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Barn Owl Wireless

Cloud-based crop monitoring and automatic fan control

Barn Owl Wireless is the most advanced automatic crop monitoring and fan control system available. Combining the technology of cloud computing, cellular communication and radio transmission, a Barn Owl Wireless system is always up to date and able to work on any internet-enabled device.

Barn Owl Wireless reduces crop cooling time and store management energy and labour costs, and ensures crops remain in optimum condition. Barn Owl Wireless automatic fan control reduces cooling and drying energy bills by at least 40% since only air good enough to cool or dry the stored crop is used.

How Barn Owl Wireless works

1. Temperature data in the crop store or silo is sent to the gateway

2. Data is sent to the cloud via the GSM network

3. Data on the webpage is accessed via the Internet

4. Fan controls are selected on the webpage

5. Fan controls are sent to the gateway

6. Fan controls are sent to fan controllers to turn on/off cooling fans and extraction fans.

Barn Owl Wireless Automatic Crop Monitoring

Barn Owl Wireless Automatic Fan Control

Barn Owl Wireless Data Service

Barn Owl Wireless combines the technology of radio transmission within the user’s crop storage site, the GSM international SIM network for data upload onto the cloud server and a bespoke Gateway programme that ensures trouble-free operation. This and the supporting Martin Lishman Barn Owl Wireless Data Service gives the following benefits:

Data transmission to and from the user’s storage site, with data stored and backed up in secure web servers on the Microsoft cloud network and available for download in both graphical and tabular formats.
The user can access the system via the internet from PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone from any location. No software is involved or required.
Webpage creation to match the user’s site and facilities, automatic system upgrades, and office hours support from the Martin Lishman team if required
If the GSM network is out of action, the Gateway retains all data, continues automatic fan operation and transmits the data when communications are restored
An on-line alert facility with fan overload warnings displayed on the user’s webpage
Additional log-on facility for multiple users such as contract storage customers

Where is Barn Owl Wireless used?

Barn Owl Wireless can be installed in Pile-Dry Pedestal stores, FloorVent stores, traditional under-floor or on-floor lateral stores and drying stores.

Barn Owl Wireless can be installed in storage silos up to 60m high and in many types of storage bin. Temperatures at each level in a silo are displayed, also giving a guide to the depth of grain in the silo.

Barn Owl Wireless can be installed in bulk potato stores or potato box stores. A simple monitoring system can provide online colour-coded crop temperature and ambient updates. Automatic control of ventilating equipment can also be included, with temperature differential or humidity control programmes.

Remote automatic monitoring with Barn Owl Wireless during compost production provides verifiable proof that the correct temperatures have been maintained for the required time period.

Barn Owl Wireless Components

Barn Owl Wireless is a modular system with no limit to the quantity of sensing points in the crop or automatic control options for cooling or drying. Martin Lishman will always help with designing and building the most appropriate system for each store. The components shown below can used to make up a Barn Owl Wireless system for any situation! Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Basic System Components

Gateway

The Gateway is the communications hub of any Barn Owl Wireless system, loaded with a bespoke programme that ensures trouble-free operation. If the GSM network is out of action, the Gateway retains all sensor readings, continues automatic fan operation and transmits the data when communications are restored. Usually only one Gateway is required where the storage buildings being monitored are in close proximity.

Bridge

Bridge units are mains powered transmitters that send data between the building where the Gateway is located and other storage buildings in close proximity. One Bridge is usually required for each additional building.

Booster

The Booster is a mains powered transmitter used as a staging point in an installation with large numbers of sensors or to increase the range between buildings, and ensures that data reaches the Gateway. Bridge units, Ambient Sensors and automatic controllers also carry out the same function, so the need for a Booster will depend on the overall installation set-up.

Crop Temperature Monitoring Components

Crop Temperature Sensor

A battery powered radio transmitter attached to a 2 or 3m rigid crop sensor that displays the crop temperature and transmits data via the Gateway to be displayed on the user’s webpage.

