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GETTING STARTED GUIDE EZ-Guide® Plus Lightbar Guidance System Version 4.
Support Information www.EZ-Guide.com Copyright and Trademarks © 1999–2006, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. AgGPS, EZ-Guide, and EZ-Steer are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Autopilot, Autoseed, EVEREST, EZ-Boom, OnPath, and T2 are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Software is installed or run from the storage device. A license for the Software may not be shared or used concurrently on different computers. 1.2Other Rights and Limitations. (1) The Software contains valuable trade secrets proprietary to Trimble and its suppliers.
3GENERAL. 3.1This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California and applicable United States Federal law without reference to “conflict of laws” principles or provisions. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods will not apply to this Agreement.
6 EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting Started Guide
Contents Introduction 9 What’s in the EZ-Guide Plus box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Optional accessories and upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Installing the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Getting Started Parts of the EZ-Guide Plus lightbar Using the lightbar. . . . . . . . . Configuring the lightbar . . . . . Coverage area . . . . . . . . . . Status text . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Receiver-specific info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Outputting NMEA messages to a yield monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Welcome to the EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting Started Guide. This document describes how to use the EZ-Guide® Plus lightbar guidance system. The EZ-Guide Plus lightbar guidance system is a lightbar with an integrated LCD screen and an optional integrated GPS receiver. What’s in the EZ-Guide Plus box? When you receive your EZ-Guide Plus system, check that you have received all the components, as detailed on the packing list. The following diagram shows the standard components.
Optional accessories and upgrades The following optional accessories and upgrades are available: Component Example Remote control kit External interface cable RAM mount bracket EZ-Steer® assisted steering system upgrade EZ-Steer controller with T2™ terrain compensation technology EZ-Boom™ 2010 automated application control system 58378R REV 1 DCA 0615 AgGPS® Autopilot™ automated steering system upgrade + platform kit radar cable kits 10 Introduction EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting S
For more information and ordering details, contact your local reseller. C CAUTION — Keep the lightbar dry. Do not spray the lightbar with any type of liquid as this will cause it to fail. Inspect all contents for visible damage, such as scratches or dents. If any components appear damaged, notify the shipping carrier. Keep the shipping and packaging material for the carrier’s inspection. Installing the system 1. Assemble the bracket kit. The bracket is reversible to optimize it for roll angle.
Using the vehicle cigarette lighter If the power cable is plugged into a cigarette lighter that is not wired through the vehicle ignition, the lightbar receives power whenever the cable is plugged in. To avoid draining the vehicle battery, turn off or disconnect the lightbar from the power source if the vehicle will be unused for an extended time.
Getting Started This section describes the parts of the EZ-Guide Plus lightbar guidance system and how to configure it. For information on using guidance patterns, see Getting Started, page 13.
Using the lightbar Items on the main map screen Status text Action icon bar Tips Action icons To select an icon, press u or D, and then press o. These action icons can be displayed in the icon bar: Icon Description Icon Description 9 Reset guidance 1 Nudge left A Set Point A 3 Nudge right B Set Point B 2 Pause/Resume 8 Start headland 4 Change views D Final headland 5 Zoom 7 Go to main configuration menu Note — Some action icons may not be available until a field is defined.
Views To change between the four views, select 4. View Details Perspective map This is the default screen for guidance. It displays two status text options. Plan map This is the default screen when you: • define the field • pass the end of the swath • move offline by more than half a swath • pause guidance It displays two status text options. Status This screen displays up to four status text options. To configure the text, use the Status Text configuration option.
Zooming To enter zoom mode, select 5, or press z on the remote control. The zoom screen appears. • To change the zoom scale, press u or D. • To accept the zoom scale and return to the map view, press o, or press z on the remote control. Zooming in the Summary view In the Summary view, there are additional zoom features. To access the additional features, when you are in the Summary view press 5.
Pass code restriction The EZ-Guide Plus lightbar has a pass code option that protects the lightbar configuration settings from being accessed and modified. Enabling or disabling the pass code 1. From the configuration menu, select Pass Code. The Pass Code screen appears. 2. Press u or D to select the required option and then press o. You are returned to the main menu. If the Pass Code option has been set to On, then you are prompted to enter the Pass Code when you select 7 or press m.
