Daktronics VF-20 Series User manual

201 Daktronics Drive
Brookings, SD 57006-5128
www.daktronics.com/support
800.325.8766
GENERIC SERVICE
VF-20XX
GEN 4
DISPLAY MANUAL
7 June 2018
DD3820741
Rev 0

Copyright © 2018
All rights reserved. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the publisher assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this book covered by the copyrights hereon may be reproduced or copied
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storage and retrieval systems—without written permission of the publisher.
Daktronics trademarks are property of Daktronics, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective companies.

– i –
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.........................................1
How to Use This Manual ............................1
Theory of Operation ..................................1
Vanguard® Software ...............................1
VFC-3000 Controller/Vanguard® Field
Controller.................................................1
Auxiliary Control Panel ..............................2
2 Components .......................................3
Modules ......................................................3
Power Supply Assembly ............................3
Power Supply Mounting Panel ..............3
Power Supplies........................................3
Isolation Board........................................3
Service Control Panel................................4
Vanguard® Control Board ......................4
Panelboard .............................................4
Surge Suppressor ....................................4
Relays ......................................................4
DC Breaker Rail ..........................................5
Display UPS System ....................................5
Sensors Network.........................................5
Rear Sensor .............................................5
Internal Sensor ........................................5
Bottom Sensor .........................................5
Door Detection........................................5
Ventilation and Heater Systems...............5
Ventilation Fans and Filters....................5
Defog Heater Fans..................................5
Fan RPM Sensors .....................................5
Lights ...........................................................6
Beacon(s) ...................................................6
UPS...............................................................6
3 Electrical Installation ..........................7
Power Installation.......................................7
Grounding ...............................................7
Power.......................................................7
Bonding Screw........................................7
Power Connections...................................7
Display Termination................................8
Conduit Sealing ......................................8
Module Connection ...............................8
Fans and Power Supplies Connection....
..................................................................8
Trafc Cabinet ...........................................8
Vanguard® Control Board Address
Setting......................................................9
4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting 10
Getting Started ........................................10
Service and Diagnostics .........................10
Module Numbering System ....................10
7-Segment Error Codes (VFC-3000
Controller).................................................11
Modules.................................................11
VCB ........................................................11
Isolation Board......................................11
7-Segment Error Codes (Vanguard®Field
Controller).................................................12
VCB ........................................................12
Modules.................................................13
Isolation Board......................................13
VFC-3000 Controller/Vanguard® Field
Controller Replacement.............................
...................................................................13
Module Replacement (20mm) ..............14
Environmental Sensors.............................14
Airow Sensor........................................14
Light/Temperature/Humidity Sensor...14
Power Supply Assembly Replacement .15
Vanguard® Control Board (VCB) ...........15
Ventilation Fan and Filter Maintenance ...
...................................................................15
Filter Replacement ...............................15
Fan Replacement.................................16
Trafc Cabinet Maintenance.................16
Trafc Cabinet Fan and Thermostat
Assembly Replacement ......................16
Trafc Cabinet Light Replacement .....16
Display Maintenance..............................16
Structure ................................................16
Earth Ground Resistance .....................16
Display Cabinet ....................................17
Temperature and Light Sensors...........17
Ventilation Fans ....................................17
Filters ......................................................17

– ii –
Table of Contents
VFC-3000 Controller/Vanguard® Field
Controller...............................................17
Face Panels...........................................17
Wet Outdoor Cleaning Method......17
Pressure Wash Cleaning Method ....18
LEDs ........................................................18
LED and Electronic Circuitry ................18
Maintenance Checklist ..........................19
Troubleshooting .......................................20
5 Replacement Parts and Exchange and
Repair Programs ...............................22
Daktronics Part Numbers ........................22
Daktronics Exchange and Repair & Return
Programs...................................................22
Exchange Program ..............................22
Before Contacting Daktronics.............22
Repair & Return Program .....................23
Shipping Address..................................24
Email ......................................................24

Introduction
1
1 Introduction
How to Use This Manual
This manual explains the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of VF-20X0
series Dynamic Message Signs (DMS). For information regarding the safety, installation,
operation, or service of this system, refer to the telephone numbers on the cover page of
this manual.
Daktronics identies manuals by the ED or DD number located on the cover page of
each manual. For example, this manual is referred to as DD3820741.
The serial and model numbers for the display are on the ID label attached to the display.
This label looks similar to Figure 1. When calling Daktronics Customer Service, please have
this information available to ensure timely response.
Refer to the Daktronics Exchange and Repair & Return Programs (p. 22) if any
component needs replacement or repair.
Theory of Operation
Vanguard® Software
Daktronics Vanguard® software allows the DMS operator to check display status and to
control messages. Refer to the Vanguard® Software Help File [F1] for information about
operating Vanguard® software.
VFC-3000 Controller/Vanguard® Field Controller
The VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller is the communication hub for DMS
management; it is located in the display or the trafc cabinet.
The central controller creates messages and transmits them to the VFC-3000 controller/
Vanguard® Field Controller for storage. Upon request from the central controller or the
front panel interface, the VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller locates the
message to display and sends it to the display’s modules via the Vanguard® control
board. The modules activate the appropriate pixels to form the message.
The VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller also monitors local sensors (display-
based sensors) like temperature, light level, and door detection. The VFC-3000 controller/
Vanguard® Field Controller interprets sensor data for display control and diagnostic
functions, such as adjusting the display’s intensity for current lighting conditions.
Refer to the controller manual for conguration information.
Figure 1: Display ID Label

Introduction
2
Auxiliary Control Panel
The auxiliary control panel (ACP) complements the controller by providing a secondary
control interface panel at the DMS site. The ACP allows a maintenance technician to
perform diagnostics while working in one location without having to access the controller
in another location. This improves safety and reduces maintenance time. The ACP may
be located in the display or the trafc cabinet.

