Badger ORION Automated Meter Reading System Repeater Programmer Software Installation &
Programming Manual for Installer IMPORTANT: This manual contains important warnings and information. READ AND KEEP FOR REFERENCE. BadgerMeter, Inc. ORI-IOM-53 P/N XXXXX-XXX 10-07 Preliminary Preliminary WELCOME Badger ORION REPEATER PROGRAMMER Welcome to the Badger ORION Repeater Programmer (RP) software. The RP software allows you to easily define a set of transmitters that a ORION Repeater must repeat. The software also provides you with the means to verify that the Repeater is hearing all of the needed transmitters, and that the Repeater is being heard at the receive destination. The RP software runs on a PC under Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP. It provides you a simple way to work with your Badger ORION Repeater:
You can easily load the list of transmitter serial numbers into the Repeater. You can change the list of transmitters in a Repeater that is currently working by adding a new transmitter serial number, removing one that is no longer needed, or changing an incorrect serial number. You can clear out the list of transmitter serial numbers if you wish to remove a You can verify that the transmitters that are to be repeated are within range and You can verify that the repeated transmissions are being received at the target Repeater from service. are being received. location. REPEATER INSTALLATION PRODUCT UNPACKING AND INSPECTION Upon receipt of the product, perform the following unpacking and inspection procedures:
Note: If damage to the shipping container is evident upon receipt, request the carrier to be present when the product is unpacked. Carefully open the shipping package, follow any instructions that may be marked on the exterior. Remove all cushioning material surrounding the product and carefully lift the product from the package. 2 Preliminary Retain the package and all packing material for possible use in reshipment or storage. Visually inspect the product and applicable accessories for any physical damage such as scratches, loose or broken parts, or any other sign of damage that may have occurred during shipment. Note: If damage is found, request an inspection by the carriers agent within 48 hours of delivery and file a claim with the carrier. A claim for equipment damage in transit is the sole responsibility of the purchaser. BADGER ORION REPEATER The Badger ORION Repeater is a transmitter/receiver that can be used in conjunction with any water or gas Badger ORION transmitter to increase the performance for fixed network applications. Packaged in a remote enclosure, the Badger ORION Repeater can be located in any indoor or non-submersed outdoor application and programmed to repeat up to twelve Badger ORION transmitter signals within receiving range of the Badger ORION Repeater. Once programmed, the Badger ORION Repeater will cycle through the list of transmitters in its memory. One transmitter reading is broadcast every four to five seconds. The Badger ORION Repeater is constructed of a plastic remote enclosure with a D sized lithium battery that provides 15 years of power for each Badger ORION Repeater. The Badger ORION Repeater is shipped from the factory in an off mode and is not transmitting. LOCATING THE UNIT A Badger ORION Repeater can be programmed with up to eight Badger ORION water and/or gas transmitter serial numbers. Once programmed, the Repeater will listen for and repeat the standard consumption messages for those transmitters, which are located within range of the Repeater. The ideal Badger ORION Repeater location is somewhere that has a clear line-
of-sight to the Badger ORION gas or water transmitter. However, this is rarely possible. The line-of-sight may be hindered by obstructions such as trees and vegetation, buildings and other structures, vehicles or uneven terrain. 3 Preliminary Note that the change of season, increasing vegetation, building construction, and remolding can all contribute to changing the signal reception over time. INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE From your installation CD, double-click on Setup. Youll see this screen. Click the Next button and youll see this screen. 4 Preliminary There is no need to change any of the parameters on this screen for most cases. Just click the Next button to see the next screen. 5 Preliminary Click the Next button to confirm and begin the installation of the software. When the installation is complete (it may take 30 seconds to a minute or more depending on your computer), youll see this screen. 6 Preliminary Click the Close button. The installation is complete. STARTUP On your Windows desktop, you will see the RP software icon. Double clicking on the icon will bring up the RP Splash screen, which shows the version of the software and asks for your initials. 7 Preliminary If you wish to use the RP software, enter your initials and click the OK button. If you do not wish to use the RP software, click the Cancel button. If you click the OK button, youll see the main menu of the RP software. The buttons on the main menu perform these functions. Read Repeater Fetches the list of Badger ORION serial numbers currently stored in the Repeater and displays them on the list. Clicking this button is the first step in programming or updating the Repeater. 