Overview
The content below can be used to troubleshooting issues with the CTS 1000. If issues persists, contact FarmQA Support.
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Symptom(s) |
Possible Cause |
Corrective Action |
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CTS 1000 does not turn on |
Emergency Stop switch is pushed |
Pull the Emergency Stop switch |
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Loose wire connection |
Check wire connections and repair if possible |
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Fuse on wiring harness is blown |
Check for a reason for the blown fuse and replace the fuse |
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Low voltage |
See “Low Voltage” symptom for possible causes and corrective action |
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Incorrect wiring |
Discuss proper wiring with FarmQA Support |
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CTS 1000 powered on, but the actuator doesn’t move |
Low voltage (it’s possible for the voltage to be high enough to turn the LCD display on, but not high enough to activate the solenoid or move the actuator) |
See “Low Voltage” symptom for possible causes and corrective action |
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Tare process not completed yet |
Perform tare process. This needs to be done every time the CTS 1000 is turned on. |
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Solenoid not activating
See “Determining Solenoid Activation” steps after this table to help determine this. |
See “Solenoid not activating” symptom for possible causes and corrective action |
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Solenoid is being activated in the direction the actuator is already fully in (trying to retract the actuator that is already fully retracted or trying to extend the actuator that is already fully extended).
This could happen if the solenoid is activated continuously as soon as power is turned on.
See “Determining Solenoid Activation” steps after this table to help determine this. |
If the solenoid was just replaced check to see if the wires were reversed.
See “Solenoid activated continuously” symptom in this table
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Poor Bluetooth connectivity |
Move the device with the app closer to the CTS 1000 |
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Failed Actuator |
Send CTS 1000 to FarmQA for repair |
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CTS 1000 stops mid stroke and won’t retract |
Low Voltage It takes slightly more power to start retracting the actuator when the probe is in the soil than it does to start extending the actuator when the probe is in the air because the probe tip has pressure on it when it’s in the soil. If the voltage is right on the edge of being too low it might be enough to extend the actuator, but not enough to retract it. |
See “Low Voltage” symptom for possible causes and corrective action
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. |
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Solenoid not activating
See “Determining Solenoid Activation” steps after this table to help determine this. |
Low voltage (it’s possible for the voltage to be high enough to turn the LCD display on, but not high enough to activate the solenoid) |
See “Low Voltage” symptom for possible causes and corrective action |
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Failed Solenoid |
Replace solenoid |
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Problem in wiring between solenoid and electronics |
Check wiring and repair if possible |
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Problem in electronics |
Send CTS 1000 to FarmQA for repair |
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Problem in wiring between electronics and switches |
Check wiring and repair if possible |
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Failed Switch |
Replace switch |
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Solenoid activated continuously (as soon as power is turned on)
See “Determining Solenoid Activation” steps after this table to help determine this. |
Short in the wiring, electronics, or switches keeping a solenoid control wire high. |
Check for a short in the wiring, electronics, or switches. If there is a short in the electronics send CTS 1000 to FarmQA for repair. |
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Low Voltage
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Battery depleted |
Test the battery voltage using the instructions in the “Testing Voltage” section after this table.
Charge or replace the battery
If using a stand-alone battery you can connect to the vehicle charging system instead.
11.5v is the lowest you should ever let the battery discharge under load (when CTS 1000 probe is extending in soil). Letting it go lower than 11.5v may damage the battery! |
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Too much voltage drop in wiring to CTS 1000 |
Test the voltage at the CTS 1000 Red Connector and battery using the instructions in the “Testing Voltage” section after this table.
Use the supplied 10 AWG power wires and connect them directly to the battery. Do not use longer wires or smaller diameter wires or multiple connections in the wiring. |
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Bad wire connections |
Test the voltage at the CTS 1000 Red Connector and battery using the instructions in the “Testing Voltage” section after this table.
Check wire connections and repair if possible |
Determining Solenoid Activation
The solenoid provides power to the actuator and determines which direction the actuator moves. It can be helpful in troubleshooting to know if and when the solenoid is activating. One way to determine this is to listen for the audible click of the solenoid. The switches also make noise and a simple way to determine the difference is to familiarize yourself to the sound of the switches alone using the steps below.
- Push the emergency stop switch to remove power from the CTS 1000.
- Push the power, up/down, and operate switches to familiarize yourself to their sounds.
- Pull the emergency stop switch.
- Push the power switch while listening for any additional noise from the solenoid. The solenoid should not be activated at this point, but it’s possible a problem could cause the solenoid to be activated continuously anytime power is on. Be aware that if a problem is causing the solenoid to be activated continuously anytime power is on the solenoid will make no other noises later when other buttons are pushed (because it’s already activated).
- Verify the LDC display turns on.
- Push the Operate button while listening for any additional noise from the solenoid.
- Push the Up and Down buttons while listening for any additional noise from the solenoid.
Testing Voltages
- Test voltages at the CTS 1000 Red Connector and the battery with a voltmeter as shown and described below. Common and minimum voltages are described inside the black 12v DC Battery box and red CTS 1000 Red Connector box.
- Try to test voltages while the CTS 1000 probe is moving (preferably extending in soil) and keep clear of the moving probe! The harder the soil the more load and more voltage drop.
- If the CTS 1000 is on but the probe doesn’t move see if the voltage changes when you push the CTS 1000 down button (if the probe is up) or the up button (if the probe is down).
- Test the voltage at the CTS 1000 Red Connector on the side of the connector nearest the CTS 1000. You can push voltmeter probes beside the wires as shown to contact the terminals where they crimp onto the wires. You may need to hold the voltmeter probes with some side pressure to maintain good contact.