. Switch the motor to the OFF position when changing spindles and samples. Remove the spindle
before cleaning.
7. Interpretation of results is discussed in Appendix B of this manual and in our publication "More
Solutions to Sticky Problems."
The following tables apply to Brookfield Viscometer Models LV, RV, HA and HB with standard spindles.
They enable the user to convert the percent scale reading into a viscosity value in units of centipoise
(or milli-Pascal-seconds.) To convert the viscometer dial reading to a viscosity value in units of centi-
poise, multiply the reading noted on dial viscometer by the appropriate factor in the following tables.
An example is presented on page 10.
RV Series Viscometer
Spindle Number
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0.5 200 0.5 800 0.5 2K 0.5 4K 0.5 8K 0.5 20K 0.5 80K
1 100 1 400 1 1K 1 2K 1 4K 1 10K 1 140K
2 50 2 200 2 500 2 1K 2 2K 2 5K 2 20K
2.5 40 2.5 160 2.5 400 2.5 800 2.5 1.6K 2.5 4K 2.5 16K
4 25 4 100 4 250 4 500 4 1K 4 2.5K 4 10K
5 20 5 80 5 200 5 400 5 800 5 2K 5 8K
10 10 10 40 10 100 10 200 10 400 10 1K 10 4K
20 5 20 20 20 50 20 100 20 200 20 500 20 2K
50 2 50 8 50 20 50 40 50 80 50 200 50 800
100 1 100 4 100 10 100 20 100 40 100 100 100 400
HA Series Viscometer
Spindle Number
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0.5 400 0.5 1.6K 0.5 4K 0.5 8K 0.5 16K 0.5 40K 0.5 160K
1 200 1 800 1 2K 1 4K 1 8K 1 20K 1 80K
2 100 2 400 2 1K 2 2K 2 4K 2 10K 2 40K
2.5 80 2.5 320 2.5 800 2.5 1.6K 2.5 3.2K 2.5 8K 2.5 32K
4 50 4 200 4 500 4 1K 4 2K 4 5K 4 20K
5 40 5 160 5 400 5 800 5 1.6K 5 4K 5 16K
10 20 10 80 10 200 10 400 10 800 10 2K 10 8K
20 10 20 40 20 100 20 200 20 400 20 1K 20 4K
50 4 50 16 50 40 50 80 50 160 50 400 50 1.6K
100 2 100 8 100 20 100 40 100 80 100 200 100 800
HB Series Viscometer
Spindle Number
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0.5 1.6K 0.5 6.4K 0.5 16K 0.5 32K 0.5 64K 0.5 160K 0.5 640K
1 800 1 3.2K 1 8K 1 16K 1 32K 1 80K 1 320K
2 400 2 1.6K 2 4K 2 8K 2 16K 2 40K 2 160K
2.5 320 2.5 1.28K 2.5 3.2K 2.5 6.4K 2.5 12.8K 2.5 32K 2.5 128K
4 200 4 800 4 2K 4 4K 4 8K 4 20K 4 80K
5 160 5 640 5 1.6K 5 3.2K 5 6.4K 5 16K 5 64K
10 80 10 320 10 800 10 1.63K 10 3.2K 10 8K 10 32K
20 40 20 160 20 400 20 800 20 1.6K 20 4K 20 16K
50 16 50 64 50 160 50 320 50 640 50 1.6K 50 6.4K
100 8 100 32 100 80 100 160 100 320 100 800 100 3.2K
In taking viscosity measurements with the Dial Viscometer there are two considerations which
pertain to the low viscosity limit of effective measurement.
1) Viscosity measurements should be accepted within the equivalent % Torque Range from
10% to 100% for any combination of spindle/speed rotation.
2) Viscosity measurements should be taken under laminar flow conditions, not under turbulent
flow conditions.
The first consideration has to do with the accuracy of the instrument. All Dial Viscometers have a
full scale range precision of ± 1% for any spindle/speed combination. We discourage taking read-
ings below 10% of range because the potential viscosity error of ± 1% is a relatively high number
compared to the instrument reading.
The second consideration involves the mechanics of fluid flow. All rheological measurements of
fluid flow properties should be made under laminar flow conditions. Laminar flow is flow wherein
all particle movement is in layers directed by the shearing force. For rotational systems, this means
all fluid movement must be circumferential. When the inertial forces on the fluid become too great,
the fluid can break into turbulent flow wherein the movement of fluid particles becomes random
and the flow can not be analyzed with standard math models. This turbulence creates a falsely high
viscometer reading with the degree of non-linear increase in reading being directly related to the
degree of turbulence in the fluid.
