Farmfit LLC FFC2G1915 Farm Fit System User Manual

Farmfit LLC FFC2G1915 Farm Fit System

Product Information

Specifications

• Core feature: Alerts and notifications of core body temperatures from each bolus right to your phone
• Benefits: Early diagnosis of calf illness, work-flow and labor optimization, full traceability of animals and interventions, improved animal comfort, around-the-clock monitoring
• Components included in the equipment package:
  • Industrial Gateway
  • Collector kit
  • 865/900 MHz Directional Antenna
  • Boluses (shipped in boxes of 100 units)

Product Usage Instructions

Installation
To install the Farm Fit system, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Equipment Check
  Open the equipment package and inspect the contents. Ensure you have all the necessary hardware components.

• Step 2: Necessary Tools
  Gather the necessary tools for installation as per the equipment package.

• Step 3: Installation Instructions
  Consult the equipment location site plan. Match the items in the package with the locations on the plan. If any pieces are missing, contact a FarmfitTM or ST representative.

• Step 4: Industrial Gateway Installation
  Install the Industrial Gateway at the designated location on the site plan. Follow any special instructions provided for optimal operation.

• Step 5: Gateway Set Up
  Wait for the Gateway to boot up and connect to the Internet. Once the lights turn green, the device is online.

• Step 6: Collector Installation
  Install Collectors as per the locations marked on the equipment location site plan. Follow specific instructions provided for each collector location to ensure satisfactory performance.

FAQ

• Q: What should I do if I am missing pieces from the equipment package?
  A: Contact a FarmfitTM or ST representative to obtain the missing pieces for installation.

• Q: How do I know if the Gateway is online?
  A: When the lights on the front of the Gateway turn green, it indicates that the device is online and operational.

Alerts and notifications of core body temperatures from each bolus right to your phone.

• Early diagnosis of calf illness
• Work-flow and labor optimization
• Full traceability of animals and interventions
• Improve animal comfort
• Around-the-clock monitoring

To install the Farm Fit system you will need the following things:

• An equipment location site plan was developed during the site survey.
  A copy of the site survey should be included with the equipment package. If not, contact a Farmfit™ or ST representative.

• An equipment package.
  The equipment package should include all hardware that needs to be installed.

• Tools
  Before beginning installation, open the equipment package and inspect the contents. Each package will have a minimum of 1 of each of the following items.

Industrial Gateway

An Industrial Gateway will come packaged with these items.

• Gateway
• Power Cable
• 2.4GHz Antenna
• Cat-5 Ethernet Cable
• Zip Ties
• Mounting Hardware

Collector

A Collector kit will come packaged with these items.

• Collector
• Power Cable
• 2.4GHz Antenna
• 865/900 MHz Directional Antenna
• Brackets
• Zip Ties
• Mounting Hardware
• Mounting bracket

Directional Antenna

865/900 MHz Directional Antenna

Bolus
Boluses* are shipped in boxes of 100 units. (depending on the size of the facility)

• Operate on 865/900 MHz GFSK

Additional items

• The equipment package may come with additional pieces not discussed above. These can be items such as Gateway Range Extenders or Solar Powered Collectors.
• These items, as well as their necessary locations, will be called out specifically in the Equipment Location Site plan.
• It is important to note that these items are specialty case use and may or may not be included in your equipment package.

Necessary Tools

You will need the following tools to install the equipment.

• Cordless drill
• Ladder (Sft.)
• Phillips head screwdriver/bit
• 5/16” Hex head driver/bit
• 1/4” Hex head driver/bit
• Side cutter
• 1/8” Drill bit

Installation Instructions

Begin by consulting the equipment location site plan and matching the items in the equipment package with the equipment locations in the plan. Make sure that all of the necessary pieces have been allocated for the locations in the site plan. If any pieces are missing, consult a Farmfit™ or ST representative to obtain the missing pieces.

The first item that needs to be installed is the Industrial Gateway. There should be a location marked on the site plan for this with notes for where to mount the device and any special considerations that should be taken for the system to operate optimally

Gateway Set Up

• Step 1.
  Mount the Gateway in the location specified in the site plan. If no location is specified, locate the Gateway near enough to the internet connection point specified in the site plan that the included Cat-5 Network Cable will reach, and close enough to an outlet that the included power can also reach.

• Step 2.
  If mounting to a wall, use the included wall anchors by marking the mounting hole locations on the gateway, drilling a 1/8” hole in each location, and inserting the anchors into the holes. Then use the phillips head screws to attach the Gateway to the wall.

