RDS SAM 400 User manual

1
“SAM 400”
Speed-Area-Distance Meter
Calibration and Operation
Software Reference WZ200-0 rev. 6
Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC)
This product complies with
Council Directive 2004/108/EC
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 2007
Document number
S/DC/500-10-533: Issue 4 : 6/7/07
\UK533-4.DOC
User Guide

SAM 400 SPEED-AREA-DISTANCE METER
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Contents
Overview_______________________________________________3
Operation ______________________________________________4
Channel Selection.................................................................................................... 4
Forward Speed Display -Channel 1 ........................................................................ 5
Forward Speed Alarm Outputs ................................................................................ 5
Area / Distance Measurement -Channel 2 and 3..................................................... 5
View Area / Distance Totals............................................................................ 5
Reset Area / Distance Totals.......................................................................... 6
Area Override and Part Width operation .................................................................. 6
(i) On-Off Switch...................................................................................... 6
(ii) Optional Width Correction Interface .................................................... 7
(iii) Area Compensation Interface.............................................................. 7
Work Rate -Channel 4 ............................................................................................. 8
Engine Hours -Channel 5........................................................................................ 8
Reset Engine / Ignition Hours ........................................................................ 8
RPM -Channel 6 ..................................................................................................... 8
Calibration _____________________________________________9
View Working Width ................................................................................................. 9
Set Implement Width/Nozzle spacing .................................................................... 10
ACI Input -Set No. of Nozzles per Section ............................................................ 10
Metric/Imperial Selection........................................................................................ 11
Speed Sensor Setup.............................................................................................. 11
'AutoCal' 11
Manually calculating the Factor ................................................................... 12
Number of Sensor magnets ......................................................................... 13
Example Calculation 1 ................................................................................. 13
Example Calculation 2 ................................................................................. 13
Manually setting the Factor .......................................................................... 13
Set Forward Speed Alarm Thresholds ................................................................... 14
Select Engine / Ignition Hours ............................................................................... 14
RPM Sensor Factor................................................................................................ 14
Changing the RPM Sensor Factor................................................................ 15
Wiring Connections –SAM 400 (without WCI/ACI) ________16
Wiring Connections –SAM 400 (With WCI / ACI)__________17
Connections for Cable S/CB/327-1-063....................................................... 18

SAM 400 SPEED-AREA-DISTANCE METER
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Overview
The RDS SAM 400 Speed-Area-Distance Meter is a versatile, simple to use
instrument. It displays to the vehicle operator,
?? Forward Speed (km/hr or miles/hr)
?? Partial and Total Area (hectares or acres)
?? Distance (km or miles)
?? Instantaneous Work Rate (Ha/hr or acres/hr)
?? Engine Hours
?? RPM (optional)
The displayed information can be converted from Metric to Imperial units at
any time.
The instrument also has two programmable forward speed alarms that also
operate two outputs that may be utilised to control (unspecifed) aspects of a
machines operation.
The SAM 400 can be programmed by the operator for implements of any
practical width and for any sensing wheel size.
The SAM 400 system comprises :
?? The Head Unit.
?? A Forward Speed Sensor kit.
?? An automatic cut-out switch to prevent area accumulation when turning on
headlands etc.
?? A power supply kit.
?? Shaft Speed Sensor (optional)
If the SAM 400 is to be used on a number of vehicles, each vehicle can be
equipped with a 'transfer kit' to enable the head unit only to be transferred
simply between vehicles.
The SAM 400 can also be used in conjunction with the RDS Area
Compensation Interface (ACI) or Width Compensation Interface (WCI) to
ensure accurate area monitoring when using partial implement width.

