SPREAD-SPECTRUM RADIO MODEM INSTALLATION KIT F O R Y DI R A D I O S , OMNI- DIRECTIONAL AND DIRECTIONAL (YAGI) ANTENNAS I NTRODUCTION The Spread-Spectrum Radio Modem Installation Kit contains the materials necessary to connect a WeatherLink® data logger to a YDI model 910-DAVIS radio modem. You will need to obtain the radio modem (RM) directly from YDI. See the accompanying sheet for YDI product and contact information. Three versions of the installation kit are available.
Installation Kit & 3dB Omni-Directional (Whip) Antenna (#7632-003) The following components are contained in the Installation Kit & 3dB OmniDirectional (Whip) Antenna package. Antenna, 896-940 MHz 3dB Omni-Directional Mounting Hardware Ground Plane & Antenna Cable Installation Kit & 8.5dB Directional (Yagi) Antenna (#7632-008) The following components are contained in the Installation Kit & 8.5dB Directional (Yagi) Antenna package.
Installation Kit Without Antenna (#7632-912) This kit provides all necessary hardware to mount and use a third-party Yagi antenna, such as the 12dB Directional (Yagi) Antenna (available from YDI: model 918-10), which allows a greater transmission distance than the Davissupplied 8.5dB antenna (#7632-008).
Optional Components The following optional components may be necessary for your installation. ✦ Antenna Mast-Mount Kit (#7995) The hardware provided with the omni-directional antenna enables you to mount the antenna on the Sensor Mounting Arm. If you want to mount it on a pole, post, or wall or raise it above the Sensor Mounting Arm, use the Antenna Mast-Mount Kit. Note: The antenna should be located as high as possible and away from buildings and other obstructions, if possible.
T OOLS AND M ATERIALS R EQUIRED In addition to the components listed above, you may need some of the following tools and materials. Please be sure you have everything you need before beginning the installation. ✦ 3/4" Galvanized Pipe or Antenna Mast, maximum outside diameter of 1-1/4" (32 mm) This pipe/mast is required to mount the directional (Yagi) antenna and may be used in conjunction with the Antenna Mast-Mount Kit to mount the omni-directional antenna above the Sensor Mounting Arm.
T YPICAL I NSTALLATIONS The illustrations below show typical installations. A checklist of installation steps for each installation is provided. AC-Powered Field Station The illustration below shows an AC-powered field station and radio modem (RM).
AC-Powered Base Station The illustration below shows an AC-powered base station and radio modem (RM). Multi-Purpose Shelter Radio Modem Short-Range Modem and Adapter (optional) Mounting Plate PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter (L2) Part 7943 WeatherLink® PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter Radio Surge Protector (optional) L2 Power Adapter To Antenna To Base Computer (PC) +12 V You must complete the following steps for this installation. 1. Configure RM (see “Configuring The Radio Modem” on page 11). 2.
Solar-Powered Using Timer The illustration below shows a solar-powered field station and radio modem (RM) using a Timer for power conservation. Regulator Battery Console 1-1/4" PHONE MODEM Adapter (L1) Power Cable Radio Modem WeatherLink® PHONE MODEM Adapter Sensor Interface Module Terminal Block L1 Part 7870 Timer Mounting Plate Radio Protector (optional) To Antenna Protector Ground You must complete the following steps for this installation. 1.
10. Check wiring. Before you apply power to the system, review your wiring to make sure all connections are correct and all wires firmly secured in the proper terminal. 11. Connect power to system. Make sure the rest of your installation is complete before connecting power. In particular, make sure the antenna is connected to the RM before connecting power; damage may occur if you operate without an antenna. Connect the battery cable to B2 on the regulator circuit.
4. Install Solar Power Kit and 6.5-Amp-Hour Battery (see “Installing Solar Power Kit & Battery” on page 20). 5. Install Alarm Output Module Consult the manual supplied with the Alarm Output Module for instructions. Consult the illustration above for positioning. 6. Install Radio Surge Protector (optional). Consult the manual supplied with the Radio Surge Protector for installation instructions. 7. Install RM (see “Installing Radio Modem” on page 20). 8.
C ONFIGURING T HE R ADIO M ODEM As shipped from the factory, the radio modem (RM) may not be compatible with your WeatherLink. Follow the instructions below to configure the RM. Connect the RM to your Computer The first part of the procedure requires you to connect the RM to your computer. 1. Connect the PC COM Port Adapter to a serial port on your PC. 2. Connect one end of the modular cable to the PC COM Port Adapter. 3. Connect the PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter to the DB25 connector on the RM. 4.
Run The Modem Configuration Program Use the supplied modem configuration program to configure the RM. 1. Place the Modem Configuration Disk in your disk drive. 2. Choose Run from the File Menu (Windows 3.1) or the Start Menu (Windows 95). 3. Type A:\CONFIG and press Enter (or choose Ok). The Wireless Modem Configuration Program dialog box appears. 4. Select YDI Model 910 Radio from the Model Type drop-down list. 5. Select the COM port to which the RM is connected from the COM Port drop-down list.
