enclosure and slide the switch on top of the
board to the ‘ON’ position. Close the cover and
temporarily position the Base with both solar panels
facing the sun. It will take the longest to charge since it
has the largest capacitor power supply. In full sun
conditions, it should be exposed for about 4 hours to fully
charge. In partly sunny conditions, it will take longer.
Whatever the conditions, wait until the bottom light is
flashing, which indicates it is fully charged and seeking
communication.
(see Figure 5)
Once the Base is fully charged, slide the power
switch inside its enclosure to the ‘OFF’ position and
place the black plastic bag back over the Node
to cover the solar panels. Move the Base at
least 30 ft (9m) away from the area where
Nodes will be charging. This will isolate the
Base so Relay/End Nodes cannot
inadvertently become associated
with it before they are ready.
Charging the Nodes
Minutes before Installation:
Charge the Nodes (975NE and 975NR) by
exposing their solar panels to full sunlight for at least
fifteen minutes, slightly longer in less than full sun
conditions.
Be sure all Nodes are at least 30 ft (9m)
away from any operating Base before proceeding.
Remove the black plastic bag from each Node that
will be used with the current Base and temporarily
support the Node in an upright position with both solar
panels facing the sun. Wait until the top two lights,
RED and YELLOW, are flashing before proceeding.
(see Figure 5)
Associating the Nodes and
Data Collection Devices to the Base
Record and keep your Base ID
and PIN in a safe place.
All Nodes and data collection devices must be
associated with the current Base. To provide security of
your data and network, Relay/End Nodes and data
collection devices are associated with one specific
placed at the extremities of the system or
located so as to provide in-fill near relaying
Nodes.
(see Figure 4)
D – There is a limitation to the number of
Nodes that can be in a ‘path’ and how many
total ‘paths’ can feed to the Base. If all the
data from several Nodes has to route
through a single Node along a path, then a
‘choking point’ is created, diminishing the distance that
Node can transmit and reducing reliability of the system.
– The maximum total number of Nodes = 20
– The maximum number of Relay Nodes = 12
– The maximum number of End Nodes
per Relay = 3
– The maximum number of “hops”
between Relay Nodes = 8
– The maximum paths to the Base = 4
Relay Nodes should be no more than 800 ft (244m)
to 1000 ft (305m) apart (closer together as you get
nearer to the Base). End Nodes can be up to 1200 ft
(366m) from a Relay Node or the Base.
E – Changing weather and ‘radio-noise’ conditions will
affect range. If the installed distance between Nodes
exceeds the suggested range, you may experience
intermittent reporting. Nodes log data even during
times when the network appears to be ‘down.’ Data
collected during such intervals will be transmitted once
communication resumes. During daylight, while
charging, Nodes read their Sensors every 30 minutes
and synchronize with the network frequently. When
sunlight is diminished, Nodes slowly discharge, read
their sensors every 30 minutes and only synchronize
with the network hourly. When communicating, Nodes
are awake and their lights will be flashing. When
between communication cycles, they are “asleep” and
lights will be off.
System Configurations
Three hardware combinations allow different ways of
retrieving data. Installation and operational differences
occur depending on which hardware combination you
use. Be sure to follow the applicable instructions for
your specific hardware combination.
Charging and Associating
Base and Nodes
See instructions in the Quick Start Guide to charge
and associate the Base and Nodes together.
Charging the Base
Hours or the day before installation:
Remove the Base Node (975B) from the black
plastic bag, open the cover of the capacitor
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