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Operation
Figure 1
The instrument will normally be powered through the vehicle ignition system
and will be on whenever the vehicle ignition is on. The display is permanently
illuminated.
Channel Selection
Simply press the button to cycle through the six different channels that
can be displayed.
`
ENTER PROGRAM
MODE
Decrease Cal
Factor
Increase Cal
Factor
Override Area/
Distance
accumulation
or
Reset Part/Total
Area/Distance
SELECT CHANNEL
Fwd Speed
RPM
Channel Indicator
Part/Total
Area
Part/Total Distance
Work Rate
Engine Hou
rs

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Forward Speed Display -Channel 1
Channel 1 displays the current forward speed.
Forward speed is measured via a sensor suitably mounted to a wheel hub or
a convenient location to the vehicle drivetrain. Speed is displayed either in
miles/hr or km/hr according to the units selected in the CAL Mode.
NOTE: In order to display the correct speed and accumulate distance correctly, the
instrument must be programmed with the correct Speed Sensor Factor
(SSF).
Forward Speed Alarm Outputs
There are two programmable alarm thresholds -a 'Maximum Speed' alarm
and a 'High Speed' Alarm. Each alarm also operates an output, to control
some aspect of a machines function, e.g. 4-wheel steering, engine cutoff
etc.
Refer to the Calibration section on how to set the alarm thesholds.
Area / Distance Measurement -Channel 2 and 3
View Area / Distance Totals
Channel 2 displays accumulated area and channel 3 displays distance
travelled. Area is calculated from the distance travelled and the implement
working width, and is displayed either in acres or hectares according to the
units selected in the CAL Mode.
NOTE: The accuracy of these totals is dependent on correct speed sensor
calibration, and programmed width.
High Speed Alarm
Instrument beeps, alternately displays
speed and 'HI.SP'. Output 2 switched on
Default = 19 km/hr
Maximum Speed Alarm
Output 1 switched on
Display as normal
Default = 50 km/hr

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For both area and distance there are two memory registers -a 'Part' total
("tot.1") and a 'Full' Total ("tot.2"), which can be independently reset. For
example the part total register may be utilised for individual jobs, fields etc,
whereas the 'full' total register may be the daily total.
The lefthand indicator indicates which total is currently displayed. To display
the appropriate total, first select the area or distance channel. Then press the
CAL button to toggle between "tot.1" (part total) and "tot.2" (full total).
Reset Area / Distance Totals
The full total ("tot.2") can only be reset
with the security link in place on the
instrument connector.
Select the appropriate total (as above)
then press and hold the button.
The lefthand indicator will flash and the
instrument will beep for 5 seconds after
which the total is reset to zero.
Area Override and Part Width operation
(i) On-Off Switch
As standard the system will have an on-off override switch installed.
Depending on the particular application, this may be a simple manually
operated switch, or it could operate automatically. The area/distance will
stop accumulating when the implement is put out of work. The channel
indicator will flash when area/distance accumulation is overridden and will
be on permanently when area/distance is being recorded.
Area/distance accumulation can also be overridden at any time by pressing
the button.
Whichever channel is selected, the display will then alternate between the
channel readout and the message 'HeLd'.
Press to resume area/distance accumulation.
Figure 2: Reset Area Total

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(ii) Optional Width Correction Interface
A Width Correction Interface (WCI)
enables the operator to select a part width
-1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or full width as required.
When the WCI is switched to a part width,
the display will alternate between the
currently selected channel and '1/4', '1/2',
'3/4' or 'FULL' corresponding to the switch
position, and area accumulation is
reduced accordingly.
The WCI works in addition to the standard area override switch.
(iii) Area Compensation Interface
An Area Compensation Interface (ACI) connects between the SAM 400 and
the sprayer switchbox. It detects which boom sections are on/off in order for
the instrument to calculate the actual working width and apply the correct
rate.
NOTE: The Nozzle spacing and No of nozzles per section are programmed for each
section in turn, in the CAL mode.
Width Correction Interface

SAM 400 SPEED-AREA-DISTANCE METER
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Work Rate -Channel 4
This is the instantaneous work rate displayed in either hectares per hour or
acres per hour, depending on the units set in the Cal mode.
If a WCI switch or an ACI is installed, the work rate is automatically
recalculated based on the implement part width in operation.
Engine Hours -Channel 5
The instrument displays either the total engine hours, or the total hours that
the instrument is powered on, depending on the setting in the CAL mode.
Reset Engine / Ignition Hours
The "Engine Hours" channel can be reset in the same way as the "Partial
Area" and "Total Area" channels, however, the security link wire must be
connected from the terminal labeled “Security Link" on the AMP connector,
to 0V.
Select the channel then press and hold the button.
The display will flash for 5 seconds before the total is reset to zero.
RPM -Channel 6
Channel 6 typically displays the spinner speed, PTO speed or Engine speed,
but it can be for any other rotating shaft depending on your particular
application.

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Calibration
The instrument has two calibration modes. In calibration mode 1 you can
view and change the Forward Speed Sensor Factor, Implement Width/Nozzle
spacing, No. of nozzles per section (if ACI installed), Units, and RPM Sensor
Factor.
In calibration mode 2 you can set the forward speed alarm thresholds.
To allow entry to the CAL Modes, the Security Link Wire must be
connected to 0V.
View Working Width
Press and hold the right outermost
switch.
After a two-second delay, the display will
show one of the following,
(i) If a standard on-off override switch is fitted,
the display will show 'FuLL' when the
machine is in work and 'ZErO' when the
machine is out of work (or the hold button
is pressed).
(ii) If a Width Compensation Interface (WCI) is
fitted the display will show 'FuLL', '3/4',
'1/2', or '1/4' corresponding to the switch
position on the WCI.
(iii) If an Area Compensation Interface (ACI) is
fitted on a sprayer, the display will show
the number of nozzles for the boom
sections that are currently switched on.
E.g. An ACI is fitted on a 24 metre sprayer
with 5 boom sections. The nozzle spacing
is 0.5 metres and there are 10, 10, 8, 10,
and 10 nozzles respectively on each
section, giving 48 nozzles in total.
If the instrument has been programmed
with an implement width of 0.5 metres,
when all boom sections are on, the ACI
will signal the instrument that there are 48
nozzles in use, e.g. the display will show
48,
(48 x 0.5 m = 24 metre full width).
Width Compensation Interface
Figure 3: View No of Nozzles

SAM 400 SPEED-AREA-DISTANCE METER
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Set Implement Width/Nozzle spacing
The factor to be programmed is the full, effective working width of the
implement.
NOTE: If an ACI is connected on a sprayer, the implement width is equal to the
nozzle spacing, e.g. 0.5 metres, You must then programme the ACI input
(number of nozzles per section).
1. Press and hold the CAL button while switching the instrument on.
2Select the channel.
3. Use the small left and right buttons to set the width/nozzle spacing in metres
or inches as appropriate.
ACI Input -Set No. of Nozzles per Section
1. Press and hold the CAL button while switching the instrument on.
2Select the channel.
NOTE: For single section sprayers fitted with a simple cutout switch, the number
should be the total no. of nozzles for the boom.
If none or more than one section is switched on, the display will show "----"
and you can't programme the no. of nozzles.
3. If connecting an ACI module into the
sprayer switchbox, switch on one section
at a time.
4. Using the small left and right buttons, set
the number of nozzles for that section.
5. Repeat for each section in turn.
Figure 4: Set Nozzles per section
Section
Nozzles

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Metric/Imperial Selection
1. Press and hold the CAL button while
switching the instrument on.
2. Select the channel.
4 indicator bars will appear showing the
units currently selected (fig. 5).
3. Use the small left and right buttons to
select the units.
The indicator will switch between "MET"
for metric units and "IMP" for Imperial
units.
Imperial Metric
Miles/hr Km/hr
Acres hectares
Inches Metres (Speed Sensor Factor)
Speed Sensor Setup
In order to display the correct speed and accumulate distance correctly, the
instrument must be programmed with the correct Speed Sensor Factor
(SSF). This is the distance travelled between pulses received from the
sensor.
The factory default setting is 2.000 m (78.78").
The S.S.F. can be calculated theoretically and then manually programmed,
or the instrument can automatically calculate it via the “Autocal” function.
Carry out the calibration whenever soil conditions or wheel sizes change.
NOTE: An ‘Autocal’ is simpler to perform and is more accurate in field conditions
'AutoCal'
For maximum accuracy, perform an auto-calibration in field conditions.
1. Set two markers at 100 metres apart (328 feet). Choose a convenient
reference point on the tractor/implement and position this point opposite the
first marker.
2. Press and hold the CAL button while switching the instrument on.
3. Pressing the key will toggle the display between "AUTO" and "SSF" .
NOTE: Selecting "SSF", enables you to adjust the speed sensor factor manually using
the two outer keys.
.
Figure 5: Set Units

