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Summary of Contents for Sentek RT6
- Page 1 Sentek RT6 HARDWARE MANUAL Version 3.2 February 2011...
- Page 3 The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Information provided in this document is proprietary to SENTEK Pty Ltd. This document or any part of it, may not be copied, reproduced or translated in any way or form.
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Page 5: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ........... 5 ..................... 5 BOUT THIS ANUAL ....................5 LOSSARY OF ERMS ................. 8 LECTRO AGNETIC OMPLIANCE Chapter 2: General Description ......9 ....................9 YSTEM VERVIEW .................... 10 YSTEM DESCRIPTION Logging Facility .................... - Page 6 SENTEK External RS232 cabling ................... 32 RS485 cabling ....................33 ......................35 SSEMBLY EnviroSCAN Probes ..................35 EasyAG 5-wire Probes ..................36 Logging Facility ....................37 Chapter 5: Operating Instructions ......39 ........39 NITIAL LOGGER CONFIGURATION AND NORMALIZATION ..................39 PERATION ...................
- Page 7 RT6 Main Board ....................83 Power supply ....................84 APPENDIX L ............85 ..................85 UPERSEDED YSTEMS Comparison of RT5 and RT6 Main Boards ............85 Removable Logger firmware revision .............. 86 Comparison of 4-wire and 5-wire board ............86 Page 3...
- Page 8 SENTEK Page 4...
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Page 9: Chapter 1: Introduction
Study of this manual does not allow users who have not undertaken the appropriate Sentek training course to install, maintain and repair the Sentek RT6 System under the warranty conditions. Superseded For details of the superseded RT5 systems and the... - Page 10 SENTEK Describes the process of transferring commands or Communication data between the logger and the computer. RS232 Is the standard which describes the specification for single ended serial transmission of data, which is the standard for the COM 1 and COM 2 ports on a computer.
- Page 11 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Abbreviation for “Input” (I) and “Output”(O) usually in reference to signals into and out of a device Abbreviation for “Identification” IEC 60529 Standard IEC 60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code). The Access tube top cap is rated to IP55: IP5x = complete protection from contact.
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Page 12: Electro-Magnetic Compliance
SENTEK Electro-Magnetic Compliance EMC approvals The Sentek RT6 System has been tested and found to comply with the following EMC guidelines: EN55011/CISPR11 (AS/NZS2064) Group 1 Class B EN50082-1 : 1992 (IEC 801-2,3,4) FCC Part 15 Class B FCC Part 2 Class B... -
Page 13: Chapter 2: General Description
IrriMAX software Appendix A illustrates the components that make up a typical Sentek RT6 System and how it appears in the field. The central logging facility is connected by cable to Maximum probes at each monitoring site. Probes can be located configuration within cable runs of up to 500 meters from the logger. -
Page 14: System Description
SENTEK telemetry devices can be connected to the RT6 Main Board to provide remote communication or the system can be hard-wired to a computer utilizing RS485 communication. System description Logging Facility The logging facility consists of : water resistant housing ... - Page 15 RS232 local communication port local/remote switch See Appendix D for visual of the RT6 front panel. The Main Board provides the I/O connections to the Main Board removable logger, battery, probes, solar panel and external communications. The Main Board also performs the following functions : ...