8 Preliminary Edit Selected Serial Number By choosing one serial number in the list and clicking this button, you can change or correct one of the transmitter serial numbers in the list. Remove Selected Serial Number By choosing one serial number in the list and clicking this button, you will remove that serial number from the list. Program Repeater Clicking this button sends the displayed list to the Repeater. The Repeater will replace its list of transmitter serial numbers with this one. Clear SN List Clicking this button will remove all of the serial numbers from the list. This function is handy when removing a Repeater from a service location. Listen Clicking this button will cause the Repeater to forward every Badger ORION transmission it receives to the RP software for 30 seconds. As each transmission is received from the Repeater, the RP software will display it in a separate window, allowing you to view all of the transmitters that are within range of the Repeater. This function is very handy in determining a mounting location for the Repeater. Transmit Clicking this button will open a window that asks to choose a specific serial number from the list, as well as a delay time in seconds. Once you choose that serial number and the delay time, the RP software will direct the Repeater to continuously send the reading from that transmitter via RF for 30 seconds after waiting the number of seconds as specified in the delay time. This function is very handy in determining if the Repeaters transmissions from the current location will be received at the target location for reception. The delay time allows you time to get to the location and set up your receiving device. Exit Clicking this program ends the RP software and exits to Windows. SETTINGS Before you click the Read Repeater button, you must insure that the communications cable from the PC running the RP software is connected to the Repeater. The cable is a straight-through serial cable with a male DB9 connector on one end and a female DB9 connector on the other end. You can use the same cable that connects the Badger ORION Receiver to the Badger ORION Laptop. In most cases, the DB9 serial port on the PC is COM1. If you are using a different COM port, be sure to choose the correct COM port for the Repeater from the list by clicking on the down arrow button. To set the individual settings for your PC, go to the drop down menus at the top of the screen and choose Options / Settings. Youll see this screen. 9 Preliminary You can choose the ports for both the IR head and the Repeater cable by clicking on the down arrow and choosing the port. You can also choose the receiving mode for the Repeater by clicking on the Change Prog. Mode button. Choosing Narrow Band will focus the Repeater on the Narrow Band Badger ORION transmitters. Choosing Frequency Hopping will focus the Repeater on the newer Orion transmitters using the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology, as well as the narrow band transmitters. Finally, you can choose the Font for the screens. If you wish to keep these settings, click the OK button. If you wish to discard the changes you made to this screen, click the CANCEL button. If you decide to change the font, youll see this screen. 10 Preliminary Choose the font, the style, and the size and click OK. If you wish to discard your changes, click Cancel. READ REPEATER The Read Repeater button is the first function you perform when using the RP software. It initiates communication with the Repeater itself, fetches the list of Badger ORION transmitters in the Repeater memory, and displays them in a list on the right side of the screen. Once the COM Port is set and the cable connects the PC to the Repeater, click the Read Repeater button. The PC will communicate with the Repeater, fetch the list of transmitters from the Repeater, and display them on the list. If any communications errors occur, youll see a message like this. 11 Preliminary Check the cable and the COM port setting. Once youve made sure that all is correct, you can click the Read Repeater button again. If the problem persists, please refer to the last section of this manual: Troubleshooting the Badger ORION Repeater. THE TRANSMITTER INFORMATION ON THE READ SCREEN Besides the serial number of the transmitter being repeated, you will also see this information. Transmitter serial number being repeated The last reading received from the transmitter The status received from the transmitter (L denotes a Leak Status, T denotes a Tamper status, blank denotes a normal status) The MT (Meter Type) received from the transmitter:
o 0 denotes a water meter using an RTR o 1 denotes a water meter using an ADE o 2 denotes a gas meter o 3, 4 unused o 5 denotes a water meter where the source of the message is a Repeater o 6 denotes a gas meter where the source of the message is a Repeater o 7 denotes a Water Meter Monitor programming tool The number of times the Repeater missed a meter reading from this transmitter
(note that the Repeater listens for transmissions once per hour). 12 Preliminary ADDING A SERIAL NUMBER TO THE LIST To add a serial number to the Repeater, connect the PC to the Repeater and click on the Read Repeater button. When the list of serial numbers from the Repeater is displayed, click on an open spot on the list and click on the Edit Selected SN button. Youll see this screen. If you wish, you can enter the serial number of the transmitter by typing it in on the computers keyboard. Also, if you click on the Keypad button, a numeric keypad will be displayed that you can use to enter the serial number. Finally, if you wish to read the serial number from the transmitter via the IR head, connect the head to the computer and click on the IR button. Once the serial number is entered, click the OK button. The screen will show the main menu with the serial number added to the list. The rest of the data for the transmitter will be blank. 13 Preliminary CHANGING A SERIAL NUMBER ON THE LIST To change one of the serial numbers on the list, click on the serial number and then click the Edit Selected SN Button. Youll see this screen. You can change the serial number by using the keyboard, the on-screen keypad, or by reading the serial number using the IR head. Once the serial number is corrected, click on the OK button. The screen will show the main menu with the corrected serial number. REMOVING A SERIAL NUMBER FROM THE LIST To remove one of the serial numbers on the list, click on the serial number and then click the Remove Selected SN Button. The screen will show the main menu with the serial number removed from the list. If there were other serial numbers below it, they will be moved up the list so that there are no open slots in the list. 14 Preliminary CLEARING ALL THE SERIAL NUMBERS FROM THE LIST If you wish to clear all serial numbers from the list, click on the Clear SN List button. The screen will show the main menu with no serial numbers on the list. UPDATING THE REPEATER WITH THE DISPLAYED LIST Once the list is updated to show the serial numbers you want the Repeater to repeat, connect the communications cable to the Repeater and PC and click on the Program Repeater button. The RP Software will send the displayed list to the Repeater. USING THE REPEATER TO LISTEN TO ALL TRANSMITTERS IN RANGE If you wish to see a list of the transmitters that the Repeater is receiving, connect the Repeater to the PC via the cable and click on the Listen button. Youll see this screen. 