Page 1 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
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Page 4 This manual is an unpublished work and contains the trade secrets and confidential information of Neptune Technology Group, which are not to be divulged to third parties and may not be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical for any purpose, without the express written permission of Neptune Technology Group Inc.
Page 5 ® R900 Gateway Neptune Technology Group Inc. Installation and Maintenance Guide 1600 Alabama Highway 229 Literature No. IM R900 Gateway 01.2022 Tallassee, AL 36078 Part No. 13194-001 Tel: (800) 633-8754 Fax: (334) 283-7293 Copyright © 2003 - 2022 Neptune Technology Group Inc.
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Page 7: Table Of Contents
Chapter 2: Activating the Gateway in the Host Software Step One Step Two Step Three Basic Information Location Static IP Web Service Read Reporting Command Polling Process Configuration Advanced Options Step Four Step Five ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 8 Mounting the Battery Box Attaching the Solar Panel Mounting the Gateway Wiring the Solar Panel Wiring the Battery Box Wiring the Gateway Connecting the Ground Wire Attaching the RF Antenna Cable Attaching the Power Cable ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 9 Installing the UPS Connecting the Ground Wire Connecting the Cables to the Gateway Mounting the RF Antenna and Antenna Mast Mounting the Antenna Mast to the Building Mounting RF Antenna to Antenna Mast Connecting the Ethernet Cable ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 10 Installation Considerations for Solar Panels Magnetic Declination Correction for Magnetic Declination and Solar Panel Tilt Facing True South Specific Tilt Angle Magnetic Declination for the United States Selecting the Correct Solar Power System ® viii R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 11 Troubleshooting the Solar Panel's Battery Solar Panel Troubleshooting Decreased Solar Panel Output Verifying Solar Panel Output Appendix B: Ballast Ballast Requirements ROHN Industries Stand Appendix C: RF Antenna and Coaxial Installation RF Antenna Overview Mounting the Antennas ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 12 Installing the External Cellular Antenna Ethernet Termination Straight-Through Ethernet Cable Crossover Ethernet Cable Determining if You Need a Crossover Cable Appendix E: R900® Gateway Modem Upgrade Required Tools Instructions Opening the Gateway Box Removing the Old Modem Installing the New WIreless Modem...
Page 13 Contents Glossary Index ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
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Page 15 Figure 25 – Advanced Options Figure 26 – Collectors Search Window Figure 27 – Save USB Build Figure 28 – Coaxial Ground Kit Figure 29 – Coaxial Hoisting Grips Figure 30 – Mounting Brackets ® xiii R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 16 Figure 57 – Slot on Mounting Bracket Figure 58 – Battery Box Clamps Figure 59 – Pole Hardware Figure 60 – Mounted Battery Box Figure 61 – Mounted Solar Panel Figure 62 – Adjust Tilt Angle ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 17 Figure 90 – Ethernet Plug Inserted Figure 91 – Examples of N_SIGHT ® PLUS Gateway Monitoring Figure 92 – Gateway Power Plug Figure 93 – System LEDs Figure 94 – Modem Front View ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 18 Figure 119 – Clean Antenna Mounting Area Figure 120 – Check O-ring Figure 121 – Lock Washer and Tightening Bolt Figure 122 – Check Gateway Door Gasket Figure 123 – New FCC Label ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 19 Table 26 – Battery Status LED Error Indications Table 27 – Charging Status LED Indicator Table 28 – Battery Status LED Indicators Table 29 – Fault Indications Table 30 – Self-Test Display Examples ® xvii R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 20 Table 40 – Coaxial Order Matrix Table 41 – Installation Materials Needed Table 42 – Certifying Carriers by Nation Table 43 – 4G LTE Cellular Signal Quality Measurements* Table 44 – Cable Color Code ® xviii R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 21: Chapter 1: Overview
Chapter 1: Overview ® The R900 gateway (gateway) is a fixed network data collector that collects meter reading ® data from Neptune's R900 endpoint and stores the data in the gateway until it ® ® synchronizes with the N_SIGHT PLUS or Neptune 360™...
Page 22: Determininghow To Install The Gateway
DeterminingHow to Install the Gateway Neptune recommends using qualified professionals for installation and service. Neptune provides a kit for five types of setups as detailed in the following table. The kits provide materials needed for indoor and outdoor installations. Install the gateway in the combinations shown in the following table.
Page 23: Mounting Configurations
You can mount a gateway directly on a wall or to a strut channel that is affixed to a wall. Figure 3 – Gateway Wall Mount Installation The gateway allows for a cellular modem or Ethernet connection for backhaul communication. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 24: Gateway Stand
Install the gateway outdoors on a free-standing pole ranging from 2 inches to 16 inches in diameter, such as a utility pole. Figure 5 – Gateway Pole Installation For backhaul communication, the gateway allows for a cellular modem or Ethernet connection. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 25: Gateway Kits
The following table lists the parts needed for the gateway cellular modem installation. Table 2 – Cellular Modem Parts List Part No. Description 13458-000 R900 gateway cellular modem. Accessories are available. Contact your Neptune sales representative for details. 13194-001 R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide. SIM card with cellular service account (customer provided).