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Page 16: Enviroscan Probes
SENTEK provides serial data communication with computer or external telemetry devices measures system voltages during diagnostics Battery The SLA battery provides power to the logging facility during night periods (if solar powered) or in the event of external power failure. -
Page 17: Easyag Probes
CHAPTER 2: GENERAL DESCRIPTION are used. Up to 8 probes may be connected to each run to support multiple probes on a site or multiple sites. See Appendix B for examples of configurations. The maximum distance of any probe from the logging facility is a 500 metre cable length. -
Page 18: Access Tube
SENTEK Access Tube The EnviroSCAN access tube (56.5 mm diameter) and the EasyAG access tube (32 mm diameter) have been manufactured to very high standards with a fine tolerance inside diameter so as to provide minimal internal air gap for the sensor. -
Page 19: Enviroscan Top Cap
CHAPTER 2: GENERAL DESCRIPTION EnviroSCAN Top Cap The Top Cap assembly has been designed to prevent water and dust entry to IP55 IEC 60529 standard (see glossary). The assembly is made up of a body which has a removable cap with "O" ring that is screwed onto the body. -
Page 20: Enviroscan Sensors
SENTEK After installation of the access tube, bottom stopper and top cap (see the Access Tube Installation Manual), the probe is lowered into this tube. Readings of soil water content are taken through the PVC access tube without any contact between the sensor and the soil. -
Page 21: Cabling
Cabling The cabling between the logging facility and probes can be either: 1. SENTEK specific cable SENTEK has undertaken to produce its own cable based on the exact electrical specifications of the TYFLO cable: UV resistant outer sheath with standard colors of inside cables ... -
Page 22: Software
The IrriMAX utility Data Exchange can communicate directly with the logger, through the RT6 front panel, or through a modem dial-up using the IrriMAX Remote Connection Manager (RCM). The RT6 Logger Manager allows the configuration and testing of the logger. -
Page 23: Chapter 3: Technical Description
No power is applied to the probe cabling or probes between sampling. During sampling the Sentek RT6 logger applies power to the probe cabling (and probes) and a signal to power up (address) a particular sensor. The address... - Page 24 SENTEK 6.9 days). The sampling interval can be readily altered using the software. Note sampling intervals of less than 10 minutes require external power to be supplied to the logger as the solar panel may not provide sufficient charge for long term logging at 1 minute sampling intervals.
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Page 25: Probe
CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION A computer is connected to the logging facility to configure the system and set the time/date clock. The configuration is stored in the removable loggers non- volatile memory which includes: Number of sensors on Run A ... - Page 26 SENTEK dielectric constant of the material between the plates. The conductive rings of the sensor forms the plates of the "capacitor". As the area of the plates/rings and the distance between the plates/rings are fixed on the EnviroSCAN/EasyAG sensor, the capacitance (C) varies with varying complex dielectric constant of the material (dielectric) surrounding the plates/rings.
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Page 27: Power Supply
Power Supply The Sentek RT6 has an internal 12 volt 7A/hr SLA SLA battery battery which provides power during night periods (if solar powered) or in the event of external AC/DC power failure. - Page 28 SENTEK The following power sources can be applied to the Power sources Main Board : Solar panel which is rated at 10 watts at 12 volts External DC supply which can range from 16 to 24 volts DC capable of supplying 1.5 amps. This...
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Page 29: Data Downloading Options
RS485 capability connected to the Main Board. Consult the Data Exchange Manual for details regarding the download process. Sentek Technical Briefs are available to assist in designing and installing some types of modems. Page 25... - Page 30 SENTEK Page 26...
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Page 31: Chapter 4: System Installation
CHAPTER 4: SYSTEM INSTALLATION Chapter 4: System Installation Note: It is essential that site selection and probe configuration planning be done before starting physical assembly and installation in the field. This planning is described in both: Access Tube Installation Manual, and ... -
Page 32: Access Tubes
SENTEK It should point: due north - for the southern hemisphere or due south - for the northern hemisphere. The panel should be angled to suit the sites latitude and season so that the sun shines at right angles to the face of the solar panel. -
Page 33: Internal Battery Cabling
Failure to do this result unreliable connections. Note: Sentek recommends joining each wire in the cable, even if the wire is unused. After all connections have been made pull back the cables so that 5-10mm of the outer sheath protrudes from the cable gland. -
Page 34: Enviroscan Probe Cabling - At Probe
SENTEK 2-pin plug at the other. The cables should be connected to the "BATT" connector X6 and the battery with the following color allocation (see Appendix E – Overlay Diagram); Battery Cable Black EnviroSCAN Probe Cabling – at probe ... -
Page 35: Probe Cabling - At Logging Facility
CHAPTER 4: SYSTEM INSTALLATION and not the plastic sheath of the cable. Ensure that less than 2mm of copper wire protrudes from connector else the cables may short when moved. Pull the cable back through the cable gland until the black outer sheath no longer protrudes into the top cap. -
Page 36: External Rs232 Cabling
EMC and FCC requirements. External RS232 cabling The "RS232" connector on the RT6 Main Board (see Appendix E – Overlay Diagram for locations) provide serial RS232 signals which can be connected to external devices. These devices may be in the form of radio modems, computers, etc. -
Page 37: Rs485 Cabling
RS232 connector. RS485 cabling Multiple RT6 logging facilities can be connected together (multi-dropped RS485) on a twisted pair screened data cable back to a computer. Note normal telephone cable is not suitable. Although only one... - Page 38 120 ohm resistor between Pin A and Pin B on the RS485 cable-end connector or move the terminator to the prior RT6 logger and unwire the final cable from that logger. Jumper JP2 (see Appendix E – Overlay Diagram) is used to select either RS232 or RS485 external communications.
