EZ-Guide 500 - User Manual

EZ-Guide
®
500 Lightbar Guidance System
Quick Reference Card
www.EZ-Guide.com
EZ-Guide
®
500 Lightbar Guidance System
Quick Reference Card
www.EZ-Guide.com
EZ-Guide
®
500 Lightbar Guidance System
Quick Reference Card
www.EZ-Guide.com
CONNECTING THE SYSTEM
LA
B
EL
LA
B
EL
LA
B
EL
EZ-Guide
With EZ-Steer
®
system
With keypad
To
power
To
power
To power
LIGHTBAR LAYOUT
ESC button (back of unit)
Cancels changes and moves
up one level.
Buttons:
o u D
The arrow key highlights an icon
and the o button selects it.
Coverage logging and overlap
Coverage is displayed when a spray
switch is on, when the coverage
function button is enabled, or when
an autosteering system is engaged.
Function buttons
These buttons perform the
functions indicated by the icons.
Swath lines
The current swath is red. Adjacent
swaths are blue. Swath numbers
are displayed at the bottom of the
screen.
Tip bar
provides information on how to use
the system.
Vehicle icon
Shows the vehicle position and heading relative to
the current swath.
Antenna cable
(P/N 50449)
Antenna
EZ-Guide
®
500 lightbar
Power cable
(P/N 62817)
Offline guidance LEDs
When the vehicle is online, the center three green LEDs are lit.
When it is offline, the lit LEDs move to the side.
C
Keep the lightbar dry. Do not spray it with any type of liquid as this may cause it to fail.
Standard system

Summary

System Connection Overview

Standard System Connection

Describes the basic hardware setup for the EZ-Guide 500 lightbar.

Keypad and EZ-Steer System Connections

Covers connection diagrams for both keypad and EZ-Steer systems.

Lightbar Interface and Controls

Lightbar Layout and Indicators

Explains LED indicators, swath lines, and the vehicle icon.

Button Functions and Coverage Display

Details control buttons and coverage logging features.

General Safety Warning

Keep Lightbar Dry

Specific safety instruction regarding liquid exposure to the lightbar.

Easy Mode Application Workflow

Reset Guidance and Implement Configuration

Initial setup steps in Easy Mode for resetting guidance and configuring implement settings.

Pattern Selection and AB Line Mapping

Process for selecting guidance patterns and mapping AB lines in Easy Mode.

Quick Start Wizard and Unit Settings

Quick Start Wizard Operation

Describes the initial setup wizard for confirming system settings.

Unit of Measurement Selection

How to select preferred units for measurement (e.g., Metric or Imperial).

Lightbar Button Functions

Left Side Function Buttons

Explains the functions of buttons located on the left side of the lightbar.

Right Side Action Buttons

Explains the functions of buttons located on the right side of the lightbar.

Field Definition Buttons

Explains buttons used for defining field parameters.

Advanced Mode Application Workflow

Reset Guidance and New Field Setup

Initial steps in Advanced Mode for resetting guidance and setting up new fields.

Confirming Field and Implement Settings

Verifying and adjusting implement setup and field name configurations.

Mapping AB Lines and Starting Guidance

Process for mapping AB lines and beginning guidance operations.

Field and Event Management

Stored Field and AB Line Selection

How to choose previously saved fields and AB lines for guidance.

Event Option Selection

Selecting the appropriate application event for the current task.

Advanced Mode Features

Field and AB Line Operations

Naming fields, adding AB lines, and selecting existing fields.

Swath and GPS Settings Configuration

Adjusting swath parameters and GPS settings like limits.

Display Settings and System Options

Customizing display views and system behavior options.

Data Management Operations

Field and Event Data Export;Delete

Managing field and event information via USB drive.

System Log Export

Saving diagnostic system logs to a USB flash drive.

System Configuration Management

Saving and Loading System Configurations

Managing and applying system settings profiles across lightbars.

Deleting System Configurations

Removing saved system settings profiles from the lightbar.

Map Screen Views

Plan View and Perspective View

Describes the two primary map display modes: Plan and Perspective.

Information Tabs and Built-in Help

Information Tab Display

How to access and cycle through system information tabs.

Built-in Help System Access

Procedure for accessing the integrated help system.

Nudge and Shift to Here Functions

Nudge Functionality

Correcting for position drift while driving in the field.

Shift to Here Functionality

Shifting swaths for re-entry or future applications after pausing.

Guidance Patterns

AB Line and Center-Pivot Patterns

Describes setting up straight AB lines and circular center-pivot guidance.

A+ and Headland Patterns

Explains A+ line creation and automatic headland fill patterns.

