NUTRI-BLEND USER MANUAL
Contents
1. be executed in the usual way The first time it is run it is necessary to create a new system and then specify the type and addresses of all controllers and monitors within that system The system name is normally the name of the greenhouse and the controller a short name like blender Irrig vents etc 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 12 4 5 Configuring the PC software Before running the software it is best to install all the controllers and monitors They should all have their date and time setting checked and each device must have its address set to a unique number Remember to save the addresses after making any changes and make a note of them as you will need to have them when installing the PC software Now at the PC run the compugrow exe application and then set up as follows When the Compugrow software is first executed the immediate task is to select the required security access level In order to set the system up security must either be disabled or else you must select advanced and enter the advanced password which is consult The basic level password is grower These are the default passwords which can be changed to anything you desire when in advanced mode Alternatively from advanced mode you can disable security by selecting setup security disable Next select the serial COM port that the RS232 RS485 adaptor is connected to Note that the adaptor must be one supplied by Autogrow as it performs some2. NUTRI BLEND USER MANUAL Blending controller for remixing run off nutrient with water to obtain a preset EC For use with either analogue 0 10V 2V 10V or switched 24V AC three way modulating valves 1 Overview The Blender is a controller dedicated to blending run off with raw water to a constant EC The Blender simply measures the resulting EC at the output of a 3 way mixing valve and adjusts the valve to achieve the setpoint The valve used may have a 0 10V control input or else be a switched 24V AC drive valve The OV 0 side must correspond to 0 run off 100 raw water while the 10V 100 side would correspond to 100 run off with 0 water In addition to the EC sensor the controller has two voltage free switch inputs one to a float switch used to detect that the run off collection sump is empty this forces the valve to the 0 ie water only state and the other connects to a voltage free contact on the pump relay which detects when the irrigation pump is running When this contact is opened blending is stopped and the valve returns to its preset initial value This ensures that whenever the pump starts the valve is always ready in its preset position This may be 0 to stop any siphoning of run off or else may be set to the start position The start position is the percentage open point that the pump goes to immediately the pumps starts and should be set by the user to be as close as possible to its usual running point The pu
3. and a selection can be made from either 0 10V or 2 10V Valve run time This is the time in minutes and seconds for the valve to travel from the fully closed position to the fully open position IT MUST BE SET FOR BOTH ANALOGUE AND SWTCHED VALVES 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 4 2 2 Settings from the PC CompuGrow 3 0 2 3 02 test blend 1 03 System Device History Refresh Setup Print Help Exit Readings and Settings History p Current Values and Alarm Status Valve Alarm EC 2 9 30 Min Max Enabled Alarm Detent 25 B5 mM 1 mins Set Points EC Target 3 mS cm Start percentage automatic operation 30 Valve operation Automatic O Use Start Use Fixed C E 7 Blend detent 5 secs Blend scale factor 20 Pump stopped valve percent Start oe Zemo 1 Modulating valve volt range W toli W toli C Switched valve run time fo mins 20 secs This is basically the same as setting from the controller Please see the explanation of settings on the previous page 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 5 3 Installation of the controller IMPORTANT 1 Check that the Blender is correctly rated for your power supply voltage 2 The Blender must be installed and stored in a shaded cool dry well ventilated position This may be inside a greenhouse which is fully controlled so that the relative humidity does not regularly exceed 90 For uncontrolled greenhouses propagation houses or o
4. cuit board with a small resistor and capacitor on it These terminators must be removed from all units except for the one at the end of the cable To locate the terminator refer to the diagram of the main circuit board in section 3 1 Blender Monitori Monitor2 12v TS Terminator AC 220 240V OR 100 120V RS232 R5485 CAT 5 adaptor Stranded Cable PC connection showing a single terminator at the end of the cable 4 4 Installation of the Compugrow software The CompuGrow software is suitable for use on a PC compatible computer running Windows 95 98 2000 XP Vista The computer must have a free serial COM port and should be a Pentium or better If the PC does not have a serial COM port then a USB to serial converter must be obtained To install the software on your PC insert the disk in the drive and execute the CompuGrow self installing program You will be prompted during installation to select a folder The default folder is C Program Files Compugro When the program is executed it will suggest creating a working folder in My Documents and if you agree to this it will create some sub folders under this folder Each system greenhouse installed will have its own sub folder where the log files for each of its monitors and controllers is stored Each file will save the data for the whole current month and the name of the file contains the date year and month to make file management easy Once installed the program may
