The following symbols indicate important safety
warnings and precautions throughout this manual.
They are dened as follows:
WARNING indicates that serious
bodily harm or death may result
from failure to adhere to the
precautions.
CAUTION indicates that damage
to equipment may result if the
instructions are not followed.
NOTE suggests optimal conditions
under which the equipment will
operate effectively and safely, or
provides additional information to
the reader.
Warranty Disclaimer
This manual will familiarize you with the features,
operation standards, and installation of Carmanah's
SC315 Rectangular Rapid Flasher Beacon series.
Failure to comply with the use, storage, maintenance,
installation or placement instructions detailed in this
manual could void the warranty.
Standards
Safety and Usage Precautions
Batteries are shipped fully-charged.
Use extreme caution when handling
the batteries as they are capable
of generating hazardous shortcircuit currents. Remove all jewelry
(bracelets, metal-strap watches,
etc.) before attempting to handle the
batteries.
Solar panels produce DC electricity
when exposed to light and can,
therefore, produce an electrical
shock or burn. To render solar
panels inoperative, remove them
from sunlight, or fully cover their
front surface with an opaque
material.
Before lifting any heavy or bulky
equipment, ensure that the load is
secured so that moving parts do
not shift and it can be lifted as far
as needed without back strain or
loss of grip. Installation may require
more than one person.
Ensure the equipment is not
powered during installation and
wiring of the system.
Re-check all completed wiring for
proper polarity prior to energizing
the system.
Perform all installation, wiring and maintenance in
conformance with local building and electrical codes.
Adherence to the National Electrical Code (NEC) is
mandatory to comply with any certication markings.
Non-adherence to code may void the warranty.
2
Changes or modications to
Carmanah equipment not expressly
approved by Carmanah could void
the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Feed the solar panel cable through the post adapter and down the post. Note the orientation of the hole for
the cable in the pole adapter. Seal the hole in the pole adapter with appropriate sealant.
Seal
hole with
appropriate
sealant
4
Lower the solar panel onto the pole adapter, and secure the pole mount set screws.
Orient the solar panel so it is facing the equator (pointing south if you are in the northern hemisphere).
Secure the pole adapter setscrews.
6
If required, the panel may be mounted higher on the pole by rotating the adapter plate. Note this orientation
is not recommended in high wind zone areas.
For the optional side pole solar mount, orientate the mount so it is facing the equator (pointing south if you
are in the northern hemisphere). Secure the mount to the pole using stainless steel banding.
Attach the solar panel to the mount and feed the cable down the pole. Seal the hole in the pole with
appropriate sealant.
If the optional audible push button was ordered, there will be an additional controller card in the cabinet and
the audible push button(s) will be included in the shipping box.
Install audible push button, running the cable from the pole, down the back of the button and into the
compartment at the bottom of the button. Replace the button connection compartment cover.
The system is factory programmed to operate and communicate to other units without conguration once
the battery is connected. See 'EMS Programming and Testing' section to adjust default settings and to
perform system testing. Close and secure cabinet door.
25
Ensure the solar panel is facing the equator (pointing south if you are in the northern hemisphere).
The Energy Management System (EMS) has
several programming functions and settings. These
are accessed through the Onboard User Interface
(OBUI). This section discusses the various functions,
settings and operation.
EMS Onboard User Interface
Operation
The EMS OBUI has three buttons to navigate and
change settings and activate functions as required.
The up button, down button and set button are used
to scroll through menus, access and change settings,
and accept new settings.
Use the up and down buttons to scroll through the
menu.
durA
Press and hold the set button to accept the new
setting. The display will ash 3 times to indicate the
setting has been accepted.
21
Set
Functions and Settings
The functions and settings are accessed through the
OBUI via a menu system. On the next page is the
menu hierarchy and a description of the function or
setting.
