1K Solutions 1K Solutions Introductions .......................................................................................................................................................................................Page 1 System Components (FreeComm Control Unit) ......................................................................................................................................Page 2 System Components (FreeComm Valve & Sprinkler Control Unit) ............................................................................................................Page 3 Installing the FreeComm Valve ............................................................................................................................................................Page 4 Installing the FreeComm Sprinkler ........................................................................................................................................................Page 5 Wiring the DC latching Solenoid ............................................................................................................................................................Page 6 Welcome .............................................................................................................................................................................................Page 9 Course .............................................................................................................................................................................................. Page 10 Valve Control on Hole......................................................................................................................................................................... Page 11 Valve Control on Auxiliary................................................................................................................................................................... Page 12 Valve Control form ............................................................................................................................................................................. Page 13 Valve Control form (wake u[p valve) ................................................................................................................................................... Page 14 Valve Control form (open and close valve)........................................................................................................................................... Page 15 Administration ................................................................................................................................................................................... Page 16 Controller Setup................................................................................................................................................................................. page 17 Routing table ..................................................................................................................................................................................... page 18 Routing Table with Valve Info............................................................................................................................................................. Page 19 Routing Table with Routing Info ......................................................................................................................................................... Page 20 Routing form ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Page 21 Modifying Valve Address..................................................................................................................................................................... Page 22 Adding Repeater in Routing ................................................................................................................................................................ Page 23 Moving Repeater in Routing................................................................................................................................................................ Page 24 Removing Repeater from Routing ....................................................................................................................................................... Page 25 New valve on Hole ............................................................................................................................................................................. Page 26 New valve in Auxiliary ........................................................................................................................................................................ Page 27 New Auxiliary Group........................................................................................................................................................................... Page 28 Removing a Valve from Course ........................................................................................................................................................... Page 29 1K Solutions Repeaters List Form ........................................................................................................................................................................... page 30 Modifying Repeaters Address and Location .......................................................................................................................................... Page 31 Adding Repeaters............................................................................................................................................................................... Page 32 Removing Repeaters .......................................................................................................................................................................... Page 33 FCC COMPLIANCE Notice................................................................................................................................................................ Page 37 1K Solutions Congratulations on purchasing your FreeComm battery operated 2-way wireless irrigation control system. The patent pending system operates in the license free 915 MHz band and is the perfect solution for retrofitting existing irrigation systems, supplemental irrigation systems or new irrigation systems. The system is adaptable to all major irrigation valves with a DC latching solenoid. Welcome With active irrigation programming stored in the controller, wireless communications are reduced to performing the following activities; scheduled health check; changes to the irrigation schedule; real time activation. Communications to operate the controller or change control data can be sent from the Central Control Unit. Each control unit has the following operational functionality Modes of Operation period. o Active: continuously listening for messages. If it does not recognize active communication over the network it enters sleep mode after a 3-minute timeout o Sleep mode: Listens periodically for a message. It listens for 1.33 seconds every 60 seconds. When it registers that active communication over the o Deep Sleep Mode: the unit is programmed to power down at certain periods of the day to minimize power consumption. In this mode communication is o Health Check: 2 times a day we prescheduled a communication health check to:
