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Alge RSL1c Photocells & internal battery corrosion

fkpfkpMember
The ALGE RLS1c photocell series was introduced in 1991. The black plastic shell and swivel head is still in production. The RLS1c was designed to connect directly to an ALGE timer using a three wire connection (pin 3 ground, pin 2 finish, pin 1 start (if needed) and pin 5 is 6 vdc in for power. The RLS1c can also be used with the internal "C" (baby) cell battery. You will need to have a cable that has a jumper soldered between pin 3 and the strain relief on the plug, that uses pin 3 as ground and pin 2 as signal on a short cable. The problem with this system lies in the fact that the plug and socket corrode because of chemicals used in snow preperation. The battery therefore cannot make good contact and the cell operates poorly. PST first addressed this issue in 1994 when we started putting on/off switches on the cells. ALGE adopted this method and improved it bringing out the RLS1n model in 1998. The RLS1n has banana plug outputs and a nice on/off switch. There are now only 2 photocells made by ALGE, The RLS1n which functions as both a transmitter/receiver with a reflector and the RLS1n/d receiver which is used as the receiver with a thru beam setup. Tests have shown that the RLS1n/d can also be used very effectivly with a reflector as long as you leave the toggle switch in the "adjust" position. Older RLS1c cells can be upgraded to RLS1n cells at the PST shop.
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fkpfkpMember
Fred

Thanks! So, in a panic, I can take the blue wire from the shell and connect it directly to Pin 3?

Without a schematic, I am assuming that this will provide the ground for the battery and turn on the transmitter.

What I want to do is to use this device as a transmitter only. Is this the way I would do it? Or, do I need to add 5V to pin 5 of the din connector.

This is a RLS1c (I think). It has both a transmitter and a receiver in the same case and it doesn't have a switch for the battery. It is an older unit.

Thanks... Mike
fkpfkpMember
First. don't panic. Call our office 610-398-3977. Yes, you can connect the wire (blue) that is soldered onto the din socket directly to PIn 3 and it will turn on the battery. Or you can input 6vdc positive to Pin 5. Cells used form transmitters can just be turned on and used. Cells of this type used for receivers should have a switch that turns off the transmit diode so that the cell does not get signal from any other source than the transmitter across the trail. Tape works also in a pinch. Please try to have these cells upgraded once you finish this weekend.
fkpfkpMember
Fred

Your comments are a little confusing.

You say: "You will need to have a cable that has a jumper soldered between pin 3 and the strain relief on the plug, that uses pin 3 as ground and pin 2 as signal on a short cable. "

I assume that you are saying that I need to jumper pin 2 and 3 together.

Pin 2 is listed as Signal Output and Pin 3 is as 0 Volt (Ground??).

Can you clarify?

Thanks... Mike Walker mike.walker@home.com
fkpfkpMember
The RLS1c photocell has been superceded by the RLS1n. We recommend that all existing photocells without the banana plugs and battery switch installed be upgraded at our shop for $75.00

The RLS1c photocell used a connection between pin 3 on the Din plug and the exterior of the Din connector on the cell to turn on the battery. Insert the appropriate cable and the battery would turn on. Signal from the cell was then carried on the pair of wires back to the timer. This jumper cable had a small jumper soldered between Pin 3 (common ground) and the little hole on the strain relief right next to the screw hole. The connection was made once the outer shell of the Din plug was screwed into the strain relief thereby tying the ground connection from the battery to the ground connection on the cable whenever the cable was inserted. The signal wire was connected directly and discretely to pin 2. These cables were commonly made of black zip cord. This system failed due to corroding din plugs and sockets on race courses that used chemicals. The new banana plug system has been working fine.

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