RDS Technology Athene 100 User manual

1
Athene 100
Belt Spreader Monitor/
Variable Rate Controller
Operation
Software Reference A810-000 rev.2
Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC)
This product complies w
ith Council Directive 89/336/EEC
when installed and used in accordance with the relevant
instructions.
Service and Technical Support
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DISTRIBUTOR
If unknown then fax: [phone]
© Copyright RDS Technology Ltd 2003
Document number
S/DC/500-10-376 : Issue 1 : 7/1/03
\UK376-1.DOC
User Guide

ATHENE 100 –SPREADER RATE CONTROLLER
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Contents
1Overview_________________________________________4
This Manual ................................................................................................... 4
Application..................................................................................................... 4
The Head Unit................................................................................................ 4
Calibration(Rate Controller) ........................................................................... 5
2Switch functions in Normal Operating Mode ________6
2.1 Work Status Indicator .................................................................................... 7
2.2 Set Units ........................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Channel Selection ......................................................................................... 7
3Forward Speed Display ___________________________8
3.1 Low Speed Alarm .......................................................................................... 8
3.2 High Speed Alarm (Under-application) ......................................................... 8
4Area Display _____________________________________9
4.1 Select Area Total ........................................................................................... 9
4.2 Reset Area Total ............................................................................................ 9
5Work Rate Display _______________________________10
6Application Rate_________________________________11
6.1 Rate Control ................................................................................................ 11
6.2 Under-application (excessive speed) .......................................................... 11
6.3 Setting the Target Rate................................................................................ 11
6.4 Nudging the Target Rate ............................................................................. 12
6.5 Work Monitoring (without Rate Control) ...................................................... 12
7Product Calibration ______________________________13
7.1 Static Calibration ......................................................................................... 13
7.2 Dynamic Calibration .................................................................................... 14
7.3 FAQ’s about Calibration .............................................................................. 15
There is a small discrepancy in the amount applied. ................................... 15
There is a big discrepancy in the amount applied. ...................................... 15
The instrument beeps continuously during the calibration test .................... 15

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7.4 Nudging the Calibration ...............................................................................16
7.4.1 Under-application...........................................................................16
7.4.2 Over-application.............................................................................16
7.4.3 Setting a Nudge Factor ..................................................................16
7.4.4 Re-calculating the Calibration Factor .............................................17
7.4.5 Adjusting the Calibration Factor .....................................................17
8RPM Display____________________________________ 18
8.1 RPM Alarm ...................................................................................................18
9Hopper Contents Display ________________________ 19
9.1 Low Level Alarm (using Hopper Level Sensor) ............................................19
9.2 Weight display (Qty left in hopper/ Qty dispensed) .....................................19
9.3 The “Quantity in Hopper” display ................................................................20
9.3.1 Set Alarm Quantity..........................................................................20
9.3.2 Resetting the “Hopper Maximum Quantity” figure .........................20
9.3.3 Adjusting the “Hopper Maximum quantity” figure ...........................21
“9.4 Quantity Dispensed” display........................................................................21
9.4.1 Resetting the “Quantity Dispensed” display to Zero.......................21

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1Overview
This Manual
This manual explains the everyday use of the instrument to the operator,
including regular calibration e.g. for spreading different products. It describes
both the basic work monitoring system (“monitor mode”) and separates the
additional features of the full rate control system, should you have them
installed on your machine.
Application
The Athene 100 instrument is installed in one of two configurations. The basic
configuration is a simple work measurement monitor for belt spreaders, but
without controlling the application rate.
The full configuration uses a PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) output to also
give variable rate control of moving-belt type fertiliser spreaders. When set
up as a rate controller, you have on-the-move rate adjustment up to ±50% of
the target rate. The rate is maintained as forward speed varies. The
instrument also warns the operator when the application rate cannot be met,
i.e. when the forward speed is too high.
The Head Unit
The head unit is ruggedly designed for maximum reliability in harsh
environments, and is rated to IP67 (effectively waterproof). The instrument
has a 4-digit back-lit LCD display with 6 display channels for different work
measurement functions.
In the normal operating mode the following functions can be selected,
?? Forward Speed (km /hr)
?? Area Worked* (hectares)
?? Work Rate (hectares /hr)
?? Application Rate (kg/ha or tonnes/ha) or RPM depending on the application
?? Shaft Speed (normally PTO or Spinner speed)
?? Hopper Contents (kg or tonnes)
*There are two memory registers to record area worked. The area is
accumulated to whichever total is selected on the display –‘Total 1’ or ‘Total
2’.
The head unit is switched on/off by the switch on the back the instrument.
Area totals (and all calibration data) are automatically stored in memory
when the instrument is powered off.

