HeatWatch® Transmitters Frequently Asked Questions
1. How far away can the signal be received?
That really depends on the area and environment. CowChips guarantees 1000' from a repeater, stand-alone or a receiver unit.
2. When does a transmitter send supervisory signals?
The transmitters are programmed to send a supervisory signal about every 60 mins.
3. On the transmitter report, I have transmitters coming up as "?"
and my supervisory is set to 12 hrs.
When a transmitter is marked as questionable after a supervisory update, it means
that no signal has been received (supervisory or mount) in that 12 hrs. period. There are many reasons for this to happen,
and you could have a very long list of these. The transmitter may be good, but if the same number appears after a second supervisory
update there it is probably bad, and needs to be replaced or sent in for service.
4. I have some transmitters that do not work. Can I replace the
batteries?
Replacement batteries are available, but we recommend that you ask a CowChips rep about the warranty or purchasing an extended warranty.
5. How long can I expect the transmitters to work?
This varies from user to user, how they are used, stored, etc. CowChips warranties the transmitters for one full year.
6. There seems to be mounts of 32 seconds or longer on the mount data
log, but they are not appearing for that cow?
The software will only allow a maximum mount of 32 seconds, because the transmitter
button could be broken, the cow could be laying next to an object that depresses the button for longer mount periods,
etc. Any mounts that are truly excessive are discarded, allowing accurate data to be processed.
7. How do I replace a transmitter on an active cow?
This is done by first replacing the transmitter on that cow with a new transmitter, and posting that change in the edit function of the software.
The dummy number is located in the system
preferances-7000 is the default.
8. What is the maximum number of cows with transmitters can my system
handle?
The maximum number of transmitters for a system is 8191 per system ID (1's, 2's,
etc.). If there are more than 8191 head in your herd, you may want to look into a second system and second set of system
.
9. My cows lay against fences, barns, etc. and I get mounts on that
cow I know are not correct. Will HeatWatch filter out those mounts?
No there is no way for the system to know which are "bumps" and which are truly mounts.
A collar can be added to the transmitters to help prevent false mounts from appearing. Contact your local
rep for more information.
10. I keep getting transmitters on my exception list that I don't
have on cows. How can I keep from getting these errors on my transmitter report?
This means that the transmitter has checked-in when a supervisory update was done
and the transmitter is "unenrolled". This can be remedied by going to the TX Supervisor hot button, and removing the check mark
from the Show Enrolled box.
status.
11. What is a supervisory signal compared to a mount?
A supervisory signal is a single package of information being sent about once an
hour. This signal is basically a check in for the transmitter. This allows the software/user know that the transmitter
is still functional. The mount signal is multiple packages sent on multiple frequencies this increases the chance of
receiving the data we are looking for.
12. Why can't I get my transmitters to work as well (less read range)
this year as I did last year?
There are many factors that can change the ability of the signals to be read,
tree growth in line of sight, batteries maybe weaker, receiver or repeater got moved, additions to the farm (i.e.
tractor, tower, etc.) in line of sight, etc.
13. Some of my transmitters are not working. I induced my herd and
there are a small handful of cows not showing any mount activity. Why?
Well there could be a problem with the transmitters. Have the same transmitters showed up on the transmitter exception list for two consecutive supervisory updates? If so, chances are they are defective. Contact CowChips for support.
14. I have had my system for 2 years and would like to test my
transmitters before putting them on cows.
If you have a day or two before you desire to get them installed, place the
transmitters with in range of the receiver, enable "Unenrolled" transmitter processing. Let them check in for about
two supervisory updates. Press the mount button and verify that it is able to transmit the false mount (Mount data log).
15. What if a transmitter falls off and a cow swallows it?
It would be a very rare case to have a cow swallow a transmitter, but the
transmitter itself is basically harmless (other than being hard to digest). Its shell is a hard plastic, latex and
foam seals, electronic circuit board and a 3Vdc-lithium battery. If a cow does swallow a transmitter, feel free to
contact your vet for assistance
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