VDH Products PROBA User manual

User Manual PROBA 110 - English
Special version with pressure controlled fans Doc.nr.: 063319 Version: v3.12
Software: PROBA 110 3rd Generation
File: Do063319 Proba3 v312 PCF EN.wpd By: Henk Nijmeijer Date: 04-04-2011
VDH Products BV - Roden - Holland Signed: Pages: 78
INSTALLATION
AND
OPERATING
MANUAL
THIRD GENERATION

VDH Products BV Document 063319 - version 3.12 Page: 2 of 78
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is assumed to be accurate. However VDH Products BV accepts no liability for eventual
mistakes or errors and has the right to change this document without notice.
Copyright Notice
Copyright 1997 VDH Products BV, Roden The Netherlands.
No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written permission of VDH Products BV.
Trademarks
'PROBA' is a trademark of VDH Products BV.
'MS-DOS' is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
'PC-DOS' and 'IBM' are trademarks of International Business Machines Incorporated.
'HP' is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Edition
3rd edition, November 1997
Written by Ged Hartley and Arthur Dijkstra
Revision written by Henk Nijmeijer
It is highly recommended to study the operation
of the PROBA ripening system carefully before using it.

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Table of contents
1Introduction ........................................................................................5
1.1 PROBA ripening system set up .................................................................5
1.2 Operation of the PROBA ripening system .........................................................5
1.3 Methods of temperature control .................................................................6
1.3.1 Temperature control based on the average pulp temperature ..................................6
1.3.2 Temperature control based on air temperature .............................................6
2The PROBA110 ....................................................................................7
2.1 Control of the PROBA110 .....................................................................7
2.1.1 Key switch .........................................................................8
2.1.2 Readout clock, sensors and setpoints ....................................................8
2.1.3 Programming and starting a ripening program .............................................11
2.1.4 Stopping a ripening program ..........................................................15
2.1.5 Changing the temperature setpoint .....................................................16
2.1.6 Changing the relative humidity setpoint ..................................................17
2.1.7 Changing the pressure setpoints .......................................................18
2.1.8 Standby ..........................................................................19
2.1.9 Starting and stopping the gassing ......................................................20
2.1.10 Starting and stopping the ventilation ....................................................21
2.1.11 Changing the program clock ...........................................................23
2.1.12 Switching sensors on/off ..............................................................23
2.1.13 Zone and heating switch ..............................................................24
2.2 Error messages ............................................................................26
3The Personal Computer .............................................................................28
4Installation ........................................................................................28
4.1 PROBA110 installation ......................................................................28
4.1.1 Mounting of the PROBA110 ...........................................................28
4.1.1.1 Wall mounting ..............................................................28
4.1.1.2 Switch cupboard mounting ....................................................28
4.1.1.3 .........................................................................29
4.2 Settings of the PROBA110 ...................................................................29
4.2.1 General settings of the PROBA110 .....................................................30
4.2.2 Program settings of the PROBA110 .....................................................30
4.2.3 Setting of the control characteristics of the PROBA110 ......................................31
4.2.4 Setting of the alarms of the PROBA110 ..................................................34
4.2.5 Hardware settings of the PROBA110 ....................................................35
4.3 Network and the PROBA120 ..........................................................37
4.5 Temperature sensors ........................................................................38
4.5.1 Sensors for air temperature regulation ...................................................39
4.5.2 Sensors for product temperature regulation ...............................................39
4.6 Gas concentration sensor ....................................................................39
4.7 Relative humidity sensor .....................................................................40
4.8 Pressure sensor ............................................................................40
4.9 Relay outputs ..............................................................................41
4.9.1 Cooling, heating and fans .............................................................41
4.9.2 Alarms ...........................................................................41
4.9.3 Ventilation, gas, humidification, door and spare ............................................41
4.10 Analogue outputs ...........................................................................42
4.10.1 P(I) outputs ........................................................................42
4.11 Digital inputs ..............................................................................42
4.12 Analogue inputs ............................................................................42
4.13 Supply ...................................................................................42