For the following geometries, we have found that an approximate transition point to turbulent flow
occurs as follows:
Turbulent conditions will exist in these situations whenever the RPM/cP ratio exceeds the values
listed above.
N = RPM
N = RPM
Z = 316 Stainless
Rheological Properties
Fluids have different rheological characteristics that can be described by viscometer measurements.
We can then work with these fluids to suit our lab or process conditions.
Newtonian - These fluids have the same viscosity at different Shear Rates (different RPM’s)
and are called Newtonian over the Shear Rate range they are measured.
Non-Newtonian - These fluids have different viscosities at different shear rates (different RPM's).
They fall into two groups:
Time Independent
Plastic - A plastic fluid behaves as a solid under static conditions. A certain amount
of force, or "yield value," must be applied before the fluid begins to flow.
Once this yield value is exceeded, flow begins. Plastic fluids then may
display Newtonian, Pseudoplastic or Dilatant flow.
Time Dependent
Thixotropic - A thixotropic material has decreasing viscosity under constant shear rate
(rpm). If you set a viscometer at a constant speed, recording cP values
over time and find that the cP values decrease with time, the material is
thixotropic.
Rheopectic - A rheopectic fluid has an increasing viscosity under a constant shear rate
(rpm).
Brookfield publication, “More Solutions to Sticky Problems” includes a more detailed discussion
of rheological properties and non-Newtonian behavior.
Most fluid viscosities are found to be non-Newtonian. They are Shear Rate dependent on the measure-
ment conditions. The specifications of the viscometer spindle and chamber geometry will affect the
viscosity readings. If one reading is taken at 2.5 rpm, and a second at 50 rpm, the two cP values pro-
duced will be different because the readings were made at different shear rates. The faster the spindle
speed, the higher the shear rate.
The shear rate of a given measurement is determined by: the rotational speed of the spindle, the size
and shape of the spindle, the size and shape of the container used, and therefore, the distance between
the container wall and the spindle surface.
1) Test temperature
2) Sample container size (or spindle/chamber geometry)
3) Sample volume
4) Viscometer model
5) Spindle used (report 2-digit spindle identification code)
6) Test speed or speeds (or the shear rate)
7) Length of time or number of spindle revolutions to record viscosity.
Container size: For Viscosity Standards <30,000 cP, use a 600 ml Low Form Griffin Beaker
having a working volume of 500 ml.
Conditions: The Viscometer should be set according to the operating instructions. The water
bath should be stabilized at test temperature. Viscometers with the letters “LV”
or “RV” in the model designation should have the guard leg attached.
Table C1
We recommend that Brookfield Viscosity Standard Fluids be replaced on an annual basis, one year
from date of initial use. Exposure to outside contaminants, such as solvent, standard of different
viscosity or other foreign material, requires replacement annually. Oil Fluids do have an expiration
date on the label that should be adhered to.
Viscosity Standard Fluids may be stored under normal laboratory conditions. Disposal should be in
accordance with state, local and federal regulations as specified on the material safety data sheet.
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories does not recertify Viscosity Standard Fluids. We will issue
duplicate copies of the Certificate of Calibration for any fluid within two years of the purchase date.
Brookfield Viscosity Standard Fluids are reusable provided they are not contaminated. Normal practice
for usage in a 600 ml beaker is to return the material from the beaker back into the bottle. When using
smaller volumes in accessories such as Small Sample Adapter, UL Adapter or Thermosel, the fluid is
normally discarded.
1) Place the viscosity standard fluid (in a 600 ml low form beaker) into the water bath.
2) Lower the Viscometer into measurement position (with guard leg if LV or RV series Viscometer
is used).
3) Attach the spindle to the Viscometer. If you are using a disk-shaped spindle, avoid trapping
air bubbles beneath the disk by first immersing the spindle at an angle, and then connecting it
to the Viscometer.
4) The viscosity standard fluid, together with the spindle and guardleg (if used), should be im-
mersed in the bath for a minimum of 1 hour, stirring the fluid periodically, prior to taking
measurements.
5) After 1 hour, check the temperature of the viscosity standard fluid with an accurate thermom-
eter.
6) If the fluid is at test temperature (±0.1°C of the specified temperature, normally 25°C), measure
the viscosity and record the Viscometer reading.
