Research Concepts RC2500 - Manual (Page 15)

8 RC2500 Antenna Controller Chapter 3 Installation/Setup
Research Concepts, Inc. • 5420 Martindale Road • Shawnee, Kansas • 66218-9680 • USA www.researchconcepts.com
Chapter 3 – INSTALLATION/ SETUP
This chapter guides the user through the installation and the initial software setup. The procedures
outlined in this chapter cover the mechanical and electrical installation of the unit, setting the azimuth and
elevation limits, determining the azimuth and elevation slow speed parameters, and programming the
satellite positions into non-volatile memory. Italicized items refer to CONFIG mode items the installer
may or may not have to modify.
3.1 Controller Versions
There are several different drive-output and operating firmware versions of the RC2500 product that allow
it to operate with antenna interface units of various manufacturers. All RC2500 versions use the same
processor board. Currently, these hardware/firmware versions are as follows:
7134 Summary Limits Version
This version is pin compatible with the Vertex 7134 antenna -controller. It features a summary
limit input (all six limits are wired in series) and dual speed operation. This version can also be
used with individual limits by utilizing pins of the Aux I/O connector and different firmware.
9135 Version
Meant as a retrofit to existing Harris antennas using the 9135 controller, this version features
individual limits and a variable slow speed controlled by a pulse-width–modulated signal from the
RC2500. This version uses a unique drive board.
Other Hardware Versions
There have been several other variations of the RC2500 with the hardware based on one of the
two versions above. Refer to the final appendices (H and greater) for details of these variants.
There exists an RC2500A and RC2500B version for each of these antenna types. The RC2500B is
capable of tracking inclined-orbit satellites and the RC2500A is not.
3.2 Before You Begin
Before installing the unit the installer must ensure that the line voltage is correct, the controller's memory
has been cleared, and that he or she is familiar enough with the mode system described in Chapter 2 to
place the controller in any desired mode. All units are shipped from the factory with memory cleared, a
line cord appropriate for the line voltage selected.
If the line cord received with the unit is not appropriate for the power available at the installation site, the
installer should check the controller to ensure that the proper line voltage has been selected.
The RC2500 can be configured to operate on either 115 VAC or 230 VAC. The AC input voltage the unit
is currently configured for is displayed in a window located in the fuse holder. To change the AC input
voltage selection, remove the fuse holder and reverse the jumper assembly (on which the ‘115’ and ‘230’
labels are located). The fuse holder is designed to accommodate 1/4” by 1 1/4” fuses. If the RC2500 is
configured for 115 VAC operation, use a 2 amp slow blow type fuse. If the RC2500 is configured for 230
VAC operation, use a 1 amp slow blow type fuse.
When the AC line voltage has been verified, and before any of the antenna wiring has been connected,
the installer should become familiar with the controller's user interface. It is not necessary to understand
every aspect of the controller's operation to install the unit, but the installer should be familiar with the
mode structure of the RC2500 and be able to use the MODE key to place the controller in any of the
modes described in Chapter 2.
When the unit is powered up, it should be verified that the controller goes to MANUAL mode ('MANUAL'
displayed in the upper right hand corner of the LCD). Before the controller is shipped from the factory,
the memory is cleared. If the unit does not power up in Manual mode or if the memory is corrupted, the
installer should perform a system reset to place the controller into a known state before proceeding with
the installation.
To perform a system reset: