The Raindancer Beacon

The Raindancer Beacon changes the monitoring and control of pump stations, enabling real-time remote management through a web portal or smartphone app, even for those stations where this was not feasible or only possible via SMS before.

The Pump in Raindancer

This section guides you through the most important settings and configurations of the Beacon.

Settings

The settings for the Beacon are quite extensive and complex. In most cases, the relevant settings for the initial setup of the Beacon revolve around the analogue inputs and outputs as well as the error codes and the corresponding messages. 

Analogue Connections 

Value Ranges

The analogue inputs and outputs each have an operating mode and a value range. These two values indicate how the signal is output or expected and in which ranges the measured values fall. The scaling is linear.

EXAMPLE
A pressure adjustment is made via a 0-10 V signal.
The saved value range of 0 to 16 bar results in an output signal of 5 V when selecting a target pressure of
8 bar.

Outputs

With the two analogue outputs, you are free to choose what you want to use them for. By default, we use them to control pressure. However, if your application deviates from the standard, you can use the user-defined option to specify a name for the input and a corresponding unit of measurement. The measuring unit is used together with the value range.

In addition to the value range and the mode, you also have the option to activate manual changing of the value via the app or the web portal.
You can also customise this option by setting a value range and a corresponding increment that is available for manual adjustment. 

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Example

In this scenario, it is possible to select a manual value between 4 and 12 bar.

The options for setting this value would each be in 0.5 bar intervals. In this example, you therefore have the option of setting the pump to 6.5 bar with a target pressure, but not to 7.2 bar or 13 bar

As you can see, you can customise your outputs here and adapt them to your individual application.

Inputs

With the four analogue inputs, you are free to choose what you want to use them for. In the standard version, we assume pressure, power, flow and rotation speed. However, if your application deviates from the standard, you can use the customised option to specify a name for the input and a corresponding unit of measurement. The unit of measurement is used together with the range of values.

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Options and visibility 

This information is displayed on the details tab of your pump, accessible through both the app and the web portal. You can view this value whenever you wish.

Activating the logging options enables you to monitor the pressure values of your pump in detail and see them in the reports.

Meter Reading

The Beacon allows you to connect a digital water meter and automatically log water consumption. Alternatively, you can also use the same input to connect a rain gauge. You must select the appropriate option and enter the corresponding meter tick. The meter tick determines how many ticks are required for one litre of flow.  

Please remember that if you change the mode of the analogue inputs and outputs, you must send the configuration to the Beacon for the changes to take effect.

Error Codes & Digital Inputs

You have the option of freely setting the error codes that your Beacon can display. There are 3 digital inputs available for this purpose. Depending on which inputs supply which signal, a combination of 7 different error or status messages are generated, which you can see on the app and be notified of.

The standard configuration is as shown below:

CODE TYPE

Default Message

0-0-1 Error Code Frequency Inverter / Pump 
0-1-0 Error Code Motor temperature
0-1-1 Error Code Restart after interruption of the power supply
1-0-0 Error Code Generic Pressure Error
1-0-1 Error Code Exceeding Pressure Limit
1-1-0 Error Code Pressure Limit Undercut
1-1-1 Error Code Remote control OFF

Digital inputs

With the digital outputs, you have the option of adjusting the pulse length according to your peripherals. By default, the beacon supplies a 125ms pulse to the corresponding outputs (1, 2, & 7) for starting and stopping as well as for the reset signal

Please keep in mind that if you change the pulse length at the digital outputs, you must send the configuration to the Beacon in order for the changes to take effect.

Technical Data

Important Notes

To properly operate the Raindancer Beacon, it has to be connected to an adequate power supply via the POWER-IN field (12/24V DC is recommended). The USB port on the front casing is not suitable.
When a single power supply is used to power both, Raindancer Beacon and peripherals, the GND lines should be tied together.

Power down all systems (Raindancer Beacon, sensors/actuators) before connecting to the Raindancer Beacon via USB, internal components may irreparably take damage otherwise!