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Appendix A (Schematic overview ripening on product temperature) ...................................................43
Appendix B (Schematic overview ripening on air temperature) .......................................................44
Appendix C (Standard ripening programs) .......................................................................45
Appendix D (Installation Record) ..............................................................................46
Appendix E (Program Parameters) ............................................................................48
Appendix F (Error messages) .................................................................................62
Appendix G (Operation of Controls) ............................................................................66
Appendix H (Technical Specifications Temperature Sensors SM 8000, SM8300 and SM8500) ..............................67
Appendix I (Technical Specifications Gas Concentration Sensor PGS1500/2000) ........................................68
Appendix J (Technical Specification Humidity Sensor RH970) .......................................................70
Appendix K (Technical Specifications Pressure Sensor PX25) .......................................................71
Appendix L (Technical Specifications PROBA120 Network System) ...................................................72
Appendix M (Technical Specification PROBA110) .................................................................74
Appendix N (Overview Software Versions) ......................................................................78

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1 Introduction
1.1 PROBA ripening system set up
The PROBA110 Ripening System is a solution for the automated ripening of bananas. The system measures and
independently controls the temperature and it can also control the relative humidity and gas concentration in the ripening
room as options.
Air refreshing of the bananas is also controlled by the system.
During a period of several days the system is capable of controlling one or more ripening rooms in such a way that perfectly
ripened fruit can be removed from the rooms at the end of the ripening cycle.
The PROBA Ripening System consists of the following main components:
* Control Computer for each ripening room (PROBA110).
* Central Computer.
* Network and Network Interface (PROBA120).
The ripening room is fully controlled by the control computer PROBA110. This steps through a ripening program
independently and can be controlled by the user via the front plate.
It is also possible to connect one or more of these control computers via a network to a central computer. All process
parameters of the connected control computers can be changed from the central computer. In this way up to 99 rooms can
be remotely controlled from the keyboard of the central computer.
In principle the central computer is always connected to the network and running the PROBA-software.
If the PC is also used for other purposes, the data logging will stop and information will be lost. In that case the ripening
processes will simply continue, since the control computers are able to finish their program, if necessary by manual control.
This also guarantees that in case of a computer breakdown, the ripening process continues.
It is possible to connect several computers at the same time to the network. Each PC has its own PROBA120 Network
Interface. There is also an option to connect other instruments to the network, such as MC785 thermostats. Please note that
all these instruments are capable of communication via the PROBA network.
1.2 Operation of the PROBA ripening system
The bananas in the ripening room are ripened by means of ripening programs. In the PROBA ripening system the length of
these programs and the temperatures are adjusted each day.
The ripener can make a choice from 20 different ripening programs for each PROBA110.
The temperature profile is setup by means of temperature setpoints, one for each day. During the execution of the program
the temperature is checked and controlled by the PROBA110 in such a way that the fruit is ripened according to user
settings.
The PROBA110 is also able to control the application of gas during the ripening program. The duration or the concentration
of the gasification are adjustable, depending on the presence of the optional gas concentration sensor. During this period the
PROBA110 will indicate that gas is present in the ripening room and the door of the ripening room can be blocked.
During the ripening process the bananas can be ventilated. The length and interval of the ventilation are adjustable. During
gassing periods the ventilation is blocked. The PROBA110 indicates when the room is being ventilated.
At the end of a ripening program the PROBA110 switches over to the so-called STANDBY mode. The temperature
regulation continues on the STANDBY setpoint which ensures that the ripened product remains in a controlled environment.
At any moment during the ripening program the temperature setpoint, which is used by the PROBA110 at that moment, can
be changed. The ripening program can also be changed into STANDBY mode or stopped anytime by the user.
A ripening program can be displayed schematically as follows:

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During a number of days (the length of the program, in this case 4) a temperature setpoint is setup for each day. On a given
day, the PROBA110 regulates the temperature in the ripening room to be equal or close to that particular value. The length
of a ripening program can be varied from 1 to 9 days.
After setting up and starting a program the PROBA110 starts at day 1. In the example the temperature setpoint is now
17.5C, so the PROBA110 regulates the temperature to become 17.5C. At the end of each day (24 hours) the temperature
setpoint is changed into that of the next day of the program. After all days of the program are past, the PROBA110 goes to
the STANDBY mode. The STANDBY temperature is also adjusted in the ripening program. The STANDBY mode remains
active until the user stops the ripening program or starts a new one.
Finally a warming-up phase can take place before the ripening program starts. For convenience this precursion time is called
day 0. The length of precursion time is variable and temperature control during the precursion time is possible.
Optional gas, humidity, pressure or CO2 sensors can be connected to the PROBA110.
If a gas concentration sensor is used, gasification can be carried out on gas level. An alarm will follow if the programmed
level is not reached within a certain time. If the gas level is too high, the ventilation can be started automatically.
The relative humidity sensor measures the relative humidity in the room. Depending on the desired level the humidification
can be switched on automatically. When exceeding the minimum or maximum alarm levels an alarm will be generated.
Based on the pressure difference across a pallet the pressure fans can be switched on and off. Also an alarm will follow if the
pressure difference is too low.
With a CO2 sensor ventilation can be started when the level of CO2 exceeds the maximum set value.
1.3 Methods of temperature control
Up to nine temperature sensors can be connected to the PROBA110.
The PROBA110 can control the temperature in the ripening room by two ways. The first method is based on the average
pulp temperature in the ripening room. In the second method the air temperature is controlled in each section.
1.3.1 Temperature control based on the average pulp temperature
This method of control makes use of a maximum of nine, but mostly three, product sensors which are placed in
selected boxes of bananas (pulp temperature). These use product sensors type SM8500 which are connected via
coiled leads to the connection boxes.
The temperature is controlled on the average of the present and active product sensors. The cooling and heating
are driven simultaneously for the whole ripening room.
The product sensors are also used to signal warnings and alarms.
As an option, mostly two alarm sensors type SM8000/2m, can be connected. These sensors control the minimum
and maximum temperature of the airflow coming out of the evaporator. The evaporator can be temporarily switched
off if the alarm levels are exceeded.
In Appendix A (see page 43) a schematic drawing is given of this method of temperature control.
1.3.2 Temperature control based on air temperature
With this method of regulation the ripening room is divided into a maximum of three zones. The air temperature
within each zone is regulated separately. So the cooling and the heating are controlled per zone.
For each zone one control sensor is used, and is placed in the airflow from the product (or entering the evaporator).
These make use of air sensors type SM8300.
The control sensors are also used to signal warnings or alarms.
Next to the control sensors there are, as an option per zone sensors available for warning and alarm functions
(temperature too high or too low). These sensors are placed in the airflow entering the product.
In Appendix B (see page 44) a schematic drawing is given of this method of temperature control.

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2The PROBA110
2.1 Control of the PROBA110
The control computer PROBA110 can be controlled fully via its front panel. If the PROBA110 is connected to a Personal
Computer there is also the possibility to control the PROBA110 from this Personal Computer. In both cases all process
parameters of the PROBA110 are adjustable.
In situations where there is no network system, the PROBA110 always operates 'Stand Alone', which means it is fully
independent and the control takes place via the front panel.
The PROBA110 has a number of control and display features:
* Key switch,
* Push buttons,
*two 4-Character displays,
* LED's,
* Buzzer.
The control can be distinguished in:
*Off / On / Program Enable (PE),
* Readout of the sensor values,
* Change of setpoint(s),
* Programming and starting of regulation,
* Programming of control parameters and alarms.
Functions of the LED's:
ALARM Lights in case of an error.
VENT Displays the status of the VENTILATION relay.
MOIST Displays the status of the MOIST relay.
GAS Displays the status of the GAS relay. During gassing this flashes if gas is present in the room
(gassing is taking place).
COOL (3) Displays the status of the COOL relays.
HEAT (3) Displays the status of the HEAT relays.
FAN (3) Displays the status of the FAN relays.
DAY row This row of lights displays the length of the ripening program. One of the LED's flashes to indicate
the current day.
SENS row This row of lights displays which sensors are active.
TEMP/VENT Indicates if the key can be used
HUM/GAS Indicates if the key can be used
STANDBY Lights when the PROBA110 is in the STANDBY mode.
PROG Lights when a ripening program has started and ripening of the fruits takes place. Flashes during
programming.
SENS/TIME Flashes when a temperature or time is being read with the SENS key.
In general, an illuminated LED means that a function is active.
Please note:
If one of the COOL LED's flash, it means that cooling is being called for, but disabled because there is a fault e.g. if an air
temperature alarm sensor switched off the cooling because the temperature is too low.
If one of the HEAT LED's flash, it means that heating is being called for, but disabled because there is a fault e.g. if an air
temperature alarm sensor switched off the heating because the temperature is too high or if the HEAT function is switched to
OFF.
If an LED for a fan flashes, it means that the fan is being called for but this is disabled because e.g. the fan delay is active.

