1.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE

Number of WI supported 1, 2, 4

Ticket Printer Yes

Real Time Clock/Calendar Yes

RTC Battery life 10 years

NV Memory capacity 2047 records

Serial Communication RS232 & RS485

OPERATOR INTERFACE

2 x 16 character alpha-numeric LCD, yellow led

Display
backlight

Keypad Covered by polyester Folio, 4 functional buttons

Power Supply 12DC 7Ah Sealed Lead-Acid Rechargable Battery

Charge Supply 100-240 VAC Charge Adapter

Charge Time 8 Hours

Operating Time 12 Hours

Battery Life-time 3 Years

ENVIROMENTAL

Operating temperature -10°C ... +40°C

Storage temperature -20°C ... +65°C

Protection class IP 54

Protection class 9.5 kg

Dimensions 460 x 330 x 160 mm.

2. GENERAL VIEW

2.1. Front Panel:

VALCON v1.4
..........

ESC
 OK
MENU PRINT AXLE MODE

SUB TOTAL
TOTAL

2.2. Buttons:

ESC / MENU MENU button is used to enter the MENU SYSTEM

ESC for visualizing or changing the parameter’s value.

MENU ESC button is used to go back to upper menus

from sub menus. It can be used to exit without
changing parameters. It is also used as cancel
button for question messages.

/ PRINT

button is used for scrolling downward direction

between menu options, or to decrement a digit.

PRINT PRINT button is used to print single weighing

results in Mode1/2/3/4/5, or axle weighing results
in Mode1/2 - AND to save it into NV memory.

See Modes of operations chapter.

  / AXLE /  button is used for scrolling upward direction
 SUB TOTAL between menu options, or to increment a digit.

AXLE AXLE button is used to start printing weighing

results in Mode1/2 as a continuous stream of axle
weights - AND to save it into NV memory.
SUB
TOTAL SUB TOTAL button is used to print a sub-total
weight of the last printed axles.

See Modes of operations chapter.

OK / MODE / OK button is used to enter sub menus and also as

OK TOTAL “Yes” button for question messages.

MODE MODE button is used to change the mode of

operation, between the Mode1/2/3/4/5 possibles
modes.

TOTAL TOTAL button is used to print a total weight of the

all printed axles and to end the axle printing
mode.

See Modes of operations chapter.

3. MODES OF OPERATION & PRINTING MODES

There are five modes of operation:

- Mode1
- Mode2
- Mode3
- Mode4
- Mode5

There are two printing modes:

- Single printing
- Axle printing

Single printing Axle printing

Mode1 Yes Yes
Mode2 Yes Yes
Mode3 Yes No
Mode4 Yes No
Mode5 Yes No

Observe that Single printing is available in all five modes of operation, and Axle
printing is available only in Mode1 and Mode2.

3.1 Mode1

In this mode it is used only one weighing indicator (WI1) for printing.

Single printing ticket : Axle printing ticket :

NO: 00003 NO: 00003

18-MAY-2008 13:20 18-MAY-2008 13:20

---------------------------- AXLE 1 : 500 kg

TOTAL : 5045 kg AXLE 2 : 500 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
AXLE 3 : 500 kg
AXLE 4 : 500 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
================
TOTAL : 2000 kg
================
3.2 Mode2

In this mode two weighing indicators (WI1, WI2) are used for printing. The SUM of
the two weighing results is printed on the ticket, and not the individual weighing
values. This is also the single difference between the Mode1/Mode2.

Single printing ticket : Axle printing ticket :

NO: 00003 NO: 00003

18-MAY-2008 13:20 18-MAY-2008 13:20

---------------------------- AXLE 1 : 500 kg

AXLE : 5045 kg AXLE 2 : 500 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
AXLE 3 : 500 kg
AXLE 4 : 500 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
================
TOTAL : 2000 kg
================

3.3 Mode3

In this mode two weighing indicators (WI1, WI2) are used for printing. Only Single
Print Mode is available, which will print both weighing results from weighing
indicators and the SUM of them.

Single printing ticket :

NO: 00003

18-MAY-2008 13:20

W.PAD1 : 500 kg
W.PAD2 : 550 kg
================
AXLE : 1050 kg
================
3.4 Mode4

In this mode four weighing indicators (WI1, WI2, WI3, WI4) are used for printing.
Only Single Print Mode is available, which will print both weighing results from
weighing indicators and the SUM of them, organized as two sub-totals (axles) for the
WI1, WI2 and WI3, WI4, and a total from all four weighing results.