Page 26: Ethernet
Choose a wireless service provider that provides service in the area of the installation site and is approved by your utility. Neptune's gateway collector is compatible with either AT&T or Verizon cellular service. 2. Identify the modem identification numbers from the gateway International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) and Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID).
Page 27: Chapter 2: Activating The Gateway In The Host Software
Chapter 2: Activating the Gateway in the Host Software ® This chapter provides information on how to activate the R900 gateway. Step One ® Log on to the N_SIGHT PLUS application through your Web browser. Step Two Determine whether to use an existing gateway or add a new one to the host software.
Page 28: Figure 8 - Table Maintenance Window
Figure 8 – Table Maintenance Window The Table Maintenance window appears. Figure 9 – Gateway Detail Window 4. Click the Create New Option button. The following dialog box appears. Figure 10 – Table Details ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 29: Step Three
To create a new record, complete the following steps. 1. From the N_SIGHT PLUS main menu, click Collectors. Figure 11 – Collectors Tab 2. From the drop-down menu, click Create Collector.. Figure 12 – Create Collector ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 30: Figure 13 - New Collector / Gateway Dialog
Figure 13 – New Collector / Gateway Dialog 3. Click Gateway and the following dialog box appears. Figure 14 – Collector Type 4. Select V4 from the drop-down menu. Figure 15 – Select Type ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 31: Basic Information
Yes – Allows you to select the gateway to copy configuration settings. No – Allows you to build a new configuration. Figure 16 – Copy an Existing Gateway Basic Information 1. Click Next and the following dialog box appears. Figure 17 – Basic Information ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 32: Location
1. Click Next and the following dialog box appears. Figure 18 – Gateway Location 2. Complete the required fields on the Location dialog box. Address. City. State. Zip. Lat (decimal degrees). Long (decimal degrees). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 33: Static Ip
2. Select one of the following: No and then go to "Web Service" on the next page. Yes to create a static IP, and then click Next. The following dialog box appears. Figure 20 – Static IP Details ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 34: Web Service
Select Web Service Firmware Select same Web server. Network Time Protocol (NTP) Server Provide the NTP server Web address. It can be a public NTP (ex: time.nist.gov) or a Neptune NTP. Transfer Interval Set to minutes between uploads (default: 359, six hours).
Page 35: Read Reporting
Figure 22 – Read Reporting 2. Leave all values set to zero. Command Polling 1. Click Next and the following dialog box appears. Figure 23 – Command Polling 2. Leave all values set to zero. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 36: Process Configuration
2. Verify that the fields have the following default values. Download Extension – .tar. Rename Extension – .xxx. Data Extension – .dat. Advanced Options 1. Click Next and the following dialog box appears. Figure 25 – Advanced Options ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 37: Figure 26 - Collectors Search Window
5. In the Max MIUs field, Select 25000. 6. Click Finish to create the gateway. The Collectors Search window appears. If the Finish button is not active, some of the fields could be invalid. Figure 26 – Collectors Search Window ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 38: Step Four
3. Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port on the gateway until the light turns green. 4. Remove the USB flash drive. The gateway reboots and is configured. 5. Press the Test Report button on the top right to send data to the server. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 39: Chapter 3: General Installation Information
Chapter 3: General Installation Information ® This chapter provides general information on how to install the R900 gateway. Preparation This section describes the procedures to complete before you install the hardware. Verify that all of the items in the following checklist are installed and working as designed. This ensures a quick and easy implementation when you are ready to install the hardware.
Page 40: Electrical Specifications
Description Manufacturer ROHN. Dimensions 5 ft. x 5 ft. square (1.5 m x 1.5 m). Height 10 ft. (304.8 cm). Pole Diameter 2.375 in (72.4 cm). Weight (excluding ballast) 50 lbs. (22.6 kg). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 41: Ups Specifications
Table 9 – Solar Power System Specification - 160 W Option Specification Description Rated Power 160 W. Rated Voltage (Vmp) 18.9 V. Rated Current (Imp) 8.47 A. Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.9 V. Short Circuit Voltage (Isc) 8.68 A. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 42: 220 W Option Specifications
52.0" x 48.0" (132 cm x 121.9 cm). Weight (PV array only) 42.8 lbs. (19.4 kg). Mounting Pole mount: 2.0" to 16.0" diameter. (5.08 cm to 40.64 cm). Mounting Bracket 25 lbs. (11.33 kg). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 43: Battery Specifications
63 lbs. (28.6 kg). RF Antenna Specifications Table 13 – RF Antenna Specifications Specification Description Manufacturer PCTEL. Part No. MFB9155NF. Center Frequency (factory tuned) 915 MHz. Frequency Range 902-928 MHz. Gain 5 dB. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 44: Storage
Mounting Method Mast or wall mounted. Mounting Hardware MMK4 heavy duty mast mount (sold separately). Optional wall mounting kit (Neptune Part No. 13145-000). Storage Upon receipt, inspect shipping containers for damage, and inspect the contents of any damaged carton. After completing the inspection, store the cartons in a clean, dry environment. The temperature of the unit should remain between –40°F and 185°F (–40°C and 85°C).
