Serial translator

The Aquamonix range of 2-Wire Translators are marketed globally under Tonick Watering.

Tonick translators provide both the power and signaling to a range of field devices via a 2-wire pathway, and are capable of complex control and data collection. Tonick translators can be connected to your control system via a serial MODbus port or a simple multi-wire digital input interface.

The Serial Translator is a true A/C 2-wire decoder for landscape applications, compatible with the Motorola ACE irrigation controller.

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  • Two outputs that can be controlled independently
  • Each output can control up to 127 individually addressed decoders for a total of 254stations
  • A RS485 serial bus to communicate with a Modbus RTU protocol
  • Operation rated to ambient +70°C
  • Suitable for use with Tonick 2-wire TW/2W decoders, MK3 decoders and Decoder-In-A-Solenoid (DIAS)
  • Supports a range of sensor input decoders

Electrical

  • Supply voltage 24 ~32 V RMS AC 50 or 60Hz
  • Supply current up to 1.3A
  • Output voltage 23-31 V RMS AC
  • Output current max continuous

    – 1.2A at +50°C Ambient

    – 0.6A at +70°C Ambient

  • Recommended inverted power supply is 12VDC – 28VAC, constant, 60Hz

    Note: Full Line output voltage will be continuously applied to the solenoids connected to ‘on’ decoders. Attention must be given to the specifications of these solenoids.

Line Signalling

  • Up to 127 Tonick 2 Wire decoders, MK3 decoders or Decoder-In-A-Solenoid (DIAS)
  • Up to 16 active DIAS 2-Way, 10 active DIAS 3-Way or 4 TW/2W/MK3 decoders and solenoids (subject to total solenoid loads)
  • Allow 45 seconds after power-up before switching decoders
  • Custom firmware for OEM systems
  • Compatible with Tonick decoders and Decoder-In-A-Solenoid (DIAS)
  • Compatible with all Tonick sensor decoders for moisture, pressure, water level, flow and digital inputs
  • Jumper link pairs J5 and J8 alter the polarity of the decoder signaling waveform on lines 1 and 2

CPU

  • 8-bit RISC. 8MIPs, 64K flash / 4K RAM / 4K EEPROM

Firmware

  • Re-writable application in general flash space. Uses Kanda Keyfob programmer

Communications

  • RS485 half-duplex (+-80V fault, 15kV discharge)
  • 9600 Baud, N,8,2 (other formats on request)

Isolation

  • 1KV between decoder line/ transformer AC input and RS485 circuitry

Slave Address Programmable

  • 1 or 2 using the jumper able link marked J11. Factory Set: Slave address 1

Connections

The Serial Translator should be wired as follows:

  • AC1 and AC1 terminals should be wired to the transformer supply
  • FL1 is the Field Cable 1 ‘Live’ terminal (referred to as the ‘line’)
  • FN1 is the Field Cable 1 ‘Neutral’ terminal
  • EST1 The Earth Stake terminal (EST) MUST be connected to the earth stake EST1 and EST2 can be connected to just one earth stake. (see below for recommendations)
  • AC2 and AC2 terminals should be wired to the transformer supply
  • FL2 is the Field Cable 2 ‘Live’ terminal (referred to as the ‘line’)
  • FN2 is the Field Cable 2 ‘Neutral’ terminal
  • EST2 The Earth Stake terminal (EST) MUST be connected to the earth stake EST1 and EST2 can be connected to just one earth stake. (see below for recommendations)
  • A (D0), B (D1) are half duplex RS485 signals B is +ve and A is -ve during line idle conditions
  • COM is the ground of the RS485 circuitry and must be connected to the RS485 0V of host controller. The 0V of the interfaces’ comms is within +/- 1.5V of the Output 1B
  • The RS485 is optically isolated from the Tonick BT2 decoder circuits by at least 1KV to help protect against lightning surges propagating in the host controller
  • Auxiliary Output 1B. This supplies the Motorola ACE 2Wire CPU and RS485 circuits. FL1, FN1, FL2, FN2 are optically isolated to 3kV from the Auxiliary Output 1B

Grounding System

  • The Earth Stake terminal (EST) MUST be connected to a properly bedded earth stake or plate via a 4mm2 (#11 AWG) or larger earth wire. This earth system is not to be regarded as an electrical safety earth. Connection of the EST to a building and/or an electrical earth is NOT permitted
  • Use of the Tonick Line Terminating Unit (LTU) at each termination of the 2-wire path is recommended to complete the lightning protection system

Environmental

  • Storage – 0 to 70°C 5% to 95 % humidity (non-condensing)
  • Operation +3 to +70°C, de-rated from 1.2A output at +50°C to 0.6A output at +70°C, 5 to 95 % humidity (non-condensing)

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