VITALS Controllers and Accessories
Exercising valves is necessary to maintain and rehabilitate a water delivery system. Water utilities, municipalities, facilities, and water delivery operators need the right tools to keep the water distribution system working smoothly without risking their health and the health and safety of the communities and infrastructure they maintain. Wachs trailer, skid, and truck-mounted valve maintenance systems are designed to reduce the risk of turning valves by hand, to help stop the risks associated with over-torquing a valve, and to reduce the dangers associated with standing in traffic. This Wachs valve equipment is engineered to work in the most extreme weather conditions. Each Wachs Valve Maintenance System that includes a valve exerciser comes standard with a VITALS controller. These rugged field-ready computers allow the operator to control Wachs powered valve turning equipment wirelessly or remotely via a tether cable. Handheld and highly portable, they provide the information necessary to maintain valve equipment with an easy-to-use touchscreen interface.
VITALS controllers
- Allow the crew to get out of traffic or harm's way
- Provide a better view of the valve at a safer distance
- Operate the high-torque powered-valve-turning equipment remotely
- Monitor the valve exercising process in detail while logging the progress
Some operators tell us they like to sit in the cab of their truck while the VITALS controller communicates with their valve exerciser when they're turning a valve. It is nice to get out of the weather and retreat inside in extreme conditions. Warm and cold climates alike, our valve maintenance systems are used worldwide for a reason.
VITALS software
Wachs' VITALS (Valve Information Tracking And Logging System) software makes maintaining valve equipment easier. While Wachs VITALS-enabled valve exercisers and operators include intelligent automation to extend a valve's life, the VITALS software on the controller and sometimes in the equipment itself can provide “vital” asset information.
Data logged with VITALS includes:
- Valve condition
- Valve location
- Valve type
- Valve size
- Number of turns
- Last valve opening position
- Current valve opening position
- Valve turning direction
- GPS coordinates for finding the valve box (even under cement or asphalt)
- Notes and more
The data is stored in the VITALS controller for easy transfer to the VITALS desktop software.
Knowing more about the valve helps the operator to visualize exactly what is happening and better maintain the valve, extending its life and rehabilitating valve performance. If a valve can't be turned, the operator knows they need to increase the torque or use a larger valve exerciser if one is available. If that doesn't work, they know it needs fixing or replacing. They can also tell which position the valve was left in.
VITALS software features:
- Adjustable torque control limits
- Preset limit threshold warning notification
- Auto-reverse feature to prevent valve damage
- Auto shutdown to prevent valve damage
- Visual torque display and charting