Page 45: Unpacking
After unpacking the gateway, inspect it for damage. If any parts of the gateway appear damaged or prove defective upon installation, notify your Neptune representative. If you are returning a damaged or defective item, use the original cardboard box and packing material.
Page 46 NOCO Company's NCP-2 or Sanchem Inc.'s Apply to battery terminals No-OxID Grease "A". for corrosion protection. American Wire Gage Copper wire with a minimum temperature #4 or #6. (AWG) rating of 75° C. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 47: Safety And Preliminary Checks
Safety and Preliminary Checks Always follow your company's safety practices and installation guidelines when installing your gateway unit. Never perform an installation during a lightning storm or under excessively wet conditions. Use only approved climbing equipment. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
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Page 49: Chapter 4: Install The Gateway
Chapter 4: Install the Gateway ® This chapter contains sections detailing the installation options for the R900 gateway. Mounting RF Antenna to a Pole or Stand If mounting a two-inch round, SCH40, galvanized steel pole, seat the pole according to the recommendations from the solar-powered system's installation guide.
Page 50: Figure 31 - Attaching The Coaxial Cable
Attach the coaxial cable after the antenna is hoisted and mounted. 4. Weatherize the RF antenna connection using the weatherizing kit specified in "Recommended Tools and Materials" on page 25. Figure 32 – Weatherizing the RF Antenna ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 51: Figure 33 - Mounting Brackets
6. Secure the coaxial cable every 2 feet. along the pole using UV-stable wire ties. Figure 33 – Mounting Brackets Secure larger 1/2" and 7/8" diameter coaxial cable according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For more information go to "RF Antenna and Coaxial Installation" on page 101. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 52: Mounting The Gateway - Solar Configuration
3. Attach the lower bracket to the battery box using the 5/16" carriage bolts. 4. Tighten bolts using a ½" wrench to 10-12 ft-lbs. torque. 5. Check alignment of all assembled parts and tighten all bolted connections. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 53: Figure 35 - Battery Box Installed
Figure 36 – Battery and Wiring ® Apply corrosion inhibitor, for example NOCO Company's NCP-2 (Non Corrosion ® Product) or Sanchem Inc.'s No-OX ID Grease "A", to the battery terminals. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 54: Attaching The Solar Panel
3. Attach the solar panel to the pole using the U-bolts or bands provided. 4. Position the solar panel so that it faces true south. See "Facing True South" on page 79. Figure 38 – Solar Panel Attached ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 55: Figure 39 - Solar Panel Tilt Angle
In areas with potential for strong winds, add a bolt through the bracket and pole to secure the panel from rotation over time. The pole / wall mounting bracket is included with the gateway. Contact your Neptune sales representative to order the stainless steel clamps for mounting the gateway to a pole.
Page 56: Mounting The Gateway
1. Position the gateway so that the top of the box is approximately level with the battery box. 2. Attach the gateway to the pole using two stainless steel clamps. Figure 41 – Positioning the Gateway ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 57: Wiring The Solar Panel
The following instructions are for wiring the battery box for the solar panel of a gateway solar-powered system. If you are installing an AC-powered system, skip this procedure. 1. Attach the connector hub to the back of the battery box. See Figure 43 on page 38. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 58: Figure 43 - Feeding Conductor Wire
5. Attach the red (+) wire to the load (+) terminal inside the battery box. 6. Attach the black (–) wire to the load (–) terminal inside the battery box. See Figure 45 on page 39. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 59: Wiring The Gateway
Use #4 or #6 AWG copper wire with a minimum temperature rating of 74°C. 3. Tighten with a flathead screwdriver. Torque to 35 inch-lb. (4.0 Nm). Figure 46 – Ground Wire ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 60: Attaching The Rf Antenna Cable
Figure 47 – RF Antenna Cable Attaching the Power Cable Attach the power plug to the gateway by pushing and rotating the circular power connector clockwise to engage it. Figure 48 – Power Cable ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 61: Securing The Gateway
2. Distribute the ballast material evenly as illustrated in Figure 49 – on the next page. 3. Secure the stand and ballast material in accordance with local code requirements. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 62: Activating The Gateway System
3. Verify that the CHARGING LED on the charge controller is lit. See "Solar Power Information" on page 79 of Appendix A. 4. Close the battery box with the locking key. The battery box and the gateway system are activated. Figure 50 – Activating the Battery ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 63: Configuring The Cellular Modem
Tighten the right screws first, then the left. Configuring the Cellular Modem See "Configuring the Cellular Modem" on page 107 of Appendix D. Before you begin, you need an active cellular account with the carrier of your choice. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 64: Configuring The Gateway
RF traffic. See "System LEDs" on page 74. Securing the Gateway Secure the gateway cover with the tamper-resistant T27 Torx Pin-Head tool. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 65: Installing A Large Pole Mount System
1. Mount the RF antenna bracket to the large pole using the two stainless steel Snaplock clamps. Figure 52 – Large Pole Bracket 2. Mount the RF antenna to the bracket. Figure 53 – RF Antenna Bracket ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 66: Figure 54 - Coaxial Cable Attached
Gateway" on page 103. 4. Weatherize the RF antenna connection using the weatherization kit. Refer to "Recommended Tools and Materials" on page 25. 5. Secure the coaxial cable approximately every 3 feet. Figure 55 – Weatherized Connection ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 67: Mounting The Gateway To A Large Pole
1. Mount the gateway to pole using two stainless steel clamps. Figure 56 – Gateway Pole Hardware The pole / wall mounting bracket is included with the gateway. Contact your Neptune sales representative to order the stainless steel clamps for mounting the gateway to a pole.
