Carmanah E Series User manual

E / F Series
TRAFFIC BEACON QUICK START GUIDE
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For the R920-E/F, R820-E/F, R829-E/F, and R247-E/F flashing beacons
84775_QSG_TRA_E-F-Series_RevD.docx
E-Series
F-Series

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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
1.1 Safety Precautions
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. DO NOT LET THE BATTERY TERMINALS COME INTO
CONTACT WITH ANY EXPOSED METAL.
Product can have sharp edges. Accidental movement of hinged components can cause injury.
Batteries are shipped fully charged. Use extreme caution when handling the batteries as they can
generate hazardous short-circuit currents. Remove all jewelry (bracelets, metal-strap watches,
etc.) before handling the batteries.
Solar panels produce DC electricity when exposed to light and can therefore produce an
electrical shock or burn. To render solar panels inoperative, remove them from sunlight or fully
cover their front surface with an opaque material.
Before lifting any heavy or bulky equipment, ensure the load is secured so moving parts do not
shift, and that it can be lifted as far as needed without back strain or loss of grip. Installation may
require more than one person.
Ensure the equipment is not powered during installation and wiring of the system. Recheck all
completed wiring for proper polarity prior to energizing the system.
Perform all installation, wiring, grounding and maintenance in conformance with local building and
electrical codes. Adherence to the National Electrical Code (NEC) is mandatory to comply with
any certification markings. Non-adherence to code may void the warranty.
Changes or modifications to Carmanah equipment not expressly approved by Carmanah could
void both the user's authority to operate the equipment and the warranty.
Make sure the installation location has an unobstructed view of the sun’s path. Obstructions such
as trees or buildings could significantly reduce the amount of sunlight on the solar panel. Shade
analysis is highly recommended to understand how shadows will change according to the time of
year. Contact Carmanah for a detailed examination and solar simulations for your site.
This quick start guide is not a replacement for the complete product user manual.
Visit carmanah.com to download the complete product user manual.
2.1 Tools and Materials Required
The following tools and materials may be required to mount your Carmanah flashing beacon depending on the
E/F Series model and configuration:
a. Imperial socket set
b. Crescent wrench
c. Tap set
d. Imperial Allen-Wrench set
e. Fish tape
f. Level
g. Compass or pre-determined equatorial
direction
h. Drill and drill bits
i. Fine-tip felt marker
j. Multi-bit screwdriver
k. Pelco Roger-Wrench (Optional)
l. Hook spanner wrench, 1-1/2” trade size
(configurations 4.2 & 4.3)
m. Ladder or lift device
n. Lithium grease
o. Electrical Multi-meter (Optional)

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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
3.1 Commissioning
After installing and programming the E/F Series flashing beacon system, the following commissioning verification
checklist helps ensure that everything is working as it should be and that your system is ready to serve the public
for many years of reliable and sustained operation.
EMS settings are correct.
No LED fault message on the EMS.
For single or triple fixture systems, ensure the flash pattern is set for unison.
Fixtures flash properly: use “TEST” at the EMS user interface to check functionality of LEDs.
Fixtures are tightened and pointed in the correct direction toward oncoming traffic lanes.
Retrieved calendar from R829 is confirmed to be accurate and calendar setting is set to “on” if applicable.
Solar panel pointed South (or as per specific instructions provided by Carmanah).
Override box (if equipped) correctly activates or deactivates the flashing (depending on model input
setting).
The solar panel is properly latched, and the solar engine body is secured tightly and unable to spin.
No debris covering the photosensor window on top of the solar engine.
Vents are clear, and screens are intact.
Sealing gaskets on door are intact.
Solar panel is producing voltage in sunlight (use EMS “Solar” user interface menu item).
System has clear sky access and no removal of obstructions is required.
Note the possibility for nearby foliage to eventually shade the solar panel at a different time of year. If so,
set a reminder to inspect later.
Battery voltage is healthy (use either a voltmeter or EMS “Battery” user interface menu item).
Verify both fuses are intact so that the system doesn't just run off a single battery (use multimeter to
confirm fuse continuity or disconnect each fuse individually and confirm the other fuse still allows EMS to
operate).
Yellow fuse holders are tightly sealed to prevent water ingress.
RRFB light bar flashing starts with left module first if applicable.
Remote systems are turning on and off correctly via wireless control if applicable.
For RRFB systems, verify the indicator LEDs on the ends of light bars can be seen by pedestrians across
the street.

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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
4.1 Solar Engine Mounting –Round Post
1. Install supplied longer set screws into mount, if required.
2. Thread mount onto solar engine and tighten.
3. Tighten set screw or clamp bolt at top of mount.
4. Install on post and orient solar engine to face South (for Northern Hemisphere locations).
5. Tighten set screws or bolts onto post.