Setting the units and language By default, the units are set to US and the language is set to English. To change: • the units to metric, select Lightbar / Units • the language to Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, or Italian, select Lightbar / Language Changing the display orientation Generally, mount the lightbar with the LEDs above the screen (upright). If you mount the lightbar with Upright the LEDs below the screen (inverted), select Lightbar / Lightbar Mount and change the setting.
Path Display on the Summary screen The following table shows the effect of the Path Display settings on the Summary screen: Item Description Off Coverage is not displayed On Coverage is displayed wherever the vehicle drives Switch Coverage is displayed when it is enabled by an external switch Engaged Coverage is displayed when the EZ-Steer system is engaged EZ-Boom Coverage is displayed where the EZ-Boom 2010 system sprayed Setting the antenna offset By default, the antenna is assumed to be at t
Status text The Plan Map, Perspective Map, and Status views display four status text items. The Plan Map and Perspective Map views show two of the status text items at the top of the screen, which then change to the other two items. The status text items cycle every three seconds. The Status screen shows all four items at once. Status text item Definition Swath Number Swath number of the closest swath. Offline Distance Distance offline from the closest swath. Speed Current speed.
Status text item Definition Current Rate The current rate (gal/Ac or L/ha). Current Flow The current flow (gal/min or L/min). Applied Volume Total volume (gal or L) applied. Tank Volume The current volume of product in the spray tank (gal or L). Swath Pts The number of points in the current swath. Swath Len The length of the current swath. Conv Dist XP/HP convergence distance. Roll The roll angle of the vehicle. Field Num ID# of the AB Line. None No status text is displayed.
22 Getting Started EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting Started Guide
Getting Guidance The EZ-Guide Plus lightbar guidance system provides the following pattern options: Pattern Definition AB Line Straight guidance based on A and B points that define the initial line. A+ Straight guidance based on an A point and the previous line heading. Identical curve Curve guidance based on the initial curve. Adaptive curve Curve guidance based on the last curve driven. Headland Records headlands of any shape as you drive around the field.
Resetting guidance 1. Select 9. The Guidance Pattern screen appears. 2. Press u or D to choose the required pattern and then press o. A message appears asking you to confirm your choice. This prevents accidental resetting of the guidance pattern. 3. To confirm, press o. Configuring the swath width Once you select a pattern, the Swath/Implement screen appears. To change the swath width value: 1. Select the Swath Width field. 2. Press u or D until the correct value is displayed. 3. Press o.
Swaths drawn on screen extend 1 km (0.62 mi) beyond Point A and Point B, and the extensions appear as dotted lines. This makes it easier to see where the next swath is, and to get online after the turn. Note — The initial swath (AB Line) appears as a thin, solid line; the current swath appears as a bold line. AB Line pattern Use the AB Line pattern when no headlands are required and you drive the field in parallel straight lines. Step 2 B 1. At the start of the first swath, map Point A. 2.
2. Follow the AB Line for guidance down the first swath. 3. Turn left or right for the next swath. The next swath is automatically selected. 4. Steer the vehicle so that you center the green lights in the lightbar as you drive forward along the swath. Identical curve pattern Use the Identical curve pattern when you want to work the field with gentle curves. This pattern provides guidance based on the initial curve. It ignores any deviation around an obstacle. 1.
Simple curves (using Adaptive curve pattern) To drive simple Adaptive curves with the default of Auto-detect Turn set to On: 1. At the start of the first swath, map Point A. 2. Drive the initial curve. 3. Turn left or right for the next swath. The next swath is automatically selected. 4. Steer the vehicle so that you center the green lights in the lightbar as you drive forward along the swath.
Note — Make sure that you are not within one swath width of the start point. If you are, Point B will not be set. 6. Turn into the field. The next swath is generated off the last pass. 7. On each pass, when you are nearly back to where you started the headland, reset Point B to mark the end of the swath. Rowfinder (using Adaptive curve pattern) When you drive with an implement that spans several rows, you can navigate to the next appropriate swath without having to count the rows in between yourself.
4. On your final headland, press D before you return to the circle. This stops the lightbar from generating a new headland swath and allows you to map A and B points. You continue to receive guidance to the final headland until you drive off the pass by half a swath. 5. To map the start of the first straight swath, map Point A at any time. 6. Drive to the other end of the field and then map Point B. Note — Straight swaths automatically fill the headland boundary.
