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Magnetic triggered functions and audio indications

The

Differences to battery powered variant

This device differs from the battery powered variant in the following ways:

• The device can't be opened in any way - It was sealed with glue during production to achieve high waterproofing for outdoor use.
• A LTE-M / NB-IoT SIM card has been already inserted by Lobaro. Please contact Lobaro if your own sim cards should be inserted during production before sealing.
• The only kind of configuration adjustment can be done via the Lobaro platform or LoRaWAN downlinks. The USB cable option is not available.
• The device is shipped in standby mode. Before first use, it must be activated via the magnetic contact on the housing indicated by a dot.
• The device uses an audio buzzer instead of an LED for feedback of power level and operating status.
• The default WAN selection is "LTE". Please use the Lobaro Platform to switch to LoRaWAN if this is the needed uplink technology. 

Magnetic Contact Functions

The Solar Wireless M-Bus Gateway has an internal magnetic switch that can be activated by holding a neodym magnet at the side of the housing marked with a dot. This can be used to query the current energy level of the internal capacitor and to initiate a reset with subsequent wireless-MBus readout and data upload phase.

Device Energy Level Indication

The Solar Gateway has an internal supercapacitor for energy storage. This capacitor can be charged by the PV panel from 3V up to 3.8V.
The current filling level of the energy storage can be queried by briefly actuating the magnetic switch:

1. Shortly (< 1 second) hold an magnet to the dot marking on the housing
   1. Release the magnet 
   2. The devices indicated the current power level by using audio feedback (3-0 range, 3 beeps = fully charged)
   3. If the device is in "standby" mode a fast descending tone is played after the energy level audio indication
   4. If the device is completely discharged, no sound is emitted.
   5. If the internal voltage is below the voltage set by the "RequiredVoltage" parameter, a falling tone will sound to indicate that the current voltage is not sufficient for normal operation.

If the RequiredVoltage parameter is set to a higher voltage than "Good" or "Fully Charged" the Descending tone will be played nevertheless.
The device will remain in sleep mode until the configured voltage has been reached.

Device

Restart + Manual Readout

To (re)start the gateway, the magnet must be held against the gateway at the above position for at least 5 seconds:

1. To reset the device hold the magnet for at least between 5-6 seconds to the dot marking until you hear three fast beeps after the rhythmic sound.
   1. The stored energy indication feedback is given
   2. A rhythmic on / off tone starts until three fast beeps
   3. Release the magnet
   4. An ascending tone signals the restart / reset of the device
   5. The device performs a complete wireless M-BUS readout cycle with data upload via LTE (NB-IoT or LTE-M) or LoRaWAN.

If the magnet is removed before at least 5 seconds have elapsed (b), there will be no reset! Then only the current energy level is signaled.

Device Reset to default parameters

The default configuration can be reset using the external applied magnet between 12 seconds and 15 seconds. There is a single "Beep" indication after 12 seconds. Default parameters are using the Lobaro Platform (https://platform.lobaro.com) and NB-IoT/LTE-M as upload target. This might be useful if the device needs to be switched back from LoRaWAN to NB-IoT.

Standby Mode Indication

In case the device is in the "Standby" mode, after the signalization of the energy level, the device emits an additional fast decaying tone. In case the internal voltage level is below the RequiredVoltage parameter this leads to a slow and fast descending tone right after each other.

Variant Specific Parameters 

Normally, the default values of the following solar variant specific parameters should only require an adjustment for special applications with particularly low light incidence or very many consumption meters to be read out.

Standby

true

RequiredVoltage

32503500

RestVoltage

3100

SIM-Card

The device is delivered as standard with a permanently installed internal SIM card with 500 MB data volume for allowing an initial data volume usage of 3 MB per month over a 10 years period. The utilized cellular networks can be either NB-IoT and or LTE-M from 1nce with network coverage in many different countries. Additional data volume can may be obtained from Lobaro if required, or the SIM card can be transferred to your 1nce accountorganization allowing data volume purchases independent from Lobaro.

For larger orders with dedicated production runs other (E)SIM cards can be used customer specific. Please contact us directly for this optionLobaro if your own sim cards should be inserted during production before sealing.

Data Usage

From field tests we have the following estimates for data usage. This can vary based on the actual configuration an uploaded telegrams.

