Contents
Please Note: This sensor will only work with the newer generation of Caddis devices that are blue in color. If you have a Caddis device that has a plain aluminum finish, please contact Caddis Systems sales to see about upgrading your device.
1.1 Installation
A visual wiring diagram is provided on the Caddis Systems support page, and is helpful to have as a reference when going through this installation guide. That diagram can be found here.
The stacklight sensor is small and light enough that it can be attached to any stacklight using a zip tie. There is a slot built into the back of the sensor’s enclosure that allows for this.
Figure 1.1.1 – Zip Tie Slot in Sensor Enclosure
Make sure that the zip tie is pulled tight enough that the sensor cannot slide down the stacklight. Multiple zip ties may need to be chained together when using smaller zip ties, or when attaching the sensor to a larger stacklight structure. Also make sure that the photo sensor has a clear view of the light you are trying to monitor. The sensor is located as indicated in the following image.
Figure 1.1.2 – Stacklight Sensor Photosensor Location
Once the sensor is attached, it should look something like the following if you were trying to monitor the green light on the stacklight.
Figure 1.1.3 – Stacklight With Sensor Installed
Once the stacklight sensor is installed, a standard 4-pin or 5-pin M12 cable can be run between the sensor’s M12 port and the 24 volt input port on a Caddis device. The wiring diagram shows this connection. Some earlier versions of the sensor come with a short, yellow M12 cable attached, and this should be left in place, and the longer M12 cable between the Caddis device and the sensor should be attached to this.
Figure 1.1.4 – Stacklight Sensor With Adapter Cable
Once the stacklight sensor and the Caddis device are connected as shown in the wiring diagram, you should be ready for the next step to ensure that the sensor receives power from the Caddis device.
1.2 Powering the Sensor
The stacklight sensor gets its power directly from the Caddis device’s 24 volt DC input port. However, this power output is disabled by default on newly shipped Caddis devices to help prevent accidental short-circuits. This output must be turned on for the stacklight sensor to work, and instructions to do this are given below.
The first step is to check the LED next to the 24 volt input on the Caddis device to see if the auxiliary power for the stacklight sensor is already on. The location of this image is shown below.
Figure 1.2.1 – Stacklight Sensor Power LED Location
If the LED is glowing orange, the rest of this section can be skipped.
Figure 1.2.2 – Stacklight Sensor Power LED Lighted
If the LED is not lighted, the rest of the steps below will allow you to enable the power output.
Figure 1.2.3 – Stacklight Sensor Power LED Not Lighted
The next step to take to enable the power output is to remove the screw covering the rotary switch in the front cover of the Caddis device. This screw is highlighted in the following image.
Figure 1.2.4 – Stacklight Sensor Power Cover Screw
Once this screw is removed, a small flat-bladed screwdriver can be inserted into the hole until it stops. Rotate the screwdriver clockwise until the LED next to the 24 volt input lights up.
Figure 1.2.5 – Stacklight Sensor Power Hole With Screwdriver Inserted
Once the LED lights up, remove the screwdriver from the hole and replace the screw.
The power output to the stacklight sensor is now active and the stacklight sensor should have power. It is possible to test the sensor by placing a bright light source in front of it and verifying that the LED on the back side of the enclosure lights up.
Figure 1.2.5 – Stacklight Sensor With LED Lighted
1.3 Tuning the Sensor for Your Stacklight
In many cases the stacklight sensor will work with a stacklight without any adjustments. In some cases however, the sensor may not be set correctly for the brightness of your stacklight’s light. Follow the steps below to tune your sensor to work correctly with your stacklight.
There is an opening in the back side of the stacklight sensor’s enclosure which allows insertion of a small flat-bladed screwdriver. The hole location is shown in the following image.
Figure 1.2.6 – Stacklight Sensor Tuning Access Port
Follow the steps below to tune the stacklight.
- Ensure that the stacklight sensor is seeing the lighted light source that you want to monitor.
- Insert the flat-bladed screwdriver into the hole until it stops
- Turn it counter-clockwise until the LED on the stacklight sensor just turns off, but turn no more than that.
- Turn back clockwise just until the LED on the stacklight sensor turns back on steadily (no flickering).
Once you have done this, your stacklight sensor should be adjusted properly for that specific light source.