Analog Field Section

Pin Assignment and Value Ranges when Used as Pump Control Unit:

A OUT Assignment Default Range
CH 1 Target / Min. Pressure 0 – 16 bar
CH 2 Manually Set Pressure 0 – 16 bar
A IN Assignment Default Range
CH 1 Current Pressure 0 – 16 bar
CH 2 Current Power 0 – 100 kW
CH 3 Current Flow 0 – 100 m³/h
CH 4 Current Speed 0 – 3.600 rpm

Digital Field Section

Default Pin Assignment and Value Ranges When Used as Pump Control Unit:

D CH Assignment Signal Interpret.
1 (OUT) Control ON Pulse, 125ms ON
2 (OUT) Control OFF Pulse, 125ms OFF
3 (IN) Confirmation Permanent ON/ OFF
4 (IN) Error Code 1 Permanent ON/ OFF
5 (IN) Error Code 2 Permanent ON/ OFF
6 (IN) Error Code 3 Permanent ON/ OFF
7 (OUT) Reset Error Pulse, 2s
8 (IN) Counter Pulse

Error Codes

Default Error Codes Used by Pump Control/Monitoring:

Code 1
(CH 4)
Code 2
(CH 5)
Code 3
(CH 6)
Interpretation
0 0 0 no malfunction
1 0 0 Malfunction - Pressure, generic.
0 1 0 Malfunction - Motor Temperature
0 0 1 Malfunction - Frequency Inverter / Pump
1 1 0 Malfunction - Low Pressure
1 0 1 Malfunction - Excess Pressure
0 1 1 Restart after Interruption of Power Supply
1 1 1 Remote Control Disabled

Initial start-up of the M2M router

Optionally, the Raindancer Beacon comes with a preconfigured, ready-to-use M2M Router
(M2M – »Machine to Machine Communication«), prepared to be mounted to DIN Rails.

Overview

Front Panel Rear Panel

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1 Hollow Pin / Terminal Block Port Power Supply
2, 3, 4 LAN Ethernet Ports
5 WAN Ethernet Port
6 Status LED Power Supply
7, 8, 9 Status LED LAN Ports
10 Status LED WAN Port
1 GSM Main Antenna Connector
2 Wi-Fi Antenna Connector
3 GSM Aux. Antenna Connector
4 Reset Button
5 Status LED GSM

Setup

  1. Attach GSM Antenna to Connector [1] on the router’s rear panel.
    Note: when lacking imprints, usually the GSM Antenna is the »thicker« one.
  2. Attach Wi-Fi Antenna to Connector [2] on the router’s rear panel.
    Note: by default, the preconfigured routers come with Wi-Fi deactivated, when not ordered with an alternative configuration, attaching the Wi-Fi Antenna is not required.
    c2Dimage.png
  3. Connect the Raindancer Beacon(s) via Ethernet cable to one of the ports [2], [3] or [4] on the router’s front panel.
    Note: Do not connect the Beacon(s) to the WAN Ethernet Port [5]!
  4. Connect the power Adapter to the rocket on the
    router’s front panel [1].
    Pay attention to polarity, when connecting to an alternative power source
    (9W/9VDC min, 12V rec., 18V/30V max, depending on router model type)!

Typical Wiring Variants

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Connecting an analog sensor (AIN field) or analog actuator (AOUT field) in series

 

 

Typical application:
Sensors and actuators as a dual wire current loop (4–20mA) variant.

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Connecting an analog sensor (AIN field) or analog actuator (AOUT field), using an external power
supply unit.


Typical application:
Sensors and actuators as a voltage (0–5V, 0–10V) variant.
The analog fields GND/ISO terminal may have to be connected to the external PSU’s ground terminal.

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Connecting an analog sensor (AIN field) or analog actuator (AOUT field), supplied by the same PSU.

 

Example:
ifm pressure transmitter PX9983
on unified current and voltage supply

BN (brown) V+
WH (white) AIN1
BU (blue) V-
BK (black) ----

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hinweis:
When using separate power supplies, for the Beacon and all connected periphery, a common ground reference should be created by connecting the various ground terminals.

