Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How do I set up a PC20?

How do I control an EDC pump with PC10 or PC20?

A standard PC10 or PC20 (or any other miratron valve driver) can be used to control EDC pumps (14 to 85mA typical) by installing a resistor in series with the PC10/PC20 output.

A variety of connectors and labeling conventions may be used, so care must be taken to read and understand manufacturer's wiring diagrams.

The following wiring example is provided for reference only. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that installation is consistent with pump and controller manufacturer's requirements.

EDC Application Note

What kind of wiring do I used on a Fan Controller Sensor?

Miratron FC100 and FRC100 fan controllers use an automotive style temperature sender to measure temperature. Correct installation of the sensor is required for accurate readings and proper fan control.

Most automotive temperature senders, including the TS10 model used by Miratron FC100 and FRC100 are single terminal types, which connect with only a single wire. Proper operation requires that the sender be threaded into a chassis-grounded metal fitting.

If the sender is to be installed in fiberglass, plastic, or other non-metal or un-grounded fitting, a ring terminal and ground wire must be used.

How many teeth are on my Flywheel/Sensor Gear?

Speed switches (SS200 and SS300) require the installer to input the number of "teeth" on the gear that the pickup is using to measure RPM. If the number of teeth is not known, use this procedure to calculate it:

Set TEETH = 60 on the SS200 or SS300.
Operate the equipment at a known RPM, using the engine tach or other RPM measurement tool.
Multiply the SS200 or SS300 RPM reading by 60 and divide the total by the actual engine RPM.
Enter the new calculated value for TEETH setting.

RPM Reading on SS200 or SS300 x 60 / Actual engine RPM

How do I adjust the MIN/MAX on a Proportional Control?

Some transmitters with proportional controls (joysticks or paddles) feature min/max buttons to allow field adjustment of proportional control range. Here's how to use the min/max "teach" feature on equipped transmitters:

Note: Only one function can be programmed at a time.

Press and hold LEARN MIN and MAX at the same time for 3-5 seconds until the STATUS LED fast blinks.
Press and hold the MIN Button. Operate the function to the desired MINIMUM output. Release the MIN Button.
Press and hold the MAX Button. Operate the function to the desired MAXIMUM output. Release the MAX Button.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for additional functions if desired.

Power the transmitter OFF and ON again to exit learn mode, and resume normal operation.

Note: Other custom adjustment features can be programmed on special request. Refer to specific documentation included with your system for custom or specific programming features.

How do I troubleshoot Dropout and Range issues?

Common causes of Dropouts and Poor Range:

Competition
Other radio remote controls operating in the same frequency band in range of the receiver will result in dropouts. Imagine trying to have a conversation with someone in a noisy, crowded room. It's much easier to hear every word in a quiet room. If the remote control application requires multiple radios to be in use simultaneously, it is best to use different frequencies and reduce the data rate if possible. Consult factory for options.
Interference
Radio frequency noise from communication and broadcast towers, hand-held radios, electric motors, and highvoltage equipment including spark plugs from gasoline engines can cause interference with remote control equipment. Keeping the receiver and receiver antenna away from these areas will result in more reliable control. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to use remote controls in tethered mode. Most Miratron radios are available with tether options. Tethers are standard on our T-0 and T-1 systems.
Poor receiver location
In most cases, internal receiver antennas are sufficient for good range. Locating the receiver outside of metal enclosures and away from obstructions will maximize range. Maintaining a line-of-sight to the transmitter provides the best reliability. In cases where the receiver cannot be located in line-of-sight to the transmitter, an external antenna is recommended.
Poor antenna installation
External antennas should be installed on a flat, metal surface away from obstructions for best results. Take care not to bend or cut the antenna or coax cable. If the coax cable is too long, coil the cable neatly into a 8 to 12" circle. Sharp bends in the cable can greatly reduce radio range. Periodically inspect antenna and cable for damage.
Poor receiver wiring
What may at first appear to be a radio performance issue often turns out to be a wiring problem. Intermittent wire connections can cause undesirable operation. A good ground connection is very important. Inspect wiring and terminations.
Obstructions
At close range, remote control systems will generally still perform well in spite of obstructions. In some cases, particularly at longer ranges, obstructions can cause dropouts or prevent radio control completely. Large metal buildings, variations in elevation (rooftops, highrise construction, mining pits, etc.) or other obstructions that block line-of-sight to the receiver can greatly reduce radio range.
Damage to electronics
Lightning strikes and arc welding can cause damage to the receiver radio module, which can reduce range. Applying excessive voltage to the receiver, such as with battery chargers, can also damage sensitive components. Note: Please report radio malfunctions or performance issues immediately. Our trained staff can help with troubleshooting and repair to ensure the continued reliability and safety of your radio remote control system.

Range and Dropouts

How is it determined which receiver works with which transmitter?

Radio communication between two Miratron products is protected against jamming, interference and eavesdropping. Depending on the system either the transmitter or the receiver is assigned a radio address that is different than any other Miratron unit. Once a transmitter and receiver have learned the same address the receiver will only receive commands from the paired transmitter. See learn procedure. Once the address is learned it is not lost when power is removed, it can only be changed by pairing it to another unit.

Is it possible to have a system with more than one transmitter or receiver?

Miratron can provide systems with any number and combination of transmitters and receivers. See what is learn/pair.

One transmitter and multiple receivers

This configuration is possible when all of the receivers have the same radio address.

Two transmitters and one receiver

When two transmitters are broadcasting with the same radio address the receiver sees only jumbled data. Miratron can provide receivers that can have two radio addresses. The receiver alternately reads the data from each transmitter. It is also possible to have a learn procedure that will change a system from a one to a two transmitter system.

Is there a fuse?