not active, however the will perform the specified irrigation program. network is taking place it goes into active mode o Update irrigation schedules o Retrieve irrigation and controller operation data o Magnetic reset: All units have a magnetic reset for resetting units Irrigation Programming:
o 6 custom irrigation programs are available o Only 1 program is active at any one time o Each program specifies:
o Start time o Duration of the soak o Number of times the soak period is repeated for the irrigation schedule program o The active irrigation program is stored in the embedded micro in the controller and does not require communication over the network to initiate the o The program may be modified remotely from the hand held or from the FreeComm software. o Manual activation of the valve/sprinkler does not require modification of the scheduled program Page 1 Welcome Welcome 1K Solutions FREECOMM SYSTEM COMPONENT The following provides an overview of the FreeComm system components:
Central Control Unit (CU) Valve Controller (VCU) and or Sprinkler Controller (VCU-S) FreeComm CONTROL UNIT The Central Control Unit is comprised of a PC running the FreeComm software package on the windows operating system. The PC is connected to the main controller via a RS 232 serial port interface. All set-up, network programming, irrigation scheduling and operations of the FreeComm system are controlled with the Central Control Unit and FreeComm Software. The FreeComm system use a series of repeaters to relay communication throughout the network to control and communicate with all FSC and FVC controllers in real time. The main controllers 2-way communication can send/receive data to/from the valve or sprinkler enabling unlimited flexible control, reporting and activation of the irrigation system and schedule. Actual network communication performance range and controllers varies depending upon the installation and the surrounding terrain. Page 2 Welcome 1K Solutions FREECOMM VALVE OR SPRINKLER CONTROLLER UNIT FreeComm FVC (valve) & FreeComm FSC (sprinkler) controllers independently store all irrigation programming and reporting data for each individual solenoid valve or sprinkler head. The controllers are capable of receiving and sending commands directly from the FCU, FHU, FVC, and FSC or from the network as required in real time or as a scheduled communication. Welcome FreeComm valve (FVC) and sprinkler (FSC) retrofit kits are waterproof, dirt proof with 18 wire leads for wiring DC latching solenoids, each contains a sealed battery pack providing power for the control module and the 9v DC latching solenoid. Valve (FVC) Sprinkler
(FSC) RAINBIRD Sprinkler
(FSC) TORO Sprinkler
(FSC) BEAR Page 3 Welcome Welcome 1K Solutions Installing the FreeComm Valve unit The universal FVC is a 2-component package consisting of the FVC Control unit and battery case. Preparation 1. Connect the battery pack to the battery case 2. Close battery case (use lubricant supplied) 3. Enter the factory preset ID into the software with field location (see software set up) 4. Test communication (see software set up) Installation VAU Battery Pack DC Solenoid Valve 1. Remove existing AC Solenoid 2. Remove AC Solenoid adapter (if required) 3. Install DC latching solenoid 4. Connect the Solenoid wire to the Controller wire using 3M waterproof connectors (red to red and black to black) 5. Install FVC controller to side of valve box with 2 #8 self tapping screws just below ground level 6. Install battery pack in valve box. (Optionally bury battery pack outside valve box) 7. Using the FHU test solenoid operation 1 &2 6 5 4 3 Page 4 Welcome 1K Solutions Installing the FreeComm FSC (Sprinkler unit) Welcome The universal FSC is a single component package consisting of the Control unit and battery pack. Preparation 1. Connect the FSC controller to the battery pack 1. Close kit housing (use lubricant supplied) 2. Enter the factory preset ID into the software with field location (see software configuration) 3. Test communication (see software communication set up) 4. RF RAU B a t t e r y P a c k DC Solenoid Installation 1. Dig a hole parallel to the existing sprinkler 12 deep by 8 wide 2. Fit the FSC to the sprinkler 3. Mark the location of the pilot hole to be drilled into the sprinkler using the guide supplied 4. Drill the 3/8 pilot hole for the mounting bracket 5. Remove existing AC Solenoid 6. Remove AC Solenoid adapter (if required) 7. Install DC latching solenoid 8. Connect the Solenoid wire to the controller wire using 3M waterproof connectors (red to red and black to black) 9. Fasten the FSC controller bracket through the pilot hole with the supplied bolt. 10. Using the FHU test solenoid operation 11. Back fill the bottom of the open reinstall sod 1 2 3 4 1 7 9 Page 5 Welcome 1K Solutions Welcome Wiring DC Latching Solenoids to the Valve or Sprinkler Both FreeComm Valve and FreeComm Sprinkler are provided with 18-gauge wire for attaching to DC latching solenoids. To Connect DC Latching Solenoids:
1. Remove 1/2" (13Mm) of insulation from the wire (Red and black wire) on the Valve or Sprinkler. 2. Twist the red and black leads from the solenoid to the red and black leads on the Valve or Sprinkler as shown in the figure. 3. Make sure that 3 M waterproof connectors are used to secure all wire connections. w a t e r p r o o f c o n n e c t o r s D C S o l e n o i d F S C F V C Page 6 Welcome 1K Solutions Welcome 1 2 Click here to open the course form (See page 2) Click here to quit the application 1 2 Page 7 Welcome 1K Solutions 4 1 3 Course Click here to open the Valve Control form.
(See page 3) Click here to open the Auxiliary Valve Control form. (See page 4) Click here to quit the application Click here to open the Administration form. 1 2 3 4 Note The hole button or auxiliary button color will change from green to yellow if there is an opened valve. Course 2 3 Page 8 1K Solutions Valve Control on Hole 1 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 Click on any of these buttons to see the valves in the valve list. Double click on any row to open the Valve Control form. (See page 5) Click here to open the Valve Control form.