5. d Note that the sub menu items start with the same number as its main menu parent Remember that after a setting has been changed you must press the save button to make the change permanent MODE FUNCTION Default screen Display EC Valve Target and Valve Actual if pH is used then EC pH and valve Actual Main Menu MI SET POINTS M3 CALIBRATION M4 TIME DATE M5 ALARMS M6 SYSTEM Sub menu from M1 Setpoints M10 EC Setpoint M11 Blend start percentage valve position when pump starts to run M12 Valve operation Auto use start use fixed M13 Blend fixed percentage M14 Blend detent seconds time between one nudge and the next M15 Blend scale factor set for quick response without overshoot M16 Rest position of valve when pump stops M17 Analogue valve voltage range 0 10V or 2 10V M18 Valve run time This must be set for both analogue and switched valves Sub menu from M2 Calibrate M22 Cal EC Sub menu from M3 Time and Date M30 Display Date and Time M31 Clock Set Minutes M32 Clock Set Hours M33 Clock Set Days M34 Clock Set Months M35 Clock Set Year Sub menu from M4 Alarms M40 Alarm ON OFF M41 Alarm EC limits MAX M42 Alarm EC limits MIN M43 Alarm Detent Time until alarm sounds after fault detected 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 3 Sub menu from M5 System M50 PC comms address set same address at PC Valve start position This should be set as close as possible to the
6. emperature In particular the controller and PC interface must be stored and used in a dry shaded and well ventilated situation At no time must the case temperature be allowed to exceed 60 deg C 140 deg F This warranty specifically excludes liability for consequential damages or for charges for labour or other expense in making repairs or adjustments or loss of time or inconvenience 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 14
7. ld be used to connect between the PC interface and the controller as shown in the diagram To COM port 12V AC PC RS485 RS238 Interface Green Grn To W 2 BWhite PC interface connections 3way Plug 2 back view Grn Grn White Blue white Blue CAT 5 Cable Not used 1 2 3 4 G G Zs IBMPC pc Grn Grn whit Blue Wh RS485 to PC Compatible Blue Connection of PC interface to the controller 4 2 Communication addresses When the PC requests data from a controller or monitor it first sends the address for that unit All units connected to the PC must have a different address The base address for these controllers is 34 At the controller press the mode key to get to SYSTEM and press enter Here you will find the address number Press the up or down arrows to change the address to a number that is different to all other units connected to the PC Typically set the first controller to 34 the next to 35 and so on After setting the address press save to store it in permanent memory Make a note of the address of each controller monitor and its type eg Blender as you will need to enter this information on the PC 4 3 Terminator 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 11 The CAT 5 RS485 data cable starts at the PC interface and loops in and out of ALL devices until it reaches the furthest unit Inside all controllers and monitors will be found a terminator plug This is a very small cir
8. mp run contact must be a normally open contact that closes when the pump is running The low level float switch must have a contact that closes when nutrient is available and opens when empty If this switch is not required then the connections to the Blender must be jumpered to simulate nutrient available 2 Settings Most of the settings screens will not be used in a straight forward blender and are included only for completeness The relevant screens are shown in BOLD The controller is set up using two methods 1 Small slide switches DIP switch under the connection cover and 2 soft settings from the PC or front panel The switch settings are mainly to do with the units used EC or CF and whether pH is to be measured In this chapter we will look at the everyday settings made at the PC or from the controller front panel 2 1 The Menu system from the controller front panel The menus are arranged in two levels At the top level the main menu shows the major groupings of settings and beneath that the sub menus show the detail To move 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 2 from a main menu item down to its sub menu press the enter key up arrow When in a sub menu just press the exit save key to exit back up to the main menu Alternatively just wait without pressing any keys and the controller will automatically return to mode 0 after about 20 seconds If this happens any changes make will be discarde
9. nnected to connector 1 the leftmost connector which is located under the cover on the right hand side of the controller Blue Brown EC probe Closed when pump runs Green a 4 7 Contact on pump relay Closed when nutrient Float switch available Connection of EC probe pump relay and Float For an analogue modulating valve 2 Connect the 0 10V control signal to the mix valve 1 0 10V 2 nc blend valve 3 nc 4 ne GND GND Gr Gr Wh A ae COMM PC B Blue Note that to ensure noise immunity the 24V AC required by the valve must be supplied by a separate power supply and not obtained from the NutriDose 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 7 Connections for 24V AC switched valve 1 e 3 4 Valve open Cc 5 1 601 7111 il Valve close c Run time setting for a 24V AC switched valve The valve should be run by manually switching the override switches from one side to the other and its run time accurately timed in seconds This must then be entered either on the controller or at the PC 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 8 IMPORTANT Before connecting the controller to the mains power supply check that the voltage sticker on the side of the case matches the voltage for your mains power This will either be 100 120V or 200 240V SELECTOR SWITCH Move Main Circuit board switch to ON To select function COUT 1 pH disabled 2 N A 3 USA Date 4 EC instead of CF 5 N A Man
10. normal operating position of the valve When the pump first starts the valve will move immediately to this position and from there it will nudge a little more open or closed to adjust the measured EC Blend scale factor 0 100 the higher the number the faster the valve will respond but if too high will overshoot and continually hunt probably start a with a number such as 20 and if no overshoot or hunting gradually increase until hunting is observed and then back off to assure stable operation Valve operation mode This allows you to select how the valve will operate You can choose from automatic fixed percentage or start percentage Seeing as the start percentage is normally set at the normal operating position this selection allows you to test that the start percentage is indeed set correctly Fixed percentage This allows you set a constant blend percentage Blend Detent This sets the time delay between a valve movement and the EC probe reading changing It allows time for the preceding adjustment to take effect and to be measured at the probe so as to avoid unnecessary valve movements and overshoot The scale factor allows you to change the sensitivity of the valve relative to the EC error try 20 as a starting point if the valve is very slow to move to the correct position then increase this but if it overshoots or hunts then decrease it Valve voltage range This is only applicable to analogue valves
