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EIJKELKAMP PlantControl D Operating Instructions Manual

Wireless data logger and soil moisture sensors
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P.O. Box 4, 6987 ZG Giesbeek
Nijverheidsstraat 30,
6987 EM Giesbeek,
The Netherlands
T +31 313 880200
F +31 313 880299
E info@eijkelkamp.com
I
http://www.eijkelkamp.com
PlantControl D
Wireless Data Logger and Soil Moisture Sensors
Operating Instructions
Ver. 3.46
M1.19.52.E

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Summary of Contents for EIJKELKAMP PlantControl D

  • Page 1 PlantControl D Wireless Data Logger and Soil Moisture Sensors Operating Instructions Ver. 3.46 P.O. Box 4, 6987 ZG Giesbeek Nijverheidsstraat 30, 6987 EM Giesbeek, The Netherlands T +31 313 880200 F +31 313 880299 E info@eijkelkamp.com http://www.eijkelkamp.com M1.19.52.E...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents Introduction Scope of delivery Optional accessories / Optional Functions Basic aspects General features Technical specifications Quick start guide PlantControl front panel PlantControl menu structure PlantControl electrical power connections Introducing the repeater (range extender) Sensor operation Inserting/replacing the batteries Switching on/switching off/testing reception LED display on the sensor Setting the sensor frequency band Replacing the sensor felt...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    1. Introduction Please read through these instructions carefully before configuring your PlantControl D central unit and the soil moisture sensors. Scope of delivery  PlantControl D central unit (Data Logger)  Wireless soil moisture sensors (quantity and version acc. to order) ...

  • Page 4: Basic Aspects

    Basic aspects In combination with PlantCare’s wireless soil moisture sensors, the PlantControl D is used for the wireless monitoring of soil moisture levels and soil temperature for scientific and agricultural applications. A specially designed software allows the connection of up to 99 sensors, which are synchronized by the PlantControl D central unit and coordinated.

  • Page 5: Quick Start Guide

    2. Outside Switzerland, pull out security film from the PlantControl central unit (already assembled with batteries). Insert sensor batteries. 3. Define settings for the PlantControl D central unit: Menu Settings > Controller 4. Initialize repeater (if part of delivery scope): Menu Initialize > Repeater  OK-button, hold the button on the repeater for 5 seconds.

  • Page 6: Plantcontrol Front Panel

    12 13 PlantControl: Front Panel ON/OFF key Restore-Settings: not yet activated Main Menu DEL = Deletes last entry BACK = Goes back one menu level OK = Confirm selection or entry Cursor keys Display Alarm: Displays active alarms Reset Alarm: Resets alarms 10: USB Imp/Exp: Button to call the import-export functions via USB interface 11: Alarm-LED 12: GPRS-Terminal-LED: Flashes every 3 seconds when network connection is established...

  • Page 7: Plantcontrol Menu Structure

    PlantControl Menu Structure Go to the required menu item by using the cursor 1 Status 13 Controller keys. Selectable menu items as well as data entry 2 Sensors 14 Sensors fields are shaded in grey. Enter in selected menu 4 Settings 5 Initialize or data field by pressing the OK key.

  • Page 8: Introducing The Repeater (Range Extender)

    Introducing the Repeater (Range Extender) Since the signal range between a sensor and the PlantControl central unit is limited to a maximum of 200 meters, repeaters with a signal range of up to 3 kilometers have been developed. If several such repeaters are used, the signal range can be extended up to 30 km.

  • Page 9: Sensor Operation

    Sensor operation Please note that the sensors are usually supplied without installed batteries. Inserting/replacing the batteries Switch off the unit if it is still on. 1. Release the retaining screw to remove the sensor cover. 2. Carefully remove the battery holder from the casing. 3.

  • Page 10: Led Display On The Sensor

    LED display on the sensor  Switching on: LED flashes for a moment.  Switching off: LED lights up and goes out.  Successful initialization: LED emits 1 long and 1 short flash. PlantControl was in initialization mode and the sensor has been initialized successfully. ...

  • Page 11: Commissioning

    2. Commissioning Step 1. Switching on your PlantControl 1. Withdraw the safety film to activate the factory-installed and charged 8 AA batteries. 2. Press the ON button 3. Press the MENU button 4. Check, if the battery status symbol on the display shows at least one bar. Otherwise charge up the batteries either with a mains plug or, if ordered along with the PlantControl, the solar cell.

  • Page 12: Step 3. Initializing A Repeater

    Step 3. Initializing a repeater (range extender) Skip this chapter, if you do not use a repeater. Wireless systems must first “recognize” each other if they are to communicate. Initialization of the PlantControl unit with the repeater must therefore be carried out first. Commissioning of already initialized repeaters: If the PlantControl unit and repeaters have been initialized already at the factory (would be labeled on PlantControl central unit), no initialization must be performed.
  • Page 13 The settings for the second repeater are as on the following display:  Repeater Number: Here, number 2 is displayed as the first repeater.  in direction of Controller: Enter here over which other repeater, repeater number 2 is connected to the PlantControl central unit.
  • Page 14 Deactivate a repeater, respectively removing it without replacing Depending on where a repeater is positioned within the system, deactivating it must be addressed differently. If it is a repeater, which is positioned as the last in a line (i.e. repeaters 4,5,6,7,8,10,11) the effort is relatively low.
  • Page 15 Examples of repeater configurations Repeater PlantControl Repeater Central unit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repeater PlantControl Repeater Central unit Repeater -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repeater PlantControl Repeater Central unit Repeater Repeater...