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Page 39: Assembly
CHAPTER 4: SYSTEM INSTALLATION Assembly EnviroSCAN Probes Note: This section does not apply to EasyAG probes. A step by step assembly training guide is available in EnviroSCAN probe assembly.ppt on the Distributor Resource Kit CD. With a permanent marker pen, write the probe number on each probe (on the probe handle, top cap and access tube) as per the system specification to avoid mixing up the components during assembly and... -
Page 40: Easyag 5-Wire Probes
SENTEK brass rings and position at the required depth locations. It may be necessary to slightly rotate the sensor assemble to allow the locator to interlock with the slot in the probe rod. To allow the sensor to be easily slid along the probe rod gently pull out the ribbon/pin connector assembly and fold it back over the top of the sensor. -
Page 41: Logging Facility
- external power (X5) Reverse the above order when removing Main Board. Probe cables RT6 Main Board Attach each 5 way connector of the cable runs to the main board to position X2 or X3 (see Appendix E – Overlay Diagram ) taking care to connect the Run A cable to the Run A connector (X2) on the Main Board and likewise with Run B (X3). - Page 42 SENTEK position the logger in the fold-down front cover of the logging facility. Velcro fasteners will hold the logger in place when the front cover is closed. Caution: Only connect the logger once all other components (including probes, probe wiring, external power wiring, etc.) have been assembled, installed and...
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Page 43: Chapter 5: Operating Instructions
CHAPTER 5: OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Chapter 5: Operating Instructions Initial logger configuration and normalization It is recommended to configure the RT6 Logger and assemble the sensors and normalize them in an office environment before installation of the probe in the field. -
Page 44: Front Panel Download
Exchange Manual for instructions regarding the download process and other software information). Front Panel Download If you have a laptop computer and a Field Download Cable you can visit the RT6 logger site and download the readings into the laptop. The reading can either: ... - Page 45 CHAPTER 5: OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Whilst removed from the system no further readings are being taken of the soil moisture content. The logger controls the process of data collection and stores these readings. Without the logger connected this cannot occur. ...
- Page 46 SENTEK Page 42...
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Page 47: Chapter 6: Maintenance
A regular maintenance program such as this will ensure that the Sentek RT6 System functions properly and continues to give worry free operation. If problems are experienced, running diagnostics may assist in determining any system faults. -
Page 48: Cabling
Tuck the connections into the box and attach the top cover. SLA battery The SLA battery supplied with the Sentek RT6 System has a typical life expectancy of 1 to 3 years. The life of the battery is effected by number of discharges, depth of discharges and operating temperature. -
Page 49: Removable Loggers Ni-Cad Battery
When the battery does not hold charge (causing loss of data and time/date when removable logger is unplugged) it will require replacing. This can be done by a Sentek approved electronic technician. Page 45... - Page 50 SENTEK Page 46...
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Page 51: Chapter 7: Moving & Storing
CHAPTER 7: MOVING & STORING Chapter 7: Moving & Storing The Sentek RT6 System has been designed as a system that can be removed, transported, stored and re-installed with care. It has not been designed as a truly portable unit and therefore great care must be taken when this is undertaken. - Page 52 SENTEK wire cable out of way, pull out the probe. Gently wobble the probe while pulling upwards to assist in removal if necessary Place probes inside transport tubes and seal. Where probes are long or removal is in an awkward...