• Step 3.
  Attach the 2.4GHz Antenna to the Gateway by screwing it on. Once it is snugly threaded on, rotate the antenna and bend it if necessary so that it is perpendicular to the ground.

• Step 4.
  Connect one end of the Cat-5 Network Cable to the network port on the Gateway.

• Step 5.
  Connect the other end of the Cat-5 Network Cable to an open network port on the facility’s existing Internet network. An empty port on a router or switch is sufficient, as long as it has an Internet connection.

• Step 6.
  Plug the included power supply into an open outlet.

• Step 7.
  Plug the power supply’s barrel connection into the power port on the Gateway.

• Step 8.
  Use the included cable ties to secure the Network cable and Power cable out of the way if necessary.

It will take a moment for the Gateway to boot up and connect to the Internet. When the lights on the front have turned green, the device is online.

Once the Gateway is in place and activated, begin installing the Collectors. The locations for these will be marked on the equipment location site plan. If applicable, the site plan will have notes for each collector location that will detail specific instructions that will need to be followed to obtain satisfactory performance from the system.

CAUTION:
Failure to follow these instructions may result In poor system performance. Every effort should be taken to adhere to these specific notes, where applicable, to ensure proper system performance. The following steps should be followed for each Collector being Installed.

Collector Installation

• Step 1.
  consult the site plan, and any installation notes to identify the Collector location.

• Step 2.
  Attach the appropriate mounting material to the collector.

• Step 3.
  If mounting to a wall, wooden post, or mounting bracket, attach the included stainless steel mounting feet to the back of the Collector housing using the Included Philips head screws. use a minimum of 2, 5/16” hex head self-tapping screws and a cordless drill with a 5/16” nut driver attachment to secure the Collectors’ stainless steel mounting feet to the surface.

• Step 4.
  If mounting to a round pole, attach the pole mounting bracket using the included bracket instructions. Then, use a minimum of 2, 5/16” hex head self- tapping screws and a cordless drill with a 5/16” nut driver attachment to secure the Collectors’ stainless steel mounting feet to the surface of the pole bracket.

• Step 5.
  Attach the 2.4GHz antenna (approximately 3 inches in length) to the Collector by screwing it snugly onto the threaded antenna fitting to the LEFT side of the Collector housing.

• Step 6.
  Mount the 865/900 MHz directional antenna (large white square) to the wall, wooden post, or mounting bracket using a minimum of 2, 5/16” hex head self- tapping screws.
  NOTE: When mounting this antenna, care should be taken to ensure that it is mounted so that the cable from the antenna Is coming from the BOTTOM of the antenna housing. If the cable is coming out In any other direction, then the antenna housing may fill with condensation over time and cause failure. There are drain holes at the bottom of the antenna housing to allow moisture to leave so correctly mounting the antenna will prevent any future issues that may lead to failure.

• Step 7.
  Attach the RP-SMA fitting on the end of the antenna cable to the threaded antenna fitting on the RIGHT side of the Collector housing by screwing it on.
  NOTE: It is important that this fitting be completely screwed on. If the cable Is pulled to the side it can bind the fitting and make It seem like It Is completely attached when it is not. Double-check the tightness of this fitting by moving the cable to remove any strain and tightening by hand again. Care should be taken not to over-tighten the connection, as this can cause damage. Hand tightening and then giving It one snug twist with a pair of pliers should be sufficient.

• Step 8.
  Connect the power cable by plugging the female end of the cable into the power block connection on the bottom of the Collector housing, then plug the male blade end into a nearby outlet.
  NOTE: Once the power cable is connected you should see the LEDs inside the Collector housing light up. If they do not activate, push the power switch located next to the power cable on the bottom of the collector housing to the ON position.

• Step 9.
  Verify that the Collector is functioning. The LED on the LEFT side of the board inside the housing will turn on solid to indicate that the Collector is active. After a few seconds, this will begin blinking as one of the onboard radio systems connects to the Gateway, which was previously installed .

• Step 10.
  Secure any cables using the included cable ties and self-tapping screws as needed. If the equipment site plan requires a Solar Powered Collector the installation will be slightly different. Each solar-powered collector will come in a single large enclosure with a separate support arm for the solar panel. These can be mounted to metal or wooden posts in the locations specified in the equipment location site plan. The steps below should be followed for each Solar Powered Collector being installed.

