BlinkerBeam SL80 Controller User Guide TAPCO Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. SL80_guide_131119
Table of Contents Read Warnings, Cautions and Notes on next page Before Proceeding Testing Battery Voltage and Continuity.....2 Legal Use; Instructions; Warning, Caution And Notes... 3 Replacing a Circuit Board.....4 Controller Tips and Troubleshooting.....5 Document & Contact Information.....6 Testing Battery voltage and continuity If any portion of your system is grid-wired (AC-powered), allow ONLY a licensed electrician to perform any service. Improper safety precautions could result in death or serious injury. Testing the Battery for Continuity (OHMS Ω setting). Push 2 large paper clips ends (or solid wire) into the MALE battery connector s WHITE & BLACK leads, either into the pin holes or into the back side of the plug. Use meter on highest Ohm Ω scale to test across clips: if it displays OL, replace with new battery. Otherwise, proceed to testing for voltage. Testing the Battery for Voltage (VDC setting). Push 2 large paper clips ends (or solid wire) into the MALE battery connector s BLACK & RED leads, either into the pin holes or into the back side of the plug. Meter should read at least 4.8VDC. If less, follow the charging procedures below. Continuity (Ohms - Ω) Test Charging the Battery An easy-to-use charger is typically shipped in a box, bagged and taped to the back of the solar panel. Disconnect the battery s plugs (red, white and black wires) by pressing on the tab, as shown at right. If you have no 110VAC source on-site, remove the battery from the cabinet following the procedures below, then take the battery to where it can be charged. Plug the charger into a live 110-volt socket and charge for at least 8 hours. A full initial charge is essential for proper functioning. Voltage (VDC)Test TAPCO Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. 2 5100 West Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223
legal use; instructions; warning, caution and notes 2013 Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. (TAPCO) All rights reserved. This notice applies to all copyrighted material included with this product, including but not limited to this manual and software embodied within the product. This User Guide is intended for the sole use of the persons to whom it was provided, and any unauthorized distribution of the manual or dispersal of its contents is strictly forbidden. This manual may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means whatsoever without the express written permission of TAPCO. Warning, Caution and Note Statements: Read Prior to Assembly and Installation! Warning, Caution and Note statements are used to emphasize important and critical information in this guide. Read these statements prior to assembly to help ensure safety and to prevent product damage. The signal words, symbols and their meanings are shown here. In addition to the symbols and words explained here, each safety message identifies the hazard, describes what you can and should do to avoid the risk of exposure to the hazard, and tells the probable consequences of not avoiding the hazard. Once again, although we have included many potential hazards you may encounter during the installation of this equipment, we cannot predict all of the possible hazards and this list should not be a substitute for your judgment and experience. If you have any questions about a procedure that are not answered by this Guide, contact your Distributor or TAPCO Technical Support. To reduce the risk associated with electric shock injury resulting from contact with high-voltage AC: Turn OFF power BEFORE connecting wiring to the AC source. Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. Heed the safety message in this box!! CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices. Heed the safety message in this box. NOTE: Used to notify you about information on installation, operation, programming or maintenance that is important but typically not hazard-related. For Technical Support Phone 866-753-6255 Email blinkertech@tapconet.com To reduce the risk associated with electric shock injury resulting from contact with hazardous AC voltage: Portions of this equipment may derive power from sources that have high voltage levels. These must be serviced by qualified personnel who have previous training or certification to safely work on high voltage equipment. Consult a Qualified Electrician. Battery acid may cause skin irritation and eye injury: To reduce the risk of burns or other acid-related injury resulting from handling lead-acid batteries: Wear gloves, goggles and an apron when handling batteries; Beware of cracked battery cases; Handle batteries with care. To reduce the risk of burns or other acid-related injury resulting from exploding batteries: Always use the recommended charging systems with related products. TAPCO 800-236-0112 www.tapconet.com 3 SL80_guide_131119
