EZ-GUIDE 500 LIGHTBAR - Agricultural guidance system TRIMBLE - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Agricultural Guidance Lightbar
Brand	Trimble
Model	EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar
Dimensions (approx.)	30 x 5 x 3 cm
Weight (approx.)	0.5 kg
Power supply	12 V DC (via vehicle connection)
Main functions	Guidance via lightbar, coverage display, autopilot integration, advanced driving parameter configuration
Screen	Integrated display with icons and info text
Guidance LEDs	3 green LEDs in center for on-line guidance, side LEDs for deviation
Function buttons	OK, Up, Down, Back (ESC) buttons, function buttons identified by icons
Configuration	Advanced mode accessible via configuration menu
Autopilot integration	Compatible with AgGPS Autopilot system for automatic steering
Connection	Port for NavController II cable, optional NMEA output
Engagement indicators	LEDs and icons indicating status (ready, engaged, not possible)
Warnings	Full-screen messages or message bar for limits and faults
Maintenance and cleaning	Clean with a soft dry cloth. Avoid liquids.
Spare parts and repairability	Parts available from Trimble. Repair by a professional.
General information	Agricultural use. Works with GPS. Full manual available on notice-facile.com.

Frequently Asked Questions - EZ-GUIDE 500 LIGHTBAR TRIMBLE

How to connect the EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar to the Autopilot system?

After professional installation of the AgGPS Autopilot system, connect the lightbar as shown in the manual diagram. Make sure the NavController II cable is properly connected.

How to configure the advanced mode on the lightbar?

From the main screen, press the function button repeatedly until the configuration icon is selected, then press OK. Go to User Mode and select Advanced.

What to do if the system does not engage?

Check that you have defined a guidance line and that the vehicle is within the engagement limits. Make sure the GPS quality is sufficient (e.g., RTK Fixed) and that the number of satellites is at least 5.

How to adjust the aggressiveness of the automatic steering?

Go to Autopilot Configuration and modify the Online Aggressiveness parameter. A higher value makes the correction more aggressive.

What does the warning 'Operator Alert Timeout' mean?

This warning appears periodically to check the operator's presence. You must press a button to confirm your presence. The timeout can be adjusted in the configuration, but cannot be disabled.

How to manually disengage the autopilot?

You can disengage the system by pressing the engagement button on the screen or remote, or by turning the steering wheel. The system also disengages automatically if limits are exceeded or GPS is lost.

How to interpret the LEDs on the lightbar?

The three center LEDs lit indicate that the vehicle is on line. If they move to the side, you are offline. When the system is engaged, two LEDs at each end are lit; a single LED indicates ready to engage.

Can I use the EZ-Guide 500 without the Autopilot system?

Yes, the lightbar can be used in manual guidance mode. To do so, set the steering system type to None or another compatible mode.

How to save or restore a custom configuration file?

In the Autopilot Configuration menu, use the Download/Upload Custom Configuration File options. You will be prompted for a filename for the download.

What to do if the screen displays a full-screen warning?

Press the OK button to clear the warning. If a message appears in the bar, press the upper function button (to the left of the screen) to close it.

USER MANUAL EZ-GUIDE 500 LIGHTBAR TRIMBLE

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar with the

AgGPS® Autopilot™ System Quick Reference Card

CONNECTING THE SYSTEM

When the AgGPS® Autopilot™ system has been professionally installed, add the EZ-Guide® 500 lightbar guidance system as shown:

LIGHTBAR LAYOUT

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.

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.

Vehicle icon

Shows the vehicle position and heading relative to the current swath.

ESC button (back of unit)

Cancel changes and moves up one menu level.

Buttons: OK, Up, Down

The arrow key highlights an icon and the OK 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 the Autopilot system is engaged.

