1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Observant Manuals
  4. Measuring Instruments
  5. SOLO
  6. User manual

Observant SOLO User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
SOLO USER GUIDE

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the SOLO and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Observant SOLO

  • Page 1 SOLO USER GUIDE...
  • Page 2 This user guide is not legally binding. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Sale for any binding commitments and agreements between Observant and the end user in regard to Observant products. Contents are subject to change without notice...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. General Information About this guide Legal (Australia and NZ only) Regulatory Compliance Australia New Zealand Europe Other 2. Overview Description Warnings Solo Components Specifications Product Codes...
  • Page 6 Solo User Guide 3. Installation Preparation Location Mounting Posts Pre-cabling Solo Unit Installation Mounting Bird Deterrent Power Up 4. Appendix A1. Electrical Connections Input Port Sensor Port Output Port Auxiliary Power A2. User Interface Reference LED Indicators User/Power Button A3. Mounting Orientation...
  • Page 7 A4. Physical Dimensions A5. Device Cabling Guidelines Protection Distance...
  • Page 8 Solo User Guide List of Figures Figure 1. Solo top components Figure 2. Solo bottom components Figure 3. Cable routing Figure 4. Solo installation Figure 5. Post fixing Figure 6. Port connector panel Figure 7. Auxiliary power connector pinout Figure 8. Solar panel orientation (top down view) Figure 9.
  • Page 9 List of Tables Table 1. Solo product codes Table 2. Solo cable product codes Table 3. Input port description Table 4. Sensor port description Table 5. Output port description Table 6. Auxiliary power connector description Table 7. LED assignments Table 8. Power level and charging state LED Table 9.
  • Page 10 Solo User Guide...

  • Page 11: General Information

    1. General Information About this guide This document provides information on the features, installation and typical usage of the Solo remote monitoring and control platform. The information contained in the appendices can be used as a pocket reference during installation, commissioning and troubleshooting.Morespecificinformationonassociated...

  • Page 12: Legal (Australia And Nz Only)

    Observant will (at its option) repair or replace Observant Hardware which fails to operate according to all material functionality described as applying to that Observant Hardware on the Observant Website due to normal wear and tear at any time duringthefirst: 12 months; or...
  • Page 13 1. General Information above information. ObservantHardwarewhichhasbeendamaged,modified orreconfigured(includingsoftware)byapersonotherthan Observant. Observant Hardware where the case has been opened by a person other than Observant. Observant Hardware which has been connected to (or attemptedtobeconnectedto)anyequipmentnotcertified by Observant as operating correctly with Observant Hardware. ALL TERMS AND WARRANTIES WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE...
  • Page 14 THE PAYMENT OF THE COST OF HAVING THE SERVICES SUPPLIED AGAIN. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND SUBJECT TO CLAUSE 5, OBSERVANT IS NOT LIABLE FOR: ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER AND HOWSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION...
  • Page 15 (including negligence), under statute or any other legal basis. If you suffer any loss or damage in connection with Observant Hardware, software or any services provided by Observant, you must promptly notify Observant, together with details of the loss or damage suffered, and you must use your best endeavours to mitigate such loss or damage as far as reasonably possible.
  • Page 16 12. If any provision of these terms or conditions is unenforceable, illegal or void, that provision is severed and the other provisions remain in force. 13. Observant may amend or vary these Terms and Conditions by notifying the Buyer in writing of the amendment or variation.

  • Page 17: Regulatory Compliance

    1. General Information Regulatory Compliance The following describes relevant approvals and certificationsfortheSoloproductandit’svariants.Please noteanymodificationstotheequipmentassuppliednot expressly approved by Observant could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment by invalidating all applicableregulatoryapprovalsandcertifications. Australia RCM approval of the Solo is pending New Zealand Telepermit approval of the Solo is pending This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

  • Page 18: Europe

    • Reorient or relocate the unit • Increase the separation between the unit an the equipment in question • Consult an experienced RF technician for assistance Europe CE approval of the Solo is pending...

  • Page 19: Other

    1. General Information Other • UL approval of the Solo is pending • This product complies with the European RoHS directive 2002/95/EC...
  • Page 20 Solo User Guide...