  • Page 16: Step 4. Repeater Settings

    Step 4. Repeater settings Settings > Repeater > OK-button Number of repeaters: This is automatically assigned based on the number of initialized repeaters. For this reason, the figure should not be changed.

  • Page 17: Step 5. Initializing The Sensors

    Step 5. Initializing the sensors Initialize > Sensors > OK button Wireless systems must first “recognize” each other if they are to communicate. Initialization of the PlantControl unit with the sensors must therefore be carried out first. Commissioning of already initialized sensors: If the PlantControl unit and sensors have been initialized already at the factory (would be labeled on PlantControl central unit) , then proceed as follows: 1.

  • Page 18: Step 6. Sensor Settings

    Step 6. Sensor settings Settings > Sensors > OK button This menu item summarizes all the setting parameters for the sensors. Number of sensors: This is automatically assigned based on the number of initialized sensors. For this reason, the figure should not be changed. Highest sensor no.: This states the total number of sensors initialized in the controller.
  • Page 19 Put the unlocked SIM-Card into the card holder and push it gently into the GPRS Modem. Reattach the front panel an tighten the 4 screws. Switch on your PlantControl D central unit and select MENU > Settings > GSM/GPRS. Set now the following parameters: 1.
  • Page 20 7. APN (not required, if the modem is only used for sending and receiving SMS) APN followed To enter the APN (Access Point Name), select by the OK key. Now enter the APN given to you by your SIM-Card provider. 8.
  • Page 21 Prepaid SIM-Card information If you use a prepaid SIM-Card, we would like to inform you about legal regulations in some countries regarding the use of prepaid SIM-Card products. Your prepaid SIM-Card provider is possibly bound by legal regulations and, therefore, must deactivate your SIM-Card number if not used for a certain length of time.

  • Page 22: Further Plantcontrol Menu Items Description

    Further PlantControl menu items description Menu > Status “Status” provides an overview of the system’s operating condition. Press the - cursor keys to scroll up and down. Status > Controller > OK button: This displays the following parameters: Time until next moisture measurement / Free data storage capacity / Battery current / Date-time / Firmware version / Hardware version / Serial number / GSM reception strength / SIM-Card credit Status >...

  • Page 23: Erase Logbook

    Further PlantControl menu items description (cont.) Among other cases, an alarm is displayed in the following situations or transmitted by SMS (SMS alarm texts may be shorter). S=Sensor / x=Number: Alarm text Description Trouble-Shooting Sensor "x" temperature When ambient temperature falls below or alarm exceeds a predefined value .

  • Page 24: Installation

    2.  The system’s transmission range in an open space and line of sight (no obstacles) is a maximum of 200 meters. For this reason, the PlantControl D central unit should be located as centrally as possible to the sensors.
  • Page 25 Guide for the correct placement of the soil moisture sensors Placing at the right depth Dripper The sensors should measure the moisture there, where the plants absorb the water, namely in the Ideal Not ideal root zone (Fig. 1). As the size of the root ball change significantly during the growth phase, it is recommended to re-place the sensors deeper after the initial growth phase.
  • Page 26 Placing the sensor in drip irrigation applications The following recommendations are particularly important when the Plant Control D data logger is used within an irrigation system. However, this section also contains important information when the system is used for general moisture investigations.
  • Page 27 Proper placement of the sensor electronics When using a wireless sensor, the radio link between the sensor and Plant Control D / CX or FA central unit should not be disturbed. Since the radio transmission can be disturbed by the water in the leaves or any other obstruction, the electronics should be placed as high as possible (preferably higher than the plant).

  • Page 28: Moisture Output In Hpa Suction Pressure

    4. Moisture output in hPa suction pressure Note: Only applicable for sensors with a hard felt or part-number endings "H". The PlantCare moisture sensor technology is based on a micro-thermal measuring principle. A cooling time is measured, which allows a statement about the water content of the soil. To permit a conversion to a suction pressure (hPa), a calibration must therefore be made.
  • Page 29 Swiss soil texture pyramid classification with positioning of the LUFA Speyer standard soils Clay fine textured soils medium textured soils coarse sand Silt Sand European Union soil texture pyramid classification German soil texture pyramid classification FAO soil texture pyramid classification (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) gray area has no significance...

  • Page 30: Data Readout And Firmware Update

    5. Data readout and firmware update The PlantControl D offers a USB interface for easy data readout as well as firmware update.  Insert either a USB stick for data readout or a USB stick, which contains a new firmware from PlantCare, into the corresponding USB interface of your PlantControl CX central unit.

  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    6. T roubleshooting The numbers and values ​ ​ u sed in this table are only examples. Content coming soon...

  • Page 32: Deactivation / Re-Activation

    No liability is accepted for damage resulting from incorrect handling or a product malfunction. 10. Support If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail: P.O. Box 4, 6987 ZG Giesbeek Nijverheidsstraat 30, 6987 EM Giesbeek, The Netherlands T +31 313 880200 F +31 313 880299 E info@eijkelkamp.com http://www.eijkelkamp.com...

This manual is also suitable for:

Plantcontrol cx

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