(See page 5) Click here to close the form. Note To add or remove a valve, see the Administration form on page 10 4 Page 9 Valve Control on Hole 1K Solutions Valve Control on Auxiliary 4 3 1 2 1 2 3 4 Click on any Auxiliary group to see the valves in the valve list. Double click on any valve to open the Valve Control form. (See page 5) Click here to open the Valve Control form.
(See page 5) Click here to close the form. Note 4 To add or remove a valve, see the Administration form on page 10. Page 10 Valve Control on Auxiliary 1K Solutions 6 Valve Control form 2 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 Click here to wake up the valve. Click here to open the valve. Click here to close the valve. Click here to open the Valve Property form. Wake Up Time progress bar. Click here to close the form. 1 3 5 Page 11 Valve Control form 1K Solutions 1 Valve Control form (wake up valve) 2 1 2 3 To awake a valve the controller will wait 60 seconds for a response from the valve. Result of a non-response from the controller. When the valve is awake it sends back a response to the controller and the controller sends the response to your computer. 3 Page 12 Valve Control form (wake up valve) 1K Solutions Valve Control form (open and close valve) 1 2 1 2 3 3 Message showing when your PC receives a positive response from the controller after it opens a valve. Message showing when your PC receives a positive response from the controller after it opens a valve. Valve Properties form showing irrigation program on the valve and voltage remaining on the battery after it opens the valve. Page 13 Valve Control form (open and close valve) 1K Solutions Administration 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Click here to access the irrigation program software. Click here to open the Controller Setup form. This form allows you to modify the golf course name, change the controller hexadecimal address, and the serial port name on which the controller is connected to. (See page 9) Click here to open the Routing Table form. This form allows you to see all valves routing, to modify routing, to add and remove valves and auxiliary groups. (See page 10-21) Click here to open the repeaters list form. This form allows you to add, modify and delete repeaters. Allow you to modify the hexadecimal address on any repeater. (See page 22-25) Click here to close the Administration form. Page 14 Administration 1K Solutions Controller Setup Page 15 Controller Setup 1K Solutions Routing Table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Click here to view the valve info on the routing table grid. (See page 11) Click here to view the valve routing info on the table grid. (See page Click here to view or modify the selected valve routing. (See page 13-17) Click here to add a valve on the selected valve. (See page 18) Click here to manage auxiliary group and valves on auxiliary. (See page 19-
Click here to delete a selected valve. (See page 21) Click here to close the Routing Table form. Page 16 Routing Table 1K Solutions Routing Table with Valve Info Valve Info column description No: Row number. Can be used to reset the sort order V.Add: Hexadecimal valve address Location: Valve location Hole No: Valve location hole number. Hole number for auxiliaries is zero. Place: This number represents the valve number on a specific hole location or auxiliary. Ex: You have 4 valves on the Fairway for hole no 16. The place number will go from 0 to 3. Program: The irrigation program the valve is scheduled on. Water Time: How many hours the valve has been open in the last 7 days. Battery: Unused voltage on the battery after the valve gets open. Page 17 Routing Table with Valve Info 1K Solutions Routing Table with Routing Info Valve info Valve routing info The routing info starts from the controller and finishes with the valve. Ex.: To open the valve VT1-0 (Location TEE, Hole No. 1, Place 0) the controller 8002 will pass the command to the repeater RPT1. The repeater RPT1 will then pass the command to the valve VT1-0. Page 18 Routing Table with Routing Info 1K Solutions Routing 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 Click here to modify the hexadecimal valve address. Routing View. Available repeaters list. Click here to save your changes. Click here to close the Routing form. 3 4 5 Page 19 Routing 1K Solutions 1 2 Modifying Valve Address 1 2 3 4 5 Click here to enable the valve address box. Click the Accept button to validate your entry. This message box will appear when a different valve on the course already uses the hexadecimal address. Click here to save your change. Click here to close the Routing form. 4 5 3 Page 20 Modifying Valve Address 1K Solutions Adding Repeater in Routing 1 2 1 2 Click and drag the repeater from the Repeaters List over any item in Routing view. Release the mouse button. The repeater will be inserted after the highlighted object at the moment you release the mouse. Page 21 Adding Repeater in Routing 1K Solutions Removing Repeater from Routing 1 1 2 Click and drag the repeater you want to move. Drag the repeater over any item in the routing. Release the mouse button. 