Every brewer is looking for quality and consistency of their final product. This applies to small scale home brewers, microbreweries and the big players.
The 4G SMS Lite has been used by a local brewery to monitor process instrumentation and send SMS alarms should things go wrong.
The SMS Lite monitors these key parameters allowing engineers and production personnel to respond quickly to incidents and helps prevent wastage or problems.
The project used the SMS Lite for the crucial Glyco alarm and high temperature alarm.
The SMS Lite inputs are wired to your instrumentation or controller via a relay or switch closure.
There are four inputs on the SMS Lite allowing you to monitor four process signals or parameters.
The SMS Lite’s two relay outputs are controllable by text messages and could be used to activate warning signs or even a reset signal.
Getting beer production wrong leads to wastage, poor taste, financial losses and customer loyalty damage. Using our SMS based systems helps you stay informed and provides remote control options by sending a text message to many people.
Other popular signals for a brewery monitoring system can include:
Security
Monitor the control room door and the security alarm system. Help prevent unauthorised access and allows you to get alerts after hours.
Power
Monitor the mains power, phase fail, backup generator control, low water pressure signal etc.
Fermentation tanks
Monitor the temperature and pH alarm signal during the fermentation and filtration processes
Boiling
Temperature and volume monitoring ensures the desired level of flavour and bitterness
Fermentation
Temperature and pressure monitoring ensures the correct alcohol level
Carbonation
Monitor temperature and carbonation levels helps guarantee the flavour of the recipe
Our alternative 4G system, the SMS Controller, also has 4-20mA analogue inputs and outputs. This gives you even more monitoring and control options. It is programmable to perform logical control and time based activities by a dedicated downloadable app.
Irrigation systems have long been used for dust suppression. IPCs were selected for this project as it needed remote control, had a limited site water supply and the geographic constraints needed radio communications.
The DC latching solenoid controlled by each IPC operates several small end guns to provide dust suppression over a large, wetted area. Being solar powered, the IPCs do not require the installation of power or control cables. The smart irrigation scheduling of the IPCs allow each bank of sprinklers to operate individually and keep the instantaneous water use within the sites acceptable limit.
DATRAN Australia is also involved in providing monitoring and control solutions to the mining industry.
The robust, reliable and solar powered IPCs and the sophisticated IMS web app can provide individual sprinkler control and irrigation scheduling for both agricultural and industrial applications.
The IMS app can also show water tank levels from our IoT TLM – tank level monitor.
The TLM does not use the cellular network and can be installed in remote areas without cellular coverage. The low power LoRa radio in the TLM communicates to an IoT gateway which plugs into your internet modem/router. Advanced options include alarms for tank level, rate of change for early leak detection, and automatic pump control.
March 2025 features include: Control options for mining, Online sales now available, SMS Controller point to point mode, Great man-made river, New YouTube video SMS Lite troubleshooting
The SMS Controller P2P (Point to Point) mode is an innovative feature that automatically sends the digital and analogue (4-20mA) signals to and from its partner SMS Controller using text messages.
The text messages are initiated based on a configurable polling period ranging from every minute to once a week. This allows you to maintain I/O visibility whilst minimising the number of texts sent.
The P2P mode can be used in many applications where running a cable between sites is too hard, too expensive and where radio systems are impractical. In many ways the P2P mode operates like our Wireless Point to Point WP2P systems but uses texts over the 4G network instead of radio.
For applications using just digital I/O, text messages between SMS Controllers will be initiated each time a digital input changes state. We still recommend the polling period is used for these digital systems to keep the I/O synchronised frequently.
The P2P mode is ideal for applications with slow changing I/O. There is always a delay in sending text messages across the cellular networks so the P2P mode will not suit real time control loops or PID control etc.
The P2P mode is configured in SMS Messenger the dedicated SMS Controller app. Both partner SMS Controllers must be set as “SMSC-P2P” device types in the address book settings.
The polling mode must be enabled as this is used to periodically send texts between the controllers. Practically we also suggest that the SIM cards and accounts are with the same telco as this will help reduce the potential for network message delivery delays.
Comms fail between the partner SMS Controllers is also monitored. A digital output is configured which will activate and turn on after a configurable time.
The steps required to configure the SMS Controller are outlined in the user guide.
Regular text alerts to operators in the address book can also be used in P2P mode to maximise application use.
The minimum requirements to use the P2P mode are SMS Controller firmware v2.06 and SMS Messenger app v1.5.7 or later.
And remember, SMS Controllers can also send text messages to other SMS Controllers to turn their digital outputs turn on. This is subtly different to the P2P mode. SMSC to SMSC texting is configured in SMS Messenger app using “SMSC” Device type in the address book.
We are always looking for ways to make using our products easier and these videos and the online help are full of useful tips.
Our 4G cellular products have an added extra level of complexity as cellular signal coverage, international telco providers and SIM cards are involved.
This will help you with initial set up, operation, firmware upgrades and now troubleshooting.
This SMS Lite troubleshooting video covers the fault code displays and shares our expertise having supplied hundreds of SMS Lites to customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
There is also an extensive set of help and FAQs available on our website support page.
These cover everything from selecting power supplies and antennas to SIM card requirements.
The user manual now features a QR code than will take you directly to this location: https://qtech.co.nz/troubleshooting-sms-lite/
Our powerful SMS Controller also has a YouTube playlist.