Page 68: Figure 58 - Battery Box Clamps
5. Secure the box to the bottom bracket using the 5/16-inch carriage bolts. 6. Center the battery in the battery box leaving ventilation areas free of blockage. 7. Close the door of the battery box with the locking key. Figure 60 – Mounted Battery Box ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 69: Mounting The Solar Panel To A Large Pole
2. Install the solar panel so that it faces true south. 3. Set the solar panel tilt angle based on latitude. Figure 61 – Mounted Solar Panel Figure 62 – Adjust Tilt Angle ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 70: Attaching Cables For The Gateway
1. Locate the RF antenna cable that extends from the RF antenna. 2. Connect the RF antenna cable to the RF antenna connector located on the bottom of the gateway. 3. Tighten the coaxial connector to 14 inch-lb (1.5 Nm). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 71: Weatherizing The Rf Antenna Connection
Be sure to overlap the tape at least ¼ inch (0.635 cm). 4. When complete, the weatherized port should resemble the following figure. Figure 65 – Weatherized RF Port Connecting Power to the Gateway This section covers connecting power to the gateway. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 72: Attaching The Power Cable
Internet access readily available at the Web services. installation site prior to installing the gateway, Configuring the Gateway with the USB Flash Drive Complete the following steps to configure the gateway using a USB flash drive. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 73: Installing The Ups To A Large Pole
Attach the UPS to a large pole using the two stainless steel clamps as shown in the following images. Figure 68 – UPS Attached with Clamps Figure 67 – UPS Attached to a Large Pole The UPS is rated for indoor and outdoor use. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 74: Connecting Power To The Ups
4. Attach the circular power connector (12 VDC) to the gateway by pushing and rotating the connector clockwise to engage it. 5. Turn on the power switch inside the UPS to activate the system. See "UPS Power Switch" on page 60. See also "Checking UPS Status LEDs" on page 72. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 75: Figure 69 - Inside Of The Ups
Chapter 4: Install the Gateway 6. Install the cover on the UPS and secure it with the two cover screws. Figure 69 – Inside of the UPS ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 76: Installing A Wall Mount System
If mounting to: Wood – use #14 corrosion-resistant wood screws. Masonry – use 1 3/4-inch long, 3/16-inch diameter, corrosion-resistant masonry screws. Sheet metal – use #14 corrosion-resistant sheet metal screws. Figure 70 – Wall-Mounted Gateway ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 77: Installing The Ups
2. Remove the two screws from the cover on the UPS, and remove the cover. 3. Wire the 120 VAC input through the lower knockout hole. Figure 72 – UPS with VAC Input Wired ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 78: Connecting The Ground Wire
Use #4 or #6 AWG with a minimum temperature rating of 75° C. 3. Tighten with a flathead screwdriver. Torque to 35 inch-lb (4.0 Nm). Figure 74 – Ground Wire ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 79: Connecting The Cables To The Gateway
Do not weatherize the power connector. The power connector is IP68-rated and does not require weatherization wrap. 3. Attach the circular power connector to the gateway by pushing and rotating the connector clockwise to engage it. Figure 76 – Power Connector ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 80: Figure 77 - Ups Power Switch
Figure 77 – UPS Power Switch When the gateway's Ethernet port is not in use, cover with the protective guard (CONEC P/N:17-10002). The image below illustrates the completed gateway and UPS wall installation. Figure 78 – Wall Installation ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 81: Mounting The Rf Antenna And Antenna Mast
250V, in accordance with NEC Article 810, CEC Section 64. It is important to maximize the line-of-sight relationship between the RF antenna and R900 endpoints for optimum RF communications. Mounting the Antenna Mast to the Building With a wall mount installation, it is necessary to mount the RF antenna on the exterior of the building.
