VDH PROBA 50 User Manual

User Manual PROBA 50 - English Doc.no.: 951573

Version: V1.3

Software: 000498 PROBA50 Version: V1.05
File: DO951573.HND

By: AAD Date: 07-03-2012

VDH Products BV - Roden - Holland

Signed: Pages: 26

PROBA 50

User manual

(Wall- and Panel-mounting)

VDH Products BV Document 951573 - Version 1.3 Blad: 2 of 26

Disclaimer

The information contained in this document is assumed to be accurate. However VDH Products BV accepts no liability for
eventual mistakes or errors and has the right to change this document without notice.

Copyright Notice

Copyright 1995 VDH Products BV, Roden The Netherlands.
No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written permission of VDH Products BV.

Trademarks

'PROBA' is a trademark of VDH Products BV.

Edition

3st edition, March 2012

It is highly recommended to study the operation
of the PROBA ripening system carefully before
using it.

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Table of contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................. 4

1.1 Setup of the PROBA ripening system ..................................................... 4

1.2 Operation of the PROBA ripening system .................................................. 4

1.3 Method of temperature control ........................................................... 5

2 The PROBA 50 .............................................................................. 5

2.1 Control of the PROBA 50 ............................................................... 5

2.1.1 Switching the PROBA 50 ON and OFF ............................................ 5

2.1.2 Readout temperature, clock, sensors and setpoints .................................. 6

2.1.3 Programming and starting a ripening program ....................................... 6

2.1.4 Stopping a ripening program .................................................... 8

2.1.5 Changing the temperature setpoint ............................................... 8

2.1.6 Standby .................................................................... 9

2.1.7 Starting and stopping the gassing ................................................ 9

2.1.8 Starting and stopping the ventilation ............................................. 10

2.1.9 Stepping a program .......................................................... 11

2.1.10 Heating on/off switch ......................................................... 11

2.1.11 Switching sensors on/off ....................................................... 12

2.2 Adjustment of the PROBA50 ........................................................... 13

2.3 Regulation characteristics of the PROBA 50 ............................................... 14

2.4 Alarms and warnings of the PROBA 50 ................................................... 15

2.5 Error messages ..................................................................... 16

3 Datalogger ................................................................................. 17

Appendix A (Error messages) ......................................................................... 18

Appendix B (Internal Parameters) ...................................................................... 19

Appendix C (Technical Specifications) ................................................................... 21

Appendix D (Frontview PROBA50) ..................................................................... 22

Appendix E (Connection diagram PROBA50) ............................................................. 23

Appendix F (Dimensions PROBA50) .................................................................... 25

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1 Introduction

1.1 Setup of the PROBA ripening system

The PROBA 50 Ripening System provides a solution for the automated ripening of bananas. The system measures
and controls independently the temperature in the ripening room. Ventilation of the bananas is also controlled by the
system.

During a period of several days the system is capable of controlling one or more ripening rooms in such a way that
the fruit can be removed perfectly ripened from the rooms at the end of the ripening cycle.

The ripening room is fully controlled by the PROBA 50 computer. This steps through a ripening program
independently and can be controlled by the user via the front panel.

1.2 Operation of the PROBA ripening system

Bananas in the ripening room are ripened by means of ripening programs. In the PROBA ripening system the length
of these programs and the temperatures are adjusted each day. The ripener can make a choice from 10 different
ripening programs in each PROBA 50.

The course of the temperature is setup by means of temperature setpoints, one for each day. During the execution of
the program the temperature is checked and controlled by the PROBA 50 in such a way that the fruit is ripened
according to the requirements of the user.

The PROBA 50 is also able to control the application of gas during the ripening program. The duration of the
gasification is adjustable. During this period the PROBA 50 will indicate that gas is present in the ripening room.

During the ripening process the bananas can be ventilated. The length and interval of the ventilation are adjustable.
During gassing periods the ventilation is blocked. The PROBA 50 indicates when the room is being ventilated.

At the end of a ripening program the PROBA 50 switches over to the so-called STANDBY mode. The temperature
regulation continues on the STANDBY setpoint which ensures that the ripened product remains in a controlled
environment.

At any moment during the ripening program the temperature setpoint, which is used by the PROBA 50 at that
moment, can be changed (when the LED above the KEY button is on). The ripening program can also be changed
into STANDBY mode or stopped anytime by the user.

