Datamatic D1000 Firefly User Manual FIREFLY AMR System Manual
Datamatic, Ltd Firefly FIREFLY AMR System Manual
users manual
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©Datamatic.com, Ltd. 2000 - 2002
DRAFT
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2: FIREFLY Installation
Installation Preparation
Installation Overview - Sensor End
1. Set Auto Advance to “Off”.
2. Insure meter reading is manually entered for each account installed.
3. Install the optical sensor. (See instructions “Installing the Optical Sensor” on
page 2).
4. Program the FIREFLY MIU using the radio transceiver (See instructions
“Programming the FIREFLY MIU” on page Error! Bookmark not defined.).
5. Choose a method and mount the FIREFLY MIU.
6. Verify the FIREFLY MIU is transmitting properly by using the ROADRUNNER to
receive a RF message.
Installation Considerations
1. Signal distance varies depending on the location of the MIU. FIREFLYs installed
above-ground generally transmit the greatest distance.
2. The material of a pit or vault lid affects the transmission range. For example, a
transmitter has a greater range sending from a pit with a plastic lid than a cast iron
lid.
3. Lids with holes of a diameter of one inch make possible the mounting of the
FIREFLY MIU through the lid. This can increase transmission range significantly.
4. Complete field installation of an MIU takes 5-10 minutes, depending on the meter
location, and mounting application.
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5. If the lid has a hole for the unit, use the
cap and wing nut assembly (“lid lock”
pictured below). Ensure that enough
space exists between the box lid and
the ground for the unit to sit. If not,
remove some of the dirt from the
bottom of the box. Do not over-tighten
lid locks.
Water FIREFLY Installation
Installing the Optical Sensor-End FIREFLY
Meter Preparation
1. Remove meter box lid.
2. Survey the meter, checking lid, hole depth, and overall cleanliness.
3. Check for meter disqualification’s and enter the corresponding skip code.
4. Check for potential meter problems and enter the corresponding trouble code.
5. Clean excess dirt from meter lid, exposing meter number.
6. Flip lid back and pre-clean meter face/lens using Fast Orange non-pumice cleaner
and a cloth or cotton swab to remove residue.
7. Clean meter face/lens with an isopropyl alcohol and a NEW lint-free cotton swab.
Note: Use Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, 99% by volume, for best results.
Lower concentrations do not clean as well and adversely affect the
sensor-to-meter bond.
8. Re-wipe the surface of the meter lens with a clean, new cotton swab each time until
the swab comes up clean, and the clean lens squeaks when wiped.
9. After cleaning, ensure that the lens is completely dry; allow time for the alcohol to
evaporate
Background Check
1. Connect the ROADRUNNER to the FIREFLY via the PPU.
2. Press SHIFT I to display the FIREFLY main menu.
3. Press A to begin testing the FIREFLY optics.
Chapter 2: FIREFLY Installation 3
©Datamatic.com, Ltd. 2000 - 2002
Verifying
Sensor Placement
Power 1 [24]
Power 2 [56]
Power 3 [66]
Status: [Success]
Test Again?
Y/N
The values shown are in decimal. Two out of three need to be between 32 and 96.
Status will display as Success or Failed.
Sensor Flap
Within each case of FIREFLYs, 24 rubber Sensor Flaps are included for every
installation. Utilizing these Sensor Flaps insures a stable environment during the
calibration process.
Sensor Placement
1. Insert sensor cable through sensor flap.
2. Remove the adhesive backing from the high-bond tape on the Optic Sensor face.
3. Install sensor to the location of the best background according to the background
check.
4. Orient the sensor so the water meter needle approaches the sensor from the cable side
and perpendicular to the cable. There are indents on each side of the sensor base that
are to be in line with the needle when it passes.
5. Attach the sensor to the water meter lens
surface.
6. Since the 3M tape provides a pressure
sensitive seal, the installer needs to
apply pressure to the MIU sensor
immediately after attaching to the lens
surface. The next step is to apply four,
5-second pushes to the MIU.
Tip: Palm the sensor and lean
onto it to apply appropriate
pressure.
7. A full cure on the seal is achieved in 24 - 96 hours. Do not touch, pull, move, or
handle the sensor in any way during this period.
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8. Apply approved adhesive around the sensor to seal it completely if the pit fills with
water prior to the 24 - 96 hour cure time, or if the meter face is curved and not flat.
Note: If the sensor is initially misplaced, do not attempt to remove the
sensor by twisting the sensor body. A fully cured sensor requires
breaking the seal at the adhesive tape joint with a flat tool such as a
screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver between the aluminum base and
meter lens and twist.
