Kintech Engineering Geovane Series User manual

User’s Guide
LAST UPDATE | 09.10.2020
GeovaneTM
FOR THE PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF THE TRUE NORTH
Get the most accurate wind direction measurement available today
Determine the yaw alignment of wind turbines (True North orientation)
Allows for veer measurement (IEC61400.12.1, 2017)
Very low power consumption: suitable for remote stations

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Index
1GENERAL USER INFORMATION...................................................................................7
1.1 Contact information............................................................................................ 7
1.2 Warranty and liability.......................................................................................... 7
1.3 About this user manual....................................................................................... 8
1.4 Product disposal.................................................................................................. 8
1.5 Laser safety.......................................................................................................... 8
2INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................9
2.1 About the Geovane ............................................................................................. 9
2.2 Geovane MM (for met mast) .............................................................................. 9
2.2.1 Geovane MM: order options and included items.................................... 11
2.2.2 Geovane MM ordered without wind vane............................................... 11
2.2.3 Geovane MM ordered along with wind vane .......................................... 12
2.3 Geovane WT (for wind turbine) ........................................................................ 14
2.3.1 Geovane WT: order options and included items ..................................... 15
2.3.2 Geovane WT ordered without wind vane................................................ 16
2.3.3 Geovane WT ordered along with wind vane............................................ 16
2.4 Accessories........................................................................................................ 17
3UNDERSTANDING THE OUTPUT OF THE GEOVANE..................................................19
3.1 Geovane MM + wind vane ................................................................................ 19
3.2 Geovane WT...................................................................................................... 20
4GEOVANE INSTALLATION (MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL) ....................................21
4.1 Installation overview and tips........................................................................... 21
4.2 Mechanical mounting........................................................................................ 25
4.3 Connector details and diagram......................................................................... 26
4.4 Cable details...................................................................................................... 26
4.5 Commissioning and troubleshooting ................................................................ 28
4.5.1 Commissioning: initial read values........................................................... 28
4.5.2 Troubleshooting: output shows zero ....................................................... 28
4.5.3 Troubleshooting: no response to digital commands ............................... 29

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4.6 Wind turbine installation and alignment (Geovane WT).................................. 30
5GEOVANE + WIND VANE...........................................................................................36
5.1 Geovane + wind vane alignment....................................................................... 36
5.2 Wind vane color code wiring (plug-and-play option) ....................................... 39
6TECHNICAL DATA ......................................................................................................40
6.1 Operation conditions ........................................................................................ 40
6.2 True North orientation measurement .............................................................. 40
6.3 Tilt measurement.............................................................................................. 41
6.4 Absolute maximum ratings ............................................................................... 42
6.5 Average current consumption .......................................................................... 42
6.6 Mechanics ......................................................................................................... 43
6.7 Outputs summary.............................................................................................. 43
6.8 Dimensions (mm) .............................................................................................. 44
6.8.1 Geovane.................................................................................................... 44
6.8.2 Alignment collar’s dimensions (Geovane WT) ......................................... 45
7SENSOR OUTPUTS.....................................................................................................46
7.1 Analog voltage outputs ..................................................................................... 46
7.2 Frequency output.............................................................................................. 48
7.3 RS-485 digital output......................................................................................... 48
8RS-485 DIGITAL OUTPUT: NMEA 0183 .....................................................................51
8.1 Answers from the Geovane............................................................................... 52
8.1.1 ORN message: True North orientation..................................................... 52
8.1.2 ORX message: extended ORN message.................................................... 53
8.1.3 SUN message: solar coordinates.............................................................. 55
8.1.4 RMC message: recommended minimum specific GNSS data .................. 56
8.1.5 INF message: Geovane’s features ............................................................ 57
8.1.6 CFG message: Geovane’s current configuration...................................... 58
8.1.7 ORT message: True North nacelle’s orientation (Geovane WT) .............. 59
8.2 Commands to the Geovane............................................................................... 62
8.2.1 PMGV00 command –Echo message request .......................................... 62

