Tekelek US 915mhz Ultrasonic LoRaWAN sensor Installation Guide

June 17, 2024
Tekelek

Tekelek US 915mhz Ultrasonic LoRaWAN sensor

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-1

Specifications

  • Product: Ultrasonic LoRaWAN Sensor
  • Frequency: US 915mhz
  • Technology: Ultrasonic
  • Communication: LoRaWAN network
  • Measurement Range: Up to 3m
  • Thread Size: 2 BSP (British Standard Pipe)

Product Usage Instructions

Installation

  • Position the sensor so that it has a clear path to the tank contents without any internal obstructions.
  • Securely fit the sensor into the threaded 2 BSP tank connection ensuring the rubber seal is in place. Do not over-tighten.
LED Indicator Codes
  • Radio Signal Strength Flash Codes:
    • Green X 3 Flashes: Excellent signal strength
    • Green X 2 Flashes: Good signal strength
    • Green X 1 Flash: Adequate signal strength
    • Alternate Green/Red Flash: Weak signal strength
  • Error Flash Codes:
    • Red X 1 Flash: Device registered with an incorrect AppKey
    • Red X 2 Flashes: No response from LoRaWAN network
    • Red X 3 Flashes: General Error. Contact supplier if error persists.

Waveguide Configuration
To ensure accurate measurements, use the waveguide configuration mode limited to a range of 3m.

Mounting Adaptor

  • Drill a hole for mounting the adaptor on the tank ensuring secure sealing without crossed threads.
  • Keep the bottom of the pipe at least 5cm from the tank base to accommodate dimensional changes.

Multi-Thread Adaptor & Waveguide
If required, glue the pipe into position and drill a hole near the top for air exit in waveguide configuration.

FAQ

  • What should I do if the sensor shows weak signal strength?
    Try positioning the sensor multiple times. If weak signal persists, consider elevating the sensor for better performance.

  • How do I troubleshoot an error flash code?
    For specific error codes, refer to the manual. If the issue persists, contact the supplier for support.

  • Can I use the waveguide option beyond 3m?
    No, the waveguide option is limited to a range of 3m for accurate measurements.

Thank you for purchasing the Tekelek Ultrasonic LoRaWAN sensor which uses ultrasonic technology to measure the liquid level of your tank and then communicates this data to a LoRaWAN network.

Activation

  • The Ultrasonic LoRaWAN sensor works in conjunction with a LoRaWAN network and a connected platform and before activation must first be registered with both. Access to the LoRaWAN backend server is required to verify that the unit has correctly joined the network. See User Manual for further details.
  • Ensure that the LoRaWAN™ network is within communication range of the sensor. This should occur before the sensor is physically fitted onto the Tank. The sensor supports one factory configurable sub-band between 1 and 8.
  • Place the sensor as close as possible to the point of installation, press the button for 1 second to connect to the LoRaWAN network and upload a status message.
    • The LED will stay illuminated as the sensor registers:
    • Red LED flashing = The sensor is registering & connecting for the first time. (Sensor is shipped in dormant state).
    • Green LED flashing = The sensor is already registered. The connection process will take between 20 & 40 seconds.
    • After the connection has completed, the LED will flash on & off (to indicate whether the connection was a success or failure).

LED Patterns

  • Press and hold the button for approximately 1 second, until the LED turns green.
  • Wait approximately 10-20 seconds and observe if the LED flashes green or red. See the following for description of Green/Red LED flash codes.

LED Radio Signal Strength Flash Codes:

LED Pattern Function
Green X 3 Flashes Excellent signal strength
Green X 2 Flashes Good signal strength
Green X 1 Flash Adequate signal strength
Alternate Green / Red Flash Weak signal strength

Weak signal strength: Try 5 times and if this response is stable then it’s deemed adequate. If the sensor shows some double red flashes during this signal strength test – Sensor may need to be elevated for

best performance.

LED Error Flash Codes:

LED

Pattern

| Function
---|---
Red X 1

Flash

| Device registered with an incorrect AppKey.
Red X 2

Flashes

| No response from LoRaWAN network
Red X 3

Flashes

| General Error. Please try again. If the error

persists, contact the supplier for support.

Installation

The following outlines the Ultrasonic LoRaWAN sensor mounting options.

  • The sensor must sit in a vertical position on top of the tank and be fitted such that the sensor has a clear path to the tank contents. Position it so that there are no internal obstructions that may interfere with the ultrasonic signal.

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-3

  • If obstacles cannot be avoided, then a waveguide may be required. Please refer to Appendix 1 for further details.
  • Locate a suitably positioned threaded opening on the top of the tankto hold the sensor.
    • The sensor will fit directly into threaded 2” BSP (British StandardPipe) existing tank connections.
    • Ensure that the rubber seal is placed, and that the sensor is screwed correctly into the tank. Do not over-tighten!
  • For tanks that do not contain a suitably positioned threaded openingon the top of the tank to hold the sensor, please refer to Appendix 2 & 5.

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-4

Appendix 1: Standard Waveguide

  • For the waveguide option, source a suitable pipe to act as the waveguide. This pipe should have an outer diameter of 40mm. The recommended pipe material is PVC (domestic waste pipe is often used). Other materials are possible but should be checked for chemical resistance to fuel oil.

