Neptune E-CODER Quick Install Manual

E-CODER® Quick Install Guide

QUICK INSTALL GUIDE

®

E-CODER

1 General Instructions

Solar panel

Nine-digit

meter reading

LCD

display

The E-CODER® is an electronic absolute encoder register
designed for use with Neptune’s Automatic Reading and Billing

®

(ARB

) System. This register operates with Neptune’s R900

and R450™ MIUs, providing advanced features such as leak,
backflow, and tamper detection.

With the E-CODER register, both the homeowner and the utility
can use the following features.

• Nine-digit display for visual reading

• Eight digits for billing

• Water flow indicators

• Intermittent leak detection icon on LCD panel

• Continuous leak detection icon on LCD panel

This guide can help you identify and read information displayed
on the E-CODER register. It can also help you recognize the
common causes of leaks and what to do if a leak is found. After
the leak is repaired, this guide also contains steps to determine
that the leak is no longer evident.

®

2 Product Description

The face of the E-CODER allows you to read various types of
information available. The face of the E-CODER is shown in
Figure 1.

Figure 1 E-CODER Coder Face

1

3 Wiring Inside Set Version

Run a three-conductor cable from the E-CODER register to the
MIU. Refer to the following steps.

1 Connect the three-conductor wire to the encoder register’s

terminals as described in the manufacturer’s instructions,
using the color code in Table 1.

Table 1 Encoder Wiring

Register Wire Color / Encoder Terminal

Neptune E-CODER Black/B Green/G Red/R

2 Remove the terminal cover with a flat-head screw driver as

shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Removing the Terminal Cover

3 Wire the encoder register

with the proper colors. See
Figure 3.

4 Test the wiring to verify the

read.

Figure 3 Wiring with Proper Color Wire

2

5 Route the wire as shown in

Figure 4.

Figure 5 Applying Compound

Figure 4 Routing the Wire

6 Apply Novagard G661 or

Dow Corning

®

Compound
#4 to the terminal screws
and exposed bare wires.
See Figure 5.

Neptune recommends Novaguard G661 or Dow
Corning Compound #4.

Novagard may cause irritation to eyes and skin.
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting; dilute
with one to two glasses of water or milk and
seek medical attention. Please refer to:

• MSDS Novagard Silicone Compounds &
Grease Inc. 5109 Hamilton Ave. Cleveland,
OH 44114, 216-881-3890.

• For copies of MSDS sheets, please
call Neptune’s Customer Support
at [phone].

7 Place terminal cover on the

register, ensuring wire is
routed through strain relief.
See Figure 6.

Figure 6 Placing Cover on Register

3

8 Snap the terminal cover in

place by pressing on the
molded arrow as shown in
Figure 7.

Figure 7 Snapping Cover in Place

9 Proceed to “How to Activate” on page 10.

4 Wiring the Pit Set Version

Complete the steps to wire the pit set version.

Figure 8 shows the components required for
installation.

Figure 9 Scotchlok Connector

Figure 8 Installation Components

1 Hold the Scotchlok

between the index finger
and thumb with the red cap
facing down. See Figure 9.

4

2 Take one non-stripped black

Red and green wires not fully seated

wire from the pigtail and one
from the receptacle/MIU by
inserting the wires into the
Scotchlok connector until
fully seated. See Figure 10.

Figure 10 Seating Connector Wires

Do not strip the colored insulation from the
wires or strip and twist the bare wires prior to
inserting in the connector. Insert the insulated
colored wires directly into the Scotchlok
connector.

3 Place the connector red

cap side down between the
jaws of the UR crimping
tool as shown in Figure 11.
Refer to Table 3 on
page 10 for part numbers.

Figure 11 UR Crimping Tool

4 Check to ensure that the

wires are still fully seated
in the connector before
crimping the connector.
Figure 12 illustrates
improper connections
due to wires not being
fully seated.

Figure 12 Improper Connections

5 Squeeze the connector firmly with the proper crimping tool

until you hear a pop and gel oozes out the end of the
connector.

5

6 Repeat steps one through five for each color wire. See

Table 2 for the wiring configuration to connect Neptune MIUs
or competitive MIUs to the E-CODER.

Table 2 Color Codes for Wires

MIU Wire Color / Encoder Terminal MIU Type

Black/B Green/G Red/R R900
Black/B Green/G Red/R R450
Black/G Green/R Red/B Sensus
Black/B White/G Red/R Itron
Black/G White/R Red/B Aclara
Black/G Green/B Red/R Elster
Black/G Green/R Red/B Badger

7 After all three color wires

have been connected, read
the encoder register to
ensure proper connections,
and the receptacle/MIU is
functioning properly. See
Figure 13.