A ripening program can be displayed schematically as follows:

During a number of days (the length of the program, in this case is 4) a temperature setpoint is entered for each day.
On a given day, the PROBA 50 regulates the temperature in the ripening room to be equal or close to that particular
value. The length of a ripening program can be varied from 4 to 8 days (fixed length program numbers 1 to 5) or from
1 to 9 days (the length of the programs 6 to 10 are fully adjustable).

After setting up and starting a program the PROBA 50 starts at day 1. In the example the temperature setpoint is
now 18.0C, so the PROBA 50 regulates the temperature to become 18.0C. At the end of each day (24 hours) the
temperature setpoint is changed into that of the next day of the program. After all days of the program are past, the

PROBA 50 goes to the STANDBY mode. The STANDBY temperature is also adjusted in the ripening program. The
STANDBY mode remains active until the user stops the ripening program or starts a new one.

Finally a warming-up phase can take place before the ripening program starts. For convenience this precursion time
is called day 0. The length of precursion time is variable.

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1.3 Method of temperature control

Up to four temperature sensors can be connected to the PROBA 50.
It makes use of three product sensors which are placed in the boxes with the bananas (pulp temperature). These are
the product sensors type SM8500 which are connected via the coiled leads to the connection boxes. The
temperature is controlled on the average of the present and active product sensors.

In addition, an air temperature alarm sensor, type SM8000/2m, can be connected. This sensor controls the minimum
and maximum temperature of the airflow coming out of the evaporator. The evaporator can be temporarily switched
off if the alarm levels are exceeded.

Via a setting in the internal parameters the method of control can be selected, at which product sensor 3 is replaced
by an air temperature sensor type SM800/2m. During the warming-up phase (day 0) the temperature is controlled by
sensor 3. When the warming-up phase is passed, the temperature is controlled on the average of sensor 1 and 2.

2 The PROBA 50

2.1 Control of the PROBA 50

The control computer PROBA 50 can be controlled fully via its front panel and has a number of control and display
features:

* Push buttons,
* Displays,
* LED's.

The control can be distinguished in:

* Readout of the sensor values,
* Change of setpoint(s),
* Programming and starting of regulation,
* Programming of control parameters and alarms.

Function of the LED's:

M 1 Indicates if sensor 1 is active. Flashes if sensor 1 is read-out.

M 2 Indicates if sensor 2 is active. Flashes if sensor 2 is read-out.

M 3 Indicates if sensor 3 is active. Flashes if sensor 3 is read-out.

M 4 Indicates if sensor 4 is active. Flashes if sensor 4 is read-out.

ALARM Lights in case of an error.

COOL Displays if the cooling is switched on.

HEAT Displays if the heating is switched on.

GAS Lights constantly if gas flows into the ripening room. Flashes if gas is present in the

ripening room.

VENT Lights during ventilation of the ripening room.

In general a flashing LED means that a function is active.

2.1.1 Switching the PROBA 50 ON and OFF

By pressing the ON/OFF key the PROBA 50 is switched on or off.
If the PROBA 50 is switched off, the control will stop immediately.

If the PROBA 50 is switched on, all settings can be displayed.

To change settings, a 4-digit security has to be entered.

Press the KEY button. The display shows the text 'Code'. By use of
combination of keys on the bottom row a code can be entered.

If the code is correct, the LED above the KEY button will light and settings can
be changed. The lock is open.

By pressing the KEY button again, the LED above the KEY button will
extinguish and it is not possoble to change the settings. The lock is closed.

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2.1.2 Readout temperature, clock, sensors and setpoints

The display in the top left shows the temperature in the ripening room. This
temperature is the average of the sensors 1, 2 and 3 (if these are active).

The display in the bottom left shows the present temperature setpoint.

The display in the top right shows the program clock, which indicates how long
the program has run in the present day. In this example 15 hours and 24
minutes.

The display in the bottom right shows the length and present day of the
program. In this example a 5 day program, which is now in day 3.

Press the PROG key. The LED above the key starts flashing. When a
program is in progress, the number of that program is shown in the display. By
pressing the PROG key once more, the average temperature is shown again
in the display. The LED above the PROG key will extinguish.

Press the SENS key. The LED above the key starts flashing indicating that
this function is active. The temperature of the first sensor is shown. Press the
SENS key again and the temperature of the next sensor is shown.

All present sensors are shown, also the non active sensors.

After the temperatures there is an indication if the heating can switch on
(HEAT ON) or not (HEAT OFF).

After the measured values of all sensors have been displayed, pressing the
SENS key once again will bring the PROBA 50 back into its normal working
condition. The SENS-LED goes off and the average temperature is shown
again in the display.

The PROBA 50 will switch to the normal working condition if within 30
seconds no key is touched.