3 MB for 8.600 Uplink → avg. 365 Byte per Uplink

This was measured after ~15 Days with over 500 telegram Uploads per day.

Physical specifications

Wall Mounting Kit

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• Lobaro Article:

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To mount the unit to a wall, the optional transparent "plexiglas" back plate is available from Lobaro.

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• Backplate Drawing: Dimensions_LOB-GW-SUN-BACKMOUNT.PDF
• The anchors and wall screws are not part of the contents of delivery.
• For optimal antenna performance, the back plate should not be screwed to metal walls.

Instructions:

1. Use the provided four T20 M4x8 screws to attach the backplate to the housing.
2. Use two appropriate screws of at least 4mm x 50mm size and anchors matching the wall material to fix the gateway.

Mounting with double sided tape (Indoor only)

Due to the low weight of approx. 185g it may be mounted using double sided tape in some indoor cases.

• For indoor mounting "tesa® Adhesive Strips for Wallpaper & Plaster 1kg" my be used.
• Please read the manual of the Adhesive Strips before usage.
• Buy Adhesive Strips on Amazon
• Regularly check whether the adhesive connection is still stable enough to ensure a secure hold!
• Lobaro recommends this mounting option for short term testing only, for long term secure mounting the back plate must be used.

Instructions:

1. Clean the surface of dirt and dust with a dust-free cloth.
2. Attach Strip to the wall (blue tab facing the wall).
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3. Press down evenly over the entire strip for at least 5 seconds, and only then remove the protective foil.
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4. Now apply the Solar Gateway by aligning it on the top edge of the strip with an off-center orientation as shown.
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5. Press down evenly all over the entire gateway for at least 5 seconds.
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6. The tab should be left accessible over the gateway for easy removal.
7. With elevated mounting, the viewing angle should not allow a view of the strip

Mounting with cable tie clips (Indoor + Outdoor)

• Use externally available GSM-2C clips and cable ties.
• Max. cable tie width is 4.8mm

Using metal cable ties might degrade the antenna performance!

• GSM-2C Datasheet (GW Kabelbinder-Technik GmbH)
• Buy GSM-2C on Amazon 

Instructions:

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1. Mount at least two clips to the backside of the gateway using M4x8 countersunk head screws with the backside M4 housing inserts.
2. Apply two cable ties that can hold the approx. 185g weight of the gateway. 

Mounting with threaded magnets

Will follow.

• #8000197

• Datasheet: Wall_Solar_GW_Webside.pdf

Pole Mounting Kit 

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• Lobaro Article:

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  title #8000196

• Datasheet: Bracket_Solar_GW_Webside.pdf
•  Install the Solargateway with antenna alignment upwards (green dot or mark on the housing for the magnet in downward orientation).

Mounting Instructions & Examples

Outdoors

• In hot regions with regular outdoor temperatures above 25°C the device must be placed in a shady location without direct sunlight incidence.
  •  Failing to keep internal the temperatures at a moderate level may result in a reduced device lifetime.
• For outdoor installations, any location is normally suitable for transmitting data at least multiple times a day.

Indoors

Example Mounting Locations

• When selecting an indoor installation location, make sure that at least some daylight

• can reach the gateway.
• The direct proximity to a window is ideal.
• Even low non optimal light levels could be sufficient for some data transmissions per month.

Antenna Shielding

• Avoid antenna shielding, e.g. using a solid metal mounting plate, in the red marked minimal keep-out area.
• For optimal antenna performance do not block the keep-out area shown in Drawing and in pictures below:

Image AddedImage Added Even a low level of lighting is sufficient for this. For outdoor installation, almost any location is normally suitable for transmitting data at least several times a day.

Indoor near window mount

Housing attached using double sided tape. Location good enough for multiple readings during daytime.

Outdoor mounting in the basement staircase

Housing attached using GSM-2C clips (4 pcs.) and cable ties. Covered outdoor location good enough for hourly readings.

Outdoor pole mounting 

The gateway was bolted to a wooden board, which was then attached to the pole. Outdoor location good enough for hourly readings 24h / day.

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In this test, the internal antenna was compared with an external one, as well as a larger internal supercapacitor with the standard size.
Therefore, four gateways were mounted on one pole at the same time.

Outdoor

impressions

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Anbindung an das Smart Meter Gateway (🇩🇪)

• SMGW Anbindung (🇩🇪)