RC2000

Cut Sheets
RC2000A Cutsheet / Spec Sheet
RC2000C Cutsheet / Spec sheet

Manuals
RC2000A Manual
 RC2000C Manual
Index
Auto Move
 Backing Up Controller
Battery
 Cable
 Jammed Error
 Limits
 Potentiometer
 Programming Satellites
 Remote Front Panel
 Re-Sync Mode
 Rotating Feed Drive
 Runaway Error
 Setup Screen (auto move)
 Software Upgrade
 Upload Download Utility
















Auto Move (back to top)
How to set up the RC2000 for an Auto Move (how to program in a satellite).
1. Verify electrical connection and setup limits.
2. Hold down the mode button for 5 seconds.
3. Press your mode button to scroll through the screens on the RC2000. Find the “Setup” screen and press “Enter”
4. Use the scroll up and scroll down buttons to select a satellite. If your satellite is not in the list then select “User” to enter a custom name.
5. Follow the screens in the setup mode.
6. Verify the ‘DATA ACCEPTED’ screen. This indicates that you have succesfully programmed a satellite into memory. You can now go to AUTO to do an auto move.

Backing Up Controller (back to top)
AZ CCW and Elevation DOWN will ALWAYS be 30. If you ever want to change your limits, reset your controller, or send it in for service, it is a good idea to move your antenna to the CCW and DOWN positions.

Battery (back to top)

The RC2000 controllers have an internal battery that keeps the memory chip powered even when the unit is powered off or even unplugged. If the battery is low the controller will display a “low battery alarm”. It is easy to replace the battery. You can contact RCI or purchase somewhere else a Duracell DL2450BPK battery. Below you will find the procedure to change out the battery safely.
1. Power on the unit.
2. With the unit powered on pull out the old battery carefully.
3. Insert the new battery.
4. Your battery has been successfully changed out.

Cable (back to top)
The standard cable used with the RC2000 controller consists of two 16-gauge wires for motor voltage and three 22-gauge wires to interface with the position sensor. The RCI part number for this cable is CBL-2_16-3_22A. Contact RCI for the latest pricing information.

Jammed Error (back to top)
A jammed error occurs when the controller gives a command to make the antenna move, but it does not “see” the antenna moving. Sometimes this happens because the antenna is literally mechanically jammed. More often this occurs because the controller is not putting out the voltage to drive the motors or the pulse sensors on the antenna have malfunctioned in some way.

To troubleshoot this situation, it is best to first check the wiring to the sensors. If the wiring appears to be ok, then I recommend switching the wiring between azimuth and elevation on your controller. This will show if the problem stays with the antenna axis or if the problem stays with the controller. If the problem stays with the antenna, then you either still have a wiring issue or a bad sensor. If the problem stays with the controller, then contact Research Concepts, Inc. for further support.


Limits (back to top)
Azimuth and Elevation
After hooking up your controller, you must program the software limits before using the RC2000. The software limits should be set just inside of your hardware limits. This should prevent any type of mechanical problems that would result from the antenna moving past its physical capabilities. When setting up your controller limits, we recommend finding a second person to help with this. You will each need cell phones, walkie-talkie, or the ability to yell very loud.
1. Hold down your mode button for 5 seconds.
2. Press your mode button to scroll through the screens of your controller. You should see a screen that will say ‘LIMITS’ in the upper right hand corner. The rest of the screen might read “Set you CCW CW and/or EL UP DOWN limits”.
3. Press ENTER to go into the LIMITS mode.
4. With the second person standing out by the dish, move your antenna to the elevation down and counter clockwise (CCW) limits by pressomg bittpms ‘4’ and ‘8’. Make sure to keep it inside of the actual mechanical limits of your antenna.
5. Once you have reached the down and CCW limits press buttons ‘7’ and ‘9’. This will set your down and CCW limits. You can confirm this has happened by noting that your azimuth and elevation counts have both changed to ‘30’. Note: BACKING UP SAT-LIST
6. Next move your antenna to your azimuth CW and UP positions. Use buttons ‘2’ and ‘6’ to move your antenna.
7. When you have reached your desired positions, press ‘7’ to set your CW limit. You will need to hit your backspace to confirm that you want to finalize this limit. Next press ‘9’ to set your UP limit, again you will have to press backspace to confirm that you want to finalize your elevation limits.
8. You have now successfully programmed your limits. We recommend recording your UP and CW limits and storing them for safe record keeping.</>


Polarization (back to top)
Programming polarity limits into your controller can be done differently depending on your version of software. Before continuing, you should enable your feed drive (rc2kpol).
1. Confirm that your potentiometer is in the middle of its travel.
2. Move the pol CCW and comfirm that the numbers count up.
3. Continue to move your pol CCW until you have reached your desired limit. Write the displayed number down.
4. Move your pol CW until you have reached your desired limit. Write the displayed number down.
5. Go to the CONFIG mode.
6. Look for a screen called ROTATING FEED CW LIMIT by using your scroll up and scroll down buttons.
7. Type in your CW number and press enter.
8. Look for a screen called ROTATING FEED CCW LIMIT by using your scroll up and scroll down buttons.
9. Type in your CCW number and press enter.
10. You have programmed in your polarization limits.

Potentiometer (back to top)
A potentiometer is used for position feedback when the rotating feed drive option is used on the RC2000 antenna controller. The POT is usually a 5K ohm 5 turn POT. If the accuracy of the POT is questionable, then you should check out how to test your POT.

