Veris Quad 2800 Operating Instructions

Operating Instructions

Quad 2800

Soil EC Mapping System

Table of Contents

Section 1

1-2 Warranty & Safety

Section 2

2-1 Electronics Overview and Set-up: EC Surveyor
2-3 Electronics Overview and Set-up: DataLogger
2-4 Software Set-up: SoilViewer

Section 3

3-1 Implement Overview and Set-up
3-2 Additional Assembly Instructions

Section 4

4-1 Field Operations—EC Surveyor
4-2 Field Operations—EC Surveyor with DataLogger
4-4 Field Operations—EC Surveyor with SoilViewer software
4-5 Field Operations--Implement

Section 5
5-1 Troubleshooting
5-2 SoilViewer Troubleshooting

Section 6 Maintenance and Service Procedures

6-1 #1. EC Surveyor signal testing
6-2 #2. Testing electrical continuity
6-4 #3. Diagnosing and correcting EC signal problems
6-10 #4. Spring plunger testing and replacement
6-12 #5. Diagnosing GPS-related problems
6-16 #6. Firmware updates and SD card formatting
6-19 #7. Implement lubrication
6-19 #8. Maintenance
6-20 #9. Micro-chip replacement

OM17-Quad2800

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OM17-Quad2800

Quad 2800 Soil EC Mapping System

Soil EC Surveyor Software Version 1.2

Sensor DataLogger Version 1.03

Section 1

Warranty

Veris Technologies warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of one (1) year from the date of delivery to the purchaser. Veris Technologies will repair or
replace any product returned to Salina, Kansas, which appears upon inspection to be defective in
materials or workmanship. Veris Technologies will have shall have no obligation under this
warranty for the cost of labor, down-time, transportation charges, or for the repair or replacement of
any product that has been misused, carelessly handled, modified, or altered.

ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ALL CLAIMS FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARE
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED.

Safety

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OM17-Quad2800

Data­Logger

Protective
case

Important! Read the following SAFETY PROCEDURES before operating the Veris system:

• Read and understand all instructions on safety decals

• Properly block up implements befor working underneath.

• Detach and store implements in an area where children normally do not play. Secure implement

by using blocks and supports.

• Read Operations Manual before operating machine

• Review safety instructions with operators before operating machine and at least annually

• Never stand on or use tire as a step

• Do not tow the implement on public roads.

• Riders obstruct the operator’s view. They could be struck by foreign objects or thrown from the

machine.

• Never allow children to operate equipment.

• To prevent possible electrical shock, or damage to the instrument, do not connect to any power

source greater than twelve (12) volts DC.

• Do not grease or oil implement while it is in operation.

• Disk edges are sharp. Be careful when working in this area.

• Disconnect battery ground cable (-) before servicing or adjusting electrical systems or before

welding on implement.

• Remove buildup of mud, oil or debris.

• Be very careful when mapping stubble fields using a vehicle with a gasoline engine. Be prepared

if a fire starts. Keep crop residue and other debris from accumulating near the exhaust and in
engine compartment.

• Keep a first aid kit and fire extinguisher handy.

The Veris Electronics kits includes the following items:

Section 2

Electronics Overview and Set-up

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OM17-Quad2800

EC
Surveyor

SD
card
reader

Mtg
bracket

Power
cord

Signal test
box

Mtg
bracket

Power cord

Signal test
load

Serial
cable

SoilViewer
software

Figure 1. EC Surveyor kit Figure 2. DataLogger kit
Use protective shipping/storage case to protect electronics components whenever electronics are

shipped. Keep all diagnostics and operations manual with system when mapping.
Mount instrument in a location that is as free as possible from dust, vibration, and electrical

interference. Display should be visible to operator and shielded from direct sunlight. Use
adjustable mounting brackets to position electronics for optimal visibility (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

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Figure 4. EC Surveyor (rear)

Power port:

The Soil EC Surveyor is shipped
with an accessory power cord.
If an alternative connection is
desired, make sure that the unit
is properly connected to a power
connection that is not controlled
by the ignition switch. If
connecting directly to the
battery, we suggest a 3-amp in­line fuse is installed between the
battery and the instrument.

EC Signal:

EC Signal Cable
extension from
implement attaches
to the EC Surveyor
here. Route cable
properly to prevent
damage. Signal test
load also attaches
here—used to test
EC Surveyor.

EC Data out:

Attach serial cable
here and other end
to Sensor
DataLogger or
laptop PC.

GPS input:

Connect GPS cable here.
It is designed to accept
GPS input in NMEA 0183
format via an RS232
connector.
(GPS must send GGA and
either VTG or RMC strings
at a 1hz rate, at 4800 baud,
8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no
parity.)

On/Off:

Turns power to EC
Surveyor on and
off.

Power:

When lit, this red
LED indicates EC
Surveyor is powered
up.

Data Status:

When lit, this green LED
indicates data is being sent
out serial port. If not lit, EC
values are negative or GPS
signal not received.

Fuse:

This allows the fuse to be
replaced, with a 1A
fastblow fuse, if blown.

Figure 5. EC Surveyor (front)

OM17-Quad2800

Figure 6. DataLogger (rear)

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OM17-Quad2800

Data Status:

When lit, this green
LED indicates data
is being recorded to
memory card. If not
lit, EC values are
negative or GPS
signal not received.

Power:

When lit, this red
LED indicates
Sensor DataLogger
is powered up.

On/Off:

Turns power to
Sensor DataLogger
on and off.

Memory Card slot:

Formatted SD memory
card must be installed
when booting up, and
at all times data is
being collected. See
Proc. #6 for formatting
instructions.

