carmanah MX Series Compact Solar Engine 15 Watts of Power User Guide
- July 25, 2024
- carmanah
Table of Contents
carmanah MX Series Compact Solar Engine 15 Watts of Power
Specifications
- Product Name: MX Series Chevron Warning Sign System
- Manufacturer: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
- Operating Mode: Always On (default)
- System Type: Chevron Sign
- Equipped with Radar: Yes/No
Product Usage Instructions
1. Chevron Overview
For chevron warning sign applications, follow the commissioning steps outlined in the manual after completing a site survey.
2. General Installation Notes
Ensure the system is installed correctly based on your application and requirements.
3. Typical Site Layout
Refer to the MX Chevron Overview for a typical site layout. Orient the site as shown from left to right when viewed from across the street.
4. Site Survey
Fill in the table provided for each system on-site, including details like system name, serial numbers, and radar equipment status.
5. Initial Setup
- Connect to the system designated as POS1 (Left Leader).
- Rename the system as recommended in Section 1.3.
- Change the Operation Mode to Trigger/Standby.
- Change the System Type to Chevron Sign.
- Configure Link Settings and apply them.
- Repeat the setup steps for all remaining systems.
6. Configuration
- Connect to POS1 system.
- Open Chevron Configuration menu.
- Adjust Individual System Settings based on your installation needs.
FAQ
- Q: Can the Chevron systems be programmed for different flashing modes?
- A: Yes, the systems can be set for 24-hour flashing, dusk-to-dawn flashing, or radar-triggered modes.
- Q: Can both Left Leader and Right Leader be radar-equipped?
- A: Only Left Leader and/or Right Leader can be radar equipped. If radar equipped, the systems will flash as vehicles are detected during setup.
**READ BEFORE COMMISSIONING CHEVRON SYSTEM*****
To fully commission your chevron equipped MX system, the MX Field App is required. The MX Field App wirelessly communicates with MX systems for programming, configuration and diagnostics. It utilizes the Bluetooth connection between your mobile device and the MX system. Once you download the app, a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to the internet is required to create and sign into your Profile. The MX Field App allows for system programming, scheduling, firmware updates and diagnostics from the ground without having to manually access the system. The MX Field App is available free of charge on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for compatible mobile devices. For more information see carmanah.com/app. Ensure you are running the latest version of the app before starting the commissioning.
Chevron Overview
For chevron warning sign applications, follow commissioning steps outlined in this document. Once you have completed a site survey, proceed with setup based on your application and requirements.
Note
Chevron warning signs will flash continuously by default using the Always On operating mode.
General Installation Notes
- Installation can be unidirectional or bidirectional.
- Maximum of ten chevron systems in total can be linked with each other.
- Line of site from one power module to next adjacent system is required for proper wireless communication.
- Flasher module maximum distance is 75′ away hardwired to its power module.
- Site survey (Section 1.3) should be completed for each installation.
- Chevron systems are identified from left to right when performing site survey.
- Left Leader = first position (system) from the left.
- Right Leader = last position (system) from the left.
- During initial setup (Section 1.4), systems should be renamed for easy identification.
- Flasher side is identified as you approach the system:
- Left = vehicles approach chevron sign on left or installed on left side of pole.
- Right = vehicles approach chevron sign on right or installed on right side of pole.
- N/A = only one chevron sign installed.
- Radar, if equipped, must be installed on Left Leader and/or Right Leader only.
- Sequential flashing can be split into “subgroups,” typically used for large curves containing six or more chevron systems.
Typical Site Layout
Refer to MX Chevron Overview below for a typical site layout. Orient site as shown from left to right as viewed from across the street
Site Survey
Fill in table below for each system on site.
- Recommended new system name = XXXX YYYY ZZ
- XXXX = last four digits of system serial number
- YYYY = Position # (POS1)
- ZZ = Left Leader (LL) or Right Leader (RL); if applicable
Position (POS)| Default System Name| New System Name|
Left Side Chevron S/N| Right Side Chevron S/N| Radar Equipped?
---|---|---|---|---|---
EXAMPLE
|
MX123456789
|
6789 POS1 LL
|
2401234567
|
2401234568
|
Yes
EXAMPLE
|
MX123456790
|
6790 POS2
|
2401234569
|
2401234570
|
No
EXAMPLE
|
MX123456791
|
6791 POS3 RL
|
2401234571
|
2401234572
|
No
1
| | | | |
2
| | | | |
3
| | | | |
4
| | | | |
5
| | | | |
6
| | | | |
7
| | | | |
8
| | | | |
9
| | | | |
10
| | | | |
Note
Table will be filled in as part of the setup in Section 1.4.
Initial Setup
- Connect to the system designated as POS1 (Left Leader).
- a. Use the “Identify System” button in the upper left ( ) to confirm you are connected to the correct system. b. Rename system as per recommendations in Section 1.3.
- c. Change Operation Mode to Trigger/Standby.
- d. Change System Type to Chevron Sign.
- e. Tap on Link Settings and then vertical ellipsis ( ).
- f. Tap on Custom Link and then Apply Link Settings.
- Repeat step 1 for all remaining systems. Once reaching step 1e for each system, tap on Paste Link and then choose Copied Settings from system POS1. Once complete, systems should:
- a. Be named accordingly.
- b. Be set to the same Operation Mode and System Type.