Note: The spindle must rotate at least five (5) times before readings are taken.
7) The viscosity reading should equal the cP value on the viscosity standard fluid to within the
combined accuracies of the Viscometer and the viscosity standard (as discussed in the section
entitled, Interpretation of Calibration Test Results) which appears later in this section.
When a Small Sample Adapter is used, the water jacket should be connected to a water bath and the
sample stabilized at the proper temperature:
1) Put the proper amount of viscosity standard fluid into the sample chamber. The amount varies
with each spindle/chamber combination. (Refer to the Small Sample Adapter instructions).
4) Allow 30 minutes for the viscosity standard, sample chamber and spindle to reach test tem-
perature.
Note: The spindle must rotate at least five (5) times before a viscosity reading is taken.
6) The viscosity reading should equal the cP value on the viscosity standard fluid to within the
combined accuracies of the Viscometer and the viscosity standard (as discussed in the section
entitled, Interpretation of Calibration Test Results) which appears later in this section.
Before verifying the Thermosel and controller, follow the verification procedure for regular spindles
RV/HA/HB 2-7 or LV 61-64. When a Thermosel System is used, the controller stabilizes the Thermo
Container at the test temperature.
1) Put the proper amount of HT viscosity standard fluid into the HT-2 sample chamber. The
amount varies with the spindle used. (Refer to the Thermosel instruction manual).
3) Put the spindle into the test fluid and attach the extension link, coupling nut and free hanging
spindle (or directly attach the solid shaft spindle) to the Viscometer.
4) Allow 30 minutes for the viscosity standard, sample chamber and spindle to reach test tem-
perature.
Note: The spindle must rotate at least five (5) times before a viscosity reading is taken.
6) The viscosity reading should equal the cP value on the viscosity standard fluid to within the
combined accuracies of the Viscometer and the viscosity standard (as discussed in the section
entitled, Interpretation of Calibration Test Results) which appears later in this section.
When a UL or DIN Adapter is used, a water bath should be stabilized at the proper temperature:
1) Put the proper amount of viscosity standard fluid into the UL Tube. (Refer to the UL Adapter
instruction manual).
2) Attach the spindle (with extension link and coupling nut) onto the Viscometer.
4) Lower the tube into the water bath reservoir, or if using the ULA-49EAY water jacket, connect
the inlet/outlets to the bath external circulating pump.
5) Allow 30 minutes for the viscosity standard, sample chamber and spindle to reach test tem-
perature.
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Page 18 Manual No. M/00-151-D1207
6) Measure the viscosity and record the Viscometer reading.
Note: The spindle must rotate at least five (5) times before a viscosity reading is taken.
7) The viscosity reading should equal the cP value on the viscosity standard fluid to within the
combined accuracies of the Viscometer and the viscosity standard (as discussed in the section
entitled, Interpretation of Calibration Test Results) which appears later in this section.
T-Bar spindles should not be used for verifying calibration of the Viscometer.
1) Place the viscosity standard fluid (in the proper container) into a water bath and stabilize at the
proper temperature.
2) Attach the spindle to the viscometer. Attach chamber (SA-1Y) and clamp to the viscometer.
3) Lower the viscometer into measurement position. Operate the viscometer at 50 or 60 RPM
until the chamber is fully flooded.
4) The viscosity standard fluid, together with the spindle, should be immersed in the bath for a
minimum of 1 hour, stirring the fluid periodically (operate at 50 or 60 RPM periodically), prior
to taking measurements.
5) After 1 hour, check the temperature of the viscosity standard fluid with an accurate thermom-
eter.
6) If the fluid is at test temperature (+/- 0.1°C of the specified temperature, normally 25°C),
measure the viscosity and record the viscometer reading.
Note: The spindle must rotate until fluid emerges out from the top of the chamber before
readings are taken.
7) The viscosity reading should equal the cP value on the viscosity fluid standard to within the
combined accuracies of the viscometer and the standard (as discussed in the section entitled,
Interpretation of Calibration Test Results). However, instrument accuracy is ±% of the
maximum viscosity range and not the standard 1%.
When verifying the calibration of the Viscometer, the instrument and viscosity standard fluid error must
be combined to calculate the total allowable error.
The Dial Viscometer is accurate to ± 1% of any full scale spindle/speed viscosity range.
Brookfield Viscosity Standard Fluids are accurate to ± 1% of their stated value.