11. orking refer to the fault finding section Finally set the logging frequency to be every 5 minutes The software creates one file for each monitor or controller for each month Obviously a logging frequency of one minute will create much larger files than if set to 5 minutes and should only be used when you really require that level of detail 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 13 Maintenance Every two weeks Thoroughly clean the EC probe Remove the shroud if fitted scour the face with a mild bathroom abrasive like Jif NOT Lemon JIF as this contains oils on an abrasive nylon pad ScotchBrite and then rinse in clean water DO NOT TOUCH THE PROBE FACE as your perspiration may contain oil Replace the shroud fully so that the face of the probe is central in the round side windows Shake off all excess water and place in the CF 27 7 EC 2 77 standard solution Allow to stand for ten minutes before calibrating The up down buttons may need to be pressed a number of times or held down for a while to invoke auto repeat to make the displayed values change to the correct reading Press save to store the new calibration Warranty The warranty on the controller and EC sensor is limited to 2 years return to factory Before returning the unit for service you must call Autogrow Systems Ltd for a return authorisation This warranty specifically excludes any parts that have been broken or damaged by water chemical attack or excessive t
12. special functions as well as converting the signal levels and providing optical isolation Under setup select add to add a new system then give the system a name usually the name of the greenhouse eg lettuce 1 also check the controller box and monitor box if you also have any monitors in the system The idea of having different systems is that in a large installation where you might have a number of controllers and or monitors in each greenhouse it allows you to collect together all of the devices from the one greenhouse as one system so that when you view them they are not muddled in with devices from the other houses However if you are only intending say one or two controllers per greenhouse then it is probably more convenient to put all devices into one system Once a system has been added select setup system setup configure lt system name gt And for each controller and monitor add the address as set at the actual controller select the type of controller enable it and finally click on save The PC will now try to communicate with the device and values should appear on the Readings and Settings tab If not try clicking on refresh on the main menu bar and observe the message at the bottom right of the screen If this says offline then the communication link has failed and you will need to recheck that everything is wired correctly and switched on etc Also recheck all settings If still not w
13. ther high humidity situations it must be installed in a plant room next to the greenhouse which itself is cool dry shaded from direct sun and well ventilated It must never be left in full sunlight or in very hot conditions such as in an automobile If installed within a greenhouse this normally means that a special shade drip cover must be provided and shown below This is important as the surface temperatures of items in a greenhouse in summer in full sun may easily exceed 60 deg C 140 deg F If this is allowed to happen the warranty is voided Install Blender in shaded position protected from moisture Mount on a board made from material such as thick ply wood that is not a good conductor of heat Position the sample pot within close reach of the controller but not where the controller is liable to get splashed if the sample pot overflows etc Ensure that the leads to the sensors will easily reach between the controller and the sample point SELECTOR SWITCH Move switch to ON To select function UUUCO000 Set selector switch located under side cover 1 pH Disabled The switches can be set to suit 2 N A your personal preference 3 USA Date 4 EC instead of CF 5 N A 6 N A 7 N A 8 N A 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd nN Connect the EC probe pump relay contact and float switch The optional pH electrode simply connects to the BNC connector on the front panel The EC probe and the pump run contact and float switch are co
14. ual ov Override NA Switches O O 3 G Terminator PC Hin j Vale open e Suppressor O O R i Valve close Suppressor O ue Tega Fuse Ddse 4A Suppressor ik 3 EI EN EE EMI see ie ENNEMIS Cl 4CO 4 01 Pq 5 Co 5 Co Coie coje oO ed 22s gA Cd 8 Co 8 Co 10000000 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Note that only low voltages not mains can be connected to these contacts The manual override switches should all be set to the central off position as they are not used in the Blender application DOWN Automatic CENTRE OFF UP ON 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd 9 Connectors Blue Brown EC probe Green No connect Float switch poOo0o0 0000 Lt LI LI LI nooogoouod 10 el 3 1 401 50 6 C0 70 Valve open C Valve close Cc 2007 Autogrow Systems Ltd Pump run cont 1 2 30 401 5 6 El LE 801 0 10V To blend Analogue valve nc GND GND Gr Gr Wh A Blue Wh B Blue COMMS TO PC BL AE 10 4 Installation of Compugrow Software on the PC 4 1 The PC Interface The RS484 RS232 optically isolated interface box should be installed adjacent to the PC computer It requires a 12V AC supply A lead is supplied to connect this to a free DB9 COM port on the back of the PC A CAT 5 cable computer network cable shou
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