Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit User Manual

Solenoid Kit

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Solenoid Kit

English

Instruction Manual
Version S1.3 : 260511
©copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Bluelab Corporation Limited

Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

Congratulations on purchasing the Bluelab
Solenoid Dosetronic kit.

The Bluelab Dosetronic® offers growers a simple solution
for automatic dosing. Simply program the controller for
the conductivity, temperature and pH values that you want
your system to run at, and then tailor the dosing intervals
to suit the size of your mixing tank. Simple!

By using high performance conductivity, temperature and
pH probes, the Bluelab Dosetronic will control the strength
of your re-circulating solution to a high level of accuracy.
When it detects that the conductivity, temperature or pH
levels have fallen outside of your pre-programmed set
points, it will automatically trigger the dosing of more
nutrient or pH adjustor until those levels have stabilised.
This means you can spend more time doing the things you
enjoy and less maintaining your system.

Bluelab Corporation Limited

Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

The Dosetronic has proven itself in the hydroponic
market worldwide for over 20 years and has earned
itself an international reputation for excellence. This is
why so many commercial growers are using the Bluelab
Dosetronic to save time, money and improve their yield.

It is one of the most simple, robust and reliable controllers
in its class!

Version S1.3 : 260511

Bluelab Corporation Limited

Contents

Quick Guide

1.1 Quick Guide 1

1.2 Dosetronic Kit Contents 2

1.3 System Overview 3

1.4 Dosetronic Control Panel 4

1.5 Dosetronic Connection Panel 5

Dosetronic System Installation and Wiring 7

2.1 Overview 7

2.2 Nutrient Tank Set-up 7

2.3 Stock Solution Location 8

2.4 Solenoid System Set-up 8

2.5 Mount Dosetronic Control Case 9

2.6 Solenoid connection 10

2.7 Probe connection and placement 11

2.8 Heater/Cooler setup 12

2.9 External Alarm and Lockout Box (optional) 13

2.10 Mount External Alarm (optional) 13

2.11 Alarm Box Internal Overview (optional) 14

2.12 Wiring Alarm and External Lockout (optional) 15

2.13 Main Power 16

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Contents

Display Setup 17

3.1 Overview 17

3.2 Monitor only 18

3.3 Units 19

3.4 Control Direction 20

3.5 Required / Alarms 21-22

3.6 On Times 23

3.7 Off Times 24

3.8 Calibrate 25

3.9 pH Calibration 25

3.10 Conductivity Calibration 26

3.11 Control 27

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Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

Preparing System to Run 29

4.1 Prepare the Dosetronic system to run 29

4.2 Manual override Control 30

Maintenance 31

5.1 Conductivity probe cleaning 31

5.2 pH probe cleaning 32

5.3 Solenoid maintenance 33-34

Trouble shooting 35

6.1 Overview 35

6.2 Error messages 35

6.3 Error FAQ 36

Speci cations 37

Lockout Switches 39

2 year Guarantee Registration Form 41

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1.1 Quick Guide

This page shows a quick guide
to setting up the Dosetronic in
monitor mode. It serves as a quick
way to check that the controller is
operational.

1. Prior to mounting, attach
the Temperature, pH and

Conductivity probe to

Dosetronic unit.

2. Plug in power adaptor.

3. Place probes in solution.

4. Wait a few minutes for readings
to stabilise.

5

Monitor mode

WaterAir

pH probe

2.4

2.7

2.1

28

5.65.6

5.9

2.4

2.1

1

Menu change

Temperature probe

2

Power adaptor

2

3

2

Conductivity probe

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1.2 Dosetronic Kit Contents

Bluelab Dosetronic

Controller

Power Supply

Temperature Power in and Power out cables
(country specific)

pH probe

Conductivity Probe

Temperature Probe

3 x 24VAC Solenoids with power supply and leads

pH 7.0, pH 4.0 and EC 2.77 single use Solution
Sachets

Instruction manual

OPTIONAL: Alarm box, pH probe with ATC

®

Solenoid kit

Solenoid
power supply

Instruction
Manual

3 x 24VAC
Solenoids

Temperature
Probe

pH 7.0, pH 4.0,
EC 2.77 single use
solution sachets

Bluelab pH probe
(standard probe
supplied)

Dosetronic controller
Power Supply

Temperature in &
out power cables
(country specific)

Conductivity
Probe

Solenoid
Connector leads

Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

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1.3 System Overview

It is useful to plan
where the labelled components
will be situated before beginning
installation of the system. Generally
the components are installed in this
order.

Dosetronic

Power

Power 5V DC

Alarm

Heat / Cool device

Setup Order

Nutrient Tank

1

(measuring air) (measuring water)

3

Temperature

probe

Solenoid

Power

Power 24V AC

pH probe

Conductivity probe

Stock Solutions

Nutrient BNutrient A

2

pH

(lower or raise)

Breather Tubes

Stock Solution

2

Dosetonic Controller

3

Nutrient agitator/mixer

1

To Crop

* Your temperature probe needs to be in the medium you are controlling for example if you are
controlling air temperature, your probe needs to be in the air you are trying to control.

