RXW EC-5 and 10H Soil Moisture Sensor (RXW-SMx-xxx) Manual
1-800-LOGGERS 6
www.onsetcomp.com
6.
The mote appears as a new storage device in the
computer’s file storage manager. Copy the downloaded
firmware file to the new storage device (the mote). The
blue LED will blink slowly while the file is copying.
7.
After the file is copied to the mote, the LED will stop
blinking and remain a steady blue. Eject the storage device
from the computer and disconnect the cable from the
mote. The firmware installation process will begin
automatically on the mote. The blue LED will blink rapidly
while the firmware is installed. Once the firmware
installation is complete, the LCD symbols return and the
mote will automatically rejoin the network.
Notes:
•
Mac® users:
A message may appear indicating the disk
has not ejected properly when disconnecting the mote
from the computer. The mote is operational and you can
ignore the message.
•
If the blue LED turns off abruptly while copying the file or
installing the firmware, a problem has occurred. Contact
Onset Technical Support for help.
Battery Information
The mote uses two 1.2 V rechargeable NiMH batteries, charged
by the built-in solar panel. The quality and quantity of solar
light can affect whether the battery is sufficiently charged to
last through the night and cloudy periods. Make sure the mote
is placed in a location that will receive several hours of sunlight
each day. If the mote does not receive enough sunlight to
recharge the batteries, the battery life is estimated at 3–4
months. When batteries are regularly recharged, expected
battery life is estimated at 3–5 years. Battery life varies based
on the ambient temperature where the mote is deployed, the
logging interval, the number of tripped alarms, and other
factors. Deployments in extremely cold or hot temperatures
can impact battery life. Estimates are not guaranteed due to
uncertainties in initial battery conditions and operating
environment.
Mote operation will stop when battery voltage drops to 1.8 V.
Mote operation will return if the battery recharges to 2.3 V. If
the batteries are unable to be recharged, replace them with
fresh rechargeable batteries.
Note:
if you install used
rechargeable batteries that together are less than 2.3 V, the
mote will not resume operation.
To replace rechargeable batteries:
1.
Open the mote door.
2.
Remove the old batteries and install fresh ones observing
polarity.
3.
Make sure the solar panel cable is plugged in.
The mote contacts the network once the new batteries are
installed. The green LED blinks quickly while the mote searches
for a network to join and then blinks slowly while it completes
the network registration. Once the mote has finished joining
the network, the green LED turns off and the blue LED then
blinks indefinitely while the mote is part of the network.
Lithium Batteries
You can use two 1.5 V lithium batteries (HWSB-LI) for operation
at the extreme ends of the mote operating range. Lithium
battery life is an estimated at 1 year, but varies based on the
ambient temperature where the mote is deployed, the logging
interval, the number of tripped alarms, and other factors.
Estimates are not guaranteed due to uncertainties in initial
battery conditions and operating environment. When using
lithium batteries, you must disconnect the solar panel cable
because the batteries will not be recharged.
To install lithium batteries:
1.
Open the mote door.
2.
Remove any old batteries and install the new ones
observing polarity.
3.
Push in the side tab of the solar panel cable connector and
pull the connector out of the cable port.
4.
Place the connector in the slot on the inside of the mote
door. Make sure the solar panel cables are tucked inside the
door so that they do not interfere with the interior seal
when the mote is closed.
The mote contacts the network once the new batteries are
installed. The green LED blinks quickly while the mote searches
for a network to join and then blinks slowly while it completes
the network registration. Once the mote has finished joining
the network, the green LED turns off and the blue LED then
blinks indefinitely while the mote is part of the network.
Store the solar
panel connector
here when using
lithium batteries
Make sure
solar panel
cable is
installed
when using
rechargeable
batteries
