A511 Sensor Testbox
The A511 features the same 5-pin and 7-pin connectors as the ADCON RTU's. ADCON analog and SDI-12 sensors, rain gauges and solar panels can thus be connected directly to the A511. For SDI-12 sensors you need an adapter cable from 7-pin to 5-pin, which is now included with the A511. This cable can also be ordered separately. As an option for other SDI-12 sensors we offer a 5-pin cable with cage clamps to connect to any SDI-12 sensor with open wire ends.
To power the sensors it features an internal 9V battery, which can be sourced almost anywhere. The latest version of the A511 will also work with all standard ADCON 6V battery packs.
Checking analog Sensors
Several types of measurements are available:
- permanent, instantaneous monitoring
- averaging
- simulating an ADCON RTU
Since the A511 features 2 7-pin signal connectors you can simultaneously connect up to 6 analog sensors. According to the ADCON cabling convention each of the two 7-pin Ports supports three analog sensors. This is certainly a convenient feature when it comes to testing combi-sensors, like the ADCON Temperature / Humidity sensor, the ADCON Wind speed and direction sensors, and certainly the Sentek and C-Probe multilevel soil moisture sensors.
You can furthermore test the current consumption of all sensors attached. This is particularly handy to detect faulty sensors, drawing too much current and thus emptying the battery.
Checking Solar Panels
Check the output voltage and the charging current of all standard ADCON solar panels. This will let you easily detect a problem with a solar panel.
Checking Pulse Counters
To test rain gauges and water meters, which output pulses by means of standard reed switches. Simply create a defined number of pulses and check the display of your A511. As long as the reed switch is connected the device will sum the pulses received. 2 rain gauges can be connected simultaneously.
Changing the address of SDI-12 Sensors
The A511 Sensor Test box lets you connect SDI-12 sensors to see which address they are set to, and change it, if necessary. This is of particular importance if you want to run several sensors off the same RTU, but don't know which address they are set to. Since there is no SDI-12 standard connector, the optional adapter cable features cable clamps to hold bare wires.
Reading SDI-12 Sensors
In its latest version, available since January 2011, the A511 can also read an SDI-12 sensors manufacturer ID and, if available through the sensor's SDI-12 implementation, the serial number. Through standard M-commands the A511 will also let you read SDI-12 values.
Connectors | 2 x 7-pin female M9 Binder 1 x 5-pin female M9 Binder |
Analog inputs | 6 x 0 - 2.5V |
Pulse inputs | 2 x standard reed switch with internal pull-up to 3.3V |
Digital inputs | 2 x 0 - 3.3V TTL |
Solar Panel inputs | 1 x max. 15V |
SDI-12 sensor ports | 1 x |
SDI-12 supply voltage | 5.5 ... 16V |
SDI-12 supply current | max. 500mA |
SDI-12 Data | 3.3 ... 5V |
Supported SDI-12 Addresses | 0 - 9; A - Z; a - z |
Resolution of ADC | 12 Bit |
Keypad | foil, 6 keys |
Display | LCD, green, 16 characters, 3 lines |
Power Supply | 9V Alkaline Battery all Adcon 6V RTU batteries |
Dimensions | 145 x 85 x 38 mm LxWxH |