Related Manuals for WatchDog 3900
Summary of Contents for WatchDog 3900
- Page 1 Retriever & Pup Wireless Network PRODUCT MANUAL Items 3900, 3901, 3902, 3910, 3910S 3905, 3906, 3907, 3911, 3911S...
- Page 2 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing a WatchDog Retriever & Pups Wireless Sensor Network. The WatchDog Retriever & Pups Wireless Sensor Network is a technologically advanced solution that provides growers the ability to capture real-time, site-specific data in various microclimates. The Wireless Network consists of one Retriever and many Pups.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Regulatory Information This manual will familiarize you with the features and operation of your new WatchDog Retriever & Pups Wireless Network. Please read this manual thoroughly before launching the units. For customer support or to place an order, call Spectrum Technologies, Inc. -
Page 4: General Overview
GENERAL OVERVIEW Wireless Mesh Network The Retriever & Pups wireless sensor network uses a mesh style of communication, which allows any Pup within the network to wirelessly route data from another Pup back to the Retriever. The size of a network can vary by growing conditions, topography, and user preference. - Page 5 Components The mesh network is made up of one Retriever and a user- defined number of Pups. It may include Item #’s 3900, 3901, 3902, 3910, or 3910S using 900 MHz radios or 3905, 3906, 3907, 3911 or 3911S using 2.4 GHz radios.
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Page 6: External Ports
EXTERNAL PORTS Retriever The Retriever ports are identified in figure 1 1. DC port for power cord (item 3926 or 3927) or DC adapter to connect solar panel 2. USB port for external USB flash drive (external memory & configuration file transfer) 3. - Page 7 Sensor Pups With the Sensor Pup, any WatchDog environmental sensor can be connected to any port. Station Pups The Station Pup is shipped with a cable with 2 modular connectors. One end plugs into the weather station’s “AUX” port. The other end plugs into the Station Pups “Aux2”...
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Page 8: Getting Started
GETTING STARTED Get your wireless network running in the following nine steps. Use the My Network Library planning tool inside (p. 33) to plan the configuration and layout of your Pups (recommended) Find a tutorial video online at www.specmeters.com/videos/ Power-up Connect to PC Open launch... -
Page 9: Setup
Setup Installing the Retriever & Pup Launch Utility software (RPLU) The installation program is available on the USB flash drive that shipped with the Retriever and on the Spectrum website. Run the RPLU setup.exe file to install the launch utility. The RPLU desktop icon (right) can then be used to open the program. -
Page 10: Configuration
CONFIGURATION A Pup can be configured by connecting directly to a PC, a USB flash drive, or the SpecConnect web portal. The flash drive is used when adding a Pup to a previously configured system that is already in the field. Configuration via Direct Connection to Retriever If the Retriever is not in Setup mode (amber light flashing continuously), hold the button for 2 seconds (see Retriever/Pup... - Page 11 3. A list of Pups will be visible on the Retriever settings screen. Verify that the Pups are communicating with the Retriever. When a Pup becomes active, the battery and signal icons will change from gray to colored. 4. Clicking a Configure button will bring up Settings screen for that specific Pup (fig.
- Page 12 8. Go to the Sensor Pup Current Data tab to verify the expected data parameters are coming in from each pup. If a sensor is not connected, a dash will be displayed in the Data Value column. For Station Pups, the current condition can only be seen in the Pups tab.
- Page 13 5. The Pup(s) will appear in the Retriever Settings screen and as an option in the Pup Settings screen. Begin the process as in step 3 of the configuration for a directly connected Retriever (p. 10). When all Pups have been configured, click the “Save Configuration As”...
- Page 14 2. Open the Retriever configuration page by clicking the “Equipment” option in the upper left corner. Click on the “Configure” button for the Retriever to bring up the Configure WatchDog screen. 3. In the “Configure Retriever” screen (fig. 5), set the Retriever parameters.
- Page 15 5. In the “Configure Sensor Pup” screen (fig. 6), set the Pup parameters. The latitude, longitude & altitude (optional) can be keyed in. Alternately, if the pindrop icon is clicked, a map image will be displayed that allows you to locate the device. See Data Logging &...
- Page 16 Configure the WatchDog mini or full weather station using Spec9 Pro by following the steps below: 1. Connect the WatchDog mini or weather station to a PC. 2. In Specware 9 Pro, open the WatchDog Properties using the WatchDog Manager or the ‘Launch/Set Properties for 1000 or 2000 Series’...
- Page 17 8. Connect the 2000-series station to the Station Pup using the provided cable. 9. The 2000-series station will send its logged data to the Station Pup at the selected interval and the Station Pup will send this log to the Retriever as part of the wireless network. This can be confirmed by connecting the Retriever to the Retriever &...
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Page 18: Retriever/Pup Operation
Retriever/Pup Operation The LED on the Retriever or Pup is used to convey information about the status and functioning of each device. The small red button can be used to request most of this information. For Retrievers, the button can also be used to prompt the device to perform certain actions. - Page 19 The red button on the Pup is used for in-field diagnostics. A short press requests the battery strength. Pressing and holding for 2 seconds, until the LED turns on, prompts the Pup to indicate if it has optimal communication with network. If the Pup does not have desirable signal strength, find another location to deploy the Pup or follow the recommendations in Installation (pg.
