Stacks

Expand whichever matches what you’re seeing to figure out which component is having the problem and how to test it.

Which Component Is Having the Problem?

Start Here: Check Diagnostics Mode First

Whatever the specific symptom, the first thing to do is a baseline check in Diagnostics Mode (Manual Mode tab > select your machine > Diagnostics Mode tab) — it rules out wiring and configuration issues before you assume the component itself has failed.

• Flowmeter: Swap in a known-working meter, or simulate pulses by hand at the connector, and watch for a reading in Diagnostics Mode. See Not Reading Flow below for the full procedure.
• Valve: Activate the specific valve directly from the tablet in Diagnostics Mode and watch it respond — useful for confirming a valve works (or doesn’t) before digging into wiring.

Flowmeter — wrong volume, no reading, or erratic readings

Not Reading Flow

When the system expects to meter flow and can’t, it’s typically a blockage, the pump not running high enough, or simply a closed valve — including a manual valve accidentally left closed, or an automatic valve not responding.

Rule out a physical blockage before troubleshooting automatic valves. Always check that the valve(s) in question can run in Manual Mode when troubleshooting No Flow errors.

First, confirm the problem isn’t actually in the wiring back to the module or the module’s input, before assuming the meter itself has failed:

1. Swap in a known-working meter. Unplug the flowmeter in question and plug a known-working flowmeter into that same connector, then watch for a reading in Diagnostics Mode. If the known-working meter reads correctly there, the wiring and module input are fine and the original meter is the problem.
2. Simulate pulses by hand. Remove the ground and signal wires from the connector and repeatedly tap them together to represent the pulses a spinning meter would send. If Diagnostics Mode counts the taps, the wiring and module input are working and the meter itself is at fault.

Reading, But Inaccurate or Erratic?

Which type of flowmeter do you have?

Gear Meter

See Flomec Gear Meters.

Mag Meter

Stack’s mag meter is an ARAG Orion mag meter. See ARAG Mag Meter for physical inspection, configuration checks, coated sensors, conductivity issues, and indicator light meanings.

Still wrong after that? See Calibrating Your Flowmeter and Check for Ground Loops in that same article.

Valve — a stack needs two valves working properly

Product Valve (the selection valve with the tote hose connected to it)

Digital Product Valves are the ARAG Digital Valve, driven directly by our modules. See ARAG Digital Valve if your Product Valve is the digital variant, or ARAG CAN-Bus Valve if it’s CANbus.

Throttle Valve

If the valve isn’t responding at all, see Manual Override in the ARAG CAN-Bus Valve article.

Keeping an operator going in the field: A Stack’s Throttle Valve is the one exception to always closing a manually-overridden valve. If a replacement actuator is on order, you can manually turn the Throttle Valve fully Open and continue mixing in the meantime.

• Note: Because the valve is now manually set to open, the Mixmate system cannot “throttle” the flow. You will need to monitor your pump speeds or flow rates more closely until the motor is replaced.

Regardless of which type your valve is, Diagnostics Mode lets you activate that specific valve directly from the tablet and watch it respond — useful for confirming a valve works (or doesn’t) before digging into wiring.