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Frequently Asked Questions:

Automata is always striving to produce the best quality products and to provide the best customer support possible.  With that in mind, we are building a database of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) with answers to these questions to provide our customers with another means of support.  You can also send us questions through our Contact Page. 

1.  I’m not receiving data from the MINI-SS.
2.  The sensor always reports zero.
3.  I have tried numerous times to log into MINI-SAT.net via FileAmigo with user name and password as ‘User’ but all I get is a “Possible Timeout” message.  I get to it through the link on your Ag page.  What am I doing wrong?
5.  The temperature output on the AQUA-TEL TDR 4-20mA corresponds to what temperature?
6.  Soil Moisture output: How to proceed in order to transform the 4-20mA to soil moisture.
7.  Does the MINI-SAT have RS232 or RS485 language capability?
8.  What format is the data transferred to the Internet?  Is it an XML file?
9.  Can it send the data to an ftp site?
10.  What are the running costs of such a unit, is there a contract required with a Satellite Communication company?
11.  Is the cost of the running unit (MINI-SAT) based on the amount of data transferred ie: $/meg bite?
12.  I'm not getting data from the MINI-SAT. 
13.  In regards to the AQUA-TEL TDR that is the accuracy, precision, resolution etc?  Is it affected by salinity? What is the calibration method?  What is the measuring range?
14.  I have a well at the bottom of a hill currently controlled by a time switch.  The tank is about a quarter mile away at the top of a hill without power.  No conduit exists.  What package would you suggest?
15.  We are a small well group that is looking for a system that can monitor the water level in our tank, and control the pump to start and shut off as needed automatically.  Our storage tank and pump are approx. one mile apart.  There is a mountain blocking any direct visual line of site, as well as a 750 vertical difference in elevation.  Our pump has electricity and cell service, but our tank has neither.  Solar power may work at our tank. Can more than one computer be used to control and monitor your system in the event of one person being on vacation?  And if so, how many can have that monitoring ability?
16.  In regards to the AQUA-TEL TDR, is it possible to connect and use the sensor without external measurement device/meter?
17.  From the AQUA-TEL TDR connection diagram in the data sheet, it seems that the signal obtain came through a single wire-piece.  Could you explain how does obtaining the signal be done?
18.  I lost my Specification Sheets that came with the field station and need the multiplier and adders for my sensors.
 

1. I’m not receiving data from the MINI-SS.
   1. The real-time software (Field Vision/Field Commander) must be running at all times to receive data.
   2. If your base station is a radio, make sure that the power supply (transformer) is plugged into a wall outlet.
   3. Make sure that the serial cable is plugged into your computer.

                                                               i.      When the software is first started, click on the View menu and then on Real-Time Alarms to display a grey box at the bottom of the main screen.  If there is a ‘Device unavailable (68) in Comm_Setup’ or ‘…. in Timer1’, then make sure that you have selected the correct Comm Port in the Options then Setup menu.

4. Verify that the remote Field Unit is powered on.

                                                               i.      On Spread Spectrum systems, a set of LED’s are included that can be plugged into the (4) pin female connector at the station.  If the lights are flashing in sequence, then it cannot see the base unit or the base unit may not be working.  If one or more lights are solid, then it is communicating with the base unit and the problem is between the base unit and the computer, or in the software.

5. If ‘Undefined sensor’ is being displayed in the Real-Time Alarms window, then the station and sensors have not been entered into the Stations File.  Review the software manual that is located on the Field Manager CD supplied with your equipment.  It is in the folder Manuals on the CD.
    
1. The sensor always reports zero.
   1. Check the Multiplier in the stations filed.  (how) If it is correct, make sure the sensor is wired to the correct input and test the connections is good (no installation where the screw tightens down on the wire).
       
2. I have tried numerous times to log into MINI-SAT.net via FileAmigo with user name and password as ‘User’ but all I get is a “Possible Timeout” message.  I get to it through the link on your Ag page.  What am I doing wrong?
   1. The web site requires that you allow cookies.

                                                               i.      Click on the tools menu (in Internet Explorer) then on Internet options

                                                             ii.      Select the Privacy Tab at the top

                                                            iii.      At the bottom of the Privacy dialog box, click on Edit (in the Web Sites area)

                                                           iv.      Enter the address: 63.203.172.198 and Click Allow.