Single printing ticket :

NO: 00003

18-MAY-2008 13:20

W.PAD1 : 500 kg
W.PAD2 : 500 kg
----------------------------
AXLE : 1000 kg
----------------------------
W.PAD3 : 500 kg
W.PAD4 : 500 kg
----------------------------
AXLE : 1000 kg
----------------------------
================
TOTAL : 2000 kg
================
3.5 Mode5

In this mode four weighing indicators (WI1, WI2, WI3, WI4) are used for printing.
Only Single Print Mode is available, which will print both weighing results from
weighing indicators and the SUM of them, organized as two sub-totals (diagonals) for
the WI1, WI4 and WI2, WI3, and a total from all four weighing results.

Single printing ticket :

NO: 00003

18-MAY-2008 13:20

W.PAD1 : 500 kg
W.PAD4 : 500 kg
----------------------------
DIAGONAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
W.PAD2 : 500 kg
W.PAD3 : 500 kg
----------------------------
DIAGONAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
================
TOTAL : 2000 kg
================
3.6 Main Screens & Printing procedures

3.6.1 Mode1/Mode2 Single Printing

Mode1 1000kg

PRINT Print ?
Mode1 1000kg

NO: 00003
OK
Mode1 1000kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

----------------------------
TOTAL : 1000 kg

(Any other button instead of OK button will cancel the printing.)

3.6.2 Mode1/Mode2 Axle Printing

Mode1 1000kg

AXLE Axle Print ?

Mode1 1000kg

AXLE : 2 NO: 00003

OK
Mode1 1000kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg

(Any other button instead of OK button will cancel the printing.)

PRINT AXLE : 3 NO: 00003

Mode1 1000kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg
AXLE 2 : 1000 kg

SUB AXLE : 3 NO: 00003

TOTAL
Mode1 1100kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg
AXLE 2 : 1000 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2000 kg
----------------------------
PRINT AXLE : 4 NO: 00003
Mode1 1200kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg
AXLE 2 : 1000 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2000 kg
----------------------------
AXLE 3 : 1100 kg

PRINT AXLE : 5 NO: 00003

Mode1 1200kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg
AXLE 2 : 1000 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2000 kg
----------------------------
AXLE 3 : 1100 kg
AXLE 4 : 1200 kg

SUB AXLE : 5 NO: 00003

TOTAL
Mode1 1200kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg
AXLE 2 : 1000 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2000 kg
----------------------------
AXLE 3 : 1100 kg
AXLE 4 : 1200 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2300 kg
----------------------------

TOTAL NO: 00003

Mode1 1200kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

AXLE 1 : 1000 kg
AXLE 2 : 1000 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2000 kg
----------------------------
AXLE 3 : 1100 kg
AXLE 4 : 1200 kg
----------------------------
SUB TOTAL : 2300 kg
----------------------------
===============
TOTAL : 4300 kg
===============
The ESC button will terminate the printing at any moment.

3.6.3 Mode3/Mode4/Mode5 Single Printing

Mode3/4/5 Single printing is identical with Mode1/2 Single printing, except for the
ticket format.

Mode3:
WI1+WI2
Mode3 1000kg

PRINT Print ?
Mode3 1000kg

NO: 00003
OK
Mode3 1000kg
18-MAY-2008 13:20

W.PAD1 : 450 kg
W.PAD2 : 550 kg
===============
AXLE : 1000 kg
===============

(Any other button instead of OK button will cancel the printing.)

Mode4: WI1+WI2 WI3+WI4

1000kg 1200kg WI1+WI2+WI3+WI4

Mode4 2200kg

PRINT 1000kg 1200kg

Print ? 2200kg NO: 00003

1000kg 1200kg 18-MAY-2008 13:20

OK
Mode4 2200kg
W.PAD1 : 450 kg
W.PAD2 : 550 kg
----------------------------
AXLE : 1000 kg
----------------------------
W.PAD3 : 450 kg
W.PAD4 : 550 kg
----------------------------
AXLE : 1000 kg
----------------------------
===============
TOTAL : 2200 kg
===============
(Any other button instead of OK button will cancel the printing.)