replacing a circuit board If any portion of your system is grid-wired (AC-powered), allow ONLY a licensed electrician to perform any service. Improper safety precautions could result in death or serious injury. Accessing the Circuit Board: 1. Disconnect the power to all BlinkerBeam SL80 Controller. 2. Unscrew the four screws that mount the cover to the SL80 housing. 3. Carefully remove the cover from the housing and set aside. Removing the Terminal Blocks: 1. Carefully wiggle and remove the left green block. 2. Carefully wiggle and remove the black plug. 3. Carefully wiggle and remove the right green block. Removing the Circuit Board: 1. Unscrew the three screws that secure the circuit board to the housing. 2. Carefully remove the circuit board from the housing. Placing the new Circuit Board into the Housing: 1. Carefully place the new circuit board into the housing, making sure that the three circuit board screw holes line up with those in the housing. 2. Replace the three screws that secure the circuit board to the housing. Replacing the Terminal Blocks: 1. Carefully place and press the left green block back into place. 2. Carefully place and press the black plug back into place. 3. Carefully place and press the right green block back into place. Replacing the new Circuit Board: 1. Carefully replace the cover onto the housing. 2. Replace the four screws that secure the cover to the housing. 3. Reconnect the power to all BlinkerBeam SL80 Controller. 4. Test the system to ensure continuity. TAPCO Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. 4 5100 West Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223
controller Tips and troubleshooting If any portion of your system is grid-wired (AC-powered), allow ONLY a licensed electrician to perform any service. Improper safety precautions could result in death or serious injury. The following procedures will determine whether or not the solar panel is charging the battery. You ll need to be in a location where the sun is striking the solar collector. Open the cabinet door and locate the SL80 Controller, as shown at right. With a screwdriver, unscrew and remove the controller s four cover screws. Remove the cover and set it aside with the screws. NOTE: In the photo below at right, the green terminal blocks and black plug are removed to more easily show where the LEDs are located on the circuit board. There are two small LEDs on the circuit board. Upon powering up (by pressing the battery connectors together until they click), the bottom LED flashes Green once. If it does not flash, the solar panel is NOT supplying any voltage to the controller. This could be due to either a dead battery, a loose or broken connection, or a defective solar panel. If the solar panel IS charging the battery, the upper LED will flash red. If the solar panel is NOT charging the battery, the upper LED will flash yellow twice, red once, yellow twice, red once, and so on. If you have further issues, refer to the chart for more tips and troubleshooting procedures. Replace the cover and screw in the controller s four cover screws. Yellow/Red LED Green LED SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIVE ACTION Traffic Device s LEDs Don t Flash Individual LED Doesn t Flash Battery is not fully charged, or will no longer hold a charge (replace with new battery) Loose connections or broken wires Insufficient solar charging Loose Wiring Inoperative LEDs Test with a multi-meter as shown in Testing Battery Voltage and Continuity. If viable, charge battery for 8 hours and retest. If not functioning, replace with new, fully charged TAPCO battery. Dispose of old battery per your local ordinances. Gently test each connection to ensure they are tight: if loose, tighten screw or nut. If a wire is broken, strip and splice it with a shielded connector, or contact TAPCO or distributor for replacement part(s). Align solar collector so it faces south (toward mid-day sun). If obstructed by trees, trim or remove them to allow more sunlight to reach the collector. If obstructed by immovable object (such as a building, mountain or hillside), rotate so collector receives the maximum amount of solar energy (daily sunlight). Make sure all leads are connected and tight, then reactivate. Contact TAPCO or TAPCO distributor for replacement part(s), or repair authorization (TAPCO RMA required). TAPCO 800-236-0112 www.tapconet.com 5 SL80_guide_131119
blinkerbeam SL80 Controller user guide For TAPCO Technical Support: Please note the Serial Number on or inside the Master cabinet door BEFORE you call for support. Technical Support Line: 866-753-6255 Technical Support Email: blinkertech@tapconet.com 2013, Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. (TAPCO) US Patent Nos 6,943,698; 6,693,556; Other Patents Pending. TAPCO Logo and other trademarks are the property of Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. Document: SL80_guide_131119; Reference 13111093 TAPCO Traffic & Parking Control Company, Inc. 6 5100 West Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223