Page 82: Mounting Rf Antenna To Antenna Mast
Chapter 4: Install the Gateway ® The model of pole bracket shown can be different than what Neptune supplies. Please contact Neptune Customer Support if you have any questions. 3. Place the antenna mast pole within the bracket. 4. Make sure the pole is vertical. Use a level if necessary.
Page 83: Figure 82 - Coaxial Cable
Figure 83 – Weatherizing RF Antenna Do not hoist the antenna while attached to the coaxial cable. Doing so may damage the antenna connector. Attach the coaxial after the antenna is hoisted and mounted. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 84: Figure 84 - Rf Antenna To Mast
6. Secure the coaxial cable every 2 feet along the mast using UV-stable wire ties. Figure 85 – Securing the Coaxial Cable Secure larger 1/2-inch and 7/8-inch diameter coaxial cable according to manufacturer's recommendations. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 85: Connecting The Ethernet Cable
Complete the following steps to connect the Ethernet modem. 1. Locate the Ethernet port at the bottom of the gateway. Figure 86 – Port Connection 2. Locate the Ethernet plug that's included with the gateway. Figure 87 – Feed-Through Assembly ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 86: Figure 88 - Rj45 Ethernet Plug
7. Tighten the cable fitting until the gasket is tight around the RJ45 cable. Figure 90 – Ethernet Plug Inserted The Ethernet connector is weatherproof (IP67 rated) and does not require weatherization wrap. Configuring the Gateway See "Mounting the Gateway - Solar Configuration" on page 32. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 87: Figure 91 - Examples Of N_Sight
Monitoring the Gateway ® N_SIGHT PLUS host software allows the user to monitor each gateway. ® Figure 91 – Examples of N_SIGHT PLUS Gateway Monitoring ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 88 If files are missing for a number of days, complete the following steps before calling Neptune Customer Support. 1. Reboot the gateway that has the missing files by disconnecting the black power connector from the bottom of the gateway unit.
Page 89 0KB, it is fixed. If not, call Customer Support and explain the issue you are experiencing. See "Contacting Customer Support" on page 77. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
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Page 91: Table 18 - Performance Troubleshooting
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting ® This chapter provides symptoms and actions to troubleshoot your R900 gateway. Performance Troubleshooting Refer to the following table to troubleshoot performance or failure issues. Table 18 – Performance Troubleshooting Problem/Failure Recommended Action N_SIGHT PLUS host Verify the database service is running.
Page 92: Table 19 - Ups Status Leds
VAC (± 20 V). Verify that the UPS's internal switch is on. Verify the UPS status LEDs. See Table 19 6. Install the UPS cover again and secure it with the two screws. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 93: Figure 92 - Gateway Power Plug
There are two LED lights on the RF receiver board that are illuminated when the system is on. See Figure 93 on page 74. RXMODE (red). LOCKED (green). If the two LED lights are not illuminated, check that there is power to the unit. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 94: Figure 93 - System Leds
In addition, the green LED D501 should begin flashing to indicate that the unit is receiving endpoint readings. However, in areas where the endpoint density is high, this LED can remain green constantly to indicate a high volume of endpoint RF traffic. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 95: Figure 94 - Modem Front View
Figure 94 – Modem Front View 2. If the lights are off, this indicates that there is a power problem with the modem or the power source. See "Verifying Cellular Modem Power" on the next page. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 96: Figure 95 - Modem Back View
Refer to the Vanguard 5530MC manual for more information on the LED functions. 4. After you complete all of the steps and you are still having issues with the unit operating properly, call Neptune Customer Support at (800) 647-4832 for assistance with further diagnosis. See "Contacting Customer Support" on the facing page.
Page 97: Figure 97 - Report Now Button
See Figure 97. Figure 97 – Report Now Button Contacting Customer Support Within North America, Neptune Customer Support is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Central Standard Time by telephone or email. By Phone To contact Neptune Customer Support by phone, complete the following steps.
Page 98 Your name and utility or company name. A description of what occurred and what you were doing at the time. A description of any actions taken to correct the issue. By Email To contact Neptune Customer Support by email, send your message to support@neptunetg.com. ® R900...
Page 99 (isogonic lines) shown in Figure 98 on page 81. For example, the declination of Washington, D.C. is approximately –11°, for Chicago, IL, –1°, and for Los Angeles, CA, +14°. 3. Determine magnetic south at your site using a magnetic compass. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 100 Table 20 – Recommended Solar Panel Tilt Angle Site Latitude Range (Degrees) Recommended Fixed Tilt Angle 45° – 90° 60° 25° – 45° Latitude + 15° 15° – 25° Latitude + 5° 0° – 15° 15° Based on winter performance. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 101: Figure 98 - Magnetic Declination U.s
Contours of Declination of the Earth's magnetic field, expressed in degrees. Contour Interval: 1 Degree (Positive declinations in blue, negative in red) Produced by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), Boulder, Colorado Figure 98 – Magnetic Declination U.S. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 102: Figure 99 - Solar Power Zones
Table 21 – Solar Power System Selection Solar Power System Selection Zone Solar Panel Wattage Solar Power Dimensions Neptune Part No. A, B, C, and D 160 W 26 inch x 58 inch 13068-200 (small pole / stand) 13068-400 (large pole)
Page 103 For example, if the site location falls on transition line D and E, choose the zone E solar power system recommendation. 4. For accessories, contact your Neptune sales representative for the most current information. Solar Power System Operation Summary When the installation of the system is complete, you can expect the following typical performance.
