Computer Pairing
This Bluetooth Relay will be paired with a Bluetooth connection on your computer. This involves opening the Bluetooth control panel on your computer, pressing the "pairing" button on our controller, and finally, using the Bluetooth control panel to add the device to the Bluetooth network. Once paired, the NCD part number will appear in your Bluetooth control panel, and a new COM port will be available for use on your computer. To communicate to the device, all you have to do is open the new Bluetooth COM port at 115.2K baud and start sending commands. The Blue LED on our controller will light as soon as the port is opened.
ZBT Modules
This board is equipped with a ZBT Module. The ZBT communications module adds Bluetooth communications to the board. The ZBT module is powered from the board. The board itself will require 12 volts of power and can be hard wired or you can purchase a "wall wart" type transformer at checkout.
Bluetooth Configuration
Configuration is easy with the optional Bluetooth ZigMo Modem. Simply connect it to the USB port of your computer with the supplied cable and you will be able to select a COM port, change the baud rate or enter a security pin code. The Bluetooth ZigMo is available as an option when you purchase your Bluetooth controller. The ZBT module will pull off the board and can be installed in the ZigMo for configuration. You can then configure the baud rate and password settings if you require a secure wireless control. After configuration the ZBT module can be reinstalled in your board and it will be configured to fit your needs.
Line-Of-Site Operation
As with any wireless technologies, for optimal performance it needs to be line-of-sight. In other words the antennas of the board and modem must "see" each other to get the optimal range or even be able to communicate at all. Select the External Antenna option to provide better range especially when controller will be mounted in an enclosure or behind a wall or obstruction.
Take Manual Control of Taralist
At any time, a computer may monitor the Taralist Controller to read the status of the relays, activate relays, or change configuration settings using Base Station Software. This USB version will allow access to the board as long as it is still connected to the USB port of
your computer. A computer can take over the Taralist or the Taralist can operate autonomously (without a computer). The Taralist Configuration Utility is part of Base Station software and this is a free download.
Once Configured
Once the Taralist is configured, it will run through the list of events stored in its on board memory every second to look for a match with the current time. If a match with the current time and a configured event is discovered, it will execute the event.
Controlling Relays
There are 2 possible ways to control the relays on a Taralist Series controller.
- A Relay can be Directly Controlled by a time schedule.
- This Relay can be controlled from a computer through a RS-232 connection. A computer can take control of any or all relays on a Taralist controller at any time. Once taken over, the Taralist logic will not be able to switch a relay. The computer MUST return control of the relay back to the Taralist Logic for standalone operation.
Who's Qualified to Use the Taralist Series?
Some computer skills required. The Taralist Relays do not require programming, simply configure the device with the included Base Station Software. While programming is not required and simple functions can be done rather easily with basic computer skills, complex events can be configured which will require some understanding and patience.
Induction Capacitors
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of relay control is proper handling of inductive loads. Inductive loads can best be defined as anything with a magnetic coil, such as a motor, solenoid, or a transformer. Controlling a inductive load using this relay controller requires the use of induction suppression capacitors. The purpose of this capacitor is to absorb the high voltages generated by inductive loads, blocking them from the contacts of the relay. Without this capacitor, the lifespan of the relay will be greatly reduced. Induction can be so severe that it electrically interferes with the microprocessor logic of our controllers, causing relay banks to shut themselves down unexpectedly. In the case of USB devices, customers may experience loss of communications until the device is reconnected to the USB port. Capacitors that we offer are available at checkout, for more information view our Induction Suppression Video.