Steer the vehicle to center the green lights in the lightbar as you drive forward along the swath. Center-pivot pattern Use the Center-pivot pattern for a field that is irrigated using a center-pivot. With this pattern, you can drive concentric circles around the center-pivot. 1. Position one wheel of the vehicle in a pivot wheel rut, with the rear of the vehicle to the pivot arm. If the field is not a full circle pivot, face the rear of the vehicle to the edge of the field. A B 2.
Mapped area With area mapping you can: • map area features • mark out an obstacle or excluded area • Calculate the number of acres/hectares • display the area onscreen while receiving guidance To map an area: 1. From the main screen, select 9. The Guidance Pattern screen appears. 2. Select New Area. The Map Area At screen appears. 3. Select the point on the vehicle from which the measurement will be taken (right end of implement, left end of implement, or antenna). The main screen appears. 4.
Loading an existing AB Line 1. Select 9 to reset guidance. The Guidance Pattern screen appears. 2. Select Select AB Line and then press o. The Select AB Line screen appears. 3. Press u or D to adjust the range of AB Lines to select from and then press o. The Select Stored AB screen appears. It displays all saved AB Lines within the range you selected. The position of the vehicle is shown as a cross with a dot in the middle. The currently selected AB Line or curve is displayed with thicker bold lines.
Deleting all AB Lines 1. Select 9 to enter the Guidance Pattern screen. 2. Select Delete All AB’s. The Warning screen appears. 3. Select Yes to delete all AB Lines. The Guidance Pattern screen appears. 4. Select a new field pattern to create and then press o. 5. Set the swath width and implement width. 6. Select Exit and then press o. The main screen appears. Nudge Nudging moves the guidance line back to the correct path.
Each nudge moves the guidance line by the Nudge Increment value. For example, if the Nudge Increment is set to 0' 3" and you press 3 twice, the total nudge distance is 6 inches to the right. To display the total accumulated nudge perpendicular to the current vehicle heading, select Nudge as one of the status text items. See Status text, page 20. To reset the nudge distance to 0, select Guidance / Reset Nudge, and then select Reset. The main screen appears, with the swath in the original position.
Configuration for Australia For optimal lightbar performance in Australia, make the following changes: 1. Select Lightbar / Units and then change the units to Metric. 2. To use DGPS positions from an external receiver: a. From the configuration menu, select Lightbar / Data Port Settings. b. In the Input field, select External GPS. c. Change the baud rate settings to match the NMEA GGA and VTG output rate from the external DGPS receiver. 3.
Connecting a device To connect the lightbar to a spray controller: 1. Attach the pulse amplifier adaptor to the serial port of the lightbar and then attach the optional external interface cable (P/N 52033) to the other end of the adaptor. 2. Attach the radar sensor cable to the external interface cable. 3. If required, connect a spray switch into the WeatherPack connector on the radar sensor cable using a fly-lead.
The Pulse Output screen appears. 3. Select the output rate expected by your device. Note — Most Raven and Midtech controllers use 58.94 Hz/mph (34.80 Hz/kph). 4. In the Angle field, press u or D until the correct angle is selected. On most vehicles, the radar unit is mounted vertically (0°), and does not affect the speed pulse output. However, if your radar unit is mounted at an angle, you must configure the lightbar to compensate for this angle.
38 Getting Guidance EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting Started Guide
Configuring Guidance Settings You can configure the guidance and warning settings of the EZ-Guide Plus lightbar guidance system to suit your personal preference and your application. Guidance settings Configure the following lightbar settings from the Guidance menu. LED mode Mode Definition Chase Chase the lights to stay online. The lights represent the swath location relative to the vehicle. Pull Center the lights to stay online. The lights represent the vehicle location relative to the swath.
Warning options Configure the following warning option settings from the Warnings menu. Warnings are displayed as a flashing message on the screen. Headland warning The EZ-Guide Plus system displays a message when you pass the end of the swath. You can also configure a lead time for the headland warning so that the EZ-Guide Plus system warns you as you approach the end of the swath. By default, this is set to 0 sec.
Using GPS Before using GPS with the EZ-Guide Plus lightbar: • Configure the lightbar data port to work with GPS input • View GPS and DGPS diagnostics on the lightbar • Configure the GPS receiver to work with the lightbar • Set information specific to the GPS receiver If you have a lightbar without integrated GPS, the lightbar defaults to receive external GPS positions.