Page 104: Table 22 - Solar Power System Troubleshooting
Confirm that the load end of the circuit breaker does not have a short circuit. Breaker damaged Use an ohm meter to verify the breaker continuity out of circuit. Replace the breaker if necessary. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 105 This sets the controller for charging the sealed valve regulated lead acid (VRLA), and absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries. See Figure 100 on page 86 below and Figure 101 on page 87. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 106: Figure 100 - Sunsaver™ Gen 2 Solar Controller
After some period of time recharging the battery—so that it recovers almost 40 to 50 percent of its rated capacity (12.6V)—the load automatically reconnects and the red LED is unlit. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 107: Figure 101 - Sunsaver™ Gen 3 Solar Controller
Three battery status LEDs indicate the level of charge on the battery—based only on battery voltage set points—providing an approximation of the actual SOC of the battery. Table 24 on the next page identifies the battery status LED definitions. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 108: Table 24 - Battery Status Led Definitions
1 A heartbeat indication flickers the Status LED off briefly every five seconds. A solid red Status LED indicates that a critical fault has been detected. Critical faults typically indicate that the controller is damaged and requires service. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 109: Figure 102 - Prostar ® Controllers
PS-15M (15A rating, with digital meter option included). PS-30 (30A rating). PS-30M (30A rating, with digital meter option included). ® Figure 102 – ProStar Controllers The ProStar controllers have three LEDs which indicate charging status, battery status, and various faults. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 110: Table 27 - Charging Status Led Indicator
(G = green, Y = Yellow, R = Red G/Y/R blinking together Battery select fault. R - Y sequencing High temperature disconnect. R - G sequencing High voltage disconnect. R/G - Y sequencing Load short circuit or overload. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 111 Hud – High voltage disconnect (both solar and load). Hot – High temperature disconnect (both solar and load). OCP – Overcurrent and short circuit protection (load, solar, overcurrent). 0.0 – Short circuit protection (solar only). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 112: Table 30 - Self-Test Display Examples
Example: Position "2" is the desired position for AGM batteries. Telecom noise jumper cut (change to on-off regulation). End of self-test. END---END Display; continues if no error was detected. END END Display; continues if an error has been detected. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 113: Table 31 - Fault Error List
Sealed – AGM, "maintenance free" and some types of gel batteries. Regulates to 14.15V (12V battery) with 14.35V boost charging. Flooded – Vented cells that require water to be added. Regulates to 14.4V with 14.9V and 15.1V actualization (12V battery). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 114: Table 33 - Voltages For Soc At 25°C
Table 33 provides Voc and Vuc for SOC at 25°C. Table 33 – Voltages for SOC at 25°C SOC (%) 12.8 14.20 12.6 12.91 12.3 12.60 12.0 12.25 11.8 11.81 <11.6 <11.81 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 115: Table 34 - Battery Load Voltage By Dod
However, they are a good indicator of state of charge for AGM batteries. This data is for newer batteries with relatively few cycles. An older battery measures a lower voltage for a given depth of discharge (DOD). ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 116 If the solar panel is unobstructed, unshaded, at the correct tilt angle, and in full light between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M., you can verify the solar panel's performance per the nameplate ratings for Voc and short circuit current (ISC) as follows. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 117: Table 35 - Sunlight By Time Of Day In Winter
9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. 30 - 60%. HIGH 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. 60 - 100%. 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. 30 - 60%. 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. 10 - 30%. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 118 Appendix A: Solar Power Information This page intentionally left blank. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 119: Table 37 - Rohn Stand Footprint Dimensions
Install a roof pad beneath the stand to protect the roof surface. For a 5 ft. x 5 ft. (1.5 m x 1.5 m) ROHN stand, use ROHN Part No. R-JRMPAD or JRMPAD. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 120: Figure 103 - Rohn Jrm23855 Stand
For ballast requirements for the ROHN Industries Stand (Part No. JRM23855), refer to the JRM Non-Penetrating Roof Mount section at ROHN'S website. Figure 103 – ROHN JRM23855 Stand ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 121: Table 38 - Mounting Antenna Considerations
This appendix provides information about how to install the RF antenna and coaxial cable. Neptune recommends that you consult with a qualified installer on the design and installation of the antenna system. If the installer is already familiar with the site and the existing equipment, this can make the installation go more smoothly.
Page 122 5 feet away from the structure. The components to offset the antenna are specific to the installation which Neptune does not provide. The antenna must be carefully hoisted up a tower so that it is not damaged.
