CTS 1000 Troubleshooting Guide – FarmQA

Overview

Review the content below if you are experiencing any issues with the FarmQA CTS 1000. Also, FarmQA Support can be reached for personal assistance.

CTS 1000 does not power up

Check that the emergency stop switch is in the pulled position
Check for loose connections
Check fuse on cable
Test voltage at the CTS 1000 connection. The voltage should be greater than 12.2v when there is little to no electrical load on the battery. The voltage lowers under load (while the probe is extending in the soil), however, and the voltage under load is more critical than the voltage with no load.
- To test the voltage at the CTS 1000 connections you can push voltmeter probes beside the wires as shown in the picture. You may need to hold the probes with some side pressure to maintain good contact. Make sure your feet are clear of the CTS 1000 probe if you try to run a CTS 1000 measurement.
- Discuss proper wiring with FarmQA Support

CTS 1000 Powers on but the probe doesn't move

Diagnostic steps
- Test Voltage (see steps above on testing voltage)
- Determine if and when the solenoid is activating.
  - Depress the emergency kill switch, then toggle the power switch on and off several times.
    - The purpose of this is to familiarize yourself with the audible click produced by the on/off switch. Leave the switch in the off position after toggling.
  - Next pull the emergency stop out and turn on the power switch. While turning on the unit listen for an audible click of the solenoid immediately after the switch is flipped. The solenoid click would be louder than the click produced by the on and off switch.
Possible Issues
- No solenoid click-There is not enough power to the unit
  - A significant power drop occurs when the actuator is activated, this requires a direct battery connection
  - The CTS 1000 requires at least 9.6v measured under load at the CTS 1000 connector for proper operation and the minimum voltage measured at the battery under load is 11.5v to protect the battery from damage.
- Solenoid does click (option 1)- There is a short in the internal control unit
  - This can only be diagnosed further by FarmQA Support to confirm the issue
- Solenoid does click (option 2)-The solenoid has failed
  - Manually click the up and down arrow on the unit and listen for the solenoid click. If clicks are not heard the solenoid could have failed.

CTS Stops mid-stroke

This can be caused by not having enough voltage provided to the CTS 1000 unit during a stroke. The voltage decreases when electrical load (current draw) increases and the maximum current draw is usually when the actuator is at the bottom of a stroke and the actuator is starting to retract. The current draw is higher when the actuator is starting to retract than it is when the actuator is starting to extend because there is pressure on the probe tip from the soil when the actuator is starting to retract.
- NOTE: CTS 1000 requires at least 9.6v measured under load (while the probe is extending in the soil) at the CTS 1000 connector for proper operation and the minimum voltage measured at the battery under load (while the probe is extending in the soil) is 11.5v to protect the battery from damage.
Test voltage on battery, and at the CTS 1000 connection. The voltage should be greater than 12.2v when there is little to no electrical load on the battery. The voltage lowers under load (while the probe is extending in the soil), however, and the voltage under load is more critical than the voltage with no load
- The minimum voltage at the CTS 1000 connection under load (while the probe is extending in the soil) is 9.6v. This is to ensure proper operation of the CTS 1000.
- The minimum voltage at the battery under load (while the probe is extending in the soil) is 11.5v. Allowing the voltage to go lower than this may damage the battery.
- Additionally, the minimum voltage at the CTS 1000 connector is lower than at the battery because there is voltage drop in the wires from the battery to the CTS 1000. The higher the load (electrical current draw) the more voltage drop there will be.
  - When the CTS 1000 is powered on, but the actuator is not moving there is little load and the voltage at the CTS 1000 connector will be nearly identical to the voltage at the battery when using the supplied wiring harness connected directly to the battery.
  - When the CTS 1000 is extending into soil measuring around 300psi the voltage at the CTS 1000 connector may be around 0.5v less than the voltage at the battery when using the supplied wiring harness connected directly to the battery.
  - When the CTS 1000 is extending into hard soil at the maximum force capability of the actuator the voltage at the CTS 1000 connector may be around 1.7v less than the voltage at the battery when using the supplied wiring harness connected directly to the battery.
  - If longer wires, smaller diameter wires, or more connections are used the voltage drop will be greater.
  - The voltage under load is more critical than the voltage in-between measurements, but in general the battery voltage in-between measurements (when the actuator is not running) should be greater than 12.2v.
Possible Solutions
- Jumper Cables- If a separate deep cycle battery is being used to power the CTS, connect jumper cables from the vehicles battery to the CTS battery to increase voltage.
  - A battery connected to an alternator is the recommended way to power the CTS 1000, but if you don’t do that then the next best option is to monitor the battery voltage under load (while the probe is extending in soil) and stop taking CTS 1000 measurements when the battery voltage under load drops below 11.5v. That will protect the battery from damage and it should ensure that there is always enough power to retract the probe.
- Replace the battery- If a second battery is available, swap the battery with low voltage out.
  - A battery connected to an alternator is the recommended way to power the CTS 1000, but if you don’t do that then the next best option is to monitor the battery voltage under load (while the probe is extending in soil) and stop taking CTS 1000 measurements when the battery voltage under load drops below 11.5v. That will protect the battery from damage and it should ensure that there is always enough power to retract the probe.
- Alternator- if the CTS is connected to a battery which is wired to an alternator, let the alternator run for a period of time to recharge the battery.
  - A battery connected to an alternator is the recommended way to power the CTS 1000.
- Reduce pressure on the probe tip in order to get it retracted- You can try standing on the rear of the vehicle to push the probe a little deeper into the ground and then step back off. The vehicle may rise a little when you step off and remove some of the pressure of the soil on the probe tip. The reduced pressure may be just enough to reduce the actuator starting current draw enough to get the probe retracted. Then remedy the cause of the low voltage.