2.1.3 Programming and starting a ripening program

Make sure that the LED above the KEY button is on, so that changes are
allowed.

Press the PROG key. The LED above this key starts flashing to indicate
programming is in progress.

In the temperature display the program number flashes. The length of the
program is shown in the DAY display.

The ripening program number (here number 3) can be changed by means of
the UP and DOWN keys.

By pressing the SET key the selected number is accepted.

The number of days of programs 1 to 5 is fixed (4 days with program number
1 and soon to 8 days with program number 5).
If one of the programs 6 to 10 is selected, the number of days can be selected
in addition to temperature.

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The number of days of this program can now be selected and is shown in the
DAY display. The length can vary from 1 to 9 days.

With the UP and DOWN keys the length of the program can be changed.

Acknowledge the number of days with the SET key.

From this point on setting up of programs 6 to 10 is the same as setting up
programs 1 to 5.

During the first day of the ripening program the fruit can be gassed. With the
UP and DOWN keys the user can select gasification ('G. on') or no gasification
('G.oFF'). The GAS LED also flashes.

Press the SET key if the setting is right.

Ventilation of the ripening rooms can now be adjusted. The VENT LED
flashes.
The ventilation time and the frequency of the ventilation can be set in the
Internal Adjustments.

During the gasification period ventilation is blocked. As soon as the
gasification period is ended, ventilation starts immediately.

Change the adjustment with the UP and DOWN keys.

Acknowledge selection with the SET key.

The setting of the temperatures of the ripening program now follow. For every
day a temperature can be selected.The DAY display indicates which day is
being set, while the temperature display shows the desired value (setpoint).

The value can be changed with the UP and DOWN keys.

When the value is correct, press the SET key.

Repeat the last steps for all days of the ripening program.

The STANDBY temperature (setpoint after finishing the actual ripening) is set
while the STANDBY LED lights. Changing of this value is done in the same
manner as adjustment of other setpoints (UP and DOWN keys and the SET
key).

Finally a delay time can be set before the actual ripening program starts. This
period is called day 0. Therefore the 0 lights in the DAY display.
By pressing the UP and DOWN keys and the SET key a delay time in hours
can be set.
If the delay time is 0 hours, the program will start directly.

When a delay time of more than 0 hours is programmed, the temperature
setpoint for day 0 can be adjusted with the UP and DOWN keys and
acknowledged with the SET key.

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By pressing the SET key for the last time, the ripening program will start. The
PROG LED lights to indicate that the ripening program is in progress and the
fruit is being ripened.

Please note:

During day 0 the PROBA 50 will, if selected, start with ventilation and regulate
the temperature. If the delay time is finished, the ripening program will step to
day 1 and continue the program.
The program clock will count down to 00.00 hours in day 0. The program
steps to day 1 and the clock will count from 00.00 hours.

While programming programs 1 to 5, the PROBA 50 will use the pre­programmed ripening programs as default.

While programming programs 6 to 10, the PROBA 50 will use the
temperatures of the last ripening program used.

If ripening programs 6 to 10 are adjusted during programming or during the
ripening process, these changed values are default settings for the next time
the program is used.

Programming can be interupted at any time by pressing the PROG key. The
PROG LED will stop flashing and programming will not have any effect.

If during programming no key has been pressed for more than 30 seconds,
programming will be interrupted and changes are not made.

2.1.4 Stopping a ripening program

Make sure the LED above the KEY button is on.

By pressing the STANDBY key, the program is forced into the STANDBY
mode. The STANDBY LED above this key lights.

Because of this the ripening program will regulate for unlimited time on the
STANDBY temperature setpoint. If selected, the ventilation times will be taken
into account. The PROG LED does not light anymore.

By pressing the STANDBY key once more, the STANDBY mode is switched
off and the PROBA 50 stops regulating.

The temperature regulation stops, the ripening room will not be kept on a
constant temperature. Also the STANDBY LED does not light anymore.

2.1.5 Changing the temperature setpoint

To allow the ripener to adapt the ripening program whilst it is running, it is
possible to change the setpoint of the current day. This is only possible when
the PROG or the STANDBY LED are lit, which shows that the PROBA 50 is
regulating.

Make sure the LED above the KEY button is on.

Press the SETPOINT key. The present temperature setpoint starts to flash.

The value can be changed with the UP and DOWN keys.

Press the SET key to acknowlegde the adjustment.

The temperature setpoint of one of the other days can also be changed.

Press the SETPOINT key so that the present temperature setpoint flashes.