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Calibration(Rate Controller)
The instrument must be initially calibrated to suit the implement being
controlled. There are 4 programme modes for the various system settings to
be altered as required. Most of these settings do not need to be accessed in
normal use.
The instrument must be re-calibrated each time you change the product
being applied. By setting a simulated speed, a static calibration test can be
done in the yard. Alternatively, you can do a dynamic calibration test in the
field.

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2Switch functions in Normal Operating Mode
The front panel has five buttons. On systems configured for rate control, the
outer two buttons are used to adjust the application rate.
SELECT AREA TOTAL
Select the channel then
press to switch between Area
Total 1 and 2.
SET APPLICATION RATE
Select the channel then
HOLD for 3 seconds.
If the existing rate set = the
target rate, then the target rate
is displayed and you can adjust
it using the rate + and –
buttons.
If the existing rate set is abo
ve
or below the target rate, that
rate is set as the new target rate.
Press and hold the button
for 3 seconds to return to the
normal display.
Decrease Rate
Increase Rate
RESET
With “tot.1” or “tot.2
” selected
on channel 2, HOLD for ten
beeps to reset the area register
to zero
SELECT CHANNEL
Ch.1 Forward Speed
Ch.2 Area Total 1 or 2
Ch.3 Work Rate
Ch.4 Appl. Rate/RPM
Ch.5 RPM -
Shaft/Spinner
Ch.6 Hopper Contents
Channel / Work
Status Indicator
Tar
get Rate
Indicator

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2.1 Work Status Indicator
The indicator is used to indicate the channel to which the information on
the display relates. It also shows the working status of the spreader.
The cursor flashes when the spreader is out of work (e.g on the
headland) and the area accumulation stops.
The cursor is on continuously when the spreader is in work and area
accumulation takes place.
Spreading is started and stopped via the separate Cutout Switch, not
from the head unit.
2.2 Set Units
The application rate can be displayed in
units of kg/ha or tonnes/ha.
To check which is selected, select the
channel then press the button (as for
setting the target rate)
The dashes indicate the units set.
2.3 Channel Selection
Simply press the button to cycle through the channels.
In the Work Monitor configuration only, the instrument will stay on the
channel you have selected.
In the Rate Controller configuration, the instrument will always default to
the application rate display 10 seconds after selecting any other channel (the
exception to this is when there is an alarm condition).
Figure 3: Check Units

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3Forward Speed Display
The forward speed is displayed in km/hr.
3.1 Low Speed Alarm
If the forward speed drops below 0.5 km/hr, the instrument defaults to a
flashing forward speed display and the instrument beeps. The belt drive will
stop.
The instrument will return to the application rate display when forward speed
increases above 0.5 km/hr. The belt drive will re-start.
3.2 High Speed Alarm (Under-application)
If your forward speed exceeds the maximum beyond which the target
application rate cannot be achieved, then the instrument defaults to a
flashing forward speed display and beeps continuously.
The instrument will return to the application rate display when forward speed
is reduced sufficiently for the target rate to be met.

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4Area Display
The area in hectares is derived from the forward speed (or the simulated
speed for the calibration test) and the programmed implement width, and is
accumulated to whichever total is selected on the display –Total 1 or Total 2.
The two separate area totals can be independently reset to zero.
The master cutout when switched off, stops area accumulating. The channel
indicator will flash when area accumulation is overridden and will be on
permanently when area is being recorded.
4.1 Select Area Total
1. Select the channel.
2. Press to cycle between the two
area totals.
The display will then show ‘tot.1’ or ‘tot.2’
before displaying the area accumulated
since that total was last reset
4.2 Reset Area Total
1. Select the channel.
2.Press to cycle between the two area
totals.
3. Hold for 5 seconds to zero that total.
Figure 4: Select Area Total
Figure 5: Reset Total 1 / Total 2
HOLD
–
5 SEC

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5Work Rate Display
The work rate is displayed in ha/hr. It is an instantaneous rate which is re-
calculated every 3 seconds from the working width set and the current
forward speed.