USEFUL CONTACTS

  
 

REPAIR HINTS  AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Company Name Telephone Comment
AT&T wireless data service NA 1-800-552-3373 Call only for detected general network problems. 
Airlink NA 510-226-4200 Have the IP address ready for any technical problem detected in the Raven modem.
Locher Enviromental Kevin Locher, Charlie Mondell (engineer) 863-853-3325 Campbell distributor. Technical questions
DEKA, Yuasa batteries distributor Bob office: 941-949-0333

cell:239-216-2927

  
Atlantic Solar Alex Berg 877-577-6527 Solar Panels. Account set up.
Allied Electronics   1 800-433-5700 Electronic components. Account set up
Graybar Rebeca or Debora 239-332-2711 Wire and some electronic components

 

TELEMETRY SYSTEM FAILURES

 

When data collection starts failing, the following  are some of the  reasons for failure in order of most common to less common problems:

 

  1. The power supply is down so connection to the Raven modem is not possible. Always check access to Raven first using the ACE software.
  2. Connection to the Raven is possible but not the CR10. Reset the Raven as sometimes it locks up and you can not 'see' the CR10. If no success, Raven or CR10 might be bad, check Raven leds to verify network connection. Other possibility is CDPD network failure, but in that case ALL Ravens would not have connection.
  3. CR10 has a problem. If for example water goes inside the enclosure and moisture is too high, it might short the ports in the CR10, damaging it.
  4. The schedule times in the PC208 software are incorrect.

 

RAVEN SIGNAL

 

The RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) in the Raven should be around -75dBm for very good connection, although down to -100dBm still works fine. The Chandler site has around -90dBm due to the location surrounded by thick vegetation and tall trees.

 

POWER SUPPLY FAILURES

 

5W Solar Panels.

Verify solar panel power delivery. I use a 50 Ohm resistor, setting the solar panel in full sun. Output voltage should be 15 V on the resistor (~4.5W). In cloudy conditions and with load (regulator, CR10), the solar panel should output 14 to 15 Volts. 

 

Regulators

In Kirton, we are using chargers built with LM338 regulators. Verify that the connector socket  inside the control unit is making contact. Verify that the LM338 is in place (I found LM338's which came loose due to poor soldering). I have not found any LM338 which broke, burnt or anything related, but it is always good to check it when repairing a Control Unit.

 

CONTROL UNITS

 

Please study the link to Control Units in the Telemetry System website. One important hint is that I found that new National or Fairchild LM555 timers do not work in the Control Units (do not know why). I resorted to LM555 from Radio Shack which worked just fine.

 

KEEPING INFORMATION SAFE

 

Please make sure that the documentation folders are kept safe. Always keep copy of the CR10 programs in the floppy disks inside the folder. CR10_A, CR10_B, CR10_C for Kirton and CHAND2 for Chandler. Any modification should be back up in these disks.

 

Make weekly back up of the data files collected with PC208.