15 Preliminary When you click on the Listen button, every time the Repeater receives a Badger ORION transmission it will forward the reading, and the RP Software will display it on the list. The most recent transmission will be shown at the top of the list. This will continue for 30 seconds. This function is helpful in determining a good place to mount the Repeater. If you are interested in verifying that the Repeater can hear the selected transmitters, place the Repeater in the location and perform the Listen function. If those transmitters are all shown on the list, you can then mount the Repeater permanently in the selected location. CHECKING THE RECEPTION AT THE DESTINATION POINT In choosing a location for the Repeater, you must also verify that the Repeaters signal reaches the area where you intend to receive the meter readings. To test this, the Repeater has a Constant Transmit function. When activated, the Repeater will, after a specified wait time, transmit the meter reading for one transmitter over and over again for 30 seconds. First, choose the transmitter serial number you would like to be repeated by clicking on the down arrow of the Transmitter SN field and choosing the number. Next choose the amount of time for the Repeater to wait before transmitting by clicking the down arrow of the Transmit Delay field and choosing the time in seconds. Then choose the amount of Transmit Time youd like in the same manner. When you are ready to perform the Constant Transmit function, click on the Transmit button. The Repeater will begin counting down the number of seconds as chosen in the Transmit Delay field. Once the countdown is completed, the Repeater will transmit the meter reading for the chosen serial number over and over again for the amount of time chosen by the Transmit Time field. This allows you verify that the repeated signal is reaching the area youd like. PROGRAMMING THE BADGER ORION REPEATER A Badger ORION Repeater must be programmed in the field in order to activate the device. Once the Badger ORION transmitter is installed, a Badger ORION Repeater can be installed within range of the transmitter to increase the performance. Badger ORION Repeaters can be easily programmed in the field using either the Badger ORION Mobile Reading Laptop or Badger handheld data collector. 16 Preliminary TROUBLESHOOTING THE BADGER ORION REPEATER During the normal course of operations, the Repeater Programmer Software may run into problems. While errors do not occur normally, errors can happen in any software product. This section gives you guidelines on how to respond to the times when the RP Software reports a problem. Using Technical Support For Badger Meter Technical Support, call 1-800-456-5023. When you call the 800 technical support number, a Support Specialist will answer. Explain the situation that has occurred, the state that the RP Software in, and go over the steps you performed just before the error occurred. If possible, give this information to the Support Specialist:
The screen that was active when the error occurred The steps being performed on the screen Any entries that were made to the screen The message in the error window, including any error code and explanation that is shown The current state of the RP Software Your Support Specialist may ask you to fax notes or other information to Badger Meter to assist in the investigation. What To Report To Technical Support It is important that you report all occurrences of error windows to the Technical Support Hotline. It allows Badger Meter to improve its products and improve your system at the same time. In some cases, the error may have already been solved, and the Support Specialist can send you a software upgrade to correct the problem. In other cases, the Support Specialist can direct you to perform a function in a certain way so that the error does not occur. In some cases, the Support Specialist will direct you to perform some steps if the problem happens again. This is very valuable information that will speed the investigation of the problem. If the problem does happen again, please follow those steps and call the Hotline. The Support Specialist will gather the information for that particular problem, and direct you if further action is needed. 17 Preliminary Faxing the Technical Support Group The Badger Meter Technical Support Group can also be reached by fax at 1-888-371-
5982. This may be a convenient way to follow up with your support specialist on particular steps. The number is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. E-Mailing the Technical Support Group The Badger Meter Technical Support Group is also available via electronic mail through the Internet. To send questions or comments to the Technical Support group, address your e-mail to TechSupport@BadgerMeter.com. The Technical Support Group can respond to your comments or questions via phone, fax, or e-mail. Just let us know in your message the type of response you would prefer. 18 Preliminary ORION , RTR, ADE, and Badger are registered trademarks of Badger Meter, Inc. Radix is a registered trademark of Radix International Corporation, USA. Please see our website at www.badgermeter.com for specific contacts. Copyright Badger Meter, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved. Due to continuous research, product improvements and enhancements, Badger Meter reserves the right to change product or system specifications without notice, except to the extent an outstanding contractual obligation exists. BadgerMeter,Inc. P.O. Box 245036, Milwaukee, WI 53224-9536
(800) 876-3837 / Fax: (888) 371-5982 www.badgermeter.com Preliminary