• Step 1.
  Consult the site plan and any installation notes to identify the Solar Powered Collector location.

• Step 2.
  Mount the solar panel to the support arm following the enclosed instructions. Set the solar panel aside, face down.
  CAUTION: Once the solar panel is exposed to light it will begin generating electricity. Care should be taken to avoid shortening the wire ends. Cover the positive (RED) wire with electrical tape to insulate it until you are ready to connect it to the charge controller.

• Step 3.
  If mounting to a wall use 4, 1.5” long 5/16” hex head self-tapping screws and a cordless drill with a 5/16” nut driver attachment to secure the solar enclosures’ mounting tabs to the wall.

• Step 4.
  If mounting to a round pole, attach the solar enclosures’ mounting tabs to the pole using the included round clamps. Tighten using a 5/16” nut driver and a cordless drill.

• Step 5.
  Attach the solar panel bracket assembly to the mounting surface in the same manner as the enclosure. This should be mounted above the enclosure so that it faces the sun, and at a sufficient height above the enclosure to not interfere with antenna placement.

• Step 6.
  Attach the 2.4GHz antenna ( approximately 3 inches in length) to the enclosure by screwing it snugly onto the threaded antenna fitting to the LEFT side of the enclosure

• Step 7.
  Mount the 865/900 MHz directional antenna (large white square) using a minimum of 2, 5/16” hex head self-tapping screws.
  NOTE: When mounting this antenna, care should be taken to ensure that it is mounted so that the cable from the antenna is coming from the BOTTOM of the antenna housing. If the cable is coming out in any other direction, then the antenna housing may fill with condensation over time and cause failure. There are drain holes at the bottom of the antenna housing to allow moisture to leave so correctly mounting the antenna will prevent any future issues that may lead to failure.

• Step 8.
  Attach the RP-SMA fitting on the end of the antenna cable to the threaded antenna fitting on the RIGHT side of the enclosure by screwing it on.
  NOTE: It is important that this fitting be completely screwed on. If the cable is pulled to the side it can bind the fitting and make it seem like it is completely attached when it is not. Double-check the tightness of this fitting by moving the cable to remove any strain and tightening by hand again. Care should be taken not to over-tighten the connection, as this can cause damage. Hand tightening and then giving it one snug twist with a pair of pliers should be sufficient.

• Step 9.
  Run the power cable from the solar panel into the enclosure. To do this, first open the enclosure by clicking the two tabs on the right side and swing the door open. Next, locate the split rubber grommet on the bottom of the enclosure. Feed the power cable from the solar panel into this grommet.

• Step 10.
  Connect the power cable to charge the controller beginning with the negative (BLACK) wire. The location to connect this is marked on the charge controller. Feed the bare wire into the connector and then tighten it down using a flat
  head screwdriver. Once the negative wire is connected, remove the electrical tape from the positive wire and repeat the same steps as before in the positive connection location.

• Step 11.
  Using the LCD on the charge controller, verify the power output to the collector board mounted inside. This should be between 11 volts and 15 volts.

• Step 12.
  Verify that the Collector is functioning. The LED on the LEFT side of the board on the door will turn on solid to indicate that the Collector is active. After a few seconds, this will begin blinking as one of the onboard radio systems connects to the Gateway, which was previously installed.

• Step 13.
  Secure any cables using the included cable ties and self-tapping screws as needed.

How to access Farmfit

• Go to https://stfarmfit.com/.
• Hit the “Login” button in the top right hand corner.
• Input your login credentials, if you do not have a login please contact your ST sales rep or a Farmfit™team member.

Farmfit App for Smart Device

If using IOS (Apple)

• Search “starlit” in the App Store.
• Download
• Input your login credentials.
  • If you do not have a login, please contact your ST sales rep or a Farmfit™ team member. Login credentials for the app and desktop are the same.

If using Android

• Search “Farmfit” in the Google Play Store.
• Download
• Input your login credentials.
  • If you do not have a login, please contact your ST sales rep or a Farmfit™ team member. Login credentials for the app and desktop are the same.

Information needed to make an account: First and Last Name, Email, Phone number, Role/position held on the farm.