A 4 way version is available to use 4 flexible cable sensors of lengths up to 40m in potato stores. The transmitter displays the potato temperature from each connected sensor and transmits data via the Gateway to be displayed on the user’s webpage

Pendant Temperature Sensor

A steel core cable with digital sensors at 2 or 3m intervals, ideal for deep stores and silos where sensing is required through the entire depth profile of the crop. The pendants are suspended from a suitable anchoring point in the structure roof and connected to a multi-sensor transmitter. In flat floor stores they would be positioned at the midpoint between Pedestals or ventilation ducts.

For silos, pendants up to 60m long can be installed to suit the diameter and height of the silo.

Pendant Sensor Transmitter

The Pendant Temperature Sensors are connected to a mains powered radio transmitter that displays each sensor temperature and transmits data via the Gateway to be displayed on the user’s webpage.

Compost Sensor

A battery powered radio transmitter suited to outdoor use attached to a 2 or 3m rigid sensor that displays the compost temperature and transmits data via the Gateway to be displayed on the user’s webpage.

Air Temperature and Humidity Monitoring

ATH Sensor

The ambient temperature and relative humidity sensor is connected to a mains powered radio transmitter that displays the sensor’s readings and transmits the data via the Gateway to be displayed on the user’s webpage. Measuring the ambient air condition ensures that fans only operate automatically when suitable air to meet drying or cooling targets is available.

Automatic fan control

Single Fan Controller

This will control automatically a single fan such as a large drying tunnel fan or fans that are moved between horizontal ducts. The unit has a screen displaying operating status and diagnostic information and can be used in manual or automatic mode.

Static Fan Controller

This will control automatically up to 12 static fans such as StoreVent building extraction fans, large crop drying fans and fans connected via a control panel to Pile-Dry or FloorVent Pedestals. The unit has a screen displaying operating status and diagnostic information and can be used in manual or automatic mode.

Portable Fan Controller

This will control automatically up to 5 single or 3 phase portable cooling or drying fans such as used with Pile-Dry or FloorVent Pedestals. It has built-in starters for each fan being controlled and can be repositioned when fans are moved. It can be used in manual or automatic mode and is supplied with all plugs and sockets to connect the fans to the controller and the controller to the power supply. The screen displays operating status and diagnostic information.

Other types of Automatic Fan Control

For automatic crop cooling and drying

Simple in-store drying control

Full control over crop cooling and drying

Full Details and Specifications

Systems are specified individually for each storage situation. The following components might be included:

Component	Product code	Dimensions	Power supply	Notes
Gateway	BOW/GATE	19.5 x 19.5 x 9.5cm	240v	Comes with SIM card and aerial 1m aerial extension cable
Bridge	BOW/BRIDGE	7.5 x 15 x 5cm	240v
Crop Sensor	2m: BOW/ST/2 3m: BOW/ST/3	9.5 x 30 x 5.5cm	Replaceable battery pack Typical life: 2-3 years	Rigid PVC sensor
Compost Sensor	2m: BOW/ST/2/COMPOST	9.5 x 30 x 5.5cm	Replaceable battery pack Typical life: 2-3 years	Stainless steel sensor
Multi-input Transmitter	BOW/TR/4	9.5 x 30 x 5.5cm	Replaceable battery pack Typical life: 2-3 years	4 way transmitter Suited to potato stores
Silo Sensor Transmitter Unit	BOW/MSU/0	22.5 x 30 x 10cm	240v	Sends data from up to 160 sensing points
ATH Sensor	BOW/ST/ATH/A	Transmitter: 15 x 7.5 x 11.5cm Sensor: 15 x 8 x 5.5cm	240v	Waterproof transmitter, detachable sensor
SIO Controller	BOW/SA/SIO/A	15 x 7.5 x 11.5cm	240v	Single fan controller for large or portable fans
Static Fan Controller	6 Fans: BOW/SA/6/A 12 Fans: BOW/SA/12/A	41 x 34 x 14cm	240v	Wirelessly control up to 12 fans
Portable Fan Controller	BOW/BM/... Specify fan qty, current rating and phase	61 x 45 x 19cm	240v or 415v	Control up to 4 single or 5 three phase fans 32A power input socket and plug fan connection plugs and sockets Built in starter/overloads

Static fan controllers require a starter for each fan. Contact us for more information.

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