Example: Calculate the acceptable range of viscosity using RVT with RV-3 Spindle at 2 RPM;
Brookfield Standard Fluid 12,500 with a viscosity of 12,257 cP at 25°C:
1) Refer to the instructions on the FACTOR FINDER. Calculate the full scale viscosity range
by multiplying the spindle/speed FACTOR by 100.
Note: All spindle/speed factors found on the FACTOR FINDER are equivalent to 1% of
the spindle/speed full scale viscosity range.
2) The viscosity standard fluid is 12,257 cP. Its accuracy is ± 1% of 12,257 or ± 122.57 cP.
4) Therefore, any viscosity reading between 11,634.4 and 12,879.6 cP indicates that the viscometer
is operating correctly. Any reading outside these limits may indicate a viscometer problem.
Contact the Brookfield technical sales department or your local Brookfield dealer/distributor
with test results to determine the nature of the problem.
Note: Excel Spreadsheet template is available on our website for analyzing calibration
results.
UP/DOWN
KNOB
VISCOMETER
HEAD CLAMP
KNOB
BROOKFIELD
LABORATORY
VISCOMETER
TENSION
SCREW
Figure D1
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Page 21 Manual No. M/00-151-D1207
Unpacking
Check carefully to see that all the components are received with no concealed damage.
Remove the three (3) leveling screws from the base and discard the packing material. Remove the
screw and washer from the upright rod.
Screw the leveling screws into the base. Insert the threaded end of the upright rod into the hole in the
top of the base and tighten the screw to the rod on the underside of the base (with the rod gear rack
facing forward toward the “V” in the base).
Viscometer Mounting
Insert the Viscometer handle core into the hole (with the cut-away slot) in the clamp assembly. Ad-
just the instrument level until the bubble is centered from right to left and tighten the Clamp Screw
(clockwise).
Note: The small clamp adjusting screw (Figure D1) on the clamp assembly should
be loosened or tightened as necessary to provide smooth height adjustment
and adequate support for the Viscometer.
Operation
Rotate the UP/DOWN knob to raise or lower the viscometer. Adjust the tension screw if the up/down
movement of the viscometer head is not acceptable, i.e. too loose or too difficult.
The guard leg was originally designed to protect the spindle during use. The first applications of the
Brookfield Viscometer included hand held operation while measuring fluids in a 55-gallon drum. It is
clear that under those conditions the potential for damage to the spindle was great. Original construction
included a sleeve that protected the spindle from side impact. Early RV guard legs attached to the dial
housing and LV guard legs attached to the bottom of the pivot cup with a twist and lock mechanism.
The current guard leg is a band of metal in the shape of the letter U with a bracket at the top that at-
taches to the pivot cup of a Brookfield Viscometer/Rheometer. Because it must attach to the pivot cup,
the guard leg cannot be used with a Cone/Plate instrument. A guard leg is supplied with all LV and RV
series instruments, but not with the HA or HB series. It’s shape (shown in Figure C1) is designed to
accommodate the spindles of the appropriate spindle set; therefore, the RV guard leg is wider than the
LV due to the large diameter of the RV #1 spindle. Interchanging spindles is not recommended.
The calibration of the Brookfield Viscometer/Rheometer is determined using a 600 ml Low Form Griffin
Beaker. The calibration of LV and RV series instruments includes the guard leg. The beaker wall (for
HA/HB instruments) or the guard leg (for LV/RV instruments) define what is called the "outer bound-
ary" of the measurement. The spindle factors for the LV, RV, and HA/HB spindles were developed
with the above boundary conditions. The spindle factors are used to convert the instrument torque
(expressed as the dial reading or %Torque value) into centipoise. Theoretically, if measurements are
made with different boundary conditions, e.g., without the guard leg or in a container other than 600
ml beaker, then the spindle factors found on the Factor Finder cannot be used to accurately calculate
an absolute viscosity. Changing the boundary conditions does not change the viscosity of the fluid,
but it does change how the instrument torque is converted to centipoise. Without changing the spindle
factor to suit the new boundary conditions, the calculation from instrument torque to viscosity will be
incorrect.