Power port:

The Sensor DataLogger is
shipped with an accessory
power cord. If an alternative
connection is desired, make
sure that the unit is properly
connected to a power
connection that is not
controlled by the ignition
switch. If connecting directly
to the battery, we suggest a
3-amp in-line fuse is
installed between the battery
and the instrument.

EC:

Serial cable
from EC
Surveyor
attaches here.

pH:

Serial cable from pH
Controller (MSP
only) attaches here.

Reset
button:

Can be used
to reboot
DataLogger

Alarm Vol:

Used to adjust
volume of auditory
alarm

Fuse:

This allows the fuse
to be replaced, with
a 500mA Fastblow
fuse, if blown.

Figure 7. DataLogger (front)

Important – Do not allow moisture to enter the Soil EC Surveyor or Sensor DataLogger, and
do not pass strong magnets near the unit.

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The Veris SoilViewer software will
automatically run the setup once the CD
is inserted into the computer. If not the
installation can be manually started by
double clicking on the setup.exe located
on the CD.

Once the CD has begun select the
installation directory and click Next

Click Next to continue through
installation

Next two license
agreements will need
to be accepted
before continuing.

Figure 8.

OM17-Quad2800

Software Setup

Figure 9.

Figures 10a and 10b.

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The installer will
install all necessary
components

Once the installer is completed, click
finish

Figure 11.

OM17-Quad2800

Figure 12

2-6

The Veris SoilViewer will now install drivers
necessary to operate the included USB­Serial Converter (part #41377). If you do not
want to use the included converter than press
cancel here, otherwise click next. If you have
the USB- Serial converter plugged in be sure
to unplug it before clicking next.

After the drivers are successfully installed
click finish and Restart your computer before
opening Veris SoilViewer.

Once the computer is restarted the USB to
Serial converter cable can be plugged in,
Windows will recognize the new hardware.

Windows will then advice the new hardware
is installed and ready to use.

Figure 13

OM17-Quad2800

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

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OM17-Quad2800

Install tongue with ½” X

3.25” bolt with lock washer

and nut.

Signal Cable quick­connect coupler port

Disk
electrodes

Tongue

Tire and Wheel
Assembly

Raise/lower crank

Section 3

Implement Overview and Set-up

Figure 1.

The tongue must be installed prior to use. To do so, please take precautions to ensure that the
framework is properly supported to ensure safety.

1) Remove bands that attach tongue and framework to shipping pallet.

2) Install tongue as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2a. and 2b

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OM17-Quad2800

Zip tie

Wire Tie Downs

Bolt

Bushing

Insert bushing into the wings. Then attach wings to main unit using the 1/2'” bolt and a nylock nut.

Attach the signal wire to the coulter bolt. Then zip tie and secure in the locations show below

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OM17-Quad2800

Attach wheels with ½” X 2.75”

bolts with nylock nut.

NOTE: Depending on shipping configuration, the unit may need additional assembly. Attach
wheels as shown in Figure 3a & b.

Figure 3a 7 b

To attach John Deere style suitcase weights, install weight bracket in the front holes using ½” x

1.25” bolts with Nylock nuts. Bolt the John Deere adaptor bracket to weight bracket bar using ½” x

1.5” bolts with lock washer and nut (Figure 8). Clamp weights together using ½” x 3.5” bolts, USS

flat washers, and lock washer and nut (Figure 9).

Figure 8 Figure 9

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OM17-Quad2800

Ground speed
(from GPS) in
miles/hour

GPS status: may
read GPS, DGPS,
RTK, or None. If
None, no GPS signal
is received and no
data will be sent out
serial port.

Shallow (Sh) and Deep (Dp) soil EC
readings. If negative, no data will be
sent out serial port.

Note: The EC Surveyor display screens
are the same whether using Veris
DataLogger or laptop PC for recording.

Section 4

Field Operations—Soil EC Surveyor

Attach the signal cable to the quick connect coupler at front of frame, and to Signal port on back of
EC Surveyor. Connect serial cable, GPS, and power cords to ports on rear of EC Surveyor.

Figures 1a and 1b

EC Surveyor display readings

Here are the display readings that you will see when operating the EC Surveyor:

Figure 2
The unit is ready to operate. The Surveyor is informing you of the firmware version its
programmable interface chip (PIC) contains. Immediately the screen will change to the operating
screen below:

Figure 3

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OM17-Quad2800

Field Operations—Soil EC Surveyor with Sensor DataLogger
Before logging any data, make sure the SD card in the Datalogger is clear of any files that

are not Veris .dat files. Any other files will cause the data an error when logging data.
The Veris DataLogger is not compatible with SDHC cards. Only SD cards will work

correctly.
Sensor DataLogger display readings

Here are the display readings that you will see when operating the Sensor DataLogger:
Starting up…

Figure 4
The unit is ready to operate. The DataLogger is informing you of the firmware version its
programmable interface chip (PIC) contains.

Press any of the four keys, and the next screen will appear:

Figure 5
For EC mapping, press the #1 key. #4 Exit returns you to the initial start-up screen. pH Setup is

not used with EC logging. Pressing #1 brings up the next screen:

Figure 6
For EC mapping, press the #1 key. #4 Exit returns you to the initial start-up screen. EC and pH are

not used with EC logging. Pressing #1 brings up the next screen:

Figure 7
The DataLogger is displaying the map file number it is creating, in case you want to record it along

with any other information about the field. Press any key to begin new map file. After starting the
file, pressing the #4 key will stop the file. If DataLogger freezes at the screen shown in Figure 6 or
Figure 7, check formatting of SD card—must be FAT format. See Proc. #6 for formatting
instructions.

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