Figure 13 Three Color Wires Connected

Figure 14 Splice Tube

8 Take all three connected

Scotchloks and push into
the splice tube until fully
covered by the silicone
grease. See Figure 14.

6

9 Separate the gray wires,

and place in the slots on
each side of the splice tube
as shown in Figure 15.

Figure 16 Cover in Place

Figure 15 Gray Wires in Slot

10 Snap the cover closed to

finish the installation as
shown in Figure 16.

11 Proceed to “How to Activate” on page 10.

5 Installation Instructions for Networked

Receptacle/Dual Port MIUs

Enhanced R900 v4 MIUs are not Dual Port
capable. These instructions only apply to v3
MIUs.

The Dual Port R900 and R450 MIUs work only with Neptune
ProRead™ or E-CODER registers. Each register must be
programmed in “RF Network” mode prior to installation.

• E-CODER registers cannot be programmed
while connected together in a network. Each
register must be programmed separately
prior to making the network connection.

• The designations HI and LO are
Neptune's designations for the high (HI) flow
or turbine side of the compound, and the low
(LO) flow or disc side of the compound.

• The settings can also be used to designate
the primary (HI) and secondary (LO) meters
in a dual set application

7

Programming the HI Register

To complete the following steps, use the Neptune field
programmer to select the ProRead Program tab for
programming.

1 Select RF Compound HI

format.

2 Match the Connectivity

2W.
3 Match the Dial Code 65.
4 Type the appropriate

register ID.
5 Program the register.
6 Read or query the register to

confirm correct

programming. See

Figure 17.

Figure 17 HI Register

Programming the LO Register

To complete the following steps, use the Neptune field
programmer to select the ProRead Program tab for
programming.

1 Select RF Compound LO

format.
2 Match the Connectivity 2W.
3 Match the Dial Code 65.
4 Type the appropriate register

ID.
5 Program the register.
6 Read or query the register to

confirm correct

programming. See

Figure 18.

Figure 18 LO Register

8

6 Wiring Networked Registers

Complete the steps to wire networked registers.
1 Connect each color wire with the appropriate color wire from

the pigtail and both registers, until all three colors have been
successfully connected. See Figure 19.

Figure 19 Interconnection of Like Terminals

• Remove any bare or non-insulated wire. Make
sure that you only insert insulated wire into the
splice connector.

• Observe proper polarity when wiring the
registers, so that all terminals are
interconnected with wires of the same color:
red, black, or green. Refer to Figure 19.

2 Proceed to “How to Activate” on page 10.

7 Crimping Tool Manufacturers

To apply the Scotchlok connectors, Neptune requires the use of
a proper crimping tool. Table3 on page10 shows a list of various
manufacturers and model numbers.

9

Table 3 Proper Crimping Tools

Manufacturer Manufacturer’s Model Number

E-9R (10:1)*

E-9BM (10:1)

3M

Eclipse Tools 100-008

* To reduce fatigue, use a tool within each splicing group with the highest
mechanical advantage indicated within the parentheses ().

E-9C/CW (7:1)
E-9E (4:1)
E-9Y (3:1)

Use of normal pliers or channel locks is highly
discouraged because they do not apply even
pressure and can result in an improper connection.

8 How to Activate

To read the E-CODER you must first activate it.
Complete the following steps to activate the E-CODER.
1 Expose the E-CODER to sunlight or activate with a flashlight

for five seconds.

If the LCD is able to power on, but there is
insufficient light to read the ASIC, the LCD displays

LO LIGHT. See Figure 20.

Figure 20 LCD Displaying LO Light

2 Verify that the following LCD displays appear.

• The All-Segment test appears for two seconds.

• The version number appears for two seconds.

• The event index value appears for 20 seconds.

• The flow rate appears for four seconds.

• The display alternates between the reading and the flow
rate every 12 seconds.

10

9 How to Read

It is important to become familiar with the information available
from the meter. Figure21 lists various icons and displays along
with a description of each.

Figure 21 Icons and Displays

11

10 Common Causes of Leaks

If the leak indicator is Flashing or Continuously ON, the
E-CODER is indicating that a possible leak may exist. Leaks can
result from various circumstances. To better help you identify a
possible leak, the following table contains some common causes
of leak problems that can occur.