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4.2 Solar Engine Mounting –Square Post
1. Obtain lock nut included with solar engine. Fully tighten against bottom of solar engine.
2. Thread solar engine fully onto mount.
3. Install mount onto square post and tighten bolts onto post.
4. Loosen less than one turn until solar engine faces South (for Northern Hemisphere locations).
5. Tighten top bolt on mount.

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4.3 Solar Engine Mounting –Side of Post
1. Obtain lock nut included with solar engine. Fully tighten against bottom of solar engine.
2. Thread hex nut onto bottom of solar engine.
3. Insert other hex nut into channel in side of post mount so it lines up with hole in top of mount.
4. Thread solar engine all the way onto nut in channel. Loosen less than one turn until solar engine faces
South (for Northern Hemisphere locations).
5. Tighten top hex nut down against mount.

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4.4 Integrated Solar Engine with Signal Head –Round / Square Post
1. Install supplied longer set screws into mount, if required (4.0” OD posts only; see mount contents above).
2. Align serrated lock ring so that tabs fit into slots in bottom of solar engine.
3. Obtain signal housing with reinforcement bracket(s). Install solar engine through top signal housing hole
and into hex nut.
4. Install nipple through load spreader plate (12" signal housings only), bottom signal housing hole, serrated
lock ring, and tighten onto mount after aligning lock ring tabs with mount slots.
5. Tighten screw/bolt at top of mount.
6. Install on post, adjust the rotation of the signal head if required and adjust the rotation of the solar engine
to face South (for Northern Hemisphere locations).
7. Tighten mount screws onto post, then tighten hex nut.

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4.5 Integrated Solar Engine with Signal Head –Square Wood Post
1. Install mount onto post using suitable fasteners (not supplied).
2. Align serrated lock ring so that tabs fit into slots in bottom of solar engine.
3. Obtain signal housing with reinforcement bracket(s). Install solar engine through top signal housing hole
and into hex nut.
4. Install nipple through load spreader plate (12" signal housings only), bottom signal housing hole, serrated
lock ring, mount hole, and hex nut as shown.
5. Adjust direction of signal if required, and orient solar engine to face South (for Northern Hemisphere
locations).
6. Tighten nipple and top hex nut.
.

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4.6 Integrated Solar Engine with Signal Head –Side of Post
1. Align serrated lock ring so that tabs fit into slots in bottom of solar engine.
2. Obtain signal housing with reinforcement bracket(s). Install solar engine through top signal housing hole
and into hex nut.
3. Install nipple with set screw through load spreader plate (12" signal housings only), bottom signal housing
hole, gasket, mount hole, and hex nut as shown.
4. Adjust direction of the signal if required, and orient solar engine to face South (for Northern Hemisphere
locations).
5. Tighten nipple and top hex nut.

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4.7 RRFB Light Bar Installation (R920-E/F Beacons)
1. Feed light bar cable(s) through post, creating a drip loop.
2. Mount light bar universal bracket(s). Bolts and banding not supplied.
3. Mount light bar(s) onto universal bracket(s) through slots in back. Bolt light bar to universal bracket as
shown. Install two anti-vandal rotation locking screws. Tighten mounting nuts. Secure cable using
supplied cable ties as shown.
4. Align light bar as required. Push light bar wires into light bar connectors, following color scheme indicated
on unit. For FHWA compliance, mount light bar so black and white wires are on the left side. Slide
on light bar cover and secure with four screws provided. If the pedestrian confirmation light is not required
in one direction, use the supplied opaque label to cover the indicator light.

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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
5.1 Push Button Installation (R920-E/F & R820-E/F Beacons)
If the E or F Series is wired for a push button but none is needed (such as
an advance RRFB), insulate the ends and secure the wires.
The push button can be connected in either polarity.
1. For round poles, cut holes to size and tap as required. Deburr the hole that the push button wiring will
pass through.
2. Feed the push button cable through the pole, creating a drip loop.
6.1 Battery Installation
Once the solar engine is secured and the beacons and other devices are in place, the batteries can be installed.
1. Open the solar engine and install the batteries, connecting each battery using the correct polarity. Secure
batteries with battery strap; note proper routing.
2. Batteries must be installed with the terminals facing outward (E Series, left image below) or upwards (F
Series, right image below).
3. The system will power up once the batteries are connected. If it is part of a radio-connected group, all
members of the group will now be able to communicate with each other.

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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
7.1 EMS Programming and Testing
The E/F Series’ Energy Management System (EMS) has several programming functions and settings. These are
accessed through the On-Board User Interface (OBUI). Specific products will use a subset of the complete OBUI
settings, which will be covered in this manual’s sections specific to each product.
7.2 EMS On-Board User Interface Operation
The EMS OBUI has three buttons to navigate and change settings and activate functions as required. The Up
arrow, Down arrow, and SET button are used to scroll through menus, access and change settings, and accept
new settings.