Remote Front Panel (back to top)
RCI has produced the remote front panel program which allows easy interface to the RC2000A controllers using a PC. The remote front panel looks exactly like the front panel of a RC2000A and interfaces just like you were actually pushing the buttons sitting in front of the controller.
You will need to have a RC2000A and software version 2.60 or later in order to use the remote front panel. For further information please contact support.
Note: The Remote front panel is not compatible with the RC2000C controller.
Remote Front Panel Documentation

Re-Sync Mode(back to top)

1. In MANUAL mode move to a known satellite (one that is stored in the unit) and confirm with the receiver that you are on the right satellite. i.e. If Galaxy 16 is stored in the controller, then manually find Galaxy 16 and confirm with the receiver or other tool.
2. Go to the Re-sync mode (hold down MODE for 5 seconds), tap the MODE button to cycle through the screens until Re-sync is seen in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Use the "scroll up" and "scroll down" buttons on the keypad to go through the list in the Re-sync mode until the correct satellite is found.
4. Press enter once the right satellite is found in Re-sync. The controller will ask if you want to perform the Re-sync operation, confirm the Re-sync.

You controller has peformed the Re-sync.

Rotating Feed Drive (back to top)
The rotating feed drive is a hardware option for the RC2000 controller that enables the ability to control whole feed assemblies. The rotating feed drive generally drives a 24 volt motor and receives position feedback using a potentiometer.

Enabling the Feed Drive (back to top)
1. Hold down the MODE button for 5 seconds.
2. Press the MODE button to cycle through the screens. Find the screen labeled CONFIG in the upper right hand corner.
3. Use your scroll up / scroll down buttons to scroll through the screen in your config mode. You will need to find a screen titled “ROTATING FEED PRESENT?”
4. This option must be set to ‘YES’ in order for the rotating feed drive to work. NOTE: Some software version have the user select from a list how many ports the rotating feed, polarotor, or none. You should have either a one port or two port feed selected.


Rotating FEED drive giving JAMMED error and not moving (back to top)
 You will need to check to see if the potentiometer is hooked up correctly and working. The best way to do this is to take measurements from the back of the controller off of the daughterboard. Pins #1 and #3 should measure 5K ohm across. Pin #2 is the wiper of the potentiometer thus Pins #1 and #2 added with Pins #2 and #3 should add up to 5K ohm.
If these readings do not come out correctly you should check your wiring and measure the resistance on the actual potentiometer. If the potentiometer reads incorrectly then it possibly needs replacing.

Potentiometer is good but I still cannot move the feed assembly (back to top)
 Pull the top off of the controller. You will see a TO-220 voltage regulator on this daughter board. Be very careful and see if the voltage regulator is HOT (DO NOT BURN YOURSELF!) if it is hot, call into support about further troubleshooting.

Runaway Error (back to top)
Troubleshooting:
A runaway error occurs when the controller senses antenna movement without giving the antenna a command to move. The most common reasons for a runaway error are:

1. A shielded cable was not used for the position sense wires.
2. The shield is not connected at the connector on the rear panel of the RC2000A.
3. The shield is connected to earth ground at the antenna. This results in ground currents flowing in the shield. The shield must not be connected to anything at the antenna.
4. The insulator on the sensor cable is broken and the shield is grounded to something. As in #3, this results in ground currents.
5. The sensor cable is spliced but the shield has not been spliced or the shield is spliced but is also shorted to earth ground.

Adjusting:
CAUTION: Do not perform the following without first going through the steps displayed above. Most runaway alarms are due to improper wiring and/or shielding.
Note: This can be performed on the RC2000A controllers. The RC2000C does not allow for runaway adjustment.

To adjust the runaway sensitivity...
1. Go to the CONFIG screen (If you can't find the CONFIG screen, hold down the MODE button for 5 seconds then press MODE to cycle through the screens until CONFIG is found in the upper-right corner of the display).
2. Once the CONFIG screen is found, press the "scroll up" button until Azimuth Fast Deadband or Elevation Fast Deadband is found. (Choose the axis that has runaway problems)
3. In the appropriate screen (azimuth or elevation fast deadband) choose a number that ends in 41 through 49. (A number that ends in 41 will allow 1 count before showing a runaway alarm, if a number ends in 49 it will allow 9 counts before showing a runaway alarm...etc...)

To disable runaway sensing:

WARNING: THIS IS NOT USUALLY RECOMMENDED. DISABLING RUNAWAY SENSING CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE MECHANICS OF THE ANTENNA. THIS SHOULD ONLY BE DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK FOR A TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SITUATION.
1. Perform the first two steps of the previous procedure.
2. Once the azimuth or elevation fast deadband is found, put in a number that ends with '40' and press enter.
3. Runaway sensing for that axis is now disabled.

Software Upgrade (back to top)
You can upgrade the firmware version of your controller. The software upgrade will consist of an updated satellite list programmed into memory. If you have a controller that has a software version before 2.6 than the upgrade will give the ability to use the upload/download utility.
You can also upgrade your controller from an ‘A’ version to a ‘C’ version. For more information call or email support.
Note: When upgrading/changing software versions, you will lose all settings and stored satellites. Be sure to follow the procedure for backing up your controller.

Upload Download Utility (back to top)
The upload/download utility is a software option that can be purchased for RC2000 controllers that have software version 2.70 or newer. The utility allows the user to essentially backup all satellite data and settings of the controller incase the controller were to lose memory. Contact support for pricing information.
Upload Download Utility Cutsheet Download