  • Page 21: Overview

    2. Overview 2. Overview Description The Solo is a robust remote monitoring and control platform designed for low sensor count sites and ease of deployment. The Solo is a fully integrated, solar/battery powered and radio enabled telemetry unit complete with IP 65 rated, easy to mount enclosure.

  • Page 22: Warnings

    Solo User Guide and control equipment the Solo can be connected to a range of standard sensors, additionally, wide-ranging supportforspecificthirdpartyproductsexists,andcan be added to as demand requires. When combined with Observant Global the Solo becomes a very powerful remote management tool,...

  • Page 23: Solo

    2. Overview Solo Components 1 - Radio antenna 2 - Bird deterrent 3 - Solar panel Figure 1. Solo top components...

  • Page 24: Figure 2. Solo Bottom Components

    Solo User Guide 1 - Power/user button 2 - LED indicators 3 - Serial number info label 4 - Retaining screw 5 - Pole mount 6 - Connector panel Figure 2. Solo bottom components...

  • Page 25: Specifications

    2. Overview Specifications Power • In-built 2W photovoltaic panel • Auxiliary power connection via 2.5 mm DC power connector (30 VDC max, 20 W max) • 50-100 mW typical draw depending upon radio technology and mode of operation Battery • 36 WHrs total capacity •...
  • Page 26 Solo User Guide Environmental • IP rating: 65 • Operating temp: -30 to 70 °C (-22 to 158 °F) • Storage temp: -50 to 80 °C (-58 to 176 °F) • Operating humidity: 0 to 100% RH Dimensions • As installed: L 204 mm (8”), W 120 mm (4.7”), H 305mm (12”)

  • Page 27: Product Codes

    5 m, 4-way input cable (bare ends) 5 m, RS485/SDI-12/4 – 20 mA device connector cable (4-way switchcraft male) 10 m device extension cable (4-way switchcraft female to male) 60 cm device cable (4-way switchcraft female to bare ends) Table 2. Solo cable product codes...
  • Page 28 Solo User Guide...

  • Page 29: Installation

    Preparation Location Care must be taken when selecting a site for the installation of a Solo. It should have a clear aspect where the solar PV panel faces the optimal heading to allow the unittogeneratesufficientpower,thisisparticularlycrucial during the winter months. To allow radio communications...

  • Page 30: Mounting Posts

    Solo User Guide Mounting Posts A typical installation will involve mounting the Solo to the very top of a circular pole that has been driven or concreted securely into the earth. While dependent upon theradioconfigurationthispolewouldtypicallybeno morethan1.5metres(5’)inheightinopenandflatareas, but can be far higher in cases where the extra height is warranted eg.

  • Page 31: Figure 3. Cable Routing

    3. Installation 1 - Mounting pole 2 - Internally routed cabling and connectors Figure 3. Cable routing...

  • Page 32: Solo Unit Installation

    Solo connection panel (Figure 4-A) • With antenna facing upward and vertical place the Solo over the mounting pole (Figure 4-B), it should sit snugly and cover the top 50mm (2”) of the pole • With the solar panel facing in the correct...

  • Page 33: Power Up

    • Remove the protective label covering the solar panel (Figure 4-E) • If exposed to sunlight the Solo will turn on automatically, if not a short press of the power button (Figure 2-1) will power the unit on • After approximately 20 seconds a series of...

  • Page 34: Figure 4. Solo Installation

    Solo User Guide Figure 4. Solo installation...

  • Page 35: Figure 5. Post Fixing

    3. Installation Figure 5. Post fixing...
  • Page 36 Solo User Guide...

  • Page 37: Appendix

    Note that there are limits on the number of devices that can be connected to a Solo. It would be uncommon for all of these ports to be in use on a single Solo unit.

  • Page 38: Input Port

    Solo User Guide 1 - Input port 2 - Auxiliary power 3 - Sensor port 4 - Output port Figure 6. Port connector panel...

  • Page 39: Table 3. Input Port Description

    4. Appendix Input Port • 2 x dual purpose analog/digital inputs • Configurabledigitalsinkorsource(pull-upor pull-down)forconnectiontopulseoutputflow meters, rain gauges and any other wet or dry device output • 5 V pull-up voltage • Tolerant up to 30 V • Frequency and pulse counting up to 1 kHz (@ 50% duty cycle) •...