Mode5: WI1+WI4 WI2+WI3

1000kg 1200kg WI1+WI2+WI3+WI4

Mode4 2200kg

PRINT 1000kg 1200kg

Print ? 2200kg NO: 00003

1000kg 1200kg 18-MAY-2008 13:20

OK
Mode4 2200kg
W.PAD1 : 450 kg
W.PAD4 : 550 kg
----------------------------
DIAGONAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
W.PAD2 : 450 kg
W.PAD3 : 550 kg
----------------------------
DIAGONAL : 1000 kg
----------------------------
===============
TOTAL : 2200 kg
===============

(Any other button instead of OK button will cancel the printing.)

3.7 Changing the Mode of Operation

Mode1 1000kg

MODE Set Mode

Mode 1

Set Mode
Mode 2

 Set Mode
Mode …

Set Mode
Mode 5

OK The Mode is changed

Mode3 1000kg

ESC
The Mode is not changed
Mode1 1000kg

3.8 Ticket Header

The printed ticket can have up to six lines of programmable text printed just above
the “NO” field. Each line consists of 21 characters. Each line can be programmed
through the serial communication. See “5. SERIAL COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL”
chapter for a detailed description.

3.9 Battery Low warning

Below 10.7V, an audible warning signal will beep once per minute, and the character
“L” will show in the main screen:

L Mode1 1000kg
4. CONFIGURATION MENU

MENU SETTINGS:
DATE/TIME

SETTINGS:
PRINTER

 SETTINGS:
COMMUNICATION

SETTINGS:
ACCESS

SETTINGS:
SYSTEM INFO

OK button will enter the submenu.

ESC button will exit to the main screen.

4.1 SYSTEM INFO

It is the only submenu which is not password protected. It is an information screen

which shows the battery voltage and the number of records stored in the NV memory:

SETTINGS:
SYSTEM INFO

OK VBAT: 12.28V
Records: 45

Any key will exit the Information screen.

4.2 Password protection

Every submenu except SYSTEM INFO is password protected on entering. The

password is a 5 digit number, which is formed by pressing the buttons five time in a
row. Every button has a code from 1 to 4 :

Code
ESC / MENU 1

/ PRINT 2
 / AXLE / SUB TOTAL 3
OK / MODE / TOTAL 4

There is an user password which can be changed from ACCESS submenu:

ACCES:
Password1:

<key sequence> ACCES:

Password1: *****

ACCES:
Password2:

<key sequence> ACCES:

Password2: *****

If the two codes are identical, the new password will be saved:

ACCES:
Good

If the two codes are not identical, or the code is 44444 (five OK’s), the new
password will not be saved.

ACCES:
Wrong!
4.3 DATE/TIME

In this submenu it is possible to set the time and date of the system.

DATE/TIME:
[15]:40 18.05.08

DATE/TIME:
15:[40] 18.05.08

DATE/TIME:
OK 15:40 [18].05.08

DATE/TIME:
15:40 18.[05].08

DATE/TIME:
15:40 18.05.[08]

The value between brackets can be changed by UP and DOWN arrows.

The ESC + OK buttons combination will save the new time and date:

ESC SAVE: [OK][ESC]

15:40 18.05.[08]

OK TIME CHANGED !
15:40 18.05.[08]

The ESC + ESC buttons combination will exit without saving:

ESC SAVE: [OK][ESC]

15:40 18.05.[08]

ESC NOT CHANGED !

15:40 18.05.[08]
4.4 PRINTER

PRINTER:
RESET NO

PRINTER:
BOTTOM

 PRINTER:
TOP

PRINTER:
FONT

OK button will enter the submenu.

ESC button will exit to the main screen.

4.4.1 RESET NO

This option will reset to 00001 the ticket number printed in the first line of the ticket.

RESET NO:
Confirm: [OK]

OK RESET NO:
Resetting...

Any other key will exit this option without resetting.

4.4.2 BOTTOM

This option represents the number of empty lines (0-9) which will be printed at the
end of the ticket (this sets the white area at the bottom).

BOTTOM:
0

BOTTOM:
1

 BOTTOM:
…

BOTTOM:
9
 OK BOTTOM:
Updating...

ESC key will exit this option without updating the new value.

4.4.3 TOP

This option represents the number of empty lines (0-9) which will be printed at the
beginning of the ticket (this sets the white area at the top).

TOP:
0

TOP:
1

 TOP:
…

TOP:
9

OK TOP:
Updating...

ESC key will exit this option without updating the new value.

4.4.4 FONT

This option represent the font type/size used in printing. There are two sizes: small
and large.

FONT:
Small


 FONT:
Large

OK FONT:
Changing font...

