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F.A.Q. wind measurement and sensors

F.A.Q.s

GSM / SMS

• The modem is not registered in the network
• The GSM system is registered, but contact cannot be made
• The GSM system cannot always be reached
• How long can I activeate the GSM system daily?
• When activating the GSM system do I have to swtich on the digital output?

Data interfaces RS-232 and RS-485

• How can I download the logger data online onto my own system?
• The logger works fine, but I cannot contact it via CALLaLOG
• Can I address the logger via USB interface?
• Could I disengage online data, e.g. for a SCADA system?

Sensors

• How can I heat the wind sensors (mains power supply available)
• How can I heat the wind sensors without access to a mains power supply?

GSM / SMS

The modem is not registered in the network

When the GSM-system is activated, manually or at the specified times, various messages appear on the display.
If there is a fault it will be reported: "Modem failed":Check the connection between the logger and the modem, and also the power supply to the modem (> 10 V DC).

"Pin failed": Data card is missing, or the PIN is wrong or has been blocked. A simple check is to try the data card in your mobile phone.

"Network failed":No network has been found. During the search, watch the “SQ“ (signal quality) on the display. The value should be at least "5". If the signal is not strong enough then check the antenna. Sometimes it can be helpful to use a radio antenna directed towards the nearest GSM mast.

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The GSM system is registered, but contact cannot be made

The data telecommunications channel is separate from the speech channel, and usually has a different number. If transfer of data is only possible by text-message, this suggests that number being used is wrong (text messages are also possible using the speech number). Whatever the problem, it needs to taken up with the telephone company

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The GSM system cannot be reached

One possibility is that the solar unit is not providing enough power to activate the modem, or the logger is switching the modem on at a different time. Send a text message (Text = "A") to the telephone number of the station. A response will come as soon as the modem is activated, and you will know that the GSM-system is ready again, e.g. because the sun is now shining.

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How long can I activate the GSM system daily?

Ideally, you want to be able to access the measuring system at all times. On the other hand, it is preferable to power the system using a solar module which is as small as possible (bear in mind that panels delivering more than 30 Watts are more likely to get stolen!). The answer is to activate the modem at certain times only. In summer in Southern Europe (or in other areas with similar levels of sunshine) it would be possible to leave the system on all the time, but even then the times would have to be reduced as winter drew nearer. We recommend activating the modem twice every day for one hour. That is sufficient to access the data and for occasional service contacts.

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When activating the GSM system do I have to switch on the digital output?

NO ! Our data loggers switch the modem on with software commands. You can use the switchable digital output for other purposes. This option is only provided in case you have to activate another modem via the supply voltage.

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Data interfaces rs-232 and RS-485

How can I download the logger data online onto my own system?

"Series 32" Ammonit data loggers have a SCADA-function (Supervisory Controls And Data Acquisition), which can send the measurements and stored mean values including times continually via the additional RS485-interface. This function is activated in the menu "RS485 Option" and can operate at 9600/19200/34800 baud.

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The logger works fine, but I cannot contact it via CALLaLOG.

Check the interface and the baud rate setting: "Series 32“Ammonit data loggers operate at 38 400 baud, older versions at 19 200.

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Can I address the logger via a USB interface?

Yes. All you need is an inexpensive "RS232 - USB" adapter, available from most IT shops. This is easy to install and provides the necessary port e.g. as "COM5".

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Could I disengage online data, e.g. for a SCADA system?

In some cases, it would be convenient to be able to make the measurements from the sensors linked to the Data Logger available for other applications. For example, the data-sets could also be used in parallel in the SCADA-system of a wind farm control system, and processed there online. The RS485-interface offers a number of convenient options for such purposes. When the option "Serial Output" is activated with the software CALLaLOG02 the logger sends out a text via the serial interface which contains the time, continuous measurement data, and stored values. The receiver filters the required information out of this stream of data. A converter installed directly at the Logger can also provide the data in a format required by the network or by the transmission medium.

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Sensors

How can I heat the wind sensors (mains power supply available)

No problem. With our option "Mains power supply with heating transformer" we install a basic transformer in the cabinet and your sensors will be heated at all times.

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How can I heat the wind sensors without access to a mains power supply?

This is a problem! Every wind sensor needs a 1A heating current, and the heating is switched on by an internal control unit whenever the temperature falls below 3°C: i.e. in the winter a 24V rechargeable battery with 80 Ah capacity would already need recharging after one day. However, you may be able to make use of the fact that heating is often not necessary at temperatures below -10°C because the air humidity is then very low and icing is no longer a problem.

You could try:

a) installing heated sensors and that corresponding cables, so that in an emergency you could attach a battery (instead of having to climb up the mast, or wait for spring to come)

b) installing sensors and cable as above, and connecting these up to a 24V battery (as large as possible) via a relay controlled by the switchable output. You will then be able to switch the heating on by text message (without having to travel to the site)

Either way, you will unfortunately have to accept gaps in the measurements. As long as there is still a risk of further icing, it is better to avoid further attempts at heating, in order to save the battery power. Only when the temperature and air humidity mean that further icing is improbable is it worthwhile trying to clear the ice, e.g. by heating for 2 hours.

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