Only these items in the menu
system are adjustable settings:
dUrA*, chAn, nItE*, AAA*, tESt,
bArS, bISt
*Networked settings. Changes to
these settings will affect all systems
on the same radio channel.
chAn
Press and hold the set button to edit a setting. The
display will blink when the setting is ready to edit.
20
Set
Use the up and down buttons to adjust the setting
when in edit mode.
LEd: LED asher fault alert. This alert only appears if there is a problem with the LED asher(s). Use the tESt function or press the
pedestrian push button to clear the alert once the problem has been resolved
: LED asher is shorted. Correct the short to return to normal operation.
SHrt
oPEn: LED asher has an open circuit. Check the LED wiring, correct the problem to return to normal operation.
Good
bAtt
char
Lo
bad
nIte
soLr
day
durA20
chAn5
nItE30
on
AAA
oFF
ALC100
yes
tESt
no
bAtt: Battery status and voltage. When the batteries are rst connected, the system will display this item, if no faults are present.
good: Batteries are charged.
chAr: Batteries require charging. This indicates that the batteries are not at full charge, but the battery is still healthy.
0000
Lo: Batteries have very low voltage. The batteries are not recharging enough or may be faulty. This can affect proper operation.
bAd: Battery needs replacing. The batteries can not retain a charge or have been depleted beyond recovery.
00.00: Battery voltage, displayed in volts. Normal battery voltage should be above 12.0 V.
SoLr: Solar sensor status.
nItE: Solar sensor is not detecting light (nighttime). This can be simulated by covering the ambient light sensor on top of the engine.
0000
dAY: Solar sensor is detecting light (daytime).
00.00: Solar panel voltage. This voltage can range depending on the current solar conditions.
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
dUrA: Duration of the ash. The system will ash for the set number of seconds after a pedestrian push button has been pressed.
20: Duration in seconds, ranging from 10 to 60 seconds, in 1 second increments.
chAn: Radio channel for synchronized systems. This channel must be the same on all systems in order for them to synchronize.
5: Selected channel, range from 1 to 16. Factory default is 5.
nItE: Nighttime dimming level. During the darkness of night, the system will dim to this level as full brightness is not required.
30: Percent of daytime level, from 10 to 50%.
AAA: Ambient light auto-adjust settings. The system will automatically adjust to the surrounding light conditions when the AAA is on.
on: Ambient light auto-adjust is on.
10
oFF: Ambient light auto-adjust is off.
10: Ambient light auto-adjust dim level. Reports what the current adjustment level is, ranging from 1 to 10.
ALC: Automatic light control energy savings level.
100: Percentage of normal energy output. Ranges from 25% to 100%. 100% would indicate normal operation.
tESt: Test the system and clear any fault warnings.
YES: Tests the system by activating the LED ashers.
no: Skips the test, does not clear any warnings.
bttn: Button press detection status. If a button was recently pressed, it will display dEt to help troubleshoot and test the system.
bttnnodet
Shrt
rAdo
dEt
no
Act0
bars2
yes
bIst
no
ver0000
Set
Set
no: No button press detected.
dEt: Button press was detected.
Shrt: Short detected in button or harness.
rAdo: Radio installed status. If the system is able to nd and activate a radio, it will display dEt.
dEt: Radio is installed.
no: No radio was detected.
Act: Activation count. Counts the number of activations and averages the last 90 days.
0: Average daily activations over last 90 days.
bArS: Number of LED asher bars connected. Set this to match the number of LED asher bars connected to the Solar Engine.
2: The number of LED asher bars, 1 or 2.
bISt: Built in system test.
YES: Activates the built-in system test.
section) that activates the ashers independently of
a physical push button test. Activating this function
through the OBUI, as described in the previous
section, will operate the ashers for the set period of
time. If this activates the ashers properly, and the
ashers will not operate with the pedestrian push
button, then there may be a fault with the push button
or the wiring to the button.
