Set Pulse Length and Auto Pulse Period

This procedure is for sites with ICS Tunnel Controllers, Tunnel Master WBC and / or Tunnel Master Jr., that need to be timed in the tunnel. The reasons for changing the Pulse Length could be due to changes in conveyor chain or a replaced Pulse device.

Terminology:

Pulses are the flashes of the LED light on the CPU Board.

Travel is the length of the test area in inches.

Time is the amount of seconds it takes a roller to traverse through the test area.

Pulse# is the amount of pulses it takes the roller to travel the test area distance.

Pulse Length is the amount of pulses it takes the roller to travel the test area distance.

Auto-Pulse Period can be used if the Pulse detection device ever fails.

WARNING: If the Pulse Length is not set correctly in the Tunnel Controller user interface settings, potentially, all your equipment in the tunnel could turn on and off at incorrect times. Pulse length will also affect the input for Min Car and Max Car Length as well as Anti Bounce Settings.

Overview:

I.    Time roller movement during conveyor travel

II.   Count pulse flashes over roller movement time

III.  Calculate Pulse Length using Time and Number of Flashes

IV.  Calculating Auto Pulse Period based off Pulse Length

V.   Verify

Tools Required:

1. Measuring Tape (minimum 20 Feet)
2. Timer
3. Calculator
4. Pen

I. Time roller movement during conveyor travel

The first step to perform involves taking a length of measuring tape and laying it alongside the conveyor track in order to determine a testing area when a roller can be timed as it traverses the length of the tape.

NOTE: This example uses a 20 foot length of measuring tape, but a longer length can be used for even more accurate calculations.

1. Measure a test area (20-foot length) in the tunnel along the conveyor by laying down a tape measure next to the Conveyor track, marking the beginning and the end of the test area clearly.
2. Write down the length of the test area in inches:
   Travel _____________________ inches (This example is 240 inches)
   
   NOTE: You can change the test areas length, just convert the test area length to inches for this formula.
   
   
3. Start the Conveyor.
4. Fire a Roller manually.
5. Start the Timer when the Roller crosses the beginning mark of the test area.
6. Stop the Timer when the Roller crosses the ending mark of the test area.
7. Write down the travel time in seconds, Repeat steps # 3-7 for a total of three times:
   7.1 ____________________
   7.2 ____________________
   7.3_____________________
   
   

   NOTE: Taking this measure multiple times will ensure that the remainder of this process is as accurate as possible. The amounts in 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 should be exactly the same, but if not, write down the mode or the number that occurs most often: 

    
   Time _______________________ (This is the amount of seconds you will set your timer in the next section.)

II. Counting Pulse LED Flashes over Roller Movement Time

The next step is counting the Pulse LED light flashes on the ICS Tunnel Controller while the conveyor is running.

1. Start the Conveyor, if it is not already started.
2. Open the ICS Tunnel Controller door and visually locate the Pulse LED light on the Tunnel Controller (shown in image below is the Tunnel Master WBC and the Pulse LED light on the CPU board.)
   
   
   
   
3. Set  your countdown timer to the Time predetermined in Part I.
   TIP: Set your timer to make a noise when it ends so you can hear the alert in the noisy equipment room.
4. Stand in front of Tunnel Master WBC or the Tunnel Master Jr. so you can see the the CPU Board. 
5. Start your timer immediately after the Pulse light flashes.
6. Count the number of times the Pulse light flashes until the timer ends.
7. Repeat steps #3-7 three times, and write down the number of pulse LED light flashes:
   7.1 _______________
   7.2 _______________
   7.3 _______________

NOTE: Taking this measure multiple times will ensure that the remainder of this process is as accurate as possible. The amounts in 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 should be exactly the same, but if not, write down the mode or the number that occurs most often: 
Pulse# ________________

III. Calculate Pulse Length 

Using the Travel and Pulse# metrics determined in Section I and II above, the Pulse Length can be determined using the following formula.

Travel ÷ Pulse# = Pulse Length
 ______________ ÷  ________________= ______________ Pulse Length

Round the Pulse Length to the second decimal place before setting this value in the Pulse Length field in the Tunnel Controller's settings.

Example Metrics: These metrics will vary based on your tunnel.

Travel = 240

Time = 28

Pulse# = 39

Pulse Length Example: 240 ÷ 39 = 6.15 (round to the second decimal)

1. On the site server, log in to the Tunnel Master WBC application or log in to the Tunnel Master WBC user interface.
2. Select Configuration > Tunnel Settings > Pulse.
3. Make any necessary changes to the Pulse Length setting.
   The settings are saved immediately.
   
   

   

IV. Calculating Auto-Pulse Period 

Now that a Pulse Length has been calculated, use this value to calculate an Auto-Pulse Period metric that can be used if the Pulse detection device ever fails.

1. If you have not recently done so, calculate the Pulse Length using the steps above.
2. Use the following metrics for two formulas; Seconds Per Pulse and Auto Pulse Period
   • Seconds Per Pulse Formula: Time ÷ Pulse# = Seconds Per Pulse
     • Round this metric to the third decimal point

Auto-Pulse Period: Seconds Per Pulse × 100 = Auto-Pulse Period

Example Metrics: These metrics will vary based on your tunnel.

Travel = 240

Time = 28

Pulse# = 39

Example Seconds Per Pulse: 28 ÷ 39 = 0.718 (rounded to the third decimal)
Example Auto-Pulse Period: 0.718 × 100 = 71.8 (rounded to second decimal)

1. On the site server, log in to the Tunnel Master WBC application or log in to the Tunnel Master WBC user interface.
2. Select Configuration > Tunnel Settings > Pulse.
3. Make any necessary changes to the Auto-Pulse Period setting.
   The settings are saved immediately.
   
   
   
   

V. Verify

1. After making any changes to Pulse settings, test a wash with no vehicle in the tunnel.
2. Run a car through the wash and stand at the final rinse arch to see that it turns on at the proper time and turns off at the proper time. Do this three times. If the timing is accurate on the rinse arch for three vehicles, it’s pretty safe to say that you have calculated and entered the correct Pulse Length.

Please contact ICS Technical Support if any assistance is needed:

800-246-3469