RMU1 Technical FAQ

The RMU1-I uses Iridium satellite for connectivity. The RMU1-S is the Globalstar satellite communications variant of the RMU1. The RMU1-G is the cellular version.

AT&T in the USA, Rogers in Canada. Cellular provider coverage maps can be used to ascertain if your sites have cellular coverage.

Yes, this is normal. The Iridium satellites the RMU1-I utilizes are in-motion orbiting around the earth. When the satellite is directly above the antenna, it will report a strong RSSI. If the satellite is low on the horizon when the RMU1 transmits, a lower RSSI is possible. The RSSI will change throughout the day as the satellite constellation moves through its orbit.

Look for “Tx” and an antenna icon near the bottom left corner of the RMU1’s display. This indicates that the communications antenna is transmitting a message to CorView. There could be minor delays depending on network traffic and site coverage.

The battery life for the RMU1 is typically 10 years based on readings every 7 days.

For the RMU1 Gen4 equipped with an INT1 interrupter, the battery life is typically 5 years based on readings every 12 hours and 2 weeks of interruption per year.

The battery life will vary depending on the reporting plan and communication type.

No. It is critical that you only use Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 AA batteries in the RMU1 for reliable performance. Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 AA batteries can be found at most hardware and convenience stores.

The operating temperature range of the RMU1 is -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to +140°F). Temperatures outside of that range can lower the battery voltage. It is normal for the battery voltage to drop in extremely cold temperatures. The battery voltage will return to normal with warmer temperatures, clearing any battery warnings that may have occurred during extreme cold.

There is no solar power option for the RMU1. The average user will experience 10 years from the internal batteries so there is no need for extra solar power (based on readings every 7 days).

There are several options available.

RMU1PGM or RMU1PGM-BT

• RMU1PGM with wired USB connection to PC only. (White USB cable) Mobiltex Part Number: A15000RMU1P

• RMU1PGM-BT supports both PC and Bluetooth for mobile devices. (Black USB cable) Mobiltex Part Number: A20A0332701

Note: Requires external battery for Bluetooth connection.

RMU1ADP with RMU1/2/3 Programmer or with RMU2/3 Programmer.

1. RMU1ADP with RMU2/3 programmer must have the most recent firmware installed. No Bluetooth communication compatibility with the RMU2/3 Programmer.
2. RMU1ADP with RMU1/2/3 Programmer is both PC and Bluetooth compatible with most mobile devices.

RMU1/2/3 Programmer and RMU2/3 Programmer:

RMU1 Adapter:

Note: Bluetooth connection is available only for mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. They are not compatible with Bluetooth on a PC.

Yes. You will need to know the site specifics such as shunt value, coupon size, and any alarm levels. Be sure to perform a power up cycle, or test transmission (button press) at the site to transmit updated GPS information to CorView.

For RMU1 Gen4 and INT1, Interruption schedules can be set remotely via the CorView web interface. (NOTE: The RMU1 Gen4 checks for commands every 12 hours so interruption commands should be scheduled at least a day in advance.) The measurement type, shunt scaling factor, and coupon sizes etc. must be configured locally. RMU1’s prior to Gen4 must be configured locally.

Unfortunately, no for both. The scaling factors can only be viewed and programmed locally with an RMU programmer.

You can, but it will lose measurement resolution if the operating range is low and the Range is set to high.

RMU1 ranges for the coupon current measurement:
Low Range: +/-6mADC, 4.25mAAC
Med Range: +/-60mADC, 42.5mAAC
High Range: +/-200mADC, 140mAAC

INT1 interrupter ranges for the internal bond shunt:
Low Range: +/-300mADC, 210mAAC
Med Range: +/-3ADC, 2.1AAC
High Range: +/-10ADC, 7AAC

Note: Hovering the mouse pointer over the range drop-down menu will display the range limits in the PC based RMU1 Configuration Editor.

1. Click on Coupon Calc button in the RMU1 Configuration Editor.
2. Enter in the size of the coupon and select the correct units.
3. Click OK.
4. The software will fill the scaling factor automatically.
5. Click Write to RMU1 to save the changes.

Example for 10cm² coupon in the PC base RMU1 Configuration Editor:

1. Ensure the RMU1 is powered up:
   • Confirm the RMU1 LCD is on when the lid is tightened.
   • Confirm the RMU1 LCD is on when the RMU1 Programmer is in place on the RMU1.
     • If not, check if there is a small magnet present on the bottom of the RMU1 Programmer:
       
   • Ensure that “LO BAT” is not displayed on the right bottom corner of the LCD. Replace batteries if present
2. Be sure there is no other configuration or firmware programming software running in the background on your PC.
3. Ensure that the programmer drivers are installed on your PC.
4. Ensure the window for IR transceiver is clean on both the RMU1 and the RMU1PGM.
   