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Page 20: Installation
INSTALLATION The Retriever and Pups will function optimally when the units are placed in a condition that allows direct line-of-sight. The optimum signal will occur when the football-shaped Fresnel Zone is clear of obstructions such as hilly terrain, foliage, and structures. ... - Page 21 Retriever Pups should configured before deployment. Configuration should be done while communicating in Setup mode (see Configuration, pp. 10 - 17). Tools recommended for installation 7/16-inch (11-mm) wrench Phillips screwdriver for tightening the mounting bracket screws on back of units ...
- Page 22 5. Mount using provided hardware and tighten screws using a Phillips screwdriver (see fig. 10). Although the antenna should be vertical, the housing can be oriented horizontally or vertically. Figure 10. Attaching the mounting bracket. 6. Attach sensors - make sure the cable glands are tightened around the sensor cables Final Steps 1.
- Page 23 Adding a Sensor or Station Pup to an established network Be sure the Retriever is in Setup mode (flashing amber). If it isn't, press the button for 2 seconds. It may take up to 5 minutes for the Retriever to transition to Setup mode. ...
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Page 24: Data Logging & Storage
DATA LOGGING & STORAGE Data Logging The Retriever logs sensor data from its network of Pups (maximum of 16 Pups per network). The Pup logging intervals are: 5, 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Pups read the sensors every 15 seconds. So, for example, the logged value for a Pup on a 5 minute interval will be composed of 20 measurements. -
Page 25: Updating Firmware
If communication to the Retriever is interrupted, the internal memory on the Pups buffers sensor data for at least 21 hours until a connection to the Retriever is re-established. Non-volatile memory on the Retriever preserves the logged data, even when power is lost. Updating Firmware A summary of the firmware update procedures are given below. -
Page 26: Data Export
DATA EXPORT Gathering Data on a USB Flash Drive The USB flash drive can be left in the Retriever or temporarily inserted to offload data stored in the Retriever’s memory. While the flash drive is inserted, data is automatically saved to it. If the flash drive is inserted only at the time of data collection, a manual dump of the data is necessary. - Page 27 Importing Data with SpecWare Pro Software (requires v. 9.6 or greater) Pup data can be imported into Specware Pro. From the main Specware screen, click the Retriever & Pups icon from the toolbar. This will bring up the Retriever & Pups screen (fig.
- Page 28 3. SpecConnect Exports In SpecWare, click File - Import Files - Import SpecConnect Data Files to import a SpecConnect export file (fig. 13). See SpecConnect Web Portal (below) for information on exporting data from the web portal. Figure 13. Import SpecConnect Data Files button Exporting Reports From the SpecConnect Web Portal Data exports from SpecConnect are done from the Reports feature.
- Page 29 Figure 15. Sample report options screen...
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Page 30: Accessories
ACCESSORIES Optional Accessories Tripod, item 3396TP Antenna extension 10-ft cable and mounting hardware (item 3925) AC-DC power cord (item 3926) PC Direct-connection 50-ft cable kit (item 3297) USB flash drive (item 3388USB) 75’ Powered Direct Connect 75 ft Retriever Extension Cable Kit (3927C75) ... -
Page 31: Specifications
(with rechargeable NiMH battery pack) PC/Aux Port 9600 bps (default, adjustable) Baud Rate Frequency bands 902-928 MHz ISM band: (3900, 3901, 3902, 3910, 3910S 2.4 GHz ISM band: (3905, 3906, 3907, 3911, 3911S Antenna Reverse polarity SMA Range 900 MHz: 2500 ft (~750 m), line of sight 2.4 GHz: 300 m... -
Page 32: Power
Power Pups Standard Pups are powered by 6 AA batteries. The battery status can be checked by quickly pressing and releasing the button. Any time the batteries are changed on a Pup, it must rejoin the network. This is done when the unit powers on or by holding the button for 8 seconds. -
Page 33: My Network Library
MY NETWORK LIBRARY Use this table to keep track of information about your Retriever & Pups Wireless Sensor Network. Plan out your sensor network before deploying Take notes while deploying the network Keep an equipment library for future reference Serial Number Name / Location Sensors... -
Page 34: Troubleshooting Guide
Troubleshooting Guide 1. The RPLU will not communicate with the Retriever. Check your PC’s Device Manager to see if the computer recognizes the USB cable. The driver should automatically download if the PC is connected to the internet. Also available at www.specmeters.com/updates/ Only one program can communicate with the USB cable at a time (SpecWare and RPLU can interfere with each other. -
Page 35: Regulatory Information
5. No Pups are being updated in SpecConnect This is most likely the result of a problem with the modem or the Retriever. - Check for damage or water in the Retriever and modem enclosures. - Check that the Retriever is getting power (batteries or solar panel). -
Page 36: Thayer Court Aurora, Il
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Spectrum Technologies, Inc. 3600 Thayer Court Aurora, IL 60504 USA Model Numbers: 3900, 3901, 3902, 3910, 3910S, 3905, 3906, 3907, 3911, 3911S Description: WatchDog Retriever & Pup Mesh Network Type: Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use...