1. Login to stfarmfit.com
2. Scroll down to the settings area on the lefthand column and select Users.
3. Select the Create New User button located in the top right-hand of the screen.
4. Fill in the general user information.
5. Go through the steps listed at the top of the screen.
   • User roles
   1. Select the role of the user on the farm and click “Add Selected”
   • App Menu and Web menu
   • Select the widgets desired to be used and click “Add Selected”
   • Widgets may be autogenerated into the list. If needed, you can remove a widget by hitting the red trashcan button to the left of the widget name.
   • User Barns
   • You can skip this step if the farm is not using this function. If different barns will be added and managed separately, then select and add any barns the user needs to be granted access.
   • User Farm
   • Add any other farms that the user needs to access.
6. When finished select the Finish button at the bottom right-hand side of the screen.

Assigning a bolus to an animal

Note:
Before enrolling animals into Farmfit™, a Farmfit™ Specialist will assist in integrating herd management software into Farmfit™ and pull all current animal inventory into the system.

• Step 1
  Open the ST Farmfit™ App on your smart device.

• Step 2
  Tap and open the “Tag Assign” widget on the home page.

• Step 3
  Manually enter or scan RFID (with a scanner connected to a smart device) to populate the Animal ID.

• Step 4
  Click the green button beside “New Bolus ID number” to activate the camera on your smart device. Then place the bolus bar code in the viewing window to scan the bolus and populate the bolus ID. You may also manually enter the bolus ID on the bottom of the bar code label into the window.

• Step 5
  Press “Update” to link the Animal ID to the Bolus ID

Administering a bolus

Needed equipment

• Step 1
  Open the box of boluses and note the bolus spreadsheet inside the box on the upper surface of the boluses. The black circle on the foam in one inside corner of the box corresponds to the upper left bolus ID identified on the spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is a backup to your software to enable blousing in the event a functioning smart device is not available. In this event, bolus IDs should have unique animal IDs written legibly beside them to enable entry into the software at a later time.

• Stthe ep 2
  Remove bolus from the box. Always start by removing the bolus at one corner and proceed in an organized manner down the row. This will allow troubleshooting of bolus ID in the event a mistake is made.

• Step 3
  Safely restrain animals to prevent injury to individuals or animals.

• Step 4
  Assign bolus to the animal using the “Assign a bolus to an animal” instructions above

• Step 5
  Insert the bolus into the appropriately sized bolus applicator for the animal. Place the bolus into the applicator with the magnet facing out of the applicator.

• Step 6
  Pass the bolus applicator and bolus into the mouth and down the esophagus as far as comfortably possible without using force or damaging the throat of the animal.

• Step 7
  Depress the plunger to release the bolus from the bolus applicator.

• Step 8
  For calves, palpate the sides of the throat to identify if a bolus has not been swallowed. If a bolus is palpated in the throat, place a hand on each side of the neck and gently rub toward the mouth toward the brisket to assist the calf in swallowing the bolus.

• Step 9
  Ensure the animal swallows the bolus. Boluses that are not properly administered in larger animals may be regurgitated or ejected from the mouth. These may be re-administered. Check animal ID and ensure the bolus ID matches the animal before re-administering the bolus. If you have a picture of inserting the bolus into the applicator or administering the bolus, please include these images. Utilizing the system In-person, online, and digital training will be provided to assist users in learning and utilizing all the features of the Farmfit™ software. Boluses should begin transmitting data once they have warmed inside the animal to normal animal temperature. Data will be transmitted every 15 minutes. Data are constantly monitored for patterns that indicate an alert is warranted. Alert lists are available on the desktop at www.stfarmfit.com.

Safety and Compliance section

FCC compliance statement

• FCC ID: 2BEWM-FFC2G1915 (Bolus)
• FCC ID: 2BEWM-FFCOLAC1915 (AC Collector)
  • Contains FCC ID: MCQ-XBEE3

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, under part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used by the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.

Caution:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

The equipment complies with FCC RF exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment must be installed and operated by provided instructions and the antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. End-users and installers must be provided with antenna installation instructions and transmitter operating conditions for satisfying RF exposure compliance.

ISED Canada compliance statement

• IC: 32056-FFC2G1915 (Bolus)
• IC: 32056-FFCOLAC1915 (AC collector)
  • Contains IC: 1846A-XBEE3

This device complies with ISED’s license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. this device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES‐003. CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
The radiated output power of the Wireless Device is below the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) radio frequency exposure limits. The Wireless Device should be used in such a manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized. This device has also been evaluated and shown compliant with the ISED RF Exposure limits under portable exposure conditions. This device has also been evaluated and shown compliant with the ISED RF Exposure limits under mobile exposure conditions. (antennas are greater than 20 cm from a person’s body).

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References

• Farmfit
• Farmfit

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