Built-in System Test
The OBUI has a built-in system test function (bISt,
see previous section). Activating this function through
the OBUI, as described in the previous section,
performs the system test. After the test completes,
it will display any errors or 'PASS' if no error is
detected.
Possible errors include:
Code Error
0002Severe temperature detected
0004Onboard processor has failed
0008Battery issue detected
0010There is a problem with the supply voltage
0020Keypad failure detected
0040Internal communication failure
0080There is a problem with the ambient brightness sensor
0100There is a problem with the charging circuit
0200There is a problem with the ashing light bars
Setting the Radio Channel
In order for the entire crosswalk set to operate when
a pedestrian push button is activated, the SC315
utilizes an on board radio to communicate to the
other units that make up the crosswalk set. The radio
channel for all of the units must be set to the same
radio channel. Adverse behavior will result if the
same radio channel is not set on all of the units in a
crosswalk set.
If there are two crosswalks set
in close proximity to each other,
but are intended to operate
independently, then a different
radio channel for each set will be
required. The factory default for the
radio channel is 5.
Radio Network Settings
Some of the EMS settings are synchronized across
the units in a crosswalk set on the same channel.
Once the networked setting is changed on one
system, the networked settings will be transmitted
and synchronized with the system that was just
updated.
If there are two crosswalks sets
in close proximity to each other
and on the same radio channel,
the networked settings may be
transmitted and synchronized with
the system that was just updated.
LED Fault Message
The EMS performs an internal test during start up
to check for any shorts or open circuits in the LED
ashers and the associated wiring. This message is
displayed on the OBUI before any other menu item.
Use the tESt function or press the pedestrian push
button to clear the alert once the problem has been
resolved.
and Settings section for an explanation on these
settings.
Changes to the networked settings
can be made from any one of the
units in a crosswalk set.
27
SC315 SOLAR LED RRFB USER MANUAL
WARNING
MAINTENANCE & PRODUCT CARE
Maintenance & Product Care
The SC315 solar engine is designed to operate
reliably for years with virtually no need for
maintenance. Carmanah recommends routine
inspections of the solar panel to ensure that they are
unobstructed by anything that may prevent effective
solar charging, including:
• dirt and dust
• snow
• leaves
• debris
• shade that may have developed after installation
due to adjacent plant growth.
The frequency of the inspections depends on location
and local weather patterns. A yearly visual inspection
of the SC315 is typically sufcient. The SC315 is
designed to be maintenance free, however maximum
system performance will be achieved when the LED
lenses and solar panels are clean.
Fuse Replacement
A wiring fault during installation or maintenance
can sometimes cause the battery fuses to blow. To
replace the fuse:
1. Make sure you’re not wearing any metal jewelry,
or holding any tools or other conductive objects.
2. Disconnect the batteries.
3. Check all wiring for any faults that may have
caused the fuse to blow.
4. Open the fuse holder apart and check the fuse.
5. Replace a blown fuse with an identical fuse - 7A,
Littlefuse 031201.5.HXP, Carmanah part # 71800.
Battery Replacement
When the SC315 system’s battery requires
replacement, it is recommended that the original
SC315 Battery be used (Carmanah part # 70774). If
there is more than one controller at the installation
site, it is recommended to replace all the batteries at
the same time.
Battery replacement procedure
should not be carried out in windy
conditions. In all cases, the area at
the base of the pole must be roped
off to prevent people from being
injured or killed by falling pieces.
EMS Recycling
Production of the EMS required the extraction and
use of natural resources. The EMS may contain
substances that could be harmful to the environment
or human health if improperly handled at the
product’s end of life. In order to avoid release of
such substances into the environment and to reduce
the use of natural resources, we encourage you
to recycle the EMS in an appropriate way that will
ensure most of the materials are reused or recycled
The EMS does not activate, does not display
any information, or the system does not
activate.
