Platemeters F200 User manual

F200 and F300
Platemeter User
Manual

Thank you for choosing an F200 or F300
Platemeter.
The electronic rising platemeter provides farmers with an
easy, accurate and reliable way to measure and record
pasture health and share that information.
Further information about
assembling and using your platemeter contact us at:
Platemeters Limited, 275 Cameron Road, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Welcome ...
facebook.com/platemeters
www.platemeters.co.nz [email protected].nz 0800 577 505

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Contents
1 Assembling the Platemeter..................................................................... 5
1.1 Your Platemeter...................................................................................... 5
2 Platemeter Parts ............................................................................................ 6
3 Retrofitting the Platemeter Counter................................................ 7
4 Caring for your Platemeter..................................................................... 9
5 Battery Life and Charging....................................................................... 10
5.1 Recharging the battery.................................................................... 10
5.2 Replacing the battery........................................................................ 11
6 Calibrating your Platemeter.................................................................. 12
7 Things to do before you start your walk ....................................... 14
8 P-Plus Instalation............................................................................................ 14
8.1 Download Link......................................................................................... 14
8.1.1 Moving P-Plus and your farm data to a new
computer ......................................................................................... 15
8.1.2 How to Run P-Plus with the Pasture Cover
Module............................................................................................... 16
8.1.3 How to Licence P-Plus Software.................................... 16
8.1.4 Entering Your Licence Key ................................................. 17
8.1.5 Re – Licensing.............................................................................. 17
9 Operating the Electronic Counter..................................................... 18
9.1 F200 Front Display Buttons........................................................... 18
9.2 F300 Front Display Buttons .......................................................... 19
9.3 Startup / Self-test ................................................................................ 19
10 Current DairyNZ Equations.................................................................... 21
10.1 Entering Factory Default Formula........................................... 21
10.2 Entering Your Own Formula.......................................................... 22
10.2.1 F200 Entering Formula ....................................................... 22
10.2.2 F300 Entering Formula....................................................... 23
11 Using the Correct Measuring Technique ..................................... 24
12 Taking Paddock Readings or the Pasture Walk ..................... 26
12.1 F200 Pasture Walk ............................................................................... 26

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12.2 F300 Pasture Walk............................................................................... 27
12.2.1 View Saved Paddock Data ................................................ 29
12.2.2 Delete Single Paddock Data............................................ 29
13 FAQ’s and Trouble Shooting................................................................... 30
13.1 There is no visual display................................................................ 30
13.2 The counter does not “beep” when taking a reading. 30
13.3 Cog becoming worn .......................................................................... 31
13.4 The counter continuously beeps and eventually
turns off ........................................................................................................ 32
13.5 Cog not running freely ..................................................................... 32
13.6 Counter Readings do not seem accurate ........................ 32
13.7 Battery retainer falling out ........................................................... 33
13.8 Front panel or membrane problems .................................... 33
13.9 How do I change the formula? ................................................... 33
14 Servicing and Repairs ................................................................................ 34

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Upper Handle
Lower Handle
Grooved Rod
Electronic Counter
Slide Tube
Rising Plate
1 - Assembling the Platemeter
Your Platemeter will come pre-assembled and only requires
two steps to be ready for use:
1. Attach the lower handle to the grooved rod by screwing
the two parts together.
2. Attach the plastic plate to the bottom of the slide tube
by screwing to the thread at the base of the slide tube.
Note: Under no circumstances should you apply any type of oil, or
lubrication to the platemeter. It is a dry bearing system and any
lubricant may damage the platemeter and may void your warranty.
1.1 Your Platemeter

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Slide Tube
Electronic Counter
Bracket
and Screws
USB Charger
Cable
Rising Plate
Upper Handle Lower Handle Grooved Rod
Visit platemeters.co.nz/collections/parts-for-sale to purchase
replacement parts and contact us using the details at the
bottom of the page if your Platemeter requires servicing or
you’d like to send it to us for assessment.
2 - Platemeter Parts
The F200 and F300 Platemeters are designed with breakaway
components, meaning if damaged in an accident the parts
are cost effective and easy to replace and in most cases the
part can be replaced by the user.
If your Platemeter is damaged or you require a part, please
refer to the below diagram to identify the correct part. If you
need to replace or repair components for the potentiometer,
membrane or within the counter you’ll need to send your
Platemeter or the counter to us for assessment.

