Fence Monitoring. 3. Installing nodes on the electric fence
Now that the nodes have been paired with the gateway,
let's install them on the fence.
What you will need
There are a few things
you need to take with you alongside the supplied
node mounting kits and mag key.
These are: an impact driver with a Pozi drive screw bit,
and an 8 millimeter hex socket,
10 millimeter spanner,
wire cutters and strippers,
2 - 3 meters
of insulated underground cable per node,
2 joint clamps per node,
a 20 to 30 centimeter earth (ground) rod per node.
This can be any thin metal rod such as a 3 millimeter tent peg.
Cable ties, a mobile phone
with the Datamars Livestock app installed, a pair of binoculars
to help establish clear line of sight between the nodes.
You will also need to know the direction of the midday summer sun.
A compass or compass app on a mobile phone can help with this.
Once you've collected everything, make sure you've turned off
the electric fence in the areas you'll be installing the nodes.
Connecting nodes to the fence network
Open the Datamars Livestock mobile app
and tap Install Nodes to begin the installation process.
Drive to the location where the first node should be installed.
Tap Next on the app.
Remember, the node should be within 500 meters
line of sight to the gateway.
The distance will be reduced if there are any objects in the way,
such as trees, hills, or structures.
Use the binoculars to assist you
in ensuring you have line of sight to the gateway.
Tap Next on the app to proceed.
Tap the mag key on the reset symbol to wake the node.
The LED light will flash green as it tries to find a fence monitoring network to connect to,
such as a gateway or other installed nodes.
If the LED flashes green and red, then the node has not found any nearby gateway
or installed nodes and you need to move to a closer location or one with better line of sight
If, however, the LED changes to flash green and blue,
the node has identified a network. Tap Next on the app to continue.
While the green and blue LED is flashing,
tap the switch symbol using the mag key to connect the node to the network.
When the green and blue LEDs stop flashing
and stay on for 5 seconds, the node has successfully connected.
After this, they will change to blinking once every 20 seconds.
Tap Next in the app and it's time to install the node on
the fence.
Installing nodes on the electric fence
Nodes can be installed on a wooden post
or steel Y post, using the holes in the mounting rod.
To install on a wooden post,
take the hex head screws supplied and drive them through the long slits
on the mounting rod as high as possible on the fence post.
Fit the node onto the mounting rod
ensuring that the panel faces the midday summer sun.
For optimum performance, the solar panel should not be subject to shade
at any time of the day across all seasons.
Secure the node to the mounting rod
by inserting the pan Pozi screw into the smallest hole
at the top of the mounting rod. Cut about
1/2 a meter of insulated underground cable and strip
20 millimeters of insulation at both ends.
Use a joint clamp to connect one end of the cable to the normally live
electric fence wire.
Then connect the other end to the fence terminal on the node
by inserting it on the right side of the bolt between the washer and the node,
then tighten it finger tight. Push a 20 to 30 centimeter earth (ground) rod into the ground
beside the fence post in a location where animals won't interfere with it.
The top should protrude just out of the ground.
Cut about
1.5 meters of insulated underground cable and strip
20 millimeters of insulation at both ends.
Use a joint clamp to connect one end of the cable
to the earth (ground) rod.
Connect
the other end to the earth terminal on the node by inserting it on the left side of the bolt
between the washer and the node, then tighten it finger tight.
Use cable ties to secure the earth cable
to the fence post.
Once the installation is completed,
tap Next in the app then Yes in the pop up.
Scan the QR code on the side of the node.
Enter a name for the node and then set the node
location using the phone's GPS.
Drive to the location of the next node and begin
the installation process for the next and all remaining nodes.
Remember, these will need to be installed
either within 500 meters line of sight of the gateway or another node.
Once completed, turn on the fence.