Winland Electronics VAL-1 User Manual
Page 5
If burying a probe in the center of a gravel driveway, the probe and cable should be buried about 18 inches below ground
level. To protect the probe and cable from being crushed, it is recommended that the probe and cable be placed inside a PVC
pipe and packed with soft sand before the hole is filled. This precaution is highly recommended for gravel driveways that
receive traffic from heavy vehicles.
Step 3: CONSOLE INSTALLATION
The Vehicle Alert console can be mounted either directly to a wall or to a standard 3-gang box (included with the VAL-1).
Screw packets are included; but if mounting directly to a wall, use of wall anchors is recommended. Both a standard slotted
screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver are necessary for installation.
Option #1: Surface mounting without a mounting box
For soft walls (sheet rock, paneling, etc.), the preferred mounting method is to surface mount the console
directly to the wall without a mounting box. For this option, drill a ½” diameter hole into the wall. This hole will
provide access to your probe cable and 12-volt power wires. Next, carefully mark the location of the four corner
screw holes on the Vehicle Alert console. Then drive four wall anchors (not included) into the locations and
complete by securing the VAL-1 to the wall.
Option #2: Surface mounting with a mounting box
For installation in areas where no hollow interior walls are available or where surface mounting of the wiring
is desired, a standard 3-gang surface mounting box can be used. Using the mounting box as a template, mark
the position of the screw holes on the vertical surface you with to mount to. Drive the screws (using included
anchors if required) in your mounting surface, allowing approximately 1/16” between the screw head and the
mounting surface. Engage key slots on the back box with the screw heads and press down. After completion of
wiring, the use the enclosed four Phillips screws to mount the Vehicle Alert console to the box.
Troubleshooting
“Power On” indicator is not on.
•
Check to make sure the power connections are properly made to the VAL console.
•
If the power connections are correct, disconnect the 12 VDC power supply from the console by unplugging the wiring
harness. Ensure that it is providing 12 VDC by measuring the power leads with a voltmeter.
Buzzer will not activate.
•
Check for loose connections on the console terminal block. If the system has been unplugged and then plugged back
in again, the green indicator light for the Exit Delay will reset and another six minutes must pass before the light is out
and the unit is active.
•
Ensure that jumper JP1 is not set to disable the buzzer (FIGURE 5).
“Test” button will activate the unit, but the probe will not.
•
Check all connections to ensure they are still connected per Power Connections on page 6.
•
Disconnect the probe from the console and measure the resistance of probe with an ohmmeter. A measurement from
the red to the black probe wire should be between 750 and 850 ohms. If you do not obtain this reading, ensure that
you’re not touching both wires while measuring (or your body’s resistance will also be read in parallel) and double
check any splice locations. A measurement from either red or black to the bare wire should read “open,” or infinite
resistance (∞).
Buzzer Sounds during lightning storms.
•
Lightning storms are a potential source of magnetic field disturbance at the probe. If the unit is grounded according
to the instructions above, there is nothing more that can be done to allow the unit to function during heavy lightning
activity. The unit should be unplugged or, if a battery power supply has been installed, the battery should be
disconnected until the storm has passed.
Buzzer sounds for no apparent reason (false alarms), and the probe sensitivity adjustment does not help.
•
Disconnect the bare probe wire from the center screw of the terminal block leaving only the red and black wires
connected to the terminal block.
•
If false alarms still exist, and if the unit is earth grounded, there may be a grounding problem. Disconnect the earth
ground wire (the wire that leads from the center screw on the terminal block to the earth ground in your home) from
the unit.
•
Verify that the bare wire (shield drain) shows no continuity to either of the signal wires. A measurement from either
red or black to the bare wire should read “open,” or infinite resistance (∞).
•
In some cases, false alarms can occur due to interference transmitted through power lines. A couple potential sources
of this type of interference are motors and microwaves. These devices can occasionally put noise back on the power
line which may get through the power supply and negatively influence the operation of the Vehicle Alert. This can be
ruled out either by unplugging suspected “noisy” devices, moving them to a different circuit, or powering the console
with battery power thereby removing its connection to AC power.
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5
Figure 3
Vehicle approaches driveway unknown to building occupants.
Vehicle enters the probe zone and its presence is instantly announced.