All Miratron control circuitry is protected with PCT re-settable fuses. This re-settable fuse does not protect against over-current caused by a shorted load. Most of the power switching in a Miratron receiver is done between the receiver’s supplied voltage and the output therefore there is no ground to short to. Miratron products are designed to control specific machines therefore the fuse size is specified by the machine’s designer. If the designer does not specify a fuse size then Miratron will use a 10 amp fuse to protect against excess current. Some systems have a three amp learn fuse built into the wiring harness, see learn procedure.

Some receivers do have internal automotive blade fuses to protect against excess current.

The R1 and R2 have two 10 amp fuses, one for each half of its 32 outputs.
The R3 uses two 25 amp fuses, one for each half of its 14 outputs.
The R5 uses an internal 10 amp fuse.
The R5-24 uses two 10 amp fuses, one for each half of its 24 outputs.
On all other products there is a 10 amp fuse built into the wire harness.

What happens when I go out of range?

All of the transmitter control settings are repeatedly sent to the receiver at a set rate. Miratron uses an error detection system that knows if a control setting is missing. When a set number of errors are detected it is considered a radio communication dropout. When a Miratron custom system is configured the system designer specifies what the receiver output should change to when radio communication is lost. Normally outputs are set to zero volts but it can be anything that will put the machine being controlled into a safe mode. On systems with maintained toggle switches it is possible to lock out normal operation when communication returns until the switches are set to a neutral position.

What is PT-U, UPT or Universal Programming Tool?

There are four or more parameters per channel that can be adjusted. Use the channel switch to go to the output channel you want to adjust, use the select switch to select the parameter (minimum, maximum, ramp up and ramp down) you want to adjust, use value switch to change the value of the parameter you want to adjust. The maximum parameter indicates the percentage of supply voltage being applied to the valve coil with the paddle at maximum. As an example, if you set a channel for a maximum of 80 and there is 12 volts supplied to the receiver, when you move the swing paddle all the way, the channel output will be 0.8 times 12 or 9.6 volts.

The minimum parameter indicates the percentage of supply voltage that needs to be applied to the valve coil to get the valve spindle to move at all. Most valves need at least 10 percent of supply voltage before they start to work. As an example, if you set the swing right channel for a minimum of 8 and there is 12 volts supplied to the receiver, moving a paddle slightly, the first voltage that comes on is 0.08 times 12 or 0.96 volts.

The ramp up parameter is the maximum time it takes for a channel to go from its minimum output to its maximum output. The number indicates the percentage of approximately five seconds for a full output swing to happen. As an example, with a ramp up of 50 and the max/min settings 8 and 80, if you moved the paddle very quickly from center to max it would take 2.5 seconds for the output to go from 0.96 volts to 9.6 volts. Ramping limits how fast the output can change thereby limiting the acceleration of the machine’s movement.

The ramp down parameter is the same as the ramp up parameter except it is the time it takes for a channel to go from its maximum output to its minimum output.

Use this procedure to program an output channel:

Set max to 99, min to 0, ramp up to 0, and ramp down to 0.
Connect a voltmeter to the output of the loaded channel.
Slowly move the paddle and see what voltage just causes movement to happen.
Divide the voltage reading by the supply voltage then multiply by 100, use the result for a starting min setting.
Move the paddle to the position that gives you the maximum speed of movement you want and read the voltage.
Divide the voltage reading by the supply voltage then multiply by 100, use the result for a starting max setting.
Adjust the min and max a few numbers either way to get the precision you want.
If the acceleration of the movement needs to be limited, try different ramp up and ramp down settings to smooth out the movement.

Manual

What is tethering?

Tethering is an alternate way for the Miratron transmitter to communicate with its receiver. With machines that move from job to job it is possible to end up in an area that is flooded with radio signals. The tether cable allows the machine to be controlled even when radio communication is impossible. If replacement transmitter batteries cannot be found the tether is also an emergency source of power to the transmitter. Tethers use a communication method that is immune to noise so lengths of hundreds of feet are possible. Standard lengths are 10, 25, and 50 feet. Tether communication is a method of pairing a transmitter and receiver, see learn/pair.

What kind of range can I expect from my radio system?

What type of outputs do receivers have?

What's the learn/pair procedure for my system?

Once a transmitter and receiver have learned the same radio address the receiver will only receive commands from the paired transmitter. There are four methods currently used for a transmitter and receiver to learn each other’s radio address. The four methods are tether, learn button, learn fuse and 10 second power up.

Tether pairing

Systems with tether cables use the tether communication for exchanging radio addresses. Connect the tether, verify that receiver is receiving commands than disconnect the tether and verify again.

Learn button

Pressing a learn button on a receiver causes it to search for a new radio address. Turn on transmitter, hold learn button for three seconds, release, and then verify that receiver is receiving commands. It is important that other Miratron transmitters in the area are not transmitting while performing this procedure. Some handheld transmitters do not transmit or have a status light unless a command button is held down.

Learn fuse

Removing then replacing a learn fuse in the wiring harness causes the receiver to search for a new radio address. Power up both the transmitter and receiver, remove the learn fuse for three seconds, replace, and then verify that receiver is receiving commands. Wiring harnesses can have learn fuses and or protection fuses. The learn fuses are three amp and the protection fuses are 10 amp. An alternate method is simply to disconnect the black Deutsch connector for three seconds.

10 second power up

On small handheld systems if specific transmitter buttons are pressed within 10 seconds of powering up the receiver it causes the receiver to search for a new radio address. Power up the transmitter, power on the receiver, on the transmitter press and hold for three seconds the two buttons in the second row from the top within 10 seconds of receiver power up. An easy way to reboot the receiver is to disconnect then reconnect the Deutsch connector for three seconds.