  • Page 40: Sensor Port

    Dual mode serial interface: True fault tolerant 2-wire RS485, or 1-wire bi-directional SDI-12 • 5 m device cable terminated to suit Observant’s standard sensor and cable extension offerings can be supplied. Bare-ended extension wire colours indicated in table 4, see table 2 for...

  • Page 41: Output Port

    4. Appendix Output Port • 2 x High current outputs that can sink or source 12 VDC at up to 7A for short periods • Outputs can work as a pair to provide a bi-polar voltage for driving electric motors/actuators in bothdirections,orfiring2-wireand3-wire  latching solenoids •...

  • Page 42: Auxiliary Power

    Solo User Guide Auxiliary Power • 2.5 mm DC power jack for supplementary power or service charging • 5 – 30 V input, 20 W maximum power draw • 3 m 2-core bare-ended cable with locking DC connector can be supplied, see table 2 for...

  • Page 43: A2. User Interface Reference

    4. Appendix A2. User Interface Reference The Solo makes use of a number of tricolour indicators to denote various states and modes of operation (Figure 2-2). There is also a primary user/power button (Figure 2-1) and an audio feedback mechanism to assist in local configurationandcontroltasks.

  • Page 44: Table 8. Power Level And Charging State Led

    Solo User Guide LED action Description [every 4 seconds] • Battery healthy Singlegreenflash • No external power • Battery discharging • Battery healthy Doublegreenflash • External power present • Charger on standby • Battery healthy Triplegreenflash • Battery charging • Battery low Singleamberflash •...

  • Page 45: Table 9. Observant Global Tm Connection Status Led

    Doublegreenflash Connected - comms ok Tripleamberflash Disconnecting Doubleredflash Fault None Radio off, or user mode inactive Table 9. Observant Global connection status LED LED action Description Solid green Input active Flashing green Input pulsing No input active, or user mode...
  • Page 46 Solo User Guide LED action Description Solid green Sensor power active Flashing red Sensor power over-current Greenflash Communications transmit Amberflash Awaiting response Redflash Response error LongRedflash Response time-out No sensor communications None active, or user mode inactive Table 11. Sensor port status LED...

  • Page 47: User/Power Button

    • If the Solo is off, a momentary press will power the Solo on • If the Solo is on, but not in user mode, a momentary press will activate user mode, notifiedbyanascendingseriesofbeeps • If the Solo is on, a momentary press will send a ‘user visit’...

  • Page 48: A3. Mounting Orientation

    Solo User Guide A3. Mounting Orientation The Solo unit must be oriented such that when in the northern hemisphere the solar panel is facing South, and when in the southern hemisphere the solar panel is facing North. This allows the Solo to collect as much power as possible during the period of lowest insolation (ie.

  • Page 49: Figure 9. Solo Profile Dimensions

    4. Appendix A4. Physical Dimensions 1 1/2” Mounting pole 204mm [8”] Figure 9. Solo profile dimensions...

  • Page 50: Figure 10. Solo Front Dimensions

    Solo User Guide 231mm [9”] 120mm [4.7”] Figure 10. Solo front dimensions...
  • Page 51 4. Appendix A5. Device Cabling Guidelines Protection • No cable (or part thereof) should be left exposed to the elements • Cable suitable for direct burial is recommended as it can be routed directly out of the bottom of the mounting post and in to the soil, this cable still requires additional protection when above ground to prevent UV degradation •...
  • Page 52 Solo User Guide Distance • Generally any cabling length over a few hundred metres is not cost effective in terms of installation and maintenance, in these cases additional telemetry units are recommended • Switched inputs and RS485 devices should work reliably up to 1 km (3000’) with the appropriate cabling.
  • Page 53 4. Appendix...
  • Page 54 Solo User Guide Revisions OBS-USR-M005-Solo User Guide R1: Initial release October 2014 (A.Kahl)
  • Page 56 Designed in Australia observant.net...

This manual is also suitable for:

Solo-3gSolo-cdSolo-900

Table of Contents