Page 123: Table 39 - Acceptable Coaxial Cables
> 100 ft. Andrew Part Number: AVA5-50 or AVA5-50FX. You can order coaxial cable assemblies already terminated as accessories from Neptune or purchased from companies such as Tessco Technologies, Talley Communications, and Hutton Communications. Each end must be terminated with an N-male type connector.
Page 124: Table 40 - Coaxial Order Matrix
Female (two connectors required per installation) Cable, Coaxial n / a n / a n / a 10046-117 Andrew F4A-PNMDM-6- 6 ft. Jumper USA. N-Male to 7-16 DIN male (two jumpers required per installation) ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 125 See "Coaxial Cable Lengths for the Gateway" on page 103. The installation instructions for the Heliax Coaxial Cable are provided by Andrew. See Bulletin 17800B Revision C. Neptune can supply a PDF copy by request through Customer Support. ®...
Page 126: Table 41 - Installation Materials Needed
3. Verify the correct amount of power is coming out the other end with the proper test equipment, such as Frequency Domain Reflectance (FDR) or Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) cable and antenna testers. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 127: Table 42 - Certifying Carriers By Nation
Appendix D: Cellular and Ethernet Considerations ® This appendix provides information on the cellular modem used with the R900 gateway and the Ethernet. Cellular Modem Overview The Sierra Wireless RV55 modem is an LTE-Advanced cellular router that supports LTE and HSPA+ radio bands.
Page 128 Signal: Flashing Amber, Solid Amber, or Solid Green. Network: Solid Green. If the service is not operational, contact the service provider. For customization or more details on configuration, refer to the ALEOS Software Configuration User Guide for AirLink RV55 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 129: Figure 104 - Cellular Modem Front - Status Leds
3. Verify the status LEDs on the cellular modem are: RSSI - active. SVC - active or flashing. Figure 104 – Cellular Modem Front - Status LEDs Figure 105 – Cellular Modem Back - Status LEDs ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 130: Figure 106 - Unit Status Window
If you are able to successfully connect to a Web page, then the service is operational. If the service is not operational, contact the service provider. If you are unable to connect to a web page, refer to the Vanguard 5530MC User Manual. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 131 Appendix D: Cellular and Ethernet Considerations Provisioning the Vanguard 5530MC™ Modem After initial log on, change the password to enhance modem's security. Contact Neptune Customer Support for how to change the password on the Vanguard 5530MC modem. To provision the Vanguard 5530MC for service, complete the following steps.
Page 132: Table 43 - 4G Lte Cellular Signal Quality Measurements
The RSRP and RSRQ must be considered as well. Cellular Modem Conversion Kit The cellular modem conversion kit (Neptune Part No. 13939-000) is an optional kit that's required to convert an Ethernet version gateway to a cellular version gateway in the field.
Page 133 7. Install the external cellular antenna, mounting the antenna higher than the gateway to obtain better service reception. An optional wall mounting kit (Neptune Part No. 13145-000) is available for the external cellular antenna. The kit includes a 5-foot mast and wall mount brackets.
Page 134: Figure 107 - Straight-Through Ethernet Cable
Ethernet port. If the laptop computer can communicate through the Ethernet port, then the site requires a crossover Ethernet cable to be compatible with the gateway. See Table 44 on the facing page. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 135: Table 44 - Cable Color Code
Table 44 – Cable Color Code Symbol Wire Color White with orange stripe. Solid orange. White with green stripe. Solid blue. White with blue stripe. Solid green. White with brown stripe. Solid brown. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 136 Appendix D: Cellular and Ethernet Considerations This page intentionally left blank. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 137: Figure 109 - Required Tools
Phillips head screwdriver. T27 Torx head screwdriver. Adjustable pliers. Instructions Th is section provides the steps to upgrade the R900 gateway modem. Opening the Gateway Box Complete the following steps to open the gateway box. 1. Gather the required tools.
Page 138: Figure 110 - Torx Screwdriver
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade 2. Open the enclosure using the Torx screwdriver. Figure 110 – Torx Screwdriver 3. Disconnect power to the collector. Figure 111 – Disconnect Power to Collector ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 139: Figure 112 - Disconnect Power, Ethernet, And Antenna Cable
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade Removing the Old Modem Complete the following steps to remove the old modem. 1. On the modem, disconnect the power (PWR) cable, the Ethernet cable (LAN1), and the antenna (ANT) cable. Figure 112 – Disconnect Power, Ethernet, and Antenna Cable 2.
Page 140: Figure 114 - Remove Sim Card
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade Installing the New WIreless Modem Complete the following steps to install the new wireless modem. 1. On the Sierra RV55 Wireless modem, remove the SIM card cover using a Phillips head screwdriver. Figure 114 – Remove SIM Card 2.
Page 141: Figure 116 - Mount Sierra Modem On Gateway Door Panel
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade 3. To mount the Sierra modem on the gateway door, align the drill holes on the modem with the drill holes on the gateway door panel. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten the screws.