5. Confirm the RMU1PGM is powered up and the green LED is lit.
   
6. Try rebooting the RMU1 by unscrewing the lid, waiting 5 seconds and screwing the lid back on.

For Bluetooth connection:

• Ensure the RMU programmer is adequately powered. If using a battery pack, ensure it is adequately charged.
• Connect to the RMU1PGM through the config app. Do not connect through your mobile device’s Bluetooth settings.
• Try turning the Bluetooth off and on again on your mobile device.
• Try forgetting or unpairing the device in your mobile device’s Bluetooth settings. Then re-pair to the programmer using the configuration app.
• Make sure no other mobile devices are already connected to the RMU1PGM.
• Try reinstalling the config app on your mobile device.
• Reset the pairing code of the RMU1 programmer from Help tab in RMU1 Configuration Editor with a PC. (Pairing Code is “123456” by default)

The RMU1 checks the measurements every 6 hours and compares them to the programmed limits (alarms). If the measurements are within the limits, the RMU1 goes back to sleep. If the measurements are outside of limits, the RMU1 will transmit an alarm right away. The RMU1 will transmit readings periodically based on the reporting plan. The fastest sampling rate available in the RMU1 is 1 hour.

No. The RMU1’s timer starts as it gets powered up. If the RMU1 gets powerd up again as result of a battery replacement or reboot etc. the timer will restart from that point.

It is configurable between 0 and 1000ms. 100ms is the default setting.

Placing a magnet against the TEST label above the LCD for 1-3 seconds will trigger a “Test Message” message. This will take the measurements according to the RMU1’s configuration which will include an instant disconnect reading when configured as such.

The internal shunt has a resistance of 1 Ohm.

You can calculate a new scaling factor that compensates for the error caused by using the incorrect measurement points on the shunt. Use the formula below and program the new value into the RMU1 using your programming tool.

New Scaling factor = (Voltage across the shunt only * Current scaling factor) / Voltage the RMU is measuring.

Normally, the resistance of the connectors and RMU sense wires can be ignored if the wires are kept very short and connections are made directly to the shunt at the points designated by the shunt manufacturer. In most installations, this extra resistance of the sense wires to the RMU can be ignored. The wire resistance between the sense points used and the designated shunt sense points cannot be ignored.

The RMU1 will disconnect the coupon for two operations:

1. Holding a magnet over the TEST mark above the LCD for more than 5 seconds.
2. The RMU1 is programmed to follow a coupon depolarization cycle.

You can check the depolarization schedule in the configuration editor under “Depolarization”.

Placing a magnet for more than 5 seconds over the TEST label will disconnect the coupon if disconnects are enabled in the software. Look for the open relay symbol at the bottom left corner of the LCD as well as “- [ ] -” will be displayed. Re-apply a magnet for more than 5 seconds to close the relay. Otherwise, the relay will close automatically at the next wake up interval of the RMU1.

NOTE: The coupon disconnect cannot be done if the RMU1 is currently performing a depolarization cycle.

AC and DC current density readings are displayed in CorView as A/m²

Check for connection issues such as poor crimps, loose screws, corrosion on connections and damaged wires. Consider deploying a data logger to confirm the readings. The RMU1 may be catching intermittent issues that were not previously found with monthly visits.

Select the correct readings type from drop-down menu in the top left corner of the Readings Page.

Check the RMU1’s reporting plan. The RMU1-I and the RMU1-G that take readings more often than once a day will batch the readings and transmit them all at the same time. Refer to the reporting plans listed in the tables below for further detail.

If the RMU1-I/G is unsuccessful transmitting the readings to the CorView, it can buffer up to 16 readings. The RMU1-I/G will send the accumulated readings during the next scheduled transmission.

To maintain data continuity and historical readings, you must replace the old ESN with the new ESN. (Note: Only CorView Administrators can perform this task)

After installing, configuring, and powering up the new antenna, follow the steps below:

1. Log into CorView.
2. Select [SETUP] – [Site List].
3. Find the auto-created site created by the new RMU1. The site name will be the ESN of the new RMU1.
4. Delete the auto-created site by clicking the recycling icon. NOTE: you will lose any readings the new antenna has already sent.
5. Find the existing site with the old RMU1’s ESN assigned to it.
6. Click on the pencil icon to edit the ESN assigned to the site.
7. Select the new ESN from the RMU ESN drop-down list.
8. Click the Update button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
9. Perform a test transmission or power up transmission on the RMU1 to send a message to CorView.

If the ESN is reassigned in CorView before the RMU1 is physically changed, you can skip steps 1 through 4.

Unfortunately, No. After a significant amount of time has passed, the sites cannot be merged. The old site can be marked as not active in Site Setup to prevent overdue alarms and emails.

The RMU1 only transmits the GPS coordinates on initial power up, reset or test transmissions. If the initial power-up message is missed, then the GPS coordinates will also be missing. The corrective action in this instance is to reset the RMU1 by unscrewing the lid and tightening it back down to force a power-up message or do a test transmission by holding a magnet against “TEST” mark above the LCD for 1 to 3 seconds. This message will be transmitted into the CorView including the GPS coordinates.

CorView knows when the RMU should be transmitting measurements but did not receive them. There are numerous possibilities for missed transmissions:

• Check that the RMU1 is activated on the communications network. This can be found in CorView under [SETUP] – [RMU List].
• Check for physical damage at the site.
• Confirm the battery is not low by looking at the battery column from previous messages.
• Ensure that RMU1-G cellular antennas are in an area with good cellular coverage
• Confirm that RMU1-I, RMU3-S antennas have a full unobstructed view of the sky.
• Use your RMU1 programmer to read out any faults the RMU1 has detected.