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2.1.1 Key switch
The key switch located at the top right of the front panel of the PROBA110, has three positions:
OFF
The PROBA110 is switched off. The displays and the LED's are off, there is
no regulation. The PROBA110 does not respond to keys pressed.
ON
The PROBA110 is switched on. The regulation is active provided a ripening
program is in progress. the average temperature of the control sensors is
displayed in the upper display, the present setpoint in the lower display. The
LED's show the status of the operation conditions of the PROBA110. The
values of the different sensors and control parameters can be shown in the
display.
PE (Programming Enabled)
The PROBA110 has the same function as with the key switch in the ON
position. However the user is now able to program the ripening programs,
start, stop or change them.
In the normal situation the key switch is in the ON position and the key is
removed. The temperature of the sensors can be shown in the display, but it
is not possible to change the settings (accidentally). A ripening program
cannot be started or stopped.
For manual adjustment of the PROBA110 it is necessary to rotate the key
switch into the PE position.
When the ripening room is not in use, the PROBA110 can be switched off by
rotating the key switch to the OFF position. During 15 seconds the
PROBA110 beeps, before the PROBA110 is switched off and the displays
extinguish. This is to avoid a ripening program being stopped if someone
accidentally switches the PROBA110 to OFF. In that case the user has the
opportunity to switch to ON or PE again.
Please note:
To prevent unauthorized changes, it is advisable after programming to rotate
the key switch to ON and remove the key from the switch.
2.1.2 Readout clock, sensors and setpoints
When the program key switch is in the ON position the program clock,
sensors and setpoints can be shown in the display.
Push the TEMP/VENT key. The LED above the TEMP/VENT key starts
flashing indicating that this function is active.
The upper display shows the temperature setpoint. The lower display shows
the day number.
By using the UP and DOWN keys setpoints of other days can be readout.

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After pressing the TEMP/VENT key once more, the average temperature is
shown in the display again.
If there is no temperature regulation, pressing the TEMP/VENT key has no
effect.
Press the HUM/GAS key. The LED above the HUM/GAS key starts flashing.
The upper display shows the humidity level. The lower display shows the
humidity setpoint.
After pressing the HUM/GAS key once more, the average temperature is
shown in the display again.
If there is no humidity regulation, pressing the HUM/GAS key has no effect.
Press the PROG key. The LED above the PROG key starts flashing to
indicate that this function is active.
When a program is in progress, the number of that program is shown in the
display.
By pressing the PROG key once more, the average temperature is shown
again in the display. The LED above the PROG key will extinguish.
If there is no program in progress, pressing the PROG key has no effect.
Press the SENS/TIME key. The LED above the key starts flashing to
indicate that this function is active
A flashing LED in the SENS row indicates which sensor is being displayed.
The sensor number is also shown in the lower display.
The sensors can be read out using the UP and DOWN keys.
All present sensors are shown, as well as the non active sensors.
After you've seen the measured values of all sensors, press the SENS/TIME
key to stop this function and return to the normal working condition.
Press the ZONE/HEAT key. The LED above the key flashes to indicate this
function is active.
The upper display indicates which zones are active.
Press the SET key and then the TEMP/VENT key. The LED above the key
starts flashing indicating this function is active.
If the ripening room is ventilated, the display shows the remaining ventilation
time in minutes.

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If the ripening room is not ventilating at the moment, the upper display
indicates the time in hours till the next ventilation.
If there is no more ventilation, the lower display shows four horizontal bars.
Press the SET key and then the HUM/GAS key. The LED above the key
starts flashing to indicate this function is active.
If the ripening room is gassed and a gas sensor is present, the upper display
shows the remaining gassing time. This time is shown in minutes.
If no gas sensor is present and the ripening room is gassed on time basis,
the upper display shows the remaining gas supply time in minutes.
If the gas supply time has passed, the upper display shows the remaining
time of the gassing period in minutes.
If the ripening room is not gassing at the moment, but a gassing has to take
place, the display shows the time to the next gassing. This time is shown in
hours.
If no more gassing is required, the lower display will show four horizontal
bars.
Press the SET key and then the SENS/TIME key. The LED above the key
starts flashing to indicate this function is active.
The upper display shows the program clock, indicating how long the
program has run in the current day. In this example the time is 15 hours and
24 minutes.
The lower display shows the number of the present day.
Press the SET key and then the ZONE/HEAT key. The LED above the key
flashes indicating this function is active.
The upper display shows if the heating is switched on during the ripening
program when the temperature drops below the setpoint.
Please note:
The PROBA110 will switch to the normal working condition if within 30
seconds no key is pressed.