Ta ble 4 Possible Leaks

Possible Cause of Leak

Outside faucet, garden or
sprinkler system leaking

Toilet valve not sealed
properly

Toilet running

Faucet in kitchen or
bathrooms leaking

Ice maker leaking

Soaker hose in use

Leak between the water
meter and the house

Intermittent
Leak

Continuous
Leak

Washing machine leaking

Dishwasher leaking

Hot water heater leaking

Watering yard for more than
eight hours

Continuous pet feeder

12

Ta ble 4 Possible Leaks

Possible Cause of Leak

Water-cooled air conditioner
or heat pump

Filling a swimming pool

Any continuous use of water
for 24 hours

Intermittent
Leak

Continuous
Leak

11 How to Tell if Water is in Use

To determine if water is in use, complete the following steps.
1 Check the flow indicator by watching for two

minutes.

2 Determine which of the following conditions exists.

• If the arrow is Flashing, then water is running very
slowly.

• If the arrow is Continuously ON, water is running.

• If the arrow is not Flashing, water is not running.

12 What to Do if There is a Leak

The following checklist can be helpful if the E-CODER leak
indicator shows a possible leak.

Table 5 Checklist for Leaks

Check all faucets for possible leaks.
Check all toilets and toilet valves.

Check the ice maker and water dispenser.
Check the yard and surrounding grounds for a wet

spot or indication of a pipe leaking.

13

13 If Continuous Leak is Repaired

If a continuous leak is found and repaired, complete the following
steps.

1 Use no water for at least 15 minutes.
2 Check the leak icon.

If the leak indicator changes from Continuously ON to

Flashing, then a continuous leak is no longer indicated.

14 If Intermittent Leak is Repaired

If an intermittent leak is found and repaired, complete the
following steps.

1 Check the leak icon after at least 24 hours.

If the leak has been correctly repaired, the leak icon
changes from Flashing to OFF.

2 Refer to the following tables which describe the standard

functions of the E-CODER flags.

Ta ble 6 E-CODER Flags

Backflow Flag (Resets After 35 Days)

Based on reverse movement of the eighth digit, the eighth
digit is variable based on the meter size.

No backflow event Eighth digit reversed less than one digit
Minor backflow

event
Major backflow

event

Leak Status Flag (Resets After 35 Days)

Based on total amount of 15-minute periods recorded in the
previous 24-hour period.

Eighth digit reversed more than one
digit up to 100 times the eighth digit

Eighth digit reversed greater than 100
times the eighth digit

Leak icon off Eighth digit incremented less than 50 of

the 96 15-minute intervals

14

Backflow Flag (Resets After 35 Days)

Flashing leak icon Eighth digit incremented in 50 of the 96

15-minute intervals

Solid leak icon Eighth digit incremented in all of the 96

15-minute intervals

Consecutive Days with Zero Consumption Flag (Resets

After 35 Days)

Number of days the “leak status” was at a minimum value

15 Contact Information

Within the United States, Neptune Customer Support is available
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Standard
Time, by telephone, email, or fax.

By Phone

To contact Neptune Customer Support by phone, complete the
following steps.

1Call [phone].
2 Select one of the following options.

• Press 1 if you have a Technical Support Personal
Identification Number (PIN).

• Press 2 if you do not have a Technical Support PIN number.

3 Enter the six-digit PIN number and press #.
4 Select one of the following options.

•Press 2 for Technical Support.

• Press 3 for maintenance contracts or renewals.

• Press 4 for Return Material Authorization (RMA) for
Canadian Accounts.

You are directed to the appropriate team of Customer

Support Specialists. The specialists are dedicated to you
until the issue is resolved to your satisfaction. When you
call, be prepared to give the following information.

• Your name and utility or company name.

• A description of what occurred and what you were doing at
the time.

• A description of any actions taken to correct the issue.

15

By Fax

To contact Neptune Customer Support by fax, send a description
of your problem to [phone]. Please include on the fax
cover sheet the best time of day for a customer support specialist
to contact you.

By Email

To contact Neptune Customer Support by email, send your
message to [e-mail].

Notes

16

neptunetg.com

Neptune Technology Group Inc.

1600 Alabama Highway 229
Tallassee, AL 36078
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Ltd.

7275 West Credit Avenue
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 5M9
Canada
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Neptune Technology Group Inc.

Avenida Ejército Nacional No. 418
Piso 12, Desp. 1203
Colonia Polanco V Sección
Delegación Miguel Hidalgo
11560 México, Distrito Federal
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

QI E-CODER 02.17 Part No. 12563-001
© Copyright 2003- 2017, Neptune Technology Group Inc.
Neptune is a registered trademark of Neptune Technology Group Inc.

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