Components
3
2 Components
Modules
A module is a replaceable unit consisting of a display
panel with clusters of LEDs, called pixels. The pixels
display messages on the display. Refer to Figure 2.
Each module contains drive electronics that receive
data packets from the Vanguard® control board and
lights the appropriate pixels at the correct dimming
level.
Power Supply Assembly
Power Supply Mounting Panel
Each panel can mount two to four power supplies.
Each power supply is equipped with an isolation
board. Refer to Figure 3.
Power Supplies
The power supplies provide voltage to power
the modules. Multiple power supplies provide
power redundancy. If one power supply
fails, the other power supplies support the full
power load, which prevents power failure to
the modules.
Isolation Board
One isolation board mounts to each power
supply. The isolation board provides input
and output voltage to the power supply.
Figure 4 shows an isolation board.
The isolation board receives 120 VAC input
voltage from the distribution panel. Output
from the power supply routes through the
isolation board. From there, the 24 VDC
output routes to the DC breaker rail.
Isolation board diagnostics include power supply data sent to the VFC-
3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller about output voltage.
Figure 2: Module (Rear View)
Figure 3: Power Supply
Mounting Panel
Figure 4: Isolation
Board

Components
4
Service Control Panel
The service control panel (SCP) is located on the right side of the display’s back wall. The
internal components of the SCP use information received from the VFC-3000 controller/
Vanguard® Field Controller to control the display. Figure 5 shows the location of the SCP’s
internal components.
Vanguard® Control Board
The Vanguard® control board (VCB) receives high-speed serial data from the VFC-
3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller through a ber-optic or Cat-5 cable. It
then distributes the signal to the appropriate modules and sensors. The VCB receives
diagnostic data from the modules, temperature and light sensors, and isolation boards
and transmits the data to the VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller. The VCB
also monitors door sensors, ventilation fans, defog heaters, power supplies, beacons, RPM
sensors, and airow sensors.
The VCB uses a protocol that routes signal to each bay of the display. With this protocol,
signal failure to one module in a bay does not affect other LED modules in that bay.
Panelboard
The panelboard is a circuit breaker box that distributes incoming power to the display
components that require AC power.
Surge Suppressor
The parallel surge suppressor protects the display from transient voltage spikes.
Relays
Relays are solid-state switches in which the electrical current applied across one port or
terminal controls electrical currents for another terminal, such as a beacon, heater, or
fan. Relays receive signal from the VCB.
Outlet and Timer Enclosure
Panelboard
Intake and
Defog Heater
Relays
Vanguard®Control Board
Rear Sensor
Figure 5: Service Control Panel

Components
5
DC Breaker Rail
The DC breaker rail receives incoming power from the power supplies and distributes
power to the modules and the VCB.
Display UPS System
A UPS contains batteries and an inverter. If the utility AC power fails, the UPS powers the
controller and communication equipment for a limited amount of time. Components
of the display UPS system are located in the display or the trafc cabinet. Refer to the
appropriate UPS Operator’s Manual for more information.
Sensors Network
Rear Sensor
The rear light sensor consists of a small printed circuit board (PCB) mounted to the back
of the display.
The light sensor transmits the ambient light level behind the display to the VCB. The VFC-
3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller adjusts the display accordingly.
Internal Sensor
The internal temperature, humidity, and front light sensor measures the temperature and
humidity near the LED pixels and the ambient light level in front of the display. The sensor
transmits these measurements to the VCB, and the VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field
Controller adjusts LED intensity to protect the LEDs from overheating.
Bottom Sensor
The bottom temperature and light sensor is located on the bottom-right side of the
display. It detects the ambient temperature and light intensity below the display.
Door Detection
The door sensor is located at the top of the door opening(s). The sensor detects whether
the doors are open or shut, and it routes this information to the VCB, which monitors
the status of the door sensors and reports it to the VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field
Controller.
Ventilation and Heater Systems
Ventilation Fans and Filters
Filtered intake fans mount to the upper rear of the display. The VFC-3000 controller/
Vanguard® Field Controller analyzes internal and external temperature readings from the
temperature sensor network and adjusts fan usage. A lter removes dust and debris from
the incoming air to protect the internal display components.
Defog Heater Fans
The heater fans mount to the bottom of the display. The heater fans warm the front face
to prevent fogging. The VFC-3000 controller/Vanguard® Field Controller analyzes internal
temperature readings from the temperature sensor network and adjusts heater fan
usage accordingly.
Fan RPM Sensors
Each ventilation fan has an internal RPM sensor. The fans fail if they do not revolve at
least 1,000 RPM. This information is then reported to and displayed on the VFC-3000
controller/Vanguard® Field Controller.

Components
6
Lights
The display is equipped with lights, which are turned on by a timer switch.
Beacon(s)
Beacons are turned on and off independently from the rest of the sign by the VCB. A
power supply and DC relays make up the beacon controller and are located within the
SCP.
Beacons are used at the customer’s discretion.
UPS
A UPS contains batteries and an inverter. If the utility AC power fails, the UPS powers the
controller and communication equipment for a limited amount of time.