LEDs won't ash when button on same post
is pressed
LEDs on same post ash, but other systems
in the crosswalk set won't ash
One Light Bar ashes, but the other Light
Bar on the same post does not ash
One Rectangular Flasher ashes, but the
other Rectangular Flasher on the same light
bar does not ash
This is typically caused by low or no voltage from the batteries.
Check both of the fuses. See the maintenance section of this manual for fuse information.
Using a volt meter, measure the battery voltage. It should have a reading of 12.0 V or greater.
If the voltage is very low, charge or replace the batteries and monitor the system for proper
operation. Ensure that the solar panel is clean, clear of debris, and is not shaded by buildings
or vegetation. If the solar panel is covered or shaded, this will prevent proper battery charging.
Once the batteries have proper voltage, check the EMS for error codes and run the 'bISt'
function. See the EMS Programming and Testing section of this manual.
This can be caused by either button failure, a wiring issue, low battery voltage, or the unlikely
event of an EMS failure.
Check to insure that the button is functioning and it is providing the typical feedback. If the
button has an LED or audio feedback, ensure that these are working.
Check the wiring to the button for continuity and make sure the wires are not pinched anywhere
along their length.
Check the wiring to the LED Light Bars for continuity and make sure the wires are not pinched
anywhere along their length.
Check that the wiring pattern (polarity) is correct on the LED Light Bars.
Check the battery voltage, either through the OBUI or with a voltmeter (see item above)
Check the OBUI for errors. See the EMS Programming and Testing section of this manual.
Test the system using the OBUI 'tESt' function. See the EMS programming and testing section
of this manual. If the LEDs ash using the OBUI functions, then the problem is in the button or
wiring to the button.
The SC315 communicate via a radio. If one system is activated, but the other systems in the
crosswalk set are not coming on, this points to a radio issue.
Ensure that all of the units in a crosswalk set are set to the same radio channel using the OBUI.
See the EMS Programming and Testing section of this manual.
Ensure that the units in a crosswalk set are not too far apart. The maximum distance for
proper radio communication is 500 unobstructed feet. There can be no barriers or obstructions
between systems, such as buildings or billboards.
This is likely caused by improper wiring of the light bars.
Ensure that the wire colors match the instructions on the Rectangular Flashers and in this
manual. If they do not match then one light bar may not activate.
This is likely caused by incorrect wiring on the LED Light Bars.
Check each of the connections at the Rectangular Flashers to ensure correct wiring pattern
(polarity).
For a Dual Light Bar system with Single Pedestrian Conrmation Lights, ensure that both
conrmation lights are pointing in opposite directions and that the wiring pattern is followed.
The LEDs are dim when ashingThe battery voltage may be too low for proper operation and the system has activated the
Automatic Light Control (ALC). Check the OBUI for ALC status and battery voltage. See the
EMS programming and testing section of this manual. Ensure that the solar panel is clean,
clear of debris, and is not shaded by buildings or vegetation. If the solar panel is covered or
shaded, this will prevent proper battery charging and drive the system into ALC.
Check for debris covering the Ambient Light Sensor on top of the Solar Engine.
Set the number of light bars to the correct value on the OBUI. See the EMS Programming and
Testing section of this manual.
Check the Ambient light Auto-Adjust (AA A) setting on the OBUI. Turn off the AAA to see if this
corrects the dim LEDs. See the EMS programming and testing section of this manual.
The LEDs appear too bright when ashingSettings on the EMS can affect the apparent brightness of the LEDs.
Set the number of light bars to the correct value on the OBUI. See the EMS Programming and
Testing section of this manual.
Lights ash when no button is pressedThis is likely caused by another nearby system on the same radio channel activating this
system.
Ensure that all of the units in a crosswalk set are set to the correct radio channel using the
OBUI, ensuring that nearby systems at a different location are using a different channel. See
the EMS Programming and Testing section of this manual.
When using
appropriate ferrules
to combine button
inputs in parallel,
one SC315 controller
will support up to 4
regular push buttons
using the provided
DIN rail connectors.