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3 - Retrofitting the Platemeter Counter
The Platemeters electronic counter can be attached to most
AgHub, Jenquip, Tru-Test, and FarmWorks and other manual
plate meters with little to or no modification. To purchase
retrofitting kits or counters and view our ‘How To’ instructional
videos visit www.platemeters.co.nz.
Follow the instructions below to attach your platemeter
counter. It must be correctly attached and aligned to ensure
smooth operation.
1. Remove all existing electronic counters from the shaft.
2. Check that a cog is attached to the small shank on the
back of the counter.
3. If the cog isn’t attached, heat the cog in a hot cup
of water prior to pressing onto the shaft - don’t use
excessive pressure as this may damage the cog.
4. Lay the counter face down on a flat surface so that the
cog is to your left.
5. Turn the cog on the counter anti-clockwise (to the left)
until it stops.
6. Hold the Platemeter with the handle to the left. The
hole in the slide tube where the cog fits should face
toward you.
7. Make sure the grooved rod is fully closed to the bottom
end of the black slide tube. If you have difficulty
keeping the plate closed, you can put tape around the
large washer and the bulb of the slide tube.
8. Place the slide tube with the grooved rod inserted onto
the back of the counter, fitting the cog into the slit of
the tube, the cog should be situated in the middle of
the hole in the slide tube.

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9. Place the plastic bracket onto the slide tube, aligning
the raised ridge in the bracket with the hole in the slide
tube and the screw holes on back of the counter.
10.Place a screw and washer in each side of the bracket
and half-tighten; making sure that the cog meets the
middle of the grooved rod and tighten the four screws.
11. Check the counter is correctly attached by turning
the grooved rod it to make sure it moves easily in
all positions. If it sticks then either the slide tube or
grooved rod may be damaged, bent or corroded and
may need replacing, or it’s not correctly aligned.
12. Attach the plastic plate by screwing on to the bulb of
the slide tube and place the Platemeter in an upright
position on a hard surface to check the plate closes
fully.

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4 - Caring for your Platemeter
Avoid getting the counter wet
The counter is in a robust case which is splash proof. However,
as it’s an electronic device avoid getting the counter saturated.
Immersion in water will result in the circuitry getting wet and
damaged, reducing the life of your Platemeter.
Keep the shaft clean
A build-up of dirt will affect the accuracy of the Platemeter
because the shaft will not run smoothly, and more force is
required to take a reading.
Clean the shaft with a poly pad or similar
Do not use lubricant as this will build up inside the black outer
shaft.
Power Off
Remember to check the counter is switched off between
cover walks, and ensure you turn the power off when you have
finished your walk. The switch is easily left on which will waste
the battery.

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5 - Battery Life and Charging
5.1 Recharging the battery
The Platemeter should always be switched OFF during
recharging.
The rechargeable battery should give years of service
before needing to be replaced. If it does need replacing,
the instructions on how to do this are in Replacing the
Rechargeable Battery section.
Attach the charger that was supplied with your Platemeter
to the small socket on the side of the counter and turn the
wall socket on. The battery will take 5 hours to recharge. No
damage will occur to the Platemeter if the charger is left on
beyond this time.
F200 - the display will show Ch and decimal points will scroll
along the bottom of the display, when charged the display will
show FULL. The battery is now charged.
F300 - the display will show - 300 this is time in minutes (5
hours). The display will count down to ‘0’, after which the
display will show FULL and the unit will give 3 beeps. The
battery is now charged.
CAUTION: Do not use any charger other than the one supplied with the
Platemeter. This will void the product warranty.