3 The repeater will be inserted after the highlighted object at the moment you release the mouse. 2 3 Page 22 Removing Repeater from Routing 1K Solutions Removing Repeater from Routing 1 2 2 Release the selected repeater in the repeaters list. 1 Click and drag the repeater you want to remove from the routing. Page 23 Removing Repeater from Routing 1K Solutions New Valve on Hole 1 2 3 5 4 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Type the hexadecimal address of the new valve. Select the hole number where the new valve be will used. Select the location on the hole on where the new valve will be used. Place number assigned to the new valve. This line gets updated as you go. Click here to save the new valve. Click here to close the New Valve on Hole form. Note A message box will show if the hexadecimal address is already used by another valve. Page 24 New Valve on Hole 1K Solutions 2 7 1 3 4 5 6 New Valve on Auxiliary 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Type the hexadecimal address of the new valve. Select from the list where the new valve will be used. This line gets updated as you go. Place number assigned to the new valve. Click here to save the new valve. Click here to close the new Valve on Auxiliary form. Click here to create a new auxiliary group. (See next Note A message box will show if the hexadecimal address is already used by another valve. Page 25 New Valve on Auxiliary 1K Solutions New Auxiliary Group 1 3 2 1 2 3 Click here to create a new auxiliary Type the new auxiliary group name Click here to validate your entry. Note Auxiliary groups with no valve do not get saved. Tee, Fairway and Green are reserved word. They cannot be use at the beginning of an auxiliary Page 26 New Auxiliary Group 1K Solutions 2 1 Removing a Valve from Course 1 2 Click here to delete the selected valve. Click YES to confirm your action. Page 27 Removing a Valve from Course 1K Solutions 1 2 3 5 6 Note Repeaters highlighted in green are used in a routing. Those in red are not used in any routing. Repeaters List Form 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Click here to add a repeater. Click here to remove a repeater. Click here to see the routing from a selected valve Click here to modify the repeater hexadecimal address and location. Repeaters list. Valve list using the selected repeater. Close Repeaters list form. Page 28 Repeaters List Form 1K Solutions 1 4 2 3 Modifying Repeaters Address and Location 1 2 3 4 5 Click to enable the repeater address box. Type the hexadecimal repeater address here. Type the repeater location here. Click here to validate your modification. Press Yes to save your modification 5 Note A message box will show if a valve or another repeater already uses the hexadecimal address. Page 29 Modifying Repeaters Address and Location 1K Solutions Adding Repeaters 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 Type the repeater location here. Type the hexadecimal repeater address here. Click here to save your modification Click here to close the New Repeater 4 Page 30 Adding Repeaters 2 1 1K Solutions 3 1 2 3 Select the repeater you want to remove. Note Click here to remove the selected repeater. Only unused repeaters can be removed. Press Yes to remove. Page 31 1K Solutions From the main software select Administration Select Program from menu Main Irrigation Programming MAIN CONTROLS Page 32 1K Solutions Irrigation Cancellation Icon Master Irrigation Programs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 Valve Location Communication Status (Awake/Sleep) Current program stored on Valve (A,B,C or D) Scheduled Irrigation Start Time 5 6 7 Scheduled Duration of Irrigation Soak Time Number of Repetitions of the Scheduled Soak Time Irrigation Cycle Repetition Time Page 33 1K Solutions Irrigation Cancellation Icon Selecting this function will cancel all irrigation scheduled programs. Page 34 1K Solutions Master Irrigation Programs Each master program is fully customizable, for soak time (DURATION), number of cycles (REPETITIONS) of the soak time and the time between soak cycles (REPETITION PERIOD). Changing master schedules is a simple as selecting the program from the program menu. To change from no scheduled program to master scheduled program , the user simply selects the Icon Program B and the software will automatically communicate the change in the master program with each valve and confirm the new master program by listing it in the main irrigation control software. Page 35 1K Solutions Customizing individual valves in the master schedules By selecting the individual valve the user has the option of adjusting any variable in the preset master irrigation schedule. Page 36 1K Solutions FCC NOTICE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Any that changes or modifications not expressly approved by 1K Solutions could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a commercial or residential environment installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
-- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
-- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
-- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Page 37