Near Intersection of I-35 & I-90 Southern Mn. | The problem with many self-propelled sprayers that use OEM external boom switches and a Raven 460 has to do with the wiring layout. This problem is similiar whether using an EZ-Boom, Ag Leader's Direct Command or any other auto boom section shutoff system.
If EZ-Boom or Direct Command is going to have the ability to shutoff boom sections (Autoswath) it is vital that the EZ-Boom or Direct Command be in control of the boom sections.
In many installations, the wiring goes something like this: Power from the Master Boom Switch (Joystick, floor switch etc.) goes to the indivdual boom switches. The output from each boom switch goes to the boom valve AND also tees off and goes to the Raven 460 to inform it that a particular section is ON. This is referred to as "Boom Sense".
With EZ-Boom, the intended Boom Switches are built into the EZ-Boom itself. These switches are actually inputs to the system and do not directly control the boom sections. They are indicators to the system that the operator has given "permission" that a section COULD be on. If Autoswath is active, then the system can decide whether a section is ON or OFF depending on other factors such as the fact that an area has already been covered.
With EZ-Boom, it is often possible to disconnect the original OEM switches. Then EZ-Boom can then control the boom sections. The original switches must not be involved since they could cause a conflict. The operator would need to use the Master and Boom sections on the EZ-Boom itself. It is also possible to use an external Master.
Whether a Raven is still used for rate control is immaterial to this concept. The bottom line is that the EZ-Boom must have control of the boom sections. The EZ-Boom switches are always used.
With Direct Command the situation is quite similiar but the boom switches are connected to the Auxiliary Input Module which ties into the system. Again the boom switches (often Ag Leader's switchbox) are inputs to the system.
With some clever rearrangement of the wiring it is often possible to use the original switches that have been used in a self-propelled sprayer. In some cases there is a wiring kit for this situation and in others one can be created.
The basic plan when rearranging the wiring amounts to redirecting the output from the OEM switches to go only to the AIM. The output from the LCM (Liquid control module) then goes to the wiring to control the booms. Be aware that Direct Command also uses a concept called "Boom detect" to decide if a boom switch is actually present. This presents some challenges to the uninformed.
A problem that occurs with many of our customers is that during certain times of the year, some of the Direct Command components (Insight, AIM or LCM) are needed elsewhere on the farm. The operator would then like to run the sprayer temporarily with the previous Raven box. Since the wiring has been rearranged just reinstalling the Raven will generally not work.
We have a jumper for those situations that allows the connection to the AIM module (boom inputs to the system) and the connection from the LCM (boom control out to the valves) to be unplugged and joined together. The flow of electricity is then back to original (goes through a bit more wire) and the sprayer can be run in the previous fashion.
If the original wiring on the sprayer used a Raven console such as a 440 or 450 where the Boom switches used were those on the 440 or 450 itself (no other built in OEM switches) than the situation is quite easy. In those cases the boom switch conflict is not a problem since the switches are removed when the Raven 440 or 450 is set aside. Then EZ-Boom can just be plugged right in.
In the case of Direct Command, a wiring harness is available to allow the Direct Command components to be used ahead of the original wiring.
As has been mentioned, the Insight has the ability to work with External and Internal Boundaries which can be very helpful with internal obstacles such as waterways, ponds, etc. With Boundaries, the Insight will not apply outside of an External Boundary or inside an Internal Boundary as well as not apply in an area that has been previously applied.
When EZ-Boom was first introduced many of us saw the lack of Boundaries as a serious limitation. The answer was that this was an entry level system. Apparently some of these concerns are being addressed.
Edited by tedbear 2/13/2009 07:29
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Raven 460 and EZ Boom