Page 142: Figure 118 - Remove Existing External Cellular Antenna
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade Upgrading the Cellular Antenna Complete the following steps to remove the existing cellular antenna and install a new antenna. 1. Remove the existing external cellular antenna on the gateway using adjustable pliers. Figure 118 – Remove Existing External Cellular Antenna 2.
Page 143: Figure 120 - Check O-Ring
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade Failure to perform this step can result in water intrusion which can damage the unit. Improper installation voids the warranty. 3. Before installing the new antenna, make sure the black O-ring is fully seated in the antenna to prevent water intrusion.
Page 144: Figure 122 - Check Gateway Door Gasket
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade 5. Turn on the power to the gateway. When the gateway and modem are powered, the modem displays a green "chase" light to indicate that it is configured for your SIM card and takes six to eight minutes to complete. After the modem is configured, it connects to the mobile network automatically and displays a solid green network LED.
Page 145: Figure 123 - New Fcc Label
® Appendix E: R900 Gateway Modem Upgrade 4. Using the Torx screwdriver, finish securing the enclosure shut: First, tighten the screws opposite the door hinge. Then, tighten the remaining screws. 5. On the exterior of the gateway, place the new FCC label over the existing label. Make sure the gateway's serial number can be seen through the new label window.
Page 146 Appendix E: R900® Gateway Modem Upgrade This page intentionally left blank. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 147 Instrument used to measure current. Common unit of measurement for electrical current. Automatic Meter Reading. The automated process of reading meters. Access Point Name. Array PV modules and all the associated wiring and mounting hardware. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 148 American Society for Testing and Materials. American Wire Gage. Ballast Heavy material used to secure the stability of the equipment stand. For the R900 Gateway system, concrete blocks are used for the ballast. CDMA Code Division Multiple Access. A channel-access method used by various radio communication technologies that allow multiple users to be connected over the same channel.
Page 149 Enhanced Data for Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Evolution. Frequency Domain Reflectometry. Field-effect transistor. Gateway Device that collects meter reading data from Neptune's absolute encoder register interfacing ® with Neptune's R900 endpoint and transmits the data for collection. This unit receives the ®...
Page 150 Instrument used to convert power from DC:AC in a regulated manner. Isogonic lines Lines on the Earth's surface along with the declination have the same constant value. Joule Common unit of measurement for electrical energy. Joules equals watts per second. Light-Emitting Diode. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 151 Meter Interface Unit, also known as an endpoint. MMK4 Heavy duty fiberglass base station mount. MOSFET Metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor is a specialized FET (field-effect transistor), and like all transistors, is used for switching or amplifying signals. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 152 Electrical contact lubricant (electrical contact grease). It is an electrically conductive grease that keeps metals free from rust and corrosion. NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Network Time Protocol. Overcurrent and short circuit protection (load, solar, overcurrent). Outer Diameter. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 153 RSSI Strength of the radio signal when it is received. System Information Manager. Sine Wave Refers to the wave-form of AC power, measured in hertz (Hz). State of Charge. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 154 Common unit of measurement for AC power. VA equals Volts x Amps x Power Factor. Volts Direct Current. Voltage open circuit. Voltmeter Instrument used to measure voltage. Volts Common unit of measurement for electrical potential. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 155 Abbreviation for Volts Per Cell, used to describe the individual battery cell voltage. A 12V battery has 6, 2V cells. VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio. Voltage under charge. Watt Common unit of measurement for DC power. Watts equals Volts x Amps. Wattmeter Instrument used to measure power. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 156 Glossary This page intentionally left blank. ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 157 47 Ethernet cable 65 terminal 33 connector hub 37 wiring 37 controller 89 bend radius 105 corrosion inhibitor 33 brackets 48 crossover, Ethernet 114 breakers 47 build USB 18 digital board 74 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 158 Gateway 1 gateway 29 activating 42 large pole mount 45 attaching cables 50 RF antenna and coaxial 101 configure 44, 52, 66 UPS 53, 57 connecting wall mount 56 cables 59 interference 3 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 159 ProStar Controllers 89 masonry, screws 56 materials 25 battery status 90 mechanical specifications 20 charging status 90 MEID 6 digital meter 91 missing files 68 fault indications 90 monitoring 67 manual disconnect 91 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 160 SIM 5, 19, 109 summer 97 site 2, 102 winter 97 ® site id 12 Snaplock SunSaver™ clamps 45 Gen 3 87 SOC 83 surge protector 105 solar system certification 106 charge controller 85 configuration 32 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 161 84 true north 79 Zones 5 true south 32, 49, 79 U-bolts 32 unpacking 25 UPS 5, 54, 60, 72 USB 18, 44, 52, 69 utility 6 UV-stable wire ties 64 VAC 57 ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...
Page 162 Index This page intentionally left blank ® R900 Gateway Installation and Maintenance Guide...

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