FAQ

Here you will find the answers to the most important questions about your SmartCoop modules.

Control unit

Barn Ventilation/Exhaust

Drinker Heater with Level Sensor

Feed Dispenser with Fill Level Sensor

SmartCoop Control unit (70600)

1. The control unit regularly loses the time and date setting

The power supply is temporarily interrupted.
→ Make sure that the power supply cables are free of faults. In solar mode, check the battery voltage if necessary.

The connection cables of the connectivity module (art. 70620) or external daylight sensor (art. 70622) have been extended.
→ An extension is not permitted with these modules. Remove the extension cables.

A module is defective and leads to increased current consumption.
→ Unplug all modules and plug them back in one after the other. Check at which module the error occurs again.

The barn ventilation (art. 70625, 70626) is blocked.
→ Clear the fan wheel of dirt and ensure that it can rotate freely.

2. The error "battery empty" appears regularly in the display.

The battery voltage is too low.
→ Recharge the battery and acknowledge the error with the key to return to normal operation. Just recharging is not sufficient, the error must be acknowledged!

The voltage value for activating the energy-saving mode is incorrectly selected.
→ Check the value and correct it downwards if necessary (Attention! Observe the permissible voltage range of the battery!).

The solar system does not supply enough energy.
→ Optimise the orientation to the south and make sure that no obstacles (branches or similar) cause shading.

3. The error "extraneous light interference" appears in the display.

The system was disturbed by extraneous light (e.g. car headlights, street lamps, garden lighting, etc.).
→ Make sure that no extraneous light can reach the light sensor.

4. The error "flash error" appears in the display

The light sensor is not communicating correctly with the control unit.
→ Check which firmware version your control unit has. The firmware version is shown on the display for a brief moment when the control unit is started up. If your control unit has a firmware version older than V01.32, please contact the Kerbl Hobbyfarming team of experts.
→ If the firmware version is V01.32 or higher, please perform a restart. Disconnect the power supply unit of the control unit from the power supply for at least 10 seconds and then plug it back in. If this is not successful, please reset the control unit to the factory settings in the menu.

Connectivity-Modul (70620)

1. The module cannot be paired with a terminal.

Perform a reset (press PRESS button for 5 sec) of the connectivity module and pair again.

You are too far away from the connectivity module with your end device, which is why there is no connection.
→ Move close to the connectivity module.

Bluetooth is not activated.
→ Activate Bluetooth on your end device.

The connectivity module has already been added with another account.
→ Reset the device ID in the control unit menu and pair again.

2. the CC module flashes green/white continuously and does not connect to the WLAN.

An incorrect WLAN name or password has been entered. You are too far away from the connectivity module with your end device, which is why there is no connection.
→ Press the reset button for 5 seconds and pair again with the correct WLAN access data.

You use a public WLAN.
→ Use a WLAN that is protected by a password.

The WLAN name must not contain any unauthorised characters (comma, space).
→ Select a WLAN name without illegal symbols and pair again.

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Cable Pull (70640)

1. A "door fault" appears in the display.

Door runs against a stop in the upper end position.
→ Recalibrate (more distance)

The weight of the slide is too high.
→ Insert another slide that does not exceed the maximum slide weight.

Door gets stuck when opening.
→ Ensure the free movement of the slide. (Clean slide area)

2. Cable stops too early or too late in lower end position.

The door has not been calibrated or has been calibrated incorrectly.
→ Perform a calibration.

3. The retaining cord of the cable pull gets tangled.

The cable pull has not been mounted horizontally or the free movement of the slider is not guaranteed.
→ Check whether the cable pull and the attached slider have been mounted correctly (see operating instructions cable pull for chicken door).

4. The cable pull does not move automatically and cannot be operated manually. The cable pull is not displayed in the app.

The cable pull is not recognised by the control unit because it is not connected correctly.
→ Make sure that the cable pull is connected to the correct slot on the board (04 – Door Automation).

The control unit does not recognise the cable pull because the calibration of the cable pull has not been carried out.
→ Carry out the calibration of the cable pull.

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Direct drive chicken door (70645)

1. A door error appears in the display.

Door moves against an object during the closing process so that the process is blocked.
→ Remove the object and acknowledge the error message. The chicken door must then be recalibrated.

2. The door does not close or open completely.

The door has not been calibrated or has been calibrated incorrectly.
→ Perform a calibration.

3. The chicken door does not move automatically and cannot be operated manually. The chicken door is not displayed in the app.

The chicken door is not recognised by the control unit because it is not connected correctly.
→ Make sure that the chicken door is connected to the correct slot on the board (04 - Door Automation).

The control unit does not recognise the chicken door because the calibration of the door has not been carried out.
→ Carry out the calibration of the door.

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LED Barn Lighting (70621)

1. The lighting remains without function.

The jumper plug on the last module is not placed.
→ Place the jumper plug on the last module.