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Using the Up or Down buttons on the OBUI, the following menu items will appear:
EMS On-Board User Interface Settings Overview
Menu Items
User-
adjustable
Broadcast
to other
systems?
Setting Description
LED Fault
NO
NO
Not normally visible, only appears when the EMS
detects an LED fault.
Battery Status
NO
NO
Reports battery voltage and status
Solar Status
NO
NO
Reports solar panel voltage and status
Flash Pattern
YES
NO
Indicates the flash pattern currently set
Input Type
YES
NO
Indicates input mode, NC for 24/7 operation, bttn for
momentary button input, and NO for calendar setting.
Flashing Duration
YES
YES
For crosswalks, reports the time duration for a flash
pattern.
Intensity (LED Driver
Current)
YES
NO
Indicates the intensity (in milli-amps) the LED modules
are set to use. Higher numbers mean brighter lights.
Night Dimming
YES
YES
Indicates what fraction of the daytime intensity the
LEDs are set to at night.
Ambient Auto-Adjust
YES
YES
If enabled, automatically dims LEDs on overcast days
up to 50% to prevent glare for drivers.
Automatic Light
Control (ALC)
YES
NO
If enabled, automatically dims LEDs in response to
unexpected solar deficiency to preserve battery life.
LED Temperature
YES
NO
If enabled, adjusts LED power output to account for
the effects of environmental temperature variations.
Internal Calendar
YES
NO
Allows LED loads to be set to turn on and off according
to a time schedule programmed using Carmanah
calendar programming software
Radio Enable
YES
NO
Turns the radio on or off
Radio Channel
YES
NO
Allows channels to be changed to overcome radio
interference issues on a per unit basis.
Radio Detection
Status
NO
NO
Confirms whether a radio module has been detected
by the system controller (EMS).
Digital Output
YES
NO
Used for relay control. Can be adjusted to allow
external loads to be switched on at any time, or only at
night.
Push Button Input
Status
NO
NO
Detects the status of the push button input and
whether there are any faults found.
LED Fixture Test
YES
NO
Allows the LED loads to exhibit a test flash sequence.
Built-In Self-Test
YES
NO
Allows the system to run a number of self-tests and
can be used for troubleshooting purposes.
Firmware Version
NO
NO
Displays the firmware version programmed on the
system controller (EMS).

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E/F SERIES QUICK START GUIDE
8.1 Troubleshooting
Symptom
Possible Cause and What to Check
The EMS does not
activate or display any
information.
•Check if battery voltage is above 12V. Charge or replace batteries if low.
•Check both battery fuses.
•Ensure solar panel is clean, clear of debris, and not shaded by buildings or
vegetation to allow proper battery charging.
LEDs won't flash when
push button on the
same post is pressed.
•Check that button is functioning and is providing the typical feedback. If the
button has an LED or audio feedback, ensure that these are operating.
•Check the wiring to the button for continuity.
•Check the wiring to the LED fixtures for continuity and make sure the wires
are not pinched anywhere along their length. Check that the wiring polarity
(positive / negative) is correct on the LED fixtures.
•Check the battery voltage, either through the OBUI or with a voltmeter (see
item above). Test the system using the “Test” function. If the LEDs flash using
the OBUI functions, then the problem is in the button or wiring to the button.
LEDs on same post
flash, but other
systems in the
wireless group won't
flash.
•Ensure that all the units are set to the same radio channel using the OBUI.
See the EMS Programming and Testing section of this manual.
•Ensure that the units are not too far apart (ideal 500 ft maximum, 1,000 ft.
unobstructed line of sight).
•Check for barriers or obstructions between systems such as buildings or
billboards.
LED fixture on same
post does not flash.
•Ensure that the wire colors and polarities are correct. Check that the electrical
connections are secure.
The LEDs are dim
when flashing.
•Check the OBUI for ALC status and battery voltage.
•Ensure that the solar panel is clean, clear of debris, and is not shaded by
buildings or vegetation.
•If the solar panel is covered or shaded, this will prevent proper battery
charging and may drive the system to automatic light control mode (ALC).
•Check for debris covering the ambient light sensor on top of the solar engine
and confirm the photosensor is correctly detecting day and night.
•A flashlight can be shone into the photosensor to simulate day, and the
photosensor can be covered to simulate night.
•Confirm the intensity is set correctly to a value that has been confirmed to be
sustainable using a solar simulation.
•Check the Ambient Auto-Adjust (AAA) setting on the OBUI.
•Turn off the AAA to see if this corrects the dim LEDs.
The LEDs appear too
bright when flashing
•The intensity setting on the user interface can be turned down to a more
suitable brightness level.
•Verify all fixtures are working. If a fixture stops working, the current that would
normally flow through it is redirected into the remaining fixtures, which
increases their brightness.
Fixtures flash when no
button is pressed
•Ensure that all units in a group are set to the correct radio channel using the
OBUI while also ensuring that nearby systems at a different location are using
a different channel.
LED Open Fault is
showing on User
Interface
•The EMS is looking for the other fixture in the alternate pattern and declares
an “LED Open” fault when it doesn’t find one. Set flash pattern to unison.

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