About the GPS receivers Some common GPS receivers have several different names: GPS receiver Example Referred to as AgGPS 106/AFS 100/NH 100 DGPS smart antenna AgGPS 110/AFS 110/NH 110 AgGPS 114/AFS 130 DPGS/OmniSTAR smart antenna AgGPS 132/AFS Universal/ NH 134 DGPS box receiver AgGPS 252/AFS 252/NH 252/ AgLeader GPS 5100 High accuracy smart antenna AgGPS 332 High accuracy box antenna Configuring the lightbar data port Receiver selection You can purchase the EZ-Guide Plus lightbar with or with
To select the GPS receiver that will be used with the lightbar: 1. Select Lightbar / Data Port Settings. 2. Select the Input field and then press u or D: Select input type ... For ... Notes None integrated receiver TSIP Receiver TSIP-capable GPS receivers This option automatically configures the receiver to the correct baud and parity and NMEA messages and rate. External GPS other GPS receivers Confirm that the port settings match the receiver output.
Configuring the receiver This section covers receiver configuration for: • GPS limits • Corrections • Filters Note — At mid latitudes, the GPS cross-track errors that occur when you drive East– West are typically double the cross-track errors that occur when you drive North– South. This is a characteristic of all GPS receivers and guidance systems, and occurs because the GPS satellite orbits do not go over the poles. For GPS system status details, go to http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/ado/GpsActiveNanu.
Corrections To improve GPS accuracy, the integrated GPS receiver uses correction messages from a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) satellite, European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) satellite, or Multifunctional Transport Satellitebased Augmentation System (MSAS) satellite. Note — MSAS is still at an early stage of development, and will be for use only in Japan.
You can select from four levels of satellite reception: Setting Description On The system searches for the satellite, regardless of the region or the satellite health. IgnoreHlth The system searches for the satellite if the satellite is within the appropriate region, regardless of satellite health. HeedHlth The system searches for the satellite if the satellite is within the appropriate region and is healthy. Off The system does not search for the satellite.
To configure the system for use with EGNOS: 1. Select GPS / Corrections. The EZ-Guide Plus screen appears. 2. Select Edit and then press o. The Edit screen appears. 3. Select Edit EGNOS and then press o. The EGNOS screen appears. 4. Select the appropriate setting for each satellite. See the table on page 46.
There are two status text options for use with OmniSTAR XP/HP: • GPS Status displays the XP/HP status (Convrg./Unconvrg.) • Conv Dist. displays the XP/HP convergence distance. For more information on subscription services, contact OmniSTAR. Filters The EZ-Guide Plus lightbar offers two methods of GPS signal filtering for TSIP-capable GPS receivers: OnPath and PV Filter. The selected GPS receiver determines which option is available.
Receiver-specific info If you have a lightbar with integrated GPS, the GPS receiver is powered on as soon as the lightbar is powered on. To receive GPS satellite signals, connect the antenna to the antenna cable connector on the back of the lightbar. Integrated receiver By default, the receiver will automatically use WAAS, EGNOS, or MSAS corrections according to your location.
To simultaneously receive and output NMEA messages, attach the lightbar and external receiver to a computer or device and then configure the lightbar and external receiver. For more information, refer to the EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar: Using Simultaneous NMEA Input and NMEA Output Support Note on www.EZ-Guide.com. High accuracy smart antenna The following figure shows how to connect the high accuracy smart antenna to the lightbar.
DGPS box receiver The following figure shows how to connect the DGPS box receiver to the lightbar. Lightbar P/N 52026-00 P/N 52033 DGPS box receiver P/N 30945-00 To switch input and pulse output Optional remote control If you are using a DGPS box receiver, you need to disable the 1HZ VTG setting: 1. From the Home screen, press 3 until Configuration appears and then press 2. 2. Press 3 until the GPS Config screen appears. 3. Press 2 until the 1Hz NMEA screen appears. 4. Change VTG to vtg as follows: a.
DGPS smart antenna and DGPS/OmniSTAR smart antenna The lightbar automatically configures the DGPS and DGPS/OmniSTAR smart antennas for a 5 Hz output rate. You need to disable the 1Hz VTG output setting. To do this, connect the receiver to an office computer running the AgRemote/GPSRemote software, which is available from www.EZ-Guide.com. In the AgRemote software: 1. From the Home screen, press 3 until Configuration appears and then press 2. 2. Press 3 until the GPS Config screen appears. 3.
