Turn On and Turn Off Settings

PC10857NS-UN-28APR09

Turn on time (sec.): defaults to 1, but can be changed between 0.3—15, in increments of 0.1 seconds.

Turn off time (sec.): defaults to 0.6, but can be changed between 0.3—15, in increments of 0.1 seconds.

The operator can adjust the Turn on and Turn off settings to fit a specific machine. The Turn on and Turn off settings are to compensate for average physical machine reaction time (Electrical & Mechanical) for applying product. Keep in mind that the reaction time does NOT increase as ground speed increases. The physical reaction time remains constant for that machine configuration. The machine travels more, or less, distance while the reaction is taking place at different ground speeds.

It is not recommended to utilize the Turn on and Turn off times to achieve intentional overlap; this can cause additional system complications.

The best method to determine the correct Turn on and Turn off times is to turn on or off a section manually. Measure the time from when the switch is actuated to when product starts or stops. For a sprayer measure the time from when the switch is actuated to when product starts and stops reaching the crop. Enter Turn on and off times to the nearest 0.1 of a second.

If the Turn on time is set to 0.3 seconds, the command signal is sent when the system estimates the section to be 0.3 seconds from the boundary or non covered area. The coverage map begins painting 0.3 seconds after the command signal is sent. If the actual machine reaction time is 0.8 seconds, the machine will travel 0.5 seconds past the boundary or into the non covered area before applying. In this situation the coverage map began painting before the actual application started, therefore the two did not match.

As the Turn on time increases, the command signal is sent earlier as the boundary or non-covered area is approached. If the Turn on time is 1.0 second, the command is sent 1.0 second before the implement is expected to reach the boundary or previously covered area. The coverage map will start painting 1.0 second after the command signal is sent and Swath Control expects the machine to begin applying at this time as well because the operator entered a Turn on time of 1.0 second.

The more constant the ground speed is kept when entering or exiting boundary or previous coverage area, the more accurate Swath Control is. If the machine speed is drastically changing while entering or exiting a boundary or previous coverage area, Swath Control cannot anticipate that change because it estimates your Turn on and off position based on current position, direction, and speed.

Once a machines Turn on and Turn off time is determined, it remains the same unless a dramatic system change is made to the machine. For example, a change in system plumbing affects the average physical machine reaction time.