A recent SMS Controller video is the use of SMS Messenger, the software app used to configure and program the powerful features of the SMS Controller.
Mining is a complex operation that often needs remote control and alarm solutions.
DATRAN Australia’s 4G cellular and low power radio systems are widely used in the Australian mining sector. These systems can also be solar powered using our custom RSS solutions.
Typical uses and applications include the following:
Remotely operate warning signs remotely. View the status from several kms away and remotely change stop to go.
Pump Faults or Mains Power Fail
Get advance warning alarms if a critical pump faults, the mains power goes out or the UPS kicks in etc.
Traffic Light Override
Projects have included integration with a traffic light controller to enable emergency services to force traffic lights to red.
Site Security Alerts
Get a text message every time the server room door is opened, or the storage room is accessed.
Whilst mines are in very remote regions of Australia many now have their own cell towers installed. All our cellular products are 4G so they are not affected by the recent closure of the 3G network.
We also have a range of high gain antennas, power supplies and DIN rail mounts for your solution.
This SMS Lite was purchased in early 2014 and is the first generation of the product.
Our customer has been using it consistently since then and it has proven to be reliable and worked well. We are truly delighted that our engineering design and robustness of the product has delivered a life span of 10 years.
Deployed in a harsh real-world installation, it managed to outlive the 3G cellular network it was connected to.
The SMS Lite was used to monitor four signals in the electrical switchboard and it sends text message alerts when faults occur.
However, with the 3G networks closing (or already closed), our customer needs to upgrade to the 4G SMS Lite.
The SMS Lite continues to be developed and enhanced by our partner QTech in New Zealand.
The current generation 4G SMS Lite has many more features than the original version.
In August 2024 firmware version 4.10 was released which includes:
Field Upgradable firmware via USB
Support for more phone numbers
Configurable escalation times
Notification only mode – no need to reply or acknowledge
Broadcast mode – send alerts to multiple phones
Uses QTech Workbench software for advanced configuration options
Automatic transfer switches (ATS) are part of a backup power system. They provide a smooth changeover to generator power when a mains power outage occurs.
A local generator supply company contacted us wanting to use our SMS Lite as a notification and remote control override for their existing Genset ATS systems. Many of these systems are installed in remote properties used for Airbnb type accommodation.
The electrical changeover system runs a 2 Wire Start from the ATS to the generator (close to start & open to stop). Within the ATS module there is often a wiring terminal for an Aux shut down option.
The customer requirement for the SMS Genset ATS project included:
When the mains power fails, the ATS starts the generator as usual.
The generator will now run until mains power is restored as usual.
We then want an SMS text message to be sent to the designated owner notifying them the generator is running.
The designated owner can then decide to stop the generator running if it is not required. Good examples are if it is late at night, the rental property is not occupied, or heating/refrigeration are not currently required. Minimising the time the generator runs will help reduce fuel usage.
When mains power returns the ATS will return to standard operation.
The team established a practical solution that sends the owner a text message “GENSET has turned ON”.
The owner can then turn off the generator if needed, by sending the text message “ON GENSTOP” to the SMS Lite.
The SMS Lite can also turn the generator off for a fixed time.
Sending the text “PULSE GENSTOP 2 HR” stops the generator for 2 hours and then turns it back on. This would be useful to conserve generator fuel whilst preventing appliances like heaters being off for too long and allowing the temperature to drop significantly.
The Kohler VERSO ATS are a compact solution and are a popular choice in Australia and New Zealand. The SMS Lite interface and solution could also be applied to other ATS.
The SMS Lite provides N/O dry relay contacts rated up for 30V 2A loads. For this application these would drive a similar relay but with an N/C contact. Turning on RLY1 output on the SMS Lite would then open the connection on the slave relay and turn off the unit. This needs to be powered from a stable 12-24V DC (250mA) power source available at all times.
Our engineers were able to sketch this initial wiring design during the discussion with our customer.
Feral pigs are a significant threat to our agricultural industry and Australia’s unique environment and cultural sites.
The 4G SMS Lite from DATRAN Australia can be used to help with feral pig trapping.
Using the SMS Lite will help reduce the time you spend checking feral pig traps. It will also show that you are responding in a timely manner to reduce animal stress prior to the kill.
The SMS Lite uses the 4G cellular network and is low power, making it ideal for solar panel use in rural areas.
They have a comprehensive plan and useful resources to both minimise and eradicate the problem.
A key tactic of the plan is the trapping of feral pigs, and this is where the SMS Lite can help.
The feral pig trap encourages the animals into an enclosed area and then secures them in a humane way. There are several trap designs, including drop gate, panel gate and silo style.
The SMS Lite can be used with any trap which has a micro switch connected to the gate mechanism. The SMS Lite sends a text message to the hunter’s cell phone confirming the trap has been activated when the micro switch closes.
Remember that the traps need to be inspected daily and adequate shelter is to be provided.
Feral pigs destroy our crops, land and water sources. They spread weeds and diseases, kill livestock and have an impact on our sensitive biodiversity. We are proud that our 4G SMS Lite can help with feral pig trap monitoring systems.
The RSS01 solar system is the ideal power supply option for the SMS Lite, and our high gain cellular antennas are used to maximise cell reception in remote areas.