 

 

Hinweis:
The illustrations depict common wirings. Always establish a connection according to the
instructions from the periphery’s manufacturer.

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Typical connection of a control unit using a pulsed signal (active high, pulse width configurable) for Start (CH1) and Stop (CH2).

 

Feedback of the operational state via permanent signal (active high) via input CH3.

 

Create a common ground reference when using a separate power supply by connecting the GND terminal of the digital field.

 

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Typical connection of a control unit using a permanent signal (optionally configurable) on output
CH1 (active high).


Feedback of the operational state via permanent signal (active high) via input CH3.


Create a common ground reference when using a separate power supply by connecting the GND terminal of the digital field.

 

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Example adaptation to a control unit using a permanent signal (active low) via a NC switch at

CH1.


Operating directly from CH2’s permanent signal (inverted to that from CH1) is not recommended!


Create a common ground reference when using a separate power supply by connecting the GND terminal of the digital field.

 

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Example adaptation for driving an NC switch to pull an active output low in order to stop the connected control.

 

The active output may be used as a feedback of the operational state.

 

Create a common ground reference when using a separate power supply by connecting the GND terminal of the digital field.

 

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Typical connection of a counter at input CH8. The depicted example uses a simple Reed contact.

 

Alternatively, any kind of impulse generator can be connected to CH8 (input active high).

 

The impulse frequency has to be selected according to the desired application.
(Frequency, both flanks ≤ 50/s)

Calibration of Analogue Inputs and Outputs

Ideally, there is a direct, linear connection between the value of an analogue input or output of the Beacon and the corresponding value range of the connected sensor or actuator defined in the pump settings.
Using the example of a simple 0-16 bar pressure sensor on an analogue input of the Beacon, 0 bar measured in voltage mode corresponds to a signal value of 0 volts, 16 bar to a signal value of 10 volts and the range in between is directly proportional (i.e. 2.5V = 4 bar, 5V = 8 bar, 7.5V = 12 bar, etc.).

In reality, however, there is often a deviation, very often not only by an invariable amount over the entire measuring range, but with different magnitudes at the two ends of the range to be measured. For this reason, it may be necessary to calibrate an input/output.
Calibration can be achieved by adjusting the value range on which the signal of an analogue input or output is interpreted accordingly.
Two measurements (with a multimeter, for example) at points as far apart as possible in the entire value range are required to adjust the value range to reality in a meaningful way.

Example Pressure sensor 0-16 bar / 0-10 V:

Original setting in the portal:

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Measurement of the transmitted values and corresponding sensor values:

Min. measured value: 1,2 Volt
Min. sensor value: 0,2 bar
Max. measured value: 9,6 Volt
Max. sensor value: 15,9 bar

In the next step, these empirically determined values must be inserted into the following formula and calculated for each measured value of 0 and 10 volts:

                        Measured Value - Min. Measured Value.
Sensor Value = —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————  +  Min. Sensor Value
             (Max. Measured Value - Min. Measured Value) × (Max. Sensor Value - Min. Sensor Value)

The results of this calculation, from -2.04 bar for measured value = 0V or 16.64 bar for measured value = 10V, give the calibrated value range to be defined for the analogue input or output:

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If this measurement/calibration relates to an analogue output, crooked (or simply nonsensical for the control system) values can be avoided in the manual selection by restricting the available value range using the new function. In the example case described, this would be 0 to 16 bar, alternatively further restricted to a range of 3 to 6 bar, for example, which can only actually be used:

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Operation Mode »Mirror Image«

A combination of two or more Raindancer Beacons can optionally be used to reflect another device to be remotely monitored and controlled. Using this method, all signals coming from or going a Beacon will be available to a »Mirror« Beacon, via a »virtual cable extension«. Periphery connected to the »Mirror« (e.g. a PLC) can retrieve this information, process it and control the remotely
controlled device via commands sent from this »Mirror« to its actual counterpart. 

The number of devices configured as »Mirror« are practically unlimited.

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In order for a Beacon to be able to function as a »Mirror Image«, it has to undergo proper preparation, using a special configuration.