The Machinery Monitoring Systems Snapshot^® Engine Balancer is a portable analyzer for slow-speed, natural gas fueled engine balancing. The ignition clip allows the operator to first verify proper functioning ignition on all cylinders before attempting to balance an engine. The quick ignition test provides a green, yellow, or red indication of ignition quality based on breakdown voltage and spark duration. These parameters are user definable on a per-engine basis. After verifying good ignition, the operator can then proceed with collecting “As-Found” balance data. After making appropriate adjustments to fuel flow the operator can collect “As-Left” balance data.

The belt worn data acquisition module has a rechargeable battery and connectors for pressure sensor and a secondary spark clip. The module transmits data to the Snapshot tablet wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

Pressure and ignition curves are displayed on the Snapshot tablet screen for the operator. Engine Balance and Ignition reports are available in PDF format for saving, printing or emailing.

The Snapshot Engine Balancer utilizes a web-based Station | Machine | Route database that makes it easy to use on a company-wide basis. MachineryRx^® allows properly credentialed individuals within your organization to view and compare Balance Reports based on engine type, area, division, or many other criteria. Moreover set-up and routes can be downloaded onto a new Balancer in the unlikely event of a failure of your existing Balancer.

Most of us with a history in the energy industry gained our continuing education at conferences and our technical skills from other team members on the job. With budgets, time constraints of travel, and the need for convenience we are now learning to use the online environment more effectively. This has become more common due to the pandemic, improved broadband, and learning platforms. We now regularly use the online environment for continuing education and some aspects of technical training. In fact, we are finding that many of our younger users prefer on-line, self-paced training to the face to face classes of old. 

There are recognized benefits to online learning. It has long been difficult to schedule all of our team members to attend face to face classes. Now video and virtual training can be used as a refresher for current employees and initial training for newly hired employees. It also helps to keep skills updated as software and equipment upgrades occur. Training is accessible to employees during down time. Training can be stopped and started as time permits during a workday. Employees are also more successful and efficient in using the equipment to perform the work because they develop a comfort with using the equipment. The training is always available at the nearest computer for a quick refresher in how to perform a process. No more looking for the training manual in the office. 

New Snapshot Engine Balancer System Online Training

We realize how difficult it is scheduling the team to attend a face-to-face training so we’ve developed an online option for your team to learn about the Snapshot Engine Balancer System and MachineryRx. 

Kent Petersen is the instructor for the course. Kent uses a series of short videos to provide the same content that he uses in the classroom. This approach to education and training allows all of your staff the same access to training. 

The course includes the following topics:

• Meet the instructor: Kent Petersen

• Snapshot Engine Balancer System Introduction (14:37 minutes)

• Machinery Rx Website Introduction (12:18 minutes)

o Adding engines to MachineryRx (14:17 minutes)

o MachineryRx engine list (2:52 minutes)

• Balancing with the Snapshot Engine Balancer

o Preparing the Snapshot Tablet and Data Acquisition Unit (13:55 minutes)

o Balancing and Data Collection (24:50 minutes)

o Data Collection Demonstration and Report access (18:56 minutes_

o Rapid Scan (6:56 minutes)

If you have team members interested in learning/reviewing the theory behind balancing an engine we also offer the Engine Mean Peak Firing Pressure Balancing Course

Engine Mean Peak Firing Pressure Balancing is a course designed to support our customer’s needs for training both new and/or inexperienced personnel the theory (why) and the basics (how) of balancing an engine and why balancing is important to the health and safety of the equipment. This course is offered as a self-paced course through the mmsysllc.com website.

This dynamic course was developed by the MMS team including Warren Laible, the well-known Subject Matter Expert for engine health and Bryan Stewart, who has over 40 years of experienced with gas engines. 

Please reach out to dstewart@mmsysllc.com for more information if you are interested in providing either of these opportunities to your team.