Identical Curve and Adaptive Curve Patterns

Details guidance based on initial curve or dynamically generated passes.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System is a device designed to assist with agricultural guidance, offering both basic and advanced operational modes. It connects to a power source and an antenna, and can be integrated with an optional keypad or an EZ-Steer system for enhanced control. The lightbar itself features a series of LEDs, function buttons, a screen displaying swath lines and a vehicle icon, and a tip bar for system information.

Function Description:

The primary function of the EZ-Guide 500 is to provide visual guidance for agricultural operations. It helps users maintain straight or curved paths in a field, ensuring consistent coverage and minimizing overlap or skips. The system uses GPS technology to track the vehicle's position and display it relative to a defined guidance line.

In Easy Mode, the system simplifies the setup process, allowing users to quickly configure implement settings, select guidance patterns, and map AB lines. This mode is ideal for basic guidance tasks and is the default operation mode. The Quick Start Wizard guides users through initial setup, including unit selection (Metric or US/Imperial) and the option to hide the wizard for future startups.

Advanced Mode offers more detailed control and customization. Users can enter custom client, farm, field, and event names, add multiple AB lines to fields, and select existing fields for subsequent applications. It also allows for shifting swaths to correct for position drift or to offset swaths in following years. GPS settings and display settings can be configured, and diagnostic status information, including GPS and satellite data, can be viewed.

The system supports various Guidance Patterns:

• AB Line: Maps a straight line for guidance by setting an A point at the start and a B point at the end.
• Center-pivot: Designed for circular fields, requiring the user to drive the pivot from an A point to a B point. It's recommended to follow the outermost wheeltrack for best results.
• A+: Creates a line based on an A point and a manually entered heading, which defaults to the previous AB heading.
• Headland: Automatically fills headland boundaries with straight swaths. Users define the number of headland circuits and the guidance line. Additional headlands are based on the first circuit.
• Identical Curve: Guidance is based on an initial curve defined by A and B points, ignoring any deviations.
• Adaptive Curve: Guidance is continuously based on the last pass, with new swaths generated as the vehicle turns. This pattern offers "Auto U-turn detection" which can be turned on or off.

Usage Features:

The lightbar's interface includes several interactive elements:

• Offline guidance LEDs: Indicate the vehicle's online/offline status. Green LEDs are lit when online; they move to the side when offline.
• Function buttons: Perform actions indicated by their icons, such as displaying information tabs, accessing built-in help, turning coverage logging on/off, returning to map view, canceling changes, or going back to previous screens.
• ESC button (back of unit): Cancels changes and moves up one level in the menu.
• OK and Arrow buttons: Used for navigation and selection within the menu. Arrow keys highlight icons, and the OK button selects them.
• Coverage logging and overlap: Coverage is displayed when a spray switch is on, when the coverage function button is enabled, or when an autosteering system is engaged.

Map Screens provide visual feedback:

• Plan view: Shows an overhead perspective of the field and vehicle.
• Perspective view: Offers a 3D view, useful for navigating swaths. The system automatically swaps between plan view (in headlands) and perspective view (on swaths) by default, but this can be configured in Advanced Mode.

Information Tabs can be displayed on the screen to show field, GPS, or other system information. Users can cycle through different tabs using a dedicated button.

Built-in Help is accessible via a specific button, providing immediate assistance.

Nudge / Shift to Here features allow for fine-tuning guidance:

• Nudge: Corrects for GPS position drift caused by satellite constellation changes. The total nudge distance is displayed on the tip bar.
• Shift to Here (Advanced Mode only): Corrects for GPS position drift when returning to a field after pausing, or offsets all swaths for applications in subsequent years. Shifted swaths can be saved, unlike nudged adjustments.

Data Management capabilities allow users to:

• Import/Export Fields: Transfer field and event information to/from an external USB drive, enabling data sharing between EZ-Guide 500 lightbars.
• Delete Data: Remove field, event, or coverage logging data from internal memory to free up space.
• Export Logs: Save system logs to a USB flash drive.

System Configurations can be saved and loaded, which is beneficial for users with multiple lightbars or those who frequently change settings for different vehicles or applications. This ensures consistent settings across devices or allows for quick switching between predefined setups.

Maintenance Features:

The device manual explicitly states: "Keep the lightbar dry. Do not spray it with any type of liquid as this may cause it to fail." This highlights the importance of protecting the device from moisture.

Additionally, a critical note regarding data management advises: "Never remove the USB drive while the lightbar is turned on." This is crucial for preventing data corruption or damage to the device.

EZ-Guide 500 Specifications

General

Type	GPS Guidance System
Manufacturer	Trimble
Update Rate	5 Hz
Waterproof Rating	IP54
Weight	1.5 kg
Display	LCD
Connectivity	Serial, USB
Power Supply	12 VDC
Operating Temperature	-20°C to 50°C