8. Choose between Point-to-Point and Multi-Point operation. The Point-to-Point option configures the "Base" radio and the "Remote 1" to act as a transparent connection. Thus it will work with all existing Davis Instruments software. You must configure both the "Base" radio and the "Remote 1" radio with the Point-to-Point option selected. The Remote radio must be named "Remote 1"; the program will give you an error message if you try to use another name.
T ESTING THE R ADIO Before proceeding with the installation, test the radio modem (RM) by assembling the field station(s) and base station in the same room. Make sure to test each field station RM before installing. Follow the procedure below to test the station. 1. If necessary, connect the weather station to the WeatherLink and install the software as explained in the WeatherLink manual. 2.
4. Connect the base station radio modem as shown below. Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet and make sure the radio modem’s Power light comes on. BASE STATION: To Power Adapter Radio Modem WeatherLink® PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter To PC L2 Part 7943 To Antenna 5. Supply power to the weather station using the 200mA power adapter supplied with the station. 6.
I NSTALLATION Follow the instructions below to install the components of your RM system. In many cases, you will have to consult the instruction manual supplied with another component for specific instructions. Installation diagrams are supplied as a guide. Installing Omni-Directional Antenna You may mount the omni-directional antenna on the Sensor Mounting Arm. To mount on a pipe, post, wall, or to raise it above the Sensor Mounting Arm, use the Antenna Mast-Mount Kit.
Installing Directional Antenna The directional antenna may be mounted in either the vertical or horizontal plane. If it is communicating with an omni-directional antenna it must be mounted in the vertical plane. If communicating with another directional antenna, the two may be either vertical or horizontal; both must be in the same plane, however. Note: If an interfering radio source is nearby it will be helpful to orient the antennas opposite (orthogonal) to the plane of the interference.
✦ Mounting Antenna Mast on Sensor Mounting Arm Support Pipe Attach the antenna to the antenna mast as shown below. If the outside diameter of the antenna mast is less than 1.16" (30 mm), omit the mastmounting blocks. If installing the 12dB Yagi from YDI, connect the antenna cable (N-to-BNC) to the short antenna cable attached to the Yagi. Attach the antenna mast brackets to the bottom of the antenna mast using the 1-1/4" U-bolts, washers, lock washers, and hex nuts as shown below.
✦ Mounting Antenna to Wooden Post Attach the antenna to the antenna mast, as shown below. If the outside diameter of the antenna mast is less than 1.16" (30 mm), omit the mastmounting blocks. If installing the 12dB Yagi from YDI, connect the antenna cable (N-to-BNC) to the short antenna cable attached to the Yagi. Attach the antenna mast brackets to the bottom of the antenna mast using the 1-1/4" U-bolts, washers, lock washers, and hex nuts as shown below.
Installing Solar Power Kit & Battery Consult the manuals supplied with the Solar Power Kit for instructions. Note the following, however, as you proceed with the installation. ✦ Use the tab adapter to attach the black battery wires to the battery. Before installing the battery, slide the tab adapter onto the black (ground) terminal.
2. Install the mounting plate in either the Complete System Shelter, Multi-Purpose Shelter, or on the wall of a shed or similar structure. ✦ To install in the Complete System Shelter, secure the mounting plate to the wall of the shelter using the doublesided foam (which is pre-installed on the back of the plate), as shown below. ✦ To install in the Multi-Purpose Shelter, use the #6 x 3/8" and #4 x 3/8" self tapping screws to secure the mounting plate to the shelter in the location shown below.
3. Secure the RM to the mounting plate using the Velcro strap. Make sure the feet on the RM sit in the holes in the mounting plate. Velcro Strap Feet of Radio in Holes of Mounting Plate 4. Connect the appropriate adapter to the DB-25 connector on the RM. If this RM is the base station, attach the PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter (L2). If this RM is a field station, attach the Phone Modem Adapter (L1). 5.
✦ If this is a field station, connect the WeatherLink cable to the Phone Modem Adapter (L1). BASE STATION: Radio Modem WeatherLink® PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter 40' (12 m) Standard Cable Part 7943 L2 L2 To PC Power PC RADIO DB-25 Adapter (L2) OR SR Modem Adapter Short-Range Modem 4' (1.
Installing Timer To mount the timer in the Complete System Shelter, use sheet metal screws to secure it to the back panel, as shown below. #4 x 3/8" Self-Tapping Screws (supplied with Timer) Back Panel of Complete System Shelter Installing Terminal Block To mount the terminal block in the Complete System Shelter snap the tabs into the appropriate holes, as shown below.