ESC key will exit this option without updating the new value.
4.5 COMMUNICATION

There is only one parameter for communication settings, which is the baud rate
value:

BAUD:
4800

BAUD:
9600

 BAUD:
19200

BAUD:
38400

OK BAUD:
Changing baud...

ESC key will exit this option without updating the new value.

The rest of the communication parameters and the serial protocol, are fixed:

N : no parity
8 : 8 bits of data
1 : 1 stop bit
5. SERIAL COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

The serial communication protocol is a simple text based protocol. It has the
following goals:

1. to retrieve the stored records from NV memory

2. to retrieve the real time weighing results from indicators
3. to update the programmable text strings of the ticket header

1. To retrieve the stored records from NV memory, the WPD presents a menu
system based on two simple actions:
- the records can be read/uploaded one of a time, without deleting them, by
the ‘U’ command. So, the records can be read many times.
- All the records can be erased/deleted in a single step by the ‘E’ command.

NOTE: The NV memory capacity is 2047 records. If the memory become full, the
new records will be overwritten over the first records. In this mode, the last 2047
records are always available.

2. To retrieve the real time weighing results from indicators, the ‘G’ command is
used. This data can be useful in real-time monitoring applications.

3. To update the text strings of the ticket header, the ‘T’ (Text) command is
used. WPD presents a small menu system in which the operator can select
the line to be modified (by number) and then the new line can be entered.

There are two main connections:

WPD
RS232

RS485 WPD
PLC

In the case of the PC RS232 connection, a simple serial communication console (such
as the Windows Hyperterminal) cab be used to view/manage the system data.
The protocol consists of a simple request/response type. The request is always a
single character sent by PC. The WPD response consists of a series of text lines
(always ending in CR,LF), which shows the data requested by command.

Command Response Explanation

411kg The weighing values in clear text,
G 7590kg separated by CR,LF terminators (like
g 7612kg any other text lines)
7194kg
----------------------------- Enters the main menu. From now on,
00013/02047 records the available requests are showed in
----------------------------- the text: U, E, X
MAIN MENU:
M
U: Upload a record
m
E: Erase all records
X: Exit
Select an option:
-----------------------------
RECORD NO. 00001/00013 Uploads a record. The record is stored
NO: 52760 almost as printed. The records will be
U uploaded in order, till the last record,
u 11-MAY-2008 16:15 by means of U commands. The
records are not deleted.
TOT: 411 kg
Erase all records. Here it must be
E
e
Are you sure? (y/n) confirmed by a following ‘Y’. Any other
character will be treated as ‘No’.
The response of the Erase
Y
No records ! confirmation. The records will be
y
erased.
X
Good bye ! Exit the menu. From now on the only
x requests available will be G, M and T.
Enters the Text menu. The available
options from now on are: 1-6 and X.
HEADER: With 1-6 the operator will select the
----------------------------- line to be entered. After that, all the
line1: 123456789012345678901 21 characters in the line should be
line2: This is an example! entered. (using spaces to complete
line3: ^This line is not pri
the line).
line4:
IMPORTANT: If the first character in
T line5: line3 is not printed
t line6: line4 is blank line a line is ‘^’, that line isn’t printed at
----------------------------- all (even if there are other characters
[1..6]: modify a line on that line). See example on the left,
X: Exit where line3 isn’t printed and line4 is a
Select an option: blank line (a blank line should be
----------------------------- formed by 21 blank characters
(spaces). So, in the example on the
left, the header has only 5 lines (lines
1,2,4,5 and 6).
6. ERRORS

At power-up, the WPD will try to communicate with all four possible indicators to see
the configuration. The indicators should have the addresses: 1,2,3 and 4.

VALCON: v1.4
................

If there is only one indicator seen and it has address 1, then the WPD enters the
Mode1 (single indicator system):

VALCON: v1.4
SINGLE INDICATOR

If there are two indicators with addresses 1 and 2, the WPD enters Mode2 (dual
indicator system):

VALCON: v1.4
DUAL INDICATOR

If there are all four indicators with addresses 1,2,3 and 4, the WPD enters Mode4
(quad indicator system):

VALCON: v1.4
QUAD INDICATOR

If none of these configurations have been found, the WPD will display the ERRORS
screen, in which it displays the addresses of the indicators missing:

VALCON: v1.4
ERRORS: 1 2 3 4

TROUBLESHOUTING: If there are errors, double check the indicator’s serial

addresses, according with the following table:

System WI addresses
SINGLE 1
DUAL 1 2
QUAD 1 2 3 4