Turning On
To turn on, simply plug the Orion into a mains socket, it will automatically power up. Another method of turning on is to press and hold the
switch (see image above) with the end of a paperclip or a suitable instrument for approximately 10 seconds until the LEDs illuminate.
On power up, all LEDs will flash 4 times, immediately followed by flashing of the blue LEDs which indicate the mode setting (e.g. one flash
for mode 1, two flashes for mode 2, etc), and flashing of the yellow LEDs which indicate the repeater number. A buzzer sound may also be
heard, depending on options 5 or 6, all modes/options are explained overleaf. The green LEDs will then flash slowly, indicating that the
range extender is now ready to use.
Turning Off
To turn the Orion off, press the switch with the end of a paperclip or a suitable instrument and hold for approximately 5 seconds until the
LEDs stop flashing. Please note - the Orion will not switch off if there is a reception/transmission event occurring at that time.
General Behaviour
When the Orion is sitting idle, the only functioning indicators are the green LEDs which will flash slowly. They may flash in time with each
other, or they may not, either is normal.
If the Orion is operating on battery power, the green LEDs will flash quickly.
Operational Behaviour
When the Orion receives a signal from a sensor, the yellow LEDs on channels 1 & 2 will illuminate briefly, then the blue LED(s) will
illuminate briefly at timed intervals, which vary depending on the repeater number (options 7, 8 and 9 overleaf). Both channel 1 and
channel 2 LEDs will illuminate in modes 1 and 3, and channel 1 only in modes 2 and 4.
If option 5 is selected, the Orion will be silent when the blue LED(s) illuminate.
If option 6 is selected, the Orion will beep when the blue LED(s) illuminate. This is the default setting.
Switch
Cair (UK) Ltd.
Hanson Lane, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 4SD
T: 01422 399 155 E: sales@we-cair.com W: www.we-cair.com
Repeating
By default, the Orion will repeat an incoming signal twice (Channel 1 after two seconds and Channel 2 after four seconds).
If option 8 is chosen, the timings will change to five and ten seconds.
If option 9 is chosen, the timings will change to eight and sixteen seconds.
Repeating twice maximises the range of the Orion as the signal is transmitted from each aerial, and as they are at right angles to each
other, the signals have more chance of penetrating further.
This can be changed to repeat once only by changing the mode number to either modes 2 or 4.
The mode numbers can also be used to increment the incoming signal ID by 1 so that the receiving unit ignores a signal from a sensor
but reacts to the signal from the Orion instead. This is useful when using the Orion with dispersed alarms (lifelines), or when using
multiple Orions together.
Programming the Mode/Option numbers
The modes and options are listed in the next section below. Use the following method to adjust each setting:
1. Using the end of a paperclip or suitable instrument, press and hold the switch for two seconds then release.
2. The yellow edit LED will illuminate, and the Orion will enter programming mode for a period of ten seconds. During this time,
tap the switch the same number of times as the desired mode/option number, i.e. once for mode 1, twice for mode 2, etc. The
blue LEDs will flash every time the switch is pressed.
3. When finished tapping the switch, the Orion will restart once the ten second programming period expires. The restart
procedure is the same as the power up sequence described overleaf in the ‘Turning On’ section.
Please note - the Orion won’t restart if it’s already programmed to the attempted mode number.
4. When the Orion powers up, the blue LEDs will flash to confirm the mode number, followed by the yellow LEDs to confirm the
repeater number. The sounder may also beep if it is enabled.
Mode/Option Numbers
The Orion has four Modes, two Sound Options and three Repeater Options. The default modes should suit most installations with a
Buzzz, although if using the Orion with a Lifeline, modes 3 or 4 should be used. The sound can be turned off if required. Repeater 1
option should suit the majority of installations.
Modes 3 and 4 are ‘Incremental’ modes. These modes receive the trigger ID of the sensor, add one digit to the ID then transmit the new
ID number, e.g. incoming ID of 283472 would change to 283473. This reduces the number of signals picked up by the Buzzz/Lifeline
and can also help when using multiple Orions together. When using these modes, ensure that the repeated signal is programmed to the
Buzzz/Lifeline, not the signal directly from the sensor.
1. Mode 1 (Default). Repeats twice (Ideally used with Buzzz only).
2. Mode 2. Repeats once (Ideally used with Buzzz only).
3. Mode 3. Repeats twice - Incremental (Can be used with Buzzz and Tunstall Lifelines).
4. Mode 4. Repeats once - Incremental (Can be used with Buzzz and Tunstall Lifelines).
5. Sound Off.
6. Sound On (Default).
7. Repeater 1 (Default). Repeats twice in modes 1 & 3 - after 2 secs and 4 secs. Repeats once in modes 2 & 4 - after 2 secs.
8. Repeater 2. Repeats twice in modes 1 & 3 - after 5 secs and 10 secs. Repeats once in modes 2 & 4 - after 5 secs (refer to
‘Using multiple Orions together’ section below).
9. Repeater 3. Repeats twice in modes 1 & 3 - after 8 secs and 16 secs. Repeats once in modes 2 & 4 - after 8 secs (refer to
‘Using multiple Orions together’ section below).
Using Multiple Orions Together
If two Orions are to be used in the same installation, one should be set to Repeater 1 and the other to Repeater 2. If a third Orion is
required, that should be set to Repeater 3. All of the Orions should be programmed to Mode 4, this mode reduces the amount of
extraneous signals that can happen when using multiple Orions together.
Mains Fail Alert
Ten seconds after a loss of mains power, the Orion will sound and send a radio signal. This radio signal can be programmed to a Buzzz
or Tunstall Lifeline if desired, to inform a carer or monitoring centre that the Orion has lost mains power. The type of radio signal sent to
a Lifeline is a ‘Zoning Trigger’, this can easily be amended to another type by using PC Connect software.
Programming
Guide V 1.1
Intended Use
The Orion range extender is a signal booster for all Tunstall compatible telecare sensors. The range extender repeats all telecare
signals up to a line of sight range of 1km, ensuring alerts are less likely to be missed.
The Orion is mains powered. It also has a back up battery so will still be able to transmit in the event of a power cut or mains failure.
When fully charged, the battery should provide up to 12 hours power, depending on usage.
The unit is intended to be installed by a competent person and plugged into a UK style mains socket.
Note: This guide is for Orions with the new software only - from serial numbers 2010 and afterwards (2010 = 20(year), 10(month)).
Installation
For best operation, and to make the most of the transmit and receive diversity, the two antennae should have different polarisation (set
at 90 degrees as shown on the image on the front page).
Ideally the Orion should be inserted into an unused socket, and located in a discreet position.