                                                             v.      Click OK and the OK again.  Refresh your screen or close IE and try again.

                                                           vi.      NOTE:  The Login is case sensitive, and is lower case for both member and password

4. The temperature output on the AQUA-TEL TDR 4-20mA corresponds to what temperature?
   1. The temperature output is not 4-20mA standard, to get 4-20mA an external signal conditioner is required.  The temperature output is 1 micro Amp. Per degree Kelvin.  At room temperature (about 25deg. C) the output current would be about .298 m Amps. 
       
5. Soil Moisture output: How to proceed in order to transform the 4-20mA to soil moisture.
   1. A convenient way to read it is use a precision 10K ohm resister to convert it to volts and read it with a 0-5 volt channel.
       
6. Does the MINI-SAT have RS232 or RS485 language capability?
   1. RS232.
       
7. What format is the data transferred to the Internet?  Is it an XML file?
   1. The data is provided on Automata’s web site http://mini-sat.net
       
8. Can it send the data to an ftp site?
   1. Yes. Contact Automata for instructions.
       
9. What are the running costs of such a unit, is there a contract required with a Satellite Communication company? 
   1. Satellite charges start at $150 ANNUALY per station up to $ 588.00 ANNUALY per station. (international charges will vary)  The cost is determined on how many and how often you want the sensors reporting in. 
       
10. Is the cost of the running unit based on the amount of data transferred ie: $/meg bite? 
    1. The cost is determined by bytes per Month. Starts at 930 Bytes per month to 70,000 Bytes per month.
        

11. I'm not getting data from the MINI-SAT.     
    1. This statement is used for the situation where the data might be wrong, always 0, or no data at all.  It would help the user to determine which it is first, and then decide the fix.
        

12.  In regards to the AQUA-TEL TDR that is the accuracy, precision, resolution etc?  Is it affected by salinity? What is the calibration method?  What is the measuring range?
    1. The absolute value of the reading is affected by salinity about 1% per 1000 microseimens.  Resolution of the instrument is infinite for all practical purposes.  The absolute value of the reading is also affected by high  di-electric constant material in the soil.  The trend is a very good indicator for irrigation requirements.  Sensor calibration is in air and water.
        

13. I have a well at the bottom of a hill currently controlled by a time switch.  The tank is about a quarter mile away at the top of a hill without power.  No conduit exists.  What package would you suggest?
    1. If you have line of sight from the tank to the pump the task is simple.  We have a package specifically for this application.  It consists of a small controller with a remote sensor link and a level sensor. The controller displays the tank level at the pump. The user programs the pump ON and pump OFF level.
        

14. We are a small well group that is looking for a system that can monitor the water level in our tank, and control the pump to start and shut off as needed automatically.  Our storage tank and pump are approx. one mile apart.  There is a mountain blocking any direct visual line of site, as well as a 750 vertical difference in elevation.  Our pump has electricity and cell service, but our tank has neither.  Solar power may work at our tank. Can more than one computer be used to control and monitor your system in the event of one person being on vacation?  And if so, how many can have that monitoring ability?
    1. First choice would be to put a repeater on the hill in between.  They don’t need a computer at all doing it that way.  They should put a MINI-SAT at the tank to monitor from other locations.
    2. Another approach is to use 2 MINI-SATs for communications and a controller.  They would be able to monitor the tank level from any place.  They have to be able to wait at least 30 minutes for each ON and OFF.
        

15. In regards to the AQUA-TEL TDR, is it possible to connect and use the sensor without external measurement device/meter?
    1. At a minimum, it requires a Hand Held Meter.  Telemetry is better.
        

16. From the AQUA-TEL TDR connection diagram in the data sheet, it seems that the signal obtain came through a single wire-piece.  Could you explain how does obtaining the signal be done?
    1. It has a 3-wire hook-up, ground, signal and power.
        

17. I lost my Specification Sheets that came with the field station and need the multiplier and adders for my sensors.
    1.  Below is the most common Multiplier and Adder chart for both English and Metric.  For flow and level contact factory