April 2001 Basic Unit Operation 3-1

3Section

Basic Unit OperationIntroductionThe following section provides basic instructions for starting the computer,starting the engine, initializing the pumping unit, and shutting down the computer.

Step 1—Starting the ComputerThe ACE pumping unit is equipped with an industrial computer that executes thepumping unit’s automatic control software. Before the unit’s engine will start, thesoftware must be running. To start the software, perform the following steps:

1. Turn on the pumping unit’s main electrical power switch (A, Figure 3.1).

2. Turn on the industrial computer’s power switch (B, Figure 3.1). Thecomputer will begin its boot-up process. After 1 to 2 minutes, the processwill conclude and the NT operating system will display a Begin Logonwindow.

3. With the Begin Logon window displayed, press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delkeys simultaneously. The computer will display a Logon Informationwindow.

4. In the Logon Information window, type pump in the User Name entryfield; then type pump in the Password entry field. Press OK and wait 1to 2 minutes for the startup process to end.

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Figure 3.1—Main electrical power switch (A), and computer power switch (B)

START ETHER RUN/STOP

RUN

STOP

TRANSMISSION ETHER START ENGINE

EMERGENCYKILL

ENGINETRANSMISSION

PRELUBE

WARM

OFF

CHECK FUEL FILTER ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ENGINE

VOLTS POWER

OFF ON

DISABLED

ACTIVE

8 15 15

FLOOD LIGHTS

COMPUTER

ON

OFF

FLOOD LIGHTS

ON

OFF

15

FRONT PANEL ASSEMBLY

18161412

108

VOLTS

B

A

When the startup process is complete, the pump control screen (Figure 3.2,Page 3-3) will appear.

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MinimizeResize

Exit

Figure 3.2—Main pump control screen

Step 2—Starting the EngineTo start the engine, perform the following steps:

1. With the pumping unit’s control software functioning, select the local unitto make it the active pumping unit for the control software. The local unitwill have an asterisk beside its number. See the description of theSelected Pump list box in “Unit Information Area,” Section 5.

2. Place the engine RUN/KILL switch in the RUN position.

3. Confirm that the CHECK ENGINE light is off. Then start the pumping unit’stractor and activate the PTO-driven hydraulic-start system.

4. Press the unit’s engine START switch to start the engine, depressing theswitch for no more than 30 seconds.

If the unit does not start on the first attempt, release the START switchand allow the unit to rest approximately 30 seconds; then press the START

switch again.

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Important If the engine does not start after several attempts, observe theCHECK ENGINE light. If this light is on, the engine will not start.Press the engine throttle Up button to turn the light off. If thelight remains on, contact a mechanic or electrical technician.

6. Deactivate the tractor’s hydraulic-start system.

Step 3—Initializing the UnitWhen the pumping unit’s engine has been started and the pumping unit has beenselected as the control software’s active pumping unit, you are ready to initializethe unit.

Important Do not engage the transmission until you have completed theinitialization process to verify the accuracy and operationalsetpoints of the sensors.

To initialize the unit, perform the following steps:

1. Check the operation of the pumping unit’s sensors by monitoring theGauge function control display (Page 6-2). If any of the sensors displayincorrect values, you may need to offset the sensors to the correctoperating values. If necessary, adjust the slope and span of the sensors.For instructions on calibrating the sensors, see Page 6-6.

Important Always offset the discharge pressure transducer to zero beforebringing the pumping unit online against pressure. After the unitis online and pumping against pressure, offset the dischargepressure to match a “reference” pressure transmitter value ifnecessary.

2. Set the kickout pressure to a value determined by the stimulation supervi-sor. The pressure kickout limit defaults to 500 psi at startup. For instruc-tions on setting a unit’s kickout pressure, see Section 6.

3. Enter the desired pumping rate setpoint into the Ramp Setpoint systemparameter. For instructions on entering a new Ramp Setpoint systemparameter value, see Section 7.

To place the pumping unit in gear, press the Selected Truck, Group, or All Trucksbutton. Then press the Engage button, and press the Ramp ON button to rapidlybring the unit up to the desired flow-rate setpoint.

Shutting Down the ComputerAt the end of a pumping operation, shut down the ACE pumping unit to preventpotential startup problems during subsequent operations. This three-step processconsists of shutting down the pumping control software, shutting down the JLANsoftware, and shutting down the NT operating system.

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Shutting Down the Pumping Control SoftwareTo properly shut down the pumping control software, perform the following steps:

1. Verify that the pumping unit is in neutral.

2. Press the Close button in the top right corner of the control screen (Figure3.2, Page 3-3). The pumping control software will close immediately.

3. If the Close button does not appear on your screen, press the Minimizebutton to bring your full screen into view; then press the Close button toclose the control software.

Shutting Down the JLAN Communications SoftwareWhen the pumping-control software closes, the JLAN communications softwarefor the pumping unit is displayed. This software must also be closed before theindustrial computer can be shut down.

To close the JLAN communications software, press the Close button (Figure 3.3).

MinimizeResize

Exit

Figure 3.3—JLAN communications software window

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Shutting Down the NT Operating SystemTo shut down the NT operating system, perform the following steps:

1. Press the Start button (Figure 3.4). A Windows NT Workstation menuwill be displayed (Figure 3.5, Page 3-6).

Note The location of the START button may vary between computers,depending on whether the task bar that contains the START buttonis positioned. However, the button has the same appearance onall computers.

2. With the Windows NT Workstation menu active, select Shut Down….The Shut Down Windows dialog box (Figure 3.6, Page 3-6) will bedisplayed.

3. Press the Yes button to continue the shutdown process. A Shutdown inProgress window will be displayed briefly. When the NT operatingsystem has determined it is safe for the computer to be shut off, it willreplace the Shutdown in Progress window with Shut Down Computer.

4. When the Shut Down Computer window displays the message “It is nowsafe to turn off your computer,” turn off the industrial computer’s powerswitch (Figure 3.1, Page 3-1).

5. Turn off the pumping unit’s main electrical power switch (Figure 3.1).

Figure 3.4—Start button

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Figure 3.5—NT system menu

Figure 3.6—Shut Down Windows window

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