Practically speaking, the guard leg has the greatest effect when used with the #61 & #62 spindles of the
LV and RV spindle sets. Any other LV (#63 & #64) or RV (#3 - #7) spindle can be used in a 600 ml
beaker with or without the guard leg to produce correct results. The HA and HB series Viscometers/
Rheometers are not supplied with guard legs in order to reduce the potential problems when measuring
high viscosity materials. HA/HB spindles #3 through #7 are identical to those spindle numbers in the
RV spindle set. The HA/HB #1 & #2 have slightly different dimensions than the corresponding RV
spindles. This dimensional difference allows the factors between the RV and HA/HB #1 spindles
to follow the same ratios as the instrument torque even though the boundary conditions are different.
The recommended procedures of using a 600 ml beaker and the guard leg are difficult for some custom-
ers to follow. The guard leg is one more item to clean. In some applications the 500 ml of test fluid
required to immerse the spindles in a 600 ml beaker is not available. In practice, a smaller vessel may
be used and the guard leg is removed. The Brookfield Viscometer/Rheometer will produce an accurate
and repeatable torque reading under any measurement circumstance. However, the conversion of this
torque reading to centipoise will only be correct if the factor used was developed for those specific
conditions. Brookfield has outlined a method for recalibrating a Brookfield Viscometer/Rheometer to
any measurement circumstance in "More Solutions to Sticky Problems", Section 3.4.10. It is impor-
tant to note that for many viscometer users the true viscosity is not as important as a repeatable day
to day value. This repeatable value can be obtained without any special effort for any measurement
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Page 24 Manual No. M/00-151-D1207
circumstance. But, it should be known that this type of torque reading will not convert into a correct
centipoise value when using a Brookfield factor if the boundary conditions are not those specified by
Brookfield.
The guard leg is a part of the calibration check of the Brookfield LV and RV series Viscometer/Rhe-
ometer. Our customers should be aware of its existence, its purpose and the effect that it may have on
data. With this knowledge, the viscometer user may make modifications to the recommended method
of operation to suit their needs.
RV Guardleg LV Guardleg
Figure E1
Listed are some of the more common problems that you may encounter while using your Viscometer.
Review these items before you contact Brookfield.
❏ Make sure the universal power supply connector is attached to the Viscometer.
❏ Make sure the speed set knob is set properly and securely at the desired speed.
❏ Inspect viscometer coupling and spindle coupling mating areas and threads for dirt: clean
threads on spindle coupling with a 3/56-inch left-hand tap.
❏ Inspect threads for wear; if the threads are worn, the unit needs service (see Appendix G).
❏ Check to see if spindles rotate eccentrically or wobble. There is an allowable runout for 1/32-
inch in each direction (1/16-inch total) when measured from the bottom of the spindle rotating
in air.
❏ Check to see if the viscometer coupling is bent; if so, the unit is in need of service.
If you are continuing to experience problems with your viscometer, follow this troubleshooting sec-
tion to help isolate the potential problem.
❏ Turn the coupling until the red pointer reaches 15-20 on the dial.
If the pointer sticks and/or does not rest at zero, the unit is in need of service. See Appendix G for
details on how to return your viscometer.
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Page 26 Manual No. M/00-151-D1207
Inaccurate Readings
❏ Verify spindle, speed and model
❏ Verify test parameters: temperature, container, volume, method. Refer to:
• Dial Viscometer Operating Manual; Section II.4 — Considerations for Making Measure-
ments
• Dial Viscometer Operating Manual; Appendix A — Viscosity Ranges
• Dial Viscometer Operating Manual; Appendix B — Variables in Viscosity Measurement
If the unit is found to be out of tolerance, the unit may be in need of service. See Appendix G for
details on how to return your viscometer.
q Pack the instrument in its original case. Cases are available for
immediate shipment from Brookfield. If the case is not available,
F Dial or Digital
take care to wrap the instrument with enough material to support
I Viscometer
it. Avoid using foam peanuts or shredded paper.
G
U q DO NOT send the laboratory stand unless there is a problem
with the upright rod, clamp or base. If there is a problem with
R the stand, remove the upright rod from the base and individually
E wrap each item to avoid contact with the instrument. Do not put
Rubber lab stand in viscometer carrying case.
2 Band
Note:
DV-III/DV-III+: You must send the base and all cables when there
is an electrical problem. It should be packaged carefully in a
separate box from the rheometer head.
For repair or service outside the United States consult Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. or the
dealer from whom you purchased the instrument.
On-site service at your facility is also available from Brookfield. Please contact our Service Depart-
ment in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany or China for details.
Page 31
CONCLUSIONS:
This tear-off sheet is a typical example of recorded test data. Please photocopy and retain this tem-