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©2013 Technical Marine Service, Inc. LC-100 V2.97
the LevelCom 100 system. This could happen if there are relays installed and the relays are
driving a large inductive load, like a motor or a solenoid (please note that the relays are rated
“Pilot Duty Only”). If the relay is driving a DC relay or solenoid there should be a
freewheeling diode in the circuit or else large voltage spikes will be generated on the control
circuit when the relay contacts open. These spikes can generate powerful radio frequency
pulses that can effect nearby electronic devices. Similarly if the relay is operating an AC
motor, either directly, or through a slave relay both the starting and stopping of the motor can
generate voltage spikes on the power lines and these spikes can possibly affect the
LevelCom 100 electronics. In this case putting capacitors across the motor terminals can
sometimes help.
This problem will not always show up immediately in a new installation. The LevelCom 100
always verifies the updated contents of the EEPROM as it writes new information. If this
verification fails, the LevelCom 100 tries again and signals a failure only after a number of
verification failures. The LevelCom 100 stores multiple copies of the configuration and there
is unused space in the EEPROM of a new LevelCom 100 that can be used for configuration
information if there is a partial failure of the EEPROM. The electrical noise described above
can interfere with EEPROM operations in extreme cases. In this case there will not actually
be a failure of the EEPROM but because of the electrical noise, there may have been
verification failures causing the LevelCom 100 to use new areas of the EEPROM. When all
available space is used up the LevelCom 100 will generate the EEPROM FAILURE
message. As a result the machine will work well for a while and then start showing the
EEPROM FAILURE condition. A way to check for this is to select the ERASE ALL MEMORY
option in the MEMORY menu. This will completely erase any configuration information in the
EEPROM and the LevelCom 100 will need to be reconfigured before being put back into
operation. Then if the machine works well for a while and once again starts showing the
EEPROM FAILURE condition electrical noise is probably causing the trouble.
If erasing the EEPROM does not get rid of the condition then there is probably something
wrong with the EEPROM and it will need to be replaced.
Instrument displays CHECK AIR.
This message will be displayed if there is either insufficient or excessive air pressure for
proper machine operation. Check the regulator to make sure that the machine is getting
supply air. If supply air is present make sure that the pressure is not too high. If the input air
pressure is too high the supply valve will not be able to open. If there is a gauge on the
regulator, make sure that this gauge is reading correctly. Finally make sure that there is not
water in the supply air lines or that the regulator bowl is not full of water. Loosen the supply
air fitting at the LevelCom 100 to make sure that air can flow to the LevelCom 100.
If all these things check out there may be a problem with the Supply valve. Use the VALVES
utility in the calibrate menu. Operate the Supply valve manually and air should come out of
the Drain port. If nothing happens make sure that the LED on the valve board lights when
the ENTER button is pressed to operate the valve. If the LED doesn’t light make sure that
the flat cable is properly plugged onto the connector on the valve board. If the connector is
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