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8.2.2 PMGV01 command –ORN message request........................................... 62
8.2.3 PMGV02 command –SUN message request ........................................... 63
8.2.4 PMGV04 command –RMC message request........................................... 64
8.2.5 PMGV05 command –INF message request............................................. 64
8.2.6 PMGV06 command –CFG message request............................................ 64
8.2.7 PMGV10 command –ORX message request ........................................... 65
8.2.8 PMGV11 command –ORT message request (Geovane WT) ................... 66
8.3 Digital NMEA 0183 communication example ................................................... 66
9RS-485 DIGITAL OUTPUT: MODBUS RTU (GEOVANE WT)........................................68
9.1 Format of the Modbus queries of the master .................................................. 69
9.2 Format of the responses of the slave (Geovane WT) ....................................... 69
9.3 Modbus register map........................................................................................ 70
10 GEOVANE TOOLS SOFTWARE ...................................................................................74
10.1 Geovane Tools modules............................................................................... 74
10.2 Interfacing the Geovane with the PC ........................................................... 75
10.3 Geovane Monitoring Tool software............................................................. 76
11 CONFIGURATION.......................................................................................................79
11.1 Geovane Configuration Tool ........................................................................ 79
11.2 Default configuration ................................................................................... 82
12 CASE STUDY (EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION)................................................................83
13 GEOVANE AND KINTECH DATA LOGGERS.................................................................86
13.1 Geovane and EOL Zenith.............................................................................. 86
13.1.1 Channel configuration (EOL Manager and on-site).................................. 86
13.1.2 True wind direction data column (EOL Manager).................................... 88
13.2 Geovane and Orbit 360................................................................................ 90
13.2.1 Channel configuration (Atlas and on-site)................................................ 90
13.2.2 Pairing wind vanes with Geovanes in Atlas.............................................. 93
13.2.3 True wind direction data column (Atlas).................................................. 94
14 EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY..........................................................................95

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15 FIRMWARE & SOFTWARE RELEASE CHANGELOG.....................................................96
15.1 Firmware ...................................................................................................... 96
15.2 Geovane Tools software............................................................................... 97

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1GENERAL USER INFORMATION
Thank you for purchasing the GeovaneTM designed and manufactured by Kintech
Engineering, a patented invention to finally resolve the inherent uncertainties in
traditional wind direction measurement.
Kintech Engineering products are in continuous development. Specifications may be
subject to change and design improvements. We invite you to sign up to our newsletter
and get the latest news and important updates about the Geovane.
1.1 Contact information
Spain
C/Anselmo Clavé, 37-45
50004 Zaragoza, Spain
export @kintech-engineering.com
Tel: [phone]
Chile
El Tepual, 7974
Comuna de cerrillos
Santiago de Chile, Chile
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Romania
Stefan Octavian Iosif nr 28 ap.9
Timisoara, Romania
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
India
Office no. 516/517, Rama Equator,
Morwadi Road, Near City International
School,
Pimpri –411018, Maharashtra, India.
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Mexico
Paseo de la Reforma 107 desp 801
Colonia tabacalera
D.f c.p 06030, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico
[e-mail]
China
Guanghua North 1st Street,
Hopson International Park, Chaoyang
District, Beijing, China
北京市朝阳区光华北一街，合生国际
家园
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Brazil
Rua General Raposo, 155
CEP 04044-070
Vila Clementino –São Paulo –SP
[e-mail]
Tel: + 55 11 2639.7598
Turkey
DokuzEylul Technology Development
Zone, Tinaztepe Campus, DEPARK Beta
Bulding, B32/E
Izmir/Turkey
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Korea
28, Digital-ro 30-gil, Mario Tower #1214
Guro-gu, Seoul 08389, Republic of
Korea
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
1.2 Warranty and liability
Kintech Engineering guarantees that the product delivered has been verified and tested
to ensure that it meets the published specifications. In case of any manufacturing defect,
the product will be repaired or replaced within the first 24 months after the delivery
date.
The warranty will not apply if the equipment has been modified or altered without
authorization from Kintech Engineering or if the damage is caused by improper
installation, intentional damages or external influences e.g. lightning exposure, heavy
icing condition or mechanical stress due to inadequate handling. It also excludes, and
Kintech Engineering shall not be liable for, any incidental or consequential damages
caused by or related to the use of, inability to use or malfunction of this product.
Kintech Engineering does not reimburse expenses incurred for the repair or the
reinstallation of the equipment and does not accept any responsibility for any damage
caused by the above mentioned points.

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The Geovane does not require calibration, maintenance or glass cleaning.
Remark:
For the transport of the instrument, please use the original packing.
1.3 About this user manual
Copyrights reserved by Kintech Engineering. Making copies of whole or parts of this
document without permission from Kintech is prohibited.
This manual was last modified: 09.10.2020.
Should you have any comments on the product or this manual we will be pleased to
receive them at: [email protected].
1.4 Product disposal
In accordance with European directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE), these product components must be recycled. This should be done
by returning the product to Kintech Engineering or by using an appropriate waste
disposal company. This product should not be disposed of in general waste of landfill.
1.5 Laser safety
The Geovane includes a high-precision Class 1 laser beam emitter used to fixate its
position with respect to the wind vane.
A Class 1 laser is safe under all conditions of normal use, conforming to the requirements
of IEC 60825-1, however, do not stare into the laser beam or direct it towards other
people unnecessarily.

