RC45 supports irrigation, water management applications

Farmers and water districts will save time, fuel, labor and money with the new RemoteCONNECT RC45 Telemetry System from McCrometer, which is a wireless data collection system designed to provide information via the Internet from installed flow meters, pumps and other agricultural water management sensors operating remotely in the field.

With its simple, yet robust, design, the RemoteCONNECT RC45 Telemetry System is an excellent entry-level telemetry solution with full functionality. 

Farmers and water districts requiring four data inputs, or fewer, will find the RC45 does the job without breaking their budget. It’s easy to install, user-friendly and reliably provides data when you need it at your personal computer or on your wireless mobile device.

The RC45 Telemetry System is a valuable irrigation management tool that can quickly pay for itself. It improves irrigation efficiency by delivering up-to-date water, soil and crop data.

With 24/7 monitoring capability, the system features an intuitive web-based graphical user interface that notifies operators of any changes in the irrigation system or other sensors via the Internet, email, mobile phones, texting and pagers.

The RC45 Telemetry System is a mast mounted system that is typically placed within close proximity of the flow meter or water management sensors — anywhere with open visible access to the sky. The system installs easily with no site surveys required, and it retrofits with existing flow meters and sensors from all major manufacturers. 

It is ideal for application by irrigators and water districts that require a compact, economical system supporting one or two measurement applications in each location.

The RC45 Telemetry System features two digital inputs, two analog inputs and one analog output. The digital inputs are configured as pulse counters for totalized volumetric measurement or flow rate (i.e., acre feet, gallons per minute) and for rain tipping bucket recording. The two analog inputs and one analog output are configurable for 0-5V, 0-1 mA or 4-20 mA. 

Designed for reliable operation in rugged outdoor environments, the RC45 System includes a choice of either a 300 mA Solar or 110 vAC power supply. Both power supplies include battery backup with five-year rechargeable battery life.

Electronics are housed in a heavy duty NEMA 4 rated polycarbonate enclosure with hinged door and locking clasp for security.

nema 12 enclosure

It's no accident that very many NEMA-12 enclosures are also rated for NEMA-4. In practical terms, the only difference between the two tests is that for NEMA 12, the oil is not directed at the enclosure as a pressurised stream, and that many NEMA 4 gaskets are dissolved by contact with oil. These are fine points; with readily availably materials, it's pretty hard to make a NEMA-12 enclosure that's not also NEMA-4 rated, and vise-versa. Again, in practical terms, the difference (if there is one) will be that a NEMA-12 will have a door with a handle, while a NEMA-4 will have little clamps. As for the sunlight resistance of the paint ... huh? All enclosures these days - even NEMA-1 - are required to have more than just paint for corrosion protection. The difference in 'weathering' tests between NEMA-1 and NEMA-3 (or 4) is pretty minor; I can't recall ever seeing a testing failure that had anything to do with the base material. With regards to pre-punches, NEMA-12 and NEMA-4 standards are alike. It's no accident that very many NEMA-12 enclosures are also rated for NEMA-4. In practical terms, the only difference between the two tests is that for NEMA 12, the oil is not directed at the enclosure as a pressurised stream, and that many NEMA 4 gaskets are dissolved by contact with oil. These are fine points; with readily availably materials, it's pretty hard to make a NEMA-12 enclosure that's not also NEMA-4 rated, and vise-versa. Again, in practical terms, the difference (if there is one) will be that a NEMA-12 will have a door with a handle, while a NEMA-4 will have little clamps. The NEMA 12 enclosures that I use all have the same clamps as the NEMA 4. The difference is that the NEMA 12 only has clamps on the side opposite the hinge and the NEMA 4 has clamps on the other two sides in addition to the one opposite the hinge. Also on the larger enclosures there will be more clamps along a side on a NEMA 4 as compared to a NEMA 12. I assume that the extra clamps are needed to meet the "pressurized stream" test. If you're making an academic argument that a NEMA 12 rating has no relation to indoor / outdoor use, you're correct. For that matter, an "explosion proof" (Nema 9) rating has absolutely nothing to do with the indoor / outdoor rating. Heck, you really get down to it, even NEMA-3R and NEMA-4 ratings have nothing to do with 'indoor' or 'outdoor' applicatiuons. But that's just armchair philosophy in so many instances.

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