9. Mount the FIREFLY MIU to an appropriate wall, stake or through hole in meter
box/vault lid.
If using a stake, affix the stake in the ground adjacent to the meter register. The
platform area of the pole needs to face inward.
Position the transmitter on the pole platform.
Attach the transmitter to the pole with the binding material.
If utilizing a lidlock, make certain Not to overtighten the FIREFLY within the lock.
Also be sure to never rest the weight of the lid on the FIREFLY.
10. Place sensor flap over sensor, insuring a snug fit.
11. Program the MIU and set to "Autocal".
12. Before closing the lid, make sure a visual meter reading is entered for the account.
Note: At this point, if sensor flap must be lifted to retrieve the visual
meter reading, AutoCal must be reset through the FIREFLY menu #7.
Installing the Wire-end
1. Refer to Appendix C “Meter Qualification” on page Error! Bookmark not defined.
to determine wire connection for the brand and model of meter.
2. Connect FIREFLY wire-end to meter contacts using Posi-lock connector or Gel caps.
3. Use 3M mastic pads to cover the wire connections. Ensure that the mastic pad forms
a complete seal around the wire connections.
4. Mount the FIREFLY to an appropriate wall, stake, or through hole in the meter box /
vault lid.
5. If using a stake, affix the stake in the ground adjacent to the meter register. The
platform area of the pole needs to face inward.
6. Position the transmitter on the pole platform.
7. Position the FIREFLY MIU with the threaded neck pointing up.
8. Attach the transmitter to the pole with the binding material.
Note: Do not connect a multi-meter, probe or other interrogating device
to the FIREFLY wires. Doing so may cause the unit to globally reset,
erasing all programmed data!
Chapter 2: FIREFLY Installation 5
©Datamatic.com, Ltd. 2000 - 2002
Electric FIREFLY Installation
Installation Preparation
Following is a list of hardware needed to install one Electric FIREFLY on one meter:
Landis &Gyr ABB
Two 32 x ½ inch long screws Two 0.25 in. spacers
Two .25-inch spacers Two fuse clips – part #3510
Two meter spacer posts Original screws are used
Two fuse clips - part #3510
Sangamo GE
Two 1/8” x ½” long screws Two 4-48x3/8 long screws
Two 0.25 inch spacers Two 0.25 spacers
Two fuse clips – part #3510 Two fuse clips – part #3510
Two Lock Washers
Westinghouse
Two 6-40 x ½” long screws
Two 0.25 inch spacers
Two fuse clips – part #3510
Installing Disk Decals
1. Remove nameplate on meter.
2. Clean rotating disk target area with
99% isopropyl alcohol.
3. Place approved decal* on target
area. Be sure the edge of the decal
is not overhanging on the disk.
4. The user needs to smooth the decal
on the plate by applying pressure
with his/her thumb.
Note: Be sure not to
touch the adhesive side
of the decal as the oil
from the skin can cause
it not to adhere.
*Contact Datamatic for specifications
on approved decals.
(A=58mm, B=24mm)
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©Datamatic.com, Ltd. 2000 - 2002
Installing the Electric FIREFLY
1. Remove nameplate.
2. Position the unit on top of the nameplate posts.
3. Mount the unit flush on top of the nameplate posts with the spacer and nameplate
above it.
4. Thread the mounting screw through the nameplate, the 0.25-inch spacer, (see
following illustration), and FIREFLY into the nameplate post holes.
5. Adjust play in mounting holes so that FIREFLY is parallel with disk and the distance
between sensor face and disk is between 0.070 and 0.110 inches.
6. Choose one of the following three options to connect the wires to the 240VAC
terminals on the meter.
! Option A. Use fuse clip to attach wires to the 240VAC terminals on the meter.
! Option B. Use soldering to attach two wires to the 240VAC terminals on the
meter.
! Option C. Use female insulated crimp connector to connect the wires to the
240VAC terminals on the meter.
Note: If connectors are used in place of soldering, use UL-certified
crimper.
Fuse clip option Solder wires option Insulated crimp connector option
Chapter 2: FIREFLY Installation 7
©Datamatic.com, Ltd. 2000 - 2002
Note: The FIREFLY requires 240VAC during programming for the
settings to be written to its memory.
7. Power the meter with 240VAC or power the FIREFLY using between 5 and 12 volts
applied to the external battery jack.
8. Zero out the register.
MODIFICATIONS
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) places power limits upon devices that
transmit as intentional radiators. This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for an intentional radiator, pursuant Part 15 of the FCC Rules. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, it may cause interference to radio
communications. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Datamatic could
void the user’s authority to operate the FIREFLY equipment.
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©Datamatic.com, Ltd. 2000 - 2001