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The display will show 'Auto' for 2 seconds,
and then show the number of received
pulses.
3. Drive the vehicle until the chosen reference
point on the tractor/implement is opposite
the second marker.
The instrument counts and displays the
sensor pulses received over the distance
travelled.
4. Press the CAL button to end the autocal.
The new factor is then displayed.
Manually calculating the Factor
The smaller the speed sensor factor the better the speed update will be. Aim
for a factor less than 2.000 m (78.78").
NOTE: Perform the following calculations in inches or metres depending on whether
the instrument is set for Imperial or Metric units. If you calculate the factor
using any other unit of measurement e.g. feet or centimetres, the forward
speed display will be incorrect.
(i) If a single magnet is installed (as with a standard RDS Propshaft Sensor
kit), the distance travelled for each turn of the prop shaft must be
determined. To determine this distance, drive the vehicle forwards for exactly
10 revolutions of the prop shaft. Measure this distance (in inches or metres)
and divide by 10, to find the Speed Sensor Factor.
(ii) If 2 magnets are installed (as with a standard RDS Wheel Sensor kit), the
distance is 1/2 the effective rolling circumference of the wheel. To determine
this circumference, drive the vehicle forward in field conditions (with the
implement attached if applicable), for exactly 10 revolutions of the sensed
wheel. Measure this distance (in inches or metres) and divide by 20 to find
the Speed Sensor Factor.
(iii) If 4 wheel magnets are installed, the distance is 1/4 the effective rolling
circumference of the wheel. To determine this circumference, drive the
vehicle forward in field conditions (with the implement attached if applicable),
for exactly 10 revolutions of the sensed wheel. Measure this distance
(metres) and divide by 40 to find the Speed Sensor Factor.
Carry out this test whenever soil conditions or wheel sizes change.
(iv) If an RDS Radar sensor is installed, the Speed Sensor Factor is 0.008 m (or
0.312 inches).
If the calibration factor works out at over 2.000 m (78.78 inches), consider
fitting additional magnets. Extra magnets are recommended if the vehicle has
large diameter wheels or is slow-moving. In extreme circumstances you can
find that the speed keeps going to zero as it times out before the next pulse
arrives.
100m (328ft)
Autocal’ distance

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Number of Sensor magnets
The table gives the number of magnets required to enable a speed update of
approximately once per second or faster on the display.
Typical speed in normal operation:
Tyre diameter up to 5mph
(8km/hr)
6 to 9 mph
(9 to 15 km/hr)
10mph
(16 km/hr)
or over
12" (0.3m) 111
24" (0.6m) 111
36" (0.9m) 221
48" (1.2m) 422
60" (1.5m) 442
72" (1.8m) 442
Example Calculation 1
The tractor is fitted with a single-magnet propshaft sensor. The measured
distance for 10 rotations of the propshaft is 17'-6".
1. Convert the distance to inches :-(17' x 12")+6" = 210"
2. Divide by 10 (magnet pulses) to give the calibration factor:-210" / 10 = 21"
3. Programme the factor '021.0' as described overleaf.
Example Calculation 2
A vehicle with row crop wheels is fitted with 4 magnets. It is found to move
144 feet for 10 rotations of the sensed wheel.
Converting the distance to inches and dividing by 40 gives a calibration
factor of (144' x 12") / 40 =43.2".
Manually setting the Factor
1. Press and hold the CAL button while switching the instrument on.
2. Press the key to toggle the display to "SSF" .
3. Use the small left and right buttons to adjust the factor as required.