- c. Be linked together.
- Proceed to Section 1.5.
Note
Chevron systems can be programmed for 24-hour flashing, dusk-to-dawn flashing, or radar triggered. Only Left Leader and/or Right Leader can be radar-equipped
Note
If radar equipped, systems will flash as vehicles are detected while completing setup
Configuration
- Connect to POS1 system.
- Open Chevron Configuration menu.
- Tap on Individual System Settings and set each parameter based on your installation.
- a. Set Radar to N/A if system is not radar equipped.
- b. Tap Save to complete.
- Tap on Flasher Side and set chevron sign configuration.
- a. If you are unsure which flasher is which, use the “Test” button to confirm.
- b. Set to N/A for systems with one chevron sign per pole.
- c. Tap Save to complete.
- Connect to each remaining system and repeat steps 1 – 4.
- a. Last system in sequence should be assigned as Right Leader if radar is equipped.
- While still connected to last system in sequence, tap on Flash Pattern Settings.
- a. All linked systems and positions should be listed accordingly. Confirm this is accurate based on site survey and setup.
- b. Tap on “edit” button ( ).
- c. Adjust each setting based on your application.
- Section 1.6 – Synchronized Flashing
- Section 1.7 – Sequential Flashing
- Tap Done and then Update All to complete.
Individual System Settings
| Parameter | Description | Setting(s) | Notes |
|---|
Radar
| Denotes if Left Leader or Right Leader is equipped with a radar.| Not Applicable Left Leader Right Leader| Refer to site survey. Set to Not Applicable if system is not radar equipped.
Position
| Position of system, from left to right, within the sequence.| ****
1 – 10
| ****
Refer to site survey.
Flasher Side
| Parameter | Description | Setting(s) | Notes |
|---|
Flasher side
| Side of the pole the flasher is mounted on.| N/A
Left Right
| Set to N/A for systems with one chevron sign per pole.
Note
A warning will be displayed after tapping Update All if the system you are connected to is not linked to the value entered for Total Systems. Ensure you have linked to all systems properly
Synchronized Flashing
Flash Pattern Settings
| Parameter | Description | Setting(s) | Notes |
|---|
Total Systems
| Number of systems intended to be linked together.| ****
1 – 10 systems
|
Flashes Per Minute (FPM)
| Number of flashes each system will complete per minute.| ****
12 – 120 FPM
| ****
MUTCD standard is 50 – 60 FPM.
Sequential Flash Pattern
| ****
Not applicable for synchronized flashing.
| ****
OFF
| ****
Turn off for synchronized flashing.
Number of Subgroups
| ****
Not applicable for synchronized flashing.
| ****
N/A
|
Flash ON Time
| Duration of “on time” for a single chevron sign.| ****
100 – 500 ms
| Requires sequential flash pattern turned off.
Activation Mode
| Mode for how chevron signs are activated.| Always On
Trigger/Standby Dusk-to-Dawn
| Typically set to Trigger/Standby for radar equipped applications.
Duration
| ****
Duration of a triggered activation.
| ****
5 – 3600 s
| Requires Operating Mode to be set to Trigger/Standby.
Note
Once complete, synchronization may take a few minutes. Any future changes to these settings can be made while connected to any linked system. If systems do not synchronize, tap on the Update All button again and wait for changes to take effect.
Note
Settings above result in all linked chevron systems synchronized with each other
Sequential Flashing
Flash Pattern Settings
| Parameter | Description | Setting(s) | Notes |
|---|
Total Systems
| Number of systems intended to be linked together.| ****
1 – 10 systems
|
Flashes Per Minute (FPM)
| Number of flashes each system will complete per minute.| ****
12 – 120 FPM
| ****
MUTCD standard is 50 – 60 FPM.
Sequential Flash Pattern
| Unique flash pattern which starts from the Left/Right Leader and runs in sequence
to the last system.
| ****
ON/OFF
| ****
Requires two or more systems.
Number of Subgroups
| ****
Number of chevron signs that will flash together in the same sub-sequence.
| ****
1 – 5
| Requires sequential flash pattern turned on and a minimum even number of systems. This feature is typically only reserved for large curves with significant spacing between each system.
Set to 1 if you do not want any subgroups.
Flash ON Time
| ****
Not applicable for sequential flashing
| ****
N/A
| Flash ON time is automatically calculated based on FPM setting.
Activation Mode
| Mode for how chevron signs are activated.| Always On
Trigger/Standby Dusk-to-Dawn
| Typically set to Trigger/Standby for radar equipped applications.
Duration
| ****
Duration of a triggered activation.
| ****
5 – 3600 s
| Requires Operating Mode to be set to Trigger/Standby.
Note
Once complete, synchronization may take a few minutes. Any future changes to these settings can be made while connected to any linked system. If systems do not synchronize, tap on the Update All button again and wait for changes to take effect.
Note
Settings above result in all linked chevron systems flashing in sequence from triggered system (Left/Right leader) to the last system
Carmanah Technologies Corp. | 250 Bay St, Victoria, BC V9A 3K5, Canada |
- 1.250.380.0052 |
- customersupport@carmanah.com
- carmanah.com
References
- Systems for Traffic Beacons and Signs | Solar LED Beacons | Carmanah
- Download Carmanah's Mobile App - Carmanah Technologies
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