Sentek RT6 HARDWARE MANUAL Version 3.2 February 2011

The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Information provided in this document is proprietary to SENTEK Pty Ltd. This document or any part of it, may not be copied, reproduced or translated in any way or form. COPYRIGHT © 1997-2010 SENTEK Pty Ltd EnviroSCAN and EasyAG are trademarks of SENTEK Pty Ltd.

Chapter 1: Introduction About this Manual This manual describes the Sentek RT6 soil water monitoring system and includes technical information, installation and maintenance procedures. It is intended to be used as a guide to the assembly and maintenance of the Sentek RT6 System. This manual should be read in conjunction with:  Access Tube Installation Manual  EasyAG Installation Manual  IrriMAX Manual (or online help)  Data Exchange Manual (or online help)  RT6 Logger Manager (or online help)  Remote Connection Manger - RCM (or online help) Study of this manual does not allow users who...

SENTEK Communication Describes the process of transferring commands or data between the logger and the computer. Is the standard which describes the specification for single ended serial transmission of data, which is the standard for the COM 1 and COM 2 ports on a computer. Is the standard which describes the specification for serial transmission of data, which is the standard for long distance communications. This is a differential signal and is specified to be used with cable runs up to 1km depending on baud rate and type of data cable used. Radio Modem Is the circuitry that converts the signals...

Abbreviation for “Input” (I) and “Output”(O) usually in reference to signals into and out of a device Abbreviation for “Identification” Standard IEC 60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code). The Access tube top cap is rated to IP55: IP5x = complete protection from contact. Dust allowed but does not affect function. IPx5 = (water) jets from a nozzle in all directions

Electro-Magnetic Compliance EMC approvals The Sentek RT6 System has been tested and found to comply with the following EMC guidelines: EN55011/CISPR11 (AS/NZS2064) Group 1 Class B EN50082-1 : 1992 (IEC 801-2,3,4) FCC Part 15 Class B FCC Part 2 Class B The above EMC approvals allow the product to be CE and C-tick marked. Any modifications to any part of the system or to any peripherals may void the EMI compliance of the system or peripherals. The sensors/probes are not to be operated in free air as they may cause interference to radio communication devices. External power supplies connected to...

CHAPTER 2: GENERAL DESCRIPTION Chapter 2: General Description System Overview The Sentek RT6 System has been designed to log readings from multiple EnviroSCAN soil moisture probes/sensors at pre-selected time intervals (as short as 1 minute) for downloading into a computer. The software provides graphical data manipulation for analysis by trained growers, scientists or agronomists. System components The Sentek RT6 System consists of :  logging facility  EnviroSCAN probes or EasyAG probes  access tube/top cap  soil moisture sensors  cabling  IrriMAX software Appendix A illustrates the components...

SENTEK telemetry devices can be connected to the RT6 Main Board to provide remote communication or the system can be hard-wired to a computer utilizing RS485 communication. System description Logging Facility . The logging facility consists of :  water resistant housing  front panel  RT6 Main Board  removable logger  battery Housing The UV-resistant housing is fixed to an aluminium mounting pole. The solar panel (if used) will also mount onto this pole. The housing is designed to be water resistant and manufactured from a compound which is resistant to chemicals typically used in agricultural...

CHAPTER 2: GENERAL DESCRIPTION (replacing fuses, etc). Front Panel The front panel is fixed to the Main Board and provides :  front panel accessible fuses  RS232 local communication port  local/remote switch See Appendix D for visual of the RT6 front panel. Main Board Removable logger The Main Board provides the I/O connections to the removable logger, battery, probes, solar panel and external communications. The Main Board also performs the following functions :  solar charger for SLA battery  10.5/11.5volt battery cut-off (ensures the SLA battery does not over-discharge)  RS485 communication...

provides serial data communication with computer or external telemetry devices measures system voltages during diagnostics The SLA battery provides power to the logging facility during night periods (if solar powered) or in the event of external power failure. EnviroSCAN Probes The probe consists of :  a plastic extrusion  datum setting handle  5-wire interface board  20 way ribbon cable running along its length with connectors for sensors every 100mm Up to 16 sensors may be connected at desired depths on any one probe for example sensors placed at 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, 90 and 120 cm. The sensors...

CHAPTER 2: GENERAL DESCRIPTION are used. Up to 8 probes may be connected to each run to support multiple probes on a site or multiple sites. See Appendix B for examples of configurations. The maximum distance of any probe from the logging facility is a 500 metre cable length. Cable joins should be no further than 0.5 meters from the probe. When a probe is needed more than 0.5m away from the main cable run, it should be looped in and cut close to the probe site to allow for joining. This will increase the length of the cable run, but ensure reliable operation of the system (so long as it stays...

Access Tube The EnviroSCAN access tube (56.5 mm diameter) and the EasyAG access tube (32 mm diameter) have been manufactured to very high standards with a fine tolerance inside diameter so as to provide minimal internal air gap for the sensor. Tube installation tools and cutting edges have been specially designed to install the access tubes into various soil types without air gaps. See the Access Tube Installation Manual or EasyAG Installation Manual for details.