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Set Forward Speed Alarm Thresholds
1. Press and hold the button while switching the instrument on.
2. The channel (1) displays the Maximum speed alarm threshold (Output
2). The default is 50 (km/hr).
3. Pressing the centre key selects the channel (2). This displays the
High speed alarm threshold (Output 1). The default is 19 (km/hr).
4. Use the small left and right buttons to adjust the setting.
Select Engine / Ignition Hours
When “IGN” is programmed, the instrument will accumulate hours whenever
the instrument is powered on.
You can select “ENG” hours if the RPM channel is measuring engine speed
(e.g. using the Alternator RPM Sensor kit). Hours will then only accumulate
when the engine is running.
1. Press and hold the CAL button while switching the instrument on.
2. Select the channel.
3. Press either outermost button to select 'iGn' or 'EnG'.
4. Switch the instrument off and then on again to resume the normal operating
mode.
RPM Sensor Factor
The RPM Sensor Factor is equal to the number of pulses received by the
instrument per revolution of the sensed shaft, e.g. for measuring Engine RPM,
PTO Speed, Shaft Speed, Fan Speed etc depending on the particular
installation. The default setting is 1 pulse per rev (p.p.r), which is OK in the
case of a magnetic sensor with a single magnet on the sensed shaft.
In other cases, perform the following calibration procedure.
1. Run the sensed component at a known speed. If necessary measure this
speed using a hand-held tachometer.
2. At the same time have someone note the RPM displayed on the instrument.
3. Calculate the new calibration factor,
= Initial Factor x Displayed Speed
Actual Speed

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Changing the RPM Sensor Factor
1. Select the RPM channel ( ).
2. Press and hold the CAL button while
switching the instrument on until the
instrument displays 'CAL.1'.
3. Press the centre button to select
channel 6.
4. Use the '+' and '-' buttons to programme
the new factor.
Check the calibration again to ensure the
RPM display is now reading correctly.
Figure 6: Set RPM Cal Factor

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Wiring Connections –SAM 400 (without WCI/ACI)
A 12-way Qikmate to 8-way AMP interconnection cable Pt No. S/CB/327-1-
053 is supplied to connect to the sensors, power supply etc.
Please refer to the “Work measurement
Installation” manual S/DC/500-10-261 for
details on power supply, fitting sensors /
cutout switches etc.
The AMP connector accepts the standard
¼” female crimp terminals. The wiring
label (S/DC/500-10-534) identifies the
wiring connections as shown.
NOTE: Connecting the security link wire to 0V to
allows the area total 2 , distance total 2 and
engine hours total to be reset in the normal
operating mode.
S/CB/327-1-053

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Wiring Connections –SAM 400 (With WCI / ACI)
You will require the following cable in order to connect a WCI switch, ACI
switch, or to utilise Outputs 1 and 2.
Pt No. S/CB/327-1-063 (2 x 6-way AMP)
Please refer to the “Work measurement Installation” manual S/DC/500-10-
261 for details on power supply, fitting sensors / cutout switches etc. The ACI
has it's own installation and wiring instructions.
The AMP connector accepts the standard ¼” female crimp terminals. The
wiring labels (S/DC/500-10-535 and S/DC500-10-536) identify the wiring
connections as shown.
2 x 6-way AMP
connectors
S/CB/327-1-063

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Connections for Cable S/CB/327-1-063
CONNECTOR –A
TERMINAL KEY COLOUR FUNCTION
10V BLACK POWER SUPPLY 0V
20V BLACK SENSOR 0V
30V BLACK SENSOR 0V
4+V RED POWER SUPPLY +V
5O/P 1 TURQUOISE HIGH SPEED OUTPUT
6O/P 2 ORANGE MAX. SPEED OUTPUT
CONNECTOR –B
TERMINAL KEY COLOUR FUNCTION
1I/P 1 GREEN SECURITY LINK +V (CONNECT TO GROUND)
2I/P 2 YELLOW RPM +V
3I/P 3 VIOLET WCI 1/2 WIDTH (BLUE) / ACI SIGNAL
4I/P 4 BROWN WCI 1/4 WIDTH (BROWN)
5I/P 5 BLUE AREA CUTOUT SWITCH
6I/P 6 WHITE FORWARD SPEED +V

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Issue 1 20/12/05 Original Issue
Issue 2 27/3/06 p.6 -added note ref. Security Link Wire
p.15 -correction ref. Labels
Issue 3: 31/5/06 Changes to cover S/W WZ200-000 rev.6
p.15, 16 -Label A changed to show O/P 1 and 2
Issue 4 6/7/07 Correction p.5, p15