Mid-Tech Tilt Sensor Operation

Tilt Sensor Operation

Farm Site Mate must be software version 11.31 or higher to be compatible with the Tilt Sensor. When operating the Tilt Sensor the position data coming from the GPS receiver will be compensated for vehicle tilt errors and then corrected information will be sent to Site Mate.

When the vehicle experiences a sideways tilt, any guidance information is affected: For example, if the GPS sensor is 12 feet (3.65m) above the ground, a 10-degree tilt gives a 2-foot (0.61m) positioning error.

Tilt Sensor Functions

There are three LEDs visible on the Tilt Sensor which indicate the following:

  • Blue - Blinks two times per second when the unit is powered and running
  • Green - Steady ON when tilt correction is enabled, OFF otherwise
  • Yellow - Blinks one time per second when valid GPS location data is being received (NMEA-0183 GGA)

Tilt Sensor Mounting Recommendations

  1. Mount as close to the center of the vehicle side to side as possible.
  2. Mount sensor on a parallel plain to the GPS antenna so both the antenna and the sensor tilt the same degree.
  3. Mount so the sensor is level and connector is pointing upward.
  4. Sensor should be rigidly mounted to minimize vibration, because vibration will degrade the ability to sense tilt.
  5. Mid-Tech recommends using nuts and bolts or self tapping screws through the two mounting holes on each end of the sensor.
  6. The arrow on sensor decal must point toward the front of the vehicle.
  7. Do NOT mount near extreme temperatures, upside down, or on its side.

Configuring Site Mate for the Tilt Sensor

The Configure tab has a section for entering the settings that are necessary in order for Site Mate to work with the Tilt Sensor. These settings include:

  • Antenna Height – Enter the distance from the Tilt Sensor to the GPS Receiver Antenna that you are using. This distance will be used in computing the tilt adjustments.
  • Tilt Calibration – The Tilt Calibration is used to tell Site Mate that the Tilt Sensor is mounted in a parallel plain with your GPS receiver and that the implement that it is being used with is on a flat surface.

 

Tilt Sensor Wiring Connections