A lighting module is defective.
→ Connect each lighting module separately to the control unit in turn (with jumper plug placed) and replace the defective module.

The control unit is in energy-saving mode: The control unit has an energy-saving mode for battery and solar operation. This causes the connected modules with high energy consumption to be switched off automatically when the battery voltage falls below a freely selectable level. All power-intensive modules are deactivated with the exception of the chicken door or the cable pull.
→ Charge the connected battery and acknowledge the error to go to normal operation. Check that the voltage value for activating the energy-saving mode is correctly selected. When using a solar system, it must also be ensured that the system supplies sufficient energy.

2. The lighting flickers, shines only very dimly or is completely without function.

More than three lights were connected in series.
→ A maximum of three luminaires may be connected in series. Remove all surplus luminaires.

3. The control unit reports an "extraneous light fault".

The automatic system was disturbed by extraneous light (e.g. outdoor spotlight, lantern, car, etc.).
→ Ensure that there is sufficient protection from extraneous light. If necessary, shade the light sensor slightly.

4. How does the control unit calculate the lighting duration and time?

The control unit calculates the required lighting duration based on the actual night time using the set dark time. In the evening, the time at which the door is closed is used to calculate the lighting duration; in the morning, the time at which the brightness exceeds 10% (twilight) is used.
If a later opening brightness or time is set in the morning, the lighting is still active until the door is opened. If no door is connected, the control unit still uses the set closing and opening values to calculate the lighting times.

5. The lights do not switch off at night and the door does not close.

The closing light is activated. The brightness value that must be undershot to close the door is not undershot. The control unit remains in the ‘closing light phase’ as the door does not close and the closing light therefore does not switch off.
→ Increase the set closing brightness value so that it falls below this. If necessary, use an external daylight sensor to screen out or eliminate extraneous light influences (Christmas lights, street lamps, etc.).

6. During initial commissioning, the lamps light up permanently and do not switch off.

→ Carry out a restart. If this does not improve the situation, wait 24 hours so that the control unit has run for a day. The lamps should then switch on and off correctly.

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Barn Ventilation (70626) and Barn Ventilation Exhaust (70625)

1. The fan produces only little air flow or does not start.

The fan impeller or the housing is very dirty.
→ Disconnect the module from the control unit to prevent the fan from being switched on unintentionally. Remove foreign objects and clean the fan wheel and the housing with a damp cloth.

2. The fan is without function.

The temperature cut-off is activated. It is recommended to temporarily deactivate the fan at very low outdoor temperatures in order to prevent cold air from entering the barn. With the "OFF below" setting, you can define a temperature value below which the ventilation is deactivated. A value between 0°C - 15°C is recommended. The setting values for "OFF below" and "100 % ON above" must not be too close to each other (at least 10°C difference). Otherwise, malfunctions will occur.
→ Check what temperature you have set in the menu at "OFF under" and adjust the value if necessary.

The control unit is in energy-saving mode: The control unit has an energy-saving mode for battery and solar operation. This causes the connected modules with high energy consumption to be switched off automatically when the battery voltage falls below a freely selectable level. All power-intensive modules are deactivated with the exception of the chicken door or the cable pull.
→ Charge the connected battery and acknowledge the error to go to normal operation. Check that the voltage value for activating the energy-saving mode is correctly selected. When using a solar system, it must also be ensured that the system supplies sufficient energy.

3. The fan is permanently activated and does not switch off.

The "summer mode" is activated. With the setting "100 % ON over" you can select a temperature value above which the fans are permanently switched on with 100 % power to ensure a fast air exchange and a cooling effect. The fan remains active until
1. The temperature drops 5°C below the set value.
2. Night falls if the "Night OFF" function has been selected.
The recommended temperature is between 25°C and 35°C, depending on the season. The setting values for "OFF below" and "100 % ON above" must not be too close to each other (at least 10°C difference). Otherwise, malfunctions will occur.
→ Check which value you have set and adjust it if necessary. If this function is not desired, set the value to 99°.

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Drinker Heater with Level Sensor (70652)

1. The message "Water empty" appears in the display, although there is still enough water in the canister.

The feeder heating with level sensor hangs too far up.
→ Pull the cable a little through the lid until the heater rests on the bottom of the canister with the lid on.

The sensor pins are dirty, which is why erroneous "water empty" messages can occur.
→ Clean the sensor pins with a damp cloth so that the level can be determined correctly again.

2. The message "Water temperature" appears in the display.

The water has frozen in the drinker because the ambient temperature is too low.
→ De-ice the drinker by pouring warm water into the drinker and check the correct placement of the drinker heater.

Feed Dispenser with Fill Level Sensor (70652)

1. The error "Feed malfunction" appears in the display.

The engine was blocked, possibly by a foreign object or similar.
→ Uncover the feeder and remove any foreign objects. Acknowledge the error and check the function several times by briefly pressing the feeding button.

Hotline Germany / International:

+49 8086 933-323

hobbyfarming@kerbl.com

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