  • The pipe should be cleanly cut to length. The length required should be measured from the top of the tank (where the sensor is to be mounted) to that of the fuel outlet point (as shown).

Note: The bottom of the pipe should be a minimum of 5cm from the base (floor) of the tank to prevent it from touching in the case of tank dimensional changes due to temperature etc.

  • The waveguide pipe should be securely attached via the two screws provided and hand tightened (Note: over-tightening the screws can damage the plastic). Drill a 1.5mm pilot hole in 2 opposite tabs of the adaptor to guide the screws.
  • Care should be taken to keep the sensor and pipe vertically aligned and supported, while fitting during the installation.
  • Insert the rubber seal ring (supplied) and position it on the face of the adaptor that is screwed onto the top of the tank.
  • Insert the whole assembly carefully into the tank, taking care not to loosen the pipe, and fit into position. Hand tighten the assembly until the rubber seal locks into position.
  • The use of a waveguide requires that the Ultrasonic LoRaWAN sensor be configured with a waveguide ultrasonic profile from the LoRaWAN server.
    Note: the default sensor configuration is non-waveguide mode and the measurements will be inaccurate unless a waveguide configuration mode is used.
    Note: The use of this Waveguide option is limited to a range of 3m and not 4m as per standard operation.

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-7

Appendix 2: Drilling procedure for Mounting adaptor.

  • Choose a flat spot on the top of the tank.
  • Use a 45.5mm tapping drill to drill a 1 ½” BSP hole on the surface of the tank.
  • Place the foam gasket over the hole followed by the mounting adaptor.
  • Place mounting plate seal in the required groove of the mounting adaptor.
  • Tighten on to tank with 2 stainless steel self-tapping, counter sunk screws, supplied. Do not over tighten!
  • Screw the sensor into the adaptor. Ensure that the sensor is vertical on the tank and screwed correctly into the base and that the threads have not crossed, to give a secure seal.
    Note: Some threading will still be visible after the sensor has been secured.

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-8

Appendix 3: Multi-Thread Adaptor

  • For tanks that do not contain a suitably positioned threaded opening on the top of the tank to hold the sensor, the pre-existing 2” adaptor will need to be removed from the sensor and replaced with a multi-thread adaptor, shown below.

  • Remove the 2” adaptor by unscrewing the M3.5×10 Pozi screws x 4 that attach it to the base of the ultrasonic sensor.

  • The Multi-Thread adaptor should be attached to the pairing adaptor using No.8x13mm Pozi screws x 2.

  • The pairing adaptor should then be attached to the ultrasonic sensor base using the M3.5×10 Pozi screws x 4 that previously held the 2” adaptor in place.

Note: This adaptor can also be used with the waveguide option but will require a 36mm pipe. The waveguide pipe should be securely attached via the two grub screws provided and hand tightened with an M1.5 Allen key (Note: over-tightening the grub screws can damage the plastic).

Appendix 4: Multi-Thread Adaptor Waveguide

  • For the waveguide option when using the Multi-Thread adaptor, source a suitable pipe to act as the waveguide. This pipe should conform the dimensions in the figure below in order to fit the sensor. The recommended pipe material is PVC (domestic waste pipe is often used). Other materials are possible but should be checked for chemical resistance to fuel oil.
  • Cross-section of waveguide pipe assembly:

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-11

  • The pipe should be cleanly cut to length. The length required should be measured from the top of the tank (where the sensor is to be mounted) to that of the fuel outlet point (as shown).

Note: The bottom of the pipe should be a minimum of 5cm from the base (floor) of the tank to prevent it from touching in the case of tank dimensional changes due to temperature etc.

  • The waveguide pipe should be securely attached via the two grub screws and hand tightened with an M1.5 Allen key (Note: over-tightening the grub screws can damage the plastic). Care should be taken to keep the sensor and pipe vertically aligned and supported, while fitting during the installation.

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-13
Note: Depending on the weight, length and surface finish of the pipe, it may be necessary to glue it into position. In this case a hole should be drilled near the top of the waveguide pipe, just below the adapter, to ensure that any trapped air can exit.

  • Insert the correctly sized rubber seal ring, as required for the tank opening (supplied), and position it on the face of the adapter that is screwed onto the top of the tank.

  • Insert the whole assembly carefully into the tank, taking care not to loosen the pipe, and fit into position. Hand tighten the assembly until the rubber seal locks into position.

Appendix 5: Drilling procedure for Multi-Thread adaptor.

  • Set up Multi-Thread adaptor as indicated in Appendix 3.
  • Choose a flat spot on the top of the tank.
  • Use a 45.5mm tapping drill to drill a 1 ½” BSP hole on the surface of the tank.
  • Place the foam gasket over the hole followed by the mounting adaptor.
  • Tighten on to tank with 2 stainless steel self-tapping, counter sunk screws, supplied. Do not over tighten!
  • Screw the sensor into the adaptor. Ensure that the sensor is vertical on the tank and screwed correctly into the base and that the threads have not crossed, to give a secure seal.

Tekelek-US-915mhz-Ultrasonic-LoRaWAN-sensor-fig-15

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