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2INTRODUCTION
By adding a Geovane to your wind measurement campaign or to your wind turbine
nacelle you are guaranteed to get the most accurate True North orientation
measurement available on the market today.
There are two different models of the Geovane currently available: the Geovane for
met mast (Geovane MM) and the Geovane for wind turbine (Geovane WT).
Thanks to the Geovane MM, it has now become possible for wind farm developers to
get rid of the (up to now) greater uncertainty in traditional wind direction
measurements: the wind vane mounting bias.
The Geovane WT, for its part, allows for high precision yaw adjustment of wind turbines
with respect to True North. Aligning all your wind turbines towards the same reference
point enables the wind farm operator to compare yaw alignment during operation and
determine underperformance due to yaw misalignment.
Throughout this user guide, unless otherwise specified, the term “Geovane” will refer
indistinctly to both Geovane MM and Geovane WT.
2.1 About the Geovane
The Geovane is not a wind vane; therefore, it does not provide a wind direction
measurement. The Geovane is a solar compass, specifically designed to work in
conjunction with wind vanes, ultrasonic anemometers and remote sensing devices; and
to be permanently installed in any wind turbine’s nacelle.
Being equipped with high-resolution optoelectronic sensors, composed of 1024
photosensing pixels, the Geovane uses the Sun to measure the geographical orientation
from True North of the sensor/turbine coupled to it (refer to chapter 3 “Understanding
the True North orientation measurement output”).
The True North orientation is obtained by comparing the theoretical solar azimuth angle
calculated by the Geovane’s embedded processing unit with the observed azimuth value
read by its built-in photosensing pixels.
The Geovane offers three type of outputs: frequency, analog voltage and digital over a
RS-485 serial interface.
2.2 Geovane MM (for met mast)
The Geovane MMTM has been designed and engineered for its installation on wind
resource assessment met mast. It can be installed on existing met masts to
correct/verify previous wind direction datasets, in new installations for upcoming wind
measurement campaigns, power performance tests, site calibrations, etc.

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As soon as the Geovane has been mounted on the mast, together with its wind vane,
and it receives sufficient direct radiation from the Sun, the Geovane will offer as output
the offset of the wind vane with respect to True North.
In case you are using the Geovane to verify the offsets of existing wind vanes on a
particular met mast (e.g installing a third wind vane equipped with a Geovane in
between the two other wind vanes), we recommend keeping the Geovane + wind vane
unit on the mast at least until the predominant wind direction has been thoroughly
established. After that, you can consider the option of moving the Geovane + wind vane
kit to a new met mast.
Please keep note that both met mast and sensor booms can bend and twist over time
or in harsh weather conditions, altering the wind direction measurements over time. If
the Geovane is installed from the beginning, it will guarantee wind direction datasets
immune to any of these effects. Throughout the measurement campaign, the Geovane
will provide the updated offset, achieving absolute accuracy and greater guarantees to
external auditors and financial investors.
Remark:
Keep reflective surfaces out of Geovane field of view (e.g. metallic supports of the
beacons). If the sunlight strikes the Geovane from a reflection instead of directly from
the Sun, the measurement will be temporally affected.

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2.2.1 Geovane MM: order options and included items
The following two sections describe the content of the order options currently available
for the Geovane MM: with or without wind vane.
Item
Order code
Geovane MM
+
No wind vane
Geovane
Thies FC
wind
vane
Potentiometer 2K
Geovane001*
4.3151.10.212
Potentiometer 10K
Geovane002*
4.3151.10.110
Analog output (TMR)
Geovane003*
4.3151.10.173
Thies
Compact
wind
vane
Potentiometer 2K
Geovane004*
4.3129.10.712
Analog output (TMR)
Geovane005*
4.3129.70.773
*The Geovane MM and the Thies wind vane are supplied already coupled and aligned,
in a single packaging, as a plug-and-play unit.
In case you want to order the Geovane MM along with a different Thies First Class /
Thies Compact part number, please contact [email protected] or
[email protected].
Even though we do not offer in-house alignment for all the wind vanes on the market,
the following list of wind vanes is fully compatible with the Geovane MM:
•Young Wind Monitor. (default mechanics)
•Vector W200P. (default mechanics)
•Ornytion 207P. (upon request)
•K360V. (upon request)
For models not on this list please contact [email protected].
2.2.2 Geovane MM ordered without wind vane
Arriving at the customer, the delivery includes:
•Geovane MM incl. vertical support boom for the wind vane. (1)
•8-pole plug connector. (2)
•3mm Hex Wrench (Allen key). (3)