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Page 53: Transportation
Caution: Avoid dropping or jarring of equipment during transport Storage While the Sentek RT6 System is not installed in the ground it can be safely stored until it is required for re-installation. The following points should be observed to ensure the system is fully functioning when re-installed: ... - Page 54 SENTEK Caution: Failure to follow this procedure will cause the internal SLA battery to discharge below the recommended minimum voltage which may damage the battery permanently, requiring replacement. Page 50...
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Page 55: Chapter 8: Trouble Shooting
Fuse F10 (1.0 amp): Protects the Solar Panel or Plug Pack from damage caused by failure in the rest of the Sentek RT6 System, and in some cases damage to the system from Plug Pack power surges, ... -
Page 56: Fault Determination
Unable to connect to the logger with RT6 Logger Manager or with Data Exchange program. When determining where in the Sentek RT6 System a problem lies, it is easier to divide the components into three major sections and identify which of these areas could be at fault. - Page 57 CHAPTER 8: TROUBLE SHOOTING Symptom Possible Cause Rectification Connecting through Ensure the COM port wrong COM port selected is the one to which the computer cable is plugged.. Missing data Battery faulty Replace battery e.g. data missing only at night Solar panel faulty Clean or replace solar panel...
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Page 58: Cable Faults
SENTEK Cable Faults Disconnect all components from the cable run that Checking for breaks: you wish to test. Place a Shorting Link on the connector at one end of the cable run and at the other end using a multi-meter check the resistance between every conductor on all of the connectors on that run. - Page 59 CHAPTER 8: TROUBLE SHOOTING connect to new battery Install battery into compartment in housing Plug in battery cable into main board Screw front panel onto housing Plug in logger Run diagnostics Unplug logger Main Board/ Front panel Remove the front panel screws and tilt panel to access rear of main board Unplug cables from main board/front panel in the following order;...
- Page 60 SENTEK Lift probe completely from access tube EnviroSCAN Probe only Remove the screws that hold the 5-wire board Remove the faulty 5-wire board Insert the replacement 5-wire board Re-install the screws that hold the 5-wire board EasyAG Probe only Cut the cable ties holding the 5-wire board to the...
- Page 61 13. Plug in logger 14. Run diagnostics Logger If possible download the data using Data Exchange Unplug the logger Plug in the replacement logger Configure the logger as per the IrriMAX Manual Run diagnostics with RT6 Logger Manager Page 57...
- Page 62 SENTEK Page 58...
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Page 63: System Overview
APPENDIX A APPENDIX A System Overview Page 59... - Page 64 SENTEK Page 60...
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Page 65: System Configuration Examples
APPENDIX B APPENDIX B System configuration examples Page 61... - Page 66 SENTEK Page 62...
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Page 67: Probe Configuration Examples
APPENDIX C APPENDIX C Probe configuration examples Page 63... - Page 68 SENTEK Page 64...
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Page 69: Front Panel Visual
APPENDIX D APPENDIX D Front panel visual Page 65... - Page 70 SENTEK Page 66...
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Page 71: Overlay Diagram
APPENDIX E APPENDIX E Overlay diagram RT6 Main Board Overlay Page 67... - Page 72 SENTEK Page 68...
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Page 73: Cable Wiring Order
APPENDIX F APPENDIX F Cable Wiring Order 5-wire Connector Page 69... - Page 74 SENTEK Page 70...
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Page 75: Enviroscan Sensor Addressing
APPENDIX G APPENDIX G EnviroSCAN Sensor Addressing Run A - Addressed as link 1 to 16 - address as A1 to A16 in software setup Run B - Addressed as link 1 to 16 - address as B1 to B16 in software setup Box around pin number five shows the link installed to address as sensor five. -
Page 76: Easyag Sensor Addressing
SENTEK EasyAG Sensor Addressing This example shows wiring for a 6 probe 50cm 5-wire EasyAG configuration. This example shows an 8 probe 30cm 5-wire EasyAG sensor configuration Page 72... -
Page 77: External Rs232 To Computer Cable Diagram
APPENDIX H APPENDIX H External RS232 to computer cable diagram The following diagram shows the wiring connections between the external RS232 connector and computers serial port. Computer 9 pin serial port Computer 25 pin serial port Page 73... - Page 78 SENTEK Page 74...
