Tehama Wireless - Connecting a Submersible Pulse MDT (Transceiver) to a Pulse Water Meter

Tehama Wireless - Connecting a Submersible Pulse MDT (Transceiver) to a Pulse Water Meter

This article explains how to make a reliable, weather-resistant connection using a Splice Kit and Scotch Lock connectors, following best practices for durability, signal integrity, and long-term performance especially in wet or outdoor environments.

Understanding the Components

1. Tehama Wireless MDT Submersible (Pulse)
  1. Produces a dry contact or open-collector pulse output
  2. Designed for outdoors installation.
  3. Typically uses two pulse wires (often white and black)
2. Pulse Meter
  1. Water meter with a pulse emitter
  2. Each pulse represents a fixed volume of water (e.g., 1 gallon or 10 gallons per pulse)
  3. Provides two pulse leads (non-polarized in most cases)
3. Splice Kit
  1. Contains grease gel-filled waterproof connectors
  2. Protects splices from moisture, corrosion, and strain
  3. Required for outdoors installations
4. Scotch Locks
  1. Allow electrical connection without stripping insulation
  2. Gel-filled for moisture protection

Tools and Materials Required
  1. Gel-filled Scotch Lock connectors (rated for low-voltage signal wire)
  2. Waterproof splice kit or enclosure
  3. Crimping pliers (for Scotch Locks)
  4. Wire cutters

Step-by-Step Connection Procedure

Step 1: Identify Pulse Wires
  1. Locate the two pulse wires from the Water Submeter.
  2. Identify the pulse input wires on the Tehama Wireless Submersible MDT transceiver.
  3. Confirm wire colors and labels.
Fig A: Picture showing the pulse wires from the water submeter and Tehama Wireless Submersible MDT transceiver


Step 2: Prepare the Wires
  1. Cut wires cleanly and ensure insulation is intact.
  2. Do not strip insulation if using Scotch Locks.
  3. Arrange wires so there is no tension on the connection.
Fig B: Picture showing the pulse wires from the water submeter and Tehama Wireless Submersible MDT transceiver prepared for splicing

Step 3: Install Scotch Lock Connectors
  1. Insert one wire from the water submeter and one wire from the Tehama Wireless MDT (transceiver) into the same Scotch Lock connector.
  2. Ensure both wires are fully seated in their channels.
  3. Using crimping pliers, press the metal blade fully until it is flush with the connector body.
  4. Repeat for the second pulse wire.
  5. Tip: See Splice Kit Guide for more thorough guide on how to splice Correctly
Fig C: Picture showing how the final correctly splice connection will look like


Testing and Verification
  1. Activate water flow through the water submeter and run 20 gallons of water .
  2. Confirm that the Tehama Wireless MDT (transceiver) registers pulses (via Tehama Web Portal or Mobile app). You can contact PEM & Submeter Solutions to verify.
  3. If pulses are not detected, recheck wire seating in the Scotch Locks and confirm pulse configuration in the Tehama MDT.
A properly made splice connection not only protects the hardware but also ensures data accuracy, reduces maintenance calls, and extends the life of the metering system.


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