---
title: "VEGA Modbus Level Sensor"
canonical: "https://farmconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/FCKB/2324725814/VEGA%20Modbus%20Level%20Sensor"
format: markdown
---
See the [VEGA website](https://www.vega.com) for further information on VEGA modbus sensor options.

> Macro (toc)

# Requirements

| **Description** | **Rubicon Part Number** | **Notes** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VEGA Modbus Level Sensor | - | See the [VEGA website](https://www.vega.com/) |
| Mounting Bracket | Contact Rubicon for options |  |
| FerIT Node | [81840 DD FerIT Solar Node Dimensional Data and Selection](https://bit.ly/3fmn753) |  |
| Connecting Loom | Contact Rubicon for options |  |
| Bluetooth-enabled Device | - | Refer to [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DC](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DC) |
| VEGATOOLS application | - | Refer to [VEGA website](https://www.vega.com/en-us/products/product-catalog/signal-conditioning/software/vega-tools-app) |

# Setup

> ⚠️ Please make safety a priority when you are carrying out any work at a site. We recommend that you perform a site-specific risk assessment to identify any potential risks before commencing any work at a site.
> ⚠️ 
> ⚠️ See the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GM/pages/1925186045](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GM/pages/1925186045) section for more information about specific risks and recommended procedures. Specific safety information is also provided in relevant topics.

## Installing the VEGA level sensor

Refer to the [manufacturer’s website](https://www.vega.com) for installation instructions.

## Installing the FerIT Node

Refer to the [FerIT documentation](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FER/pages/1932689644) for installation instructions

## Connecting the VEGA level sensor

The VEGA sensor loom should be terminated into Rubicon PN 81867; M12 8 WAY, MALE, A CODE

| **Wire #** | Wire Colour | VEGAPULS Function | 81867 Pin |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Brown | Voltage supply (+) | Pin 5 “+” (Positive, 12V Out) |
| 2 | Blue | Voltage supply (-) | Pin 8 “-” (Negative) |
| 3 | Black | Modbus signal D0 (+) | Pin 6 ”RS485A” |
| 4 | White | Modbus signal D1 (-) | Pin 4 “RS485B” |
| 5 | Shielding |  |  |

Thread the connecting loom through the node mounting pole/bracket to the FerIT Solar Node mount, pass the connecting loom through the FerIT Solar Node base grommet and connect to the 8-pin M12 splitter, then connect the splitter to the FerIT node and the power module.

## Driver Installation

> ℹ️ Refer to the [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DC](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DC) documentation for procedures to install and configure drivers

The VEGA modbus sensor uses the ‘VEGAPULS CX' driver in the FerIT device

1. Connect the battery
2. In DeviceConnect, scan for devices. Once found, connect the the FerIT
3. Navigate to the **Drivers** tab and select **Add**, then find and add the 'VEGAPULS CX' driver.
4. Enter the access code provided
5. Allow the FerIT to restart

## Configuring the VEGA sensor

1. Power on the sensor and the FerIT Solar Node (if connected together already, disconnect the FerIT Solar Node battery and reconnect to power cycle both devices)
2. Start the VEGATOOLS application
3. Scan for and connect to the VEGA sensor
4. Navigate to ‘Setup’ > ‘Application’
  1. Select the ‘Type of Medium’ and ‘Application’ as applicable
5. Navigate to ‘Setup’ > ‘Extended Functions’ > ‘RS485 Interface’
  1. Set ‘Baud rate’ to 9600
  2. Set ‘Data bits’ to 8
  3. Set ‘Parity’ to None
  4. Set ‘Stop Bits’ to 1
6. Navigate to ‘Setup’ > ‘Extended Functions’ > ‘Modbus’
  1. Set ‘Timeout’ to 50ms
  2. Set ‘Response Delay’ to 50ms
  3. Set ‘Byte Sequence’ to ‘ABCD (Big Endian)’
7. Navigate to ‘Setup’ > ‘Extended Functions’ > ‘Modbus Variables’
  1. Set ‘Secondary Value’ to ‘Filling Height’
  2. Set ‘Quaternary Value’ to ‘Electronics Temperature’
8. Navigate to ‘Setup’ > ‘Adjustment’
  1. Set the ‘Min Adjustment’ and ‘Max Adjustment’ as applicable
    1. For most open channel installations, ‘Max Adjustment’ can be left as zero
    2. ‘Min Adjustment’ should be the distance from the sensor when the channel is empty
9. Power cycle the sensor and the FerIT Solar Node as per step 1

## Driver Configuration

> ⚠️ The settings and data units are dependant on your browser language. Ensure you have selected English (Australia) to display as metric, or English (United States) to display as Imperial

1. Connect to the FerIT Node using [DeviceConnect](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DC)
2. Navigate to the VEGAPULS CX driver
3. Check the FerIT has successfully connected to the device
  1. Modbus address should be 246
  2. Communication status should be ‘OK’
  3. Config error will likely still be 'Failure'
4. Click the ‘Force Set Config’ action button to set the sensor configuration to the FerIT requirements
5. Use VEGATOOLS app to force a soft reset of the sensor
6. Use DeviceConnect to force a soft reset of the FerIT Node
7. Reconnect to the FerIT Node
8. Navigate to the VEGAPULS CX driver
9. Check that Config Error is now ‘OK’
10. Check sensor units are now:
  1. Temperature: Degrees C
  2. Distance: Millimeters
11. Check the Water Level matches the distance from the sensor to the water level (or ground level if no water)

### Inspection Test Plan (ITP):

Download and complete the ITP

[0080-ITP-FerIT Node Monitoring Device (LoRa) Commission.pdf](https://rubiconhub.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/Knowledgebase/EZNiV3k80LhMr189zqh8FogBfAxZiKOVM1gZux4qwMdCAQ?e=Oi1ENh)

# Accessing Your Data Through FarmConnect

See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2022342685](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FCD/pages/2022342685) for general information on accessing device data through the FarmConnect Portal.

![image-20240731-033651.png](media://5c279100-4fcf-4e20-9d35-88c68a8433cb)