Connecting Timer Wires If using solar power in conjunction with the Timer, connect the system according to the wiring diagram below. Supplied with Solar Power Kit Tab Adapter Battery _ Blk Blk B2 Regulator B3 B4 P1 Yel Grn Wht Blk Wht Blk + Red B1 Wht Blk Black Red/Wht Terminal Block 1 2 Black 5 321 Timer Red Power Cable RM ✦ Plug the free end of the RM power cable into the Power jack on the RM.
✦ On one side of the terminal block, connect the black battery wire to terminal 1 (grey) and the red/white Timer wire to terminal 2 (orange). ✦ Connect the white and black wires from the Timer to the Wht and Blk terminals (respectively) at B4 on the regulator circuit. ✦ Jumper together the two terminals (Yel and Grn) at B3 on the regulator circuit using the bare jumper wire.
Connecting Alarm Output Module Wires If using solar power in conjunction with the Alarm Output Module (AOM), connect the system according to the wiring diagram below. Supplied with Solar Power Kit Tab Adapter Battery _ Blk Blk B2 Regulator B3 B4 P1 Yel Grn Wht Blk Wht Blk Red + Wht B1 Yel Grn _ B+ Black Wht Terminal Block Contacts 1 2 Alarm Output Module Black Red Power Cable RM ✦ Plug the free end of the power cable into the Power jack on the RM.
✦ On one side of the terminal block, connect the black battery wire to terminal 1 (grey) and the white AOM wire to terminal 2 (orange). ✦ Connect the free end of the white AOM wire to the Wht terminal at B4 on the reg- ulator circuit. ✦ Connect one end of the yellow and green AOM wires to the Yel and Grn terminals (respectively) at B3 on the regulator circuit. ✦ Connect the free end of the yellow AOM wire to the + terminal at B on the AOM.
P OWER C ONSERVATION M ODE If a radio modem is operating on solar/battery power, the Timer or AOM will be used to switch power to the radio, causing it to turn on. The radio will not answer any incoming communications unless the Timer or the AOM turns it on. ✦ AOM Power Saving The AOM enables the RM at 5 minutes past each even-numbered hour (using the station console’s clock) and keeps it enabled for 4 minutes.
✦ Line B (Alarm Output Module/Timer) The Alarm Output Module draws 9 mA (0.009A) continuously (1440 minutes per day). The Timer current may be considered negligible (0A) when the Timer is off (that is, the relay is not energized). The Timer draws 12 mA (0.012A) when it is on (that is, the relay is closed). ✦ Line C (RM On) When the RM is on, it draws 180 mA (0.18A). Note: The Alarm Output Module enables the RM for a minimum of 48 minutes every day (4 minutes each even-numbered hour).
Charge Gain per Day The worksheet below will help you calculate the average charge that the solar panel provides to the battery each day for various day lengths and peak solar irradiance values. FACTOR Panel Current at 1000 W/m2 Peak Solar Irradiance Day Length ”Cloud” Factor VALUE ______ Amps ______ W/m2 ______ hours ______ Total Gain per Day = (E*F/1000)*0.55*(G*60)*H: LINE E F G H _______ Amp-min Enter the information into each column and then use the formula to calculate the total gain for the day.
T ROUBLESHOOTING If you encounter an error when testing the connection, one of the following situations may exist: ✦ Serial Port Error Make sure you have selected the correct serial port or baud rate. Use Loopback to determine the correct serial port, if necessary (consult the software manual for instructions). ✦ Connection Configuration Error (GroWeather only) Make sure you have selected the correct connection type, address, and link revision.
Using LEDs to Diagnose Connection Problems The YDI radio modem has four LED indicators to display its status. ✦ Power (Red) Indicates that 12-Volt power is applied when lit. ✦ Traffic (Green) Flashes when the receiver detects a signal from another radio. ✦ Connected (Green) Indicates connection with another radio is established when lit. If the base station's “Connected” LED is off and then lights, it indicates that both receivers and transmitters have made contact.
P OWER C IRCUIT S CHEMATICS 12 V 1A Red Blk Radio Modem AC-Power Timer + Regulator Red 4A B4 _ 3 B3 Battery Blk 2 Red/ Wht Wht Blk 1 Blk Solar Panel Red 5 Blk Radio Modem Solar-Powered Using Timer AOM Contact B _ + + Regulator Red 4A B3 Yel Grn Battery B4 _ Blk Blk Solar Panel Page 34 Wht Red Blk Blk Solar Powered Using AOM Spread-Spectrum Radio Modem Installation Kit Radio Modem
Power Circuit Schematics Page 35
Product Numbers: 7632-003, 7632-008 & 7632-912 Davis Instruments Part Number: 7395-126 Spread-Spectrum Radio Modem Installation Kit, For YDI Radios, Omni-Directional and Directional (Yagi) Antennas Rev. A Manual (7/8/99) This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directive 89/336/EC. WeatherLink is a registered trademark of Davis Instruments Corp. VELCRO is a trademark of Velcro Industries, Manchester, NH. © Davis Instruments Corp. 1997. All rights reserved.