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Page 79: Rs485 Connections
APPENDIX I APPENDIX I RS485 connections RS485 Circuit Diagram RS485 Physical Connections Page 75... - Page 80 SENTEK Page 76...
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Page 81: Formula To Calculate Logger Storage Capacity
APPENDIX J APPENDIX J Formula to Calculate Logger Storage Capacity Please use the formula below to calculate the maximum period that you can allow to pass before you have to download your logger. Failure to download data within this period will lead to a partial loss of data, since the logger's memory will start to overwrite the data. - Page 82 SENTEK Page 78...
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Page 83: Specification Sheets
EnviroSCAN soil moisture sensors Note: This sensor specification does not apply to EasyAG probes. Measuring Principle Capacitance via the dielectric effect Non-contact via Sentek’s 50mm PVC access tube Installation Depth Up to 5.5 m vertical depth (deeper upon request) Framework Sensing Elements... -
Page 84: Enviroscan 5-Wire Technical Specifications
SENTEK EnviroSCAN 5-Wire Technical Specifications REVISION 1.1 PCB Revision: 5-Wire Interface Brand: Phoenix Contact connector type: MSTB 2.5-5.08 (Plug) Yellow (Data A) 5-Wire Interface pin configuration: Blue (Address) Red (Power) Green (Ground) White (Data B) Total Power 0mA @ standby... -
Page 85: Easyag 5-Wire Technical Specifications
APPENDIX K EasyAG 5-Wire Technical Specifications PCB Revision: PCB 0669 REV 4 Brand: Phoenix Contact 5-Wire Interface connector type: MC1,5/5-ST-3,5 (Plug) Yellow (Data A) 5-Wire Interface pin configuration: Blue (Address) Red (Power) Green (Ground) White (Data B) 0mA @ standby Total Power consumption: 5mA @ sampling (interface only) -
Page 86: Rt6 Logger
SENTEK RT6 logger Intel 80C552 Processor Clock rate 11.0592 MHz Memory 512K 100nS RAM 512K 200nS EPROM 256 x 8-bit Static CMOS EEPROM 2 days from removal of power Data retention I/O Capabilities RS232 and TTL serial communications which are software selectable for 1200, 2400, 9600 and 19.2K... -
Page 87: Rt6 Main Board
APPENDIX K RT6 Main Board SLA battery specific charging circuitry Power regulation 50mA constant current Ni-Cad charger 5 Volt linear regulators Protection Over voltage protection for SLA battery charger Battery cutout at 10.5 Volts with 1 Volt Hysteresis 1 Amp fuse in line with 12 Volt battery 1 Amp fuse in line with solar/external power 0.5 Amp fuse in line with sensor drivers... -
Page 88: Power Supply
SENTEK Power supply Make – YUASA (or equivalent) Internal Battery Model – NP7-12 Rating - 12 Volt / 7 Amp/Hr Type - Sealed / rechargeable SLA Make – Solarex Solar Panel Model - MSX-10 Type - Semicrystalline Silicon Rating - 10 Watts at peak power - 17.5 Volts at peak power... -
Page 89: Superseded Systems
SLA battery charger on RT6 Main Board is redesigned to be more efficient over extended temperature ranges and provides trickle charging the RT6 has more robust buffering of signals to probes to prevent damage from lightning surges and/or shorts in probe cabling... -
Page 90: Removable Logger Firmware Revision
SENTEK communication with computer Compatibility The RT6 Main Board is a direct replacement for the RT5 Main Board (only with receiver). The RT6 will work with probe runs having 4-wire boards with transmitters. Caution: Connecting probe runs with 4-wire boards (no transmitters) to the RT6 Main Board may cause damage to components.
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