Crop return

Fresh water in

3

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1.4 Dosetronic Control Panel

Actual readings

Measurement

Selection

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Required readings

Mode selection menu

Control direction Units

Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

Conductivity

Temperature

pH

pH calibration
indicators

pH ATC

Automatic

Temperature

Compensation

1.2

18

6.5

Display brightness

increase/decrease

Value

1.3

16

6.8

Alarm &
Alarm indicator

Mode selection

keys

External lockout

indicator

4

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Power

pH

Dosing system

TemperatureConductivity

pH ATC

Alarm

Power Input

DC INPUT: 5V --- 3A

Temperature

Power Out

Temperature

Power In

1

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1.5 Dosetronic Connection Panel

Temperature

control

power in

Temperature

control

power out

Note: When inserting connector,
rotate to ensure it mates correctly.
Do not force it or you may bend/
damage pins. Fasten locking ring if
applicable.

Alarm & external
lockout box (optional)

Temperature probe

pH ATC (optional)

pH probe

Conductivity probe

Solenoids
Main power

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Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

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Dosetronic System Installation and Wiring

2.1 Overview

To effectively set up the Dosetronic system you
must plan for where all the components of the
system will be placed. It will be helpful to refer
to the larger picture of the System overview on

page 3.

This section highlights the steps in chronological
order you need to take for installation of the
Dosetronic Solenoid kit.

Please read through this section and sketch a
rough system layout on the opposite page before
installation.

2.2 Nutrient Tank Set-up

The nutrient tank requires a constant water level.
Water regulators such as a plastic ball cock or
float switch are necessary.

For large tanks, mixing and/or aeration systems
are required. If there is no mixing system in
smaller tanks, stock solutions should be fed in
where the crop return and fresh water enters the
tank.

To Crop

solenoid tubing

Note:
Probes can be
submerged

Maximum

Pump

um

distance

Nutrient tank with submersible

pump

Crop return

fresh water in

Nutrient A & B must

not mix before entering

the water or else

precipitation will occur.

Also, do not place tubing

into the water or the

nutrient will not be able

to flow into the tank

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2.3 Stock Solution Location

The solenoids rely on gravity to deliver nutrient and pH adjuster
into the nutrient tank. This means the stock solution tanks must be
above the nutrient mixing tank.

Align stock tanks above nutrient tank.

2.4 Solenoid System Set-up

The solenoids dose nutrient and pH adjuster to your tank at defined
intervals. These intervals are set in the on times and off times
found in the mode menu. The instructions for this are on page 23
and 24.

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Breather tube must be
higher than the nutrient
level inside the stock
solution tanks.

Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

1. Drill a 18mm (3/4”) diameter hole near the bottom of each stock
tank. Ensure tank is empty before drilling. Remove drilling
residue (swarf) from the inside of the stock tank as this can clog
the solenoids.

2. Insert sealing grommet. Seal must be tight, a firm push

is required. See figure 1.

3. Insert the solenoids into the grommets.

4. Label tanks Nutrient A, Nutrient B and pH.

5. Secure breather tube to the top of the stock tank to avoid

spillage.

6. Place the feed hoses from the solenoids to the main tank.

To ensure even dosing of Nutrient A & B the tubes have to be

the same length. Nutrient A & B must drop into the tank, do
not mix before entering the water.

7. Test stock tanks for water tightness. Fill with nutrient or pH

adjust solution.

To prevent acid

damage on your

piping & fi ttings,

make sure you dilute

your acid solution to

5% or less.

To gain greater control

of conductivity, mix

nutrient A and B as per

nutrient manufacturers

instructions.

Figure 1 - sealing grommet

Tank

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Nutrient BNutrient A

2.5 Mount Dosetronic Control Case

The Dosetronic has an indoor, splash-proof case and should
be installed in close proximity to your system.

Steps

1. Locate area

Find appropriate flat vertical surface to mount Doestronic
controller.

The Dosetronic controller cables need to be within reach of the
solenoids, nutrient tank and power outlet.

2. Secure Controller

Avoid mounting near electrical

mains and other
powered devices

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Keep Dosetronic out of

direct sunlight

Secure Dosetronic to the wall with the fasteners provided.

DO NOT mount the Dosetronic below the

nutrient tanks. Possible leakage from

the tanks could damage the controller.

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Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

Bluelab Corporation Limited

Power

pH

Dosing system

TemperatureConductivity

pH ATC

Alarm

Power Input

DC INPUT: 5V --- 3A

Temperature

Power Out

Temperature

Power In

2

2.6 Solenoid Connection

Steps

1. Plug main solenoid lead into Dosetronic case.

2. Each pair of connectors is labelled for identifi cation.

3. The main lead has three leads that branch from
it. Each lead has two plugs, attach both of these

to the top two connectors of each solenoid. There
is no connector for the bottom terminal (polarity
is not important).

4. Connect the solenoid power source
(24V AC) to the solenoid leads.
Run lead sets from the solenoids
around the back of the stock

solution tanks as pictured

Power
24V AC

Attach eachv lead with two

plugs to solenoid

A

A

Nutrient A

Nutrient B

pH

(lower or raise)

Bluelab Dosetronic Solenoid Kit

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