Overview of the Menu Menu Menu option Description Default value EZ-Steer Back to Main Menu Return to the main menu — Axle/Ant Offset Distance between rear axle and antenna 0" Use/Save Config Loads or saves vehicle configurations — Vehicle Setup Vehicle type and settings Type – Tractor Steer whl dia. – 16.0" Angle/turn – 20° Freeplay Left – 1.00" Freeplay Right – 1.
Menu Menu option Description Default value EZ-Boom Back to Main Menu Return to the main menu — Boom The spray boom settings Swath Width – 60'0" Boom Width – 60'0" Fence Nozzles – None Number of Sections – 1 Section 1 Width – 720" Ant/Impl. Offset Distance between implement and antenna 0" Swath Control Spray start and stop times Boom Control – Auto Lead In – 1.0s Off Delay – -1.0s Minimize Skip Application Application limits Rate Control – On Rate 1 – 20.0g/a Rate 2 – 18.
Menu Menu option Description Default value Terrain Comp. Back to Main Menu Return to the main menu. — Orientation The direction that controller connectors point. Front Filter Terrain compensation filter Heavy 3 Antenna Height The height of the antenna above the ground. 0" Calibration Performs the terrain compensation calibration. — Hide EZ-Steer Hide the EZ-Steer menu No T2 Tech.
Menu Menu option Description Default value Lightbar (continued) Data Port Settings Configure the input and output for the data port. Integrated GPS lightbar – Input – None – 8N1 4800 – Output rate – 1 Hz GGA Precision – 7 No GPS lightbar – Input –TSIP Receiver – 8N1 38400 GGA Precision – 7 Pulse Output Configure the pulse output rate. Rate – Off Angle – 0° Units US – Feet, miles per hour, acres. US Metric – Meters, kilometers per hour, hectares.
Menu Menu option Description Default value Warnings Back to Main Menu Returns to main menu — Headland Warning Turn the headland warning ON or OFF. Configure the warning lead time. Warning – ON Lead time – 0s Offline Warning Distance off-swath at which the offline warning 0' 0" message appears. Set to zero to disable the warning. Low Acc Warning High Acc Only – Accept only high accuracy Warn Low Acc positions. Warn Low Acc – Accept all positions, but warn when low accuracy.
58 Overview of the Menu EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting Started Guide
Troubleshooting Problem Possible cause Solution Screen is blank or hard to see Backlight is off Turn on the cab light. Then use Brightness/Contrast to turn on the backlight. Backlight level needs to be adjusted Select Brightness/Contrast screen to change the brightness. The lightbar has locked up Disconnect power, wait 30 seconds, and then reapply power. Contrast is wrong Press and hold o as you reapply power. Contrast is reset to the default value.
Problem Possible cause FEW SATELLITES Part of the sky is blocked Move to a location where you have a clear view of the sky. from the view of the Make sure that the antenna is not obstructed. antenna. When you power on the receiver, it may take 1-2 minutes to acquire enough satellites.
Problem Possible cause Solution A single LED is flashing The ambient temperature If it is cold, turn on the heater in the cab. If it is hot, turn on is outside the lightbar the air conditioning. If sun is shining directly on the lightbar, temperature range shade the lightbar from the sunlight. The lightbar is not securely mounted The suction cup is a temporary mounting device Pump the suction cup each day or when the red line appears. Glue the suction cup to the window.
62 Troubleshooting EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System Getting Started Guide
Index A AB Lines deleting 32 loading 32 saving 31 accessories 10 action icons 14 alarm 40 antenna high accuracy smart 50 antenna offset 19 audible warning 40 auto-detect turn 39 Autoseed 47 B brightness 17 buttons 13 C chase lights 39 components 9 configuring the lightbar 16 connecting other devices 12 contrast 17 corrections 45 DGPS 45 HP 23, 47 low accuracy 23 RTCM 49 RTK 23 WAAS 23 XP 23, 47 coverage area 19 D data port settings 43 deleting AB Lines 32 devices, connecting 12 DGPS box receiver 51 DGPS
resetting nudge 34 resume 34 rowfinder 28 RTCM corrections 49 RTK corrections 23 S save AB Lines 31 screen 13 signal interference, minimizing 12 speed pulse 35 status text 20 subscriptions 47 swath width 24 switch input connecting 12 system components 9 64 Index T W troubleshooting 59 WAAS corrections 23, 46 editing 46 warnings alarm 40 headland 40 low accuracy 40 offline 40 U units 18 US units 18 V VBS backup 47 subscription 47 vehicle cigarette lighter 12 views Offline 15 Perspective map 15 Plan m
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