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar with the

AgGPS® Autopilot™ System Quick Reference Card

CONFIGURATION

Vehicle configuration

To configure the vehicle for use with the AgGPS Autopilot system, connect a laptop that is running the AgGPS Autopilot Toolbox II software to the Laptop connector on the NavController II. For more information, refer to the AgGPS Autopilot Toolbox II Software User Guide.

Lightbar configuration

1. Change the lightbar to Advanced mode:

a. From the main guidance screen, press one or more times until you select the icon and then press OK. The Configuration screen appears:

b. Select User Mode and then press OK. The User Mode screen appears.
c. Select Advanced and then press OK.

1. Select Configuration / Auto Steer. A warning message appears.
2. Press OK. The Auto Steer screen appears:

1. Set the Auto Steer System Type option to Autopilot.

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar with the

AgGPS® Autopilot™ System Quick Reference Card

Once you set the Nav Controller Type, the Auto Steer screen re-appears. The EZ-Steer Setup menu changes to the Autopilot Configuration menu.

Auto Steer

Auto Steer System Type

Autopilot

Autopilot Configuration

The Auto Steer System Type

After you enable the Autopilot system, configure the Autopilot system settings.

AgGPS Autopilot system settings

Autopilot Configuration

Online Aggressiveness

100%

Operator Alert Timeout

15min

End of Row Warning Distance

32' 10"

NMEA Output

Download Custom Configuration File

Upload Custom Configuration File

Change the steering Online Aggressiveness setting

Item
Description

Online Aggressiveness	This setting controls how aggressively the vehicle steers to remain on the guidance line.
Operator Alert Timeout	To verify the presence of the operator, a warning appears periodically. The warning requires you to acknowledge it to remain in normal automatic mode. This setting controls the frequency of the warning. The Operator Alert Timeout cannot be disabled.
End of Row Warning Distance	This warning appears when you are at the specified distance from the end of the current row. To make the warning appear earlier, increase the End of Row distance. This can be helpful if the operator is likely to be distracted (for example, by monitoring other equipment during operation).
NMEA Output	You can enable or disable NMEA message output from the Autopilot controller laptop port. If NMEA messages are enabled, you can configure which formats are output and the baud rate. Note — Ensure that the baud rate you select is the same as that of the device that is receiving the messages.
Download / Upload Custom Configuration File	You can save or restore a custom system configuration file from the Autopilot controller. To download a file, you are required to enter a name for the file.

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar with the

AgGPS® Autopilot™ System Quick Reference Card

ADVANCED MODE APPLICATION USE

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar with the

AgGPS® Autopilot™ System Quick Reference Card

ENGAGING

To engage the EZ-Guide 500 system with the AgGPS Autopilot system, you must have a line defined and the vehicle must be within the engage limits of the system.

Do one of the following:

• Press the engage button on the main guidance screen.
• Press the engage button on the optional remote control.
• Press the optional remote engage foot pedal.

DISENGAGING

The system automatically disengages when:

The vehicle is outside the engage limits
GPS positions are lost
- The Minimum Fix Quality setting is set to a high accuracy correction method (for the AgGPS Autopilot system, this is usually RTK Fixed) and the system receives low accuracy positions (for example, no corrections). This setting is accessed at Configuration / System / GPS / GPS Limits / Minimum Fix Quality.

To manually disengage the system, do one of the following:

• Press the engage button on the main guidance screen.
• Press the engage button on the optional remote control.
  Turn the steering wheel.

GPS Limits
Minimum Elevation	8°
Minimum SNR	38.0
Minimum Satellites	5
Maximum HDOP	3.0
Minimum Fix Quality	RTK Fixed
Set the minimum elevation angle at which GPS satellites will be used

Engage status indicators

Engage status	Engage button color	Vehicle icon color	LED indication
Ready to engage			1 solid LED at each end
Engaged			2 solid LEDs at each end
Cannot engage			No end LEDs illuminated

When the system disengages, the three LEDs at each end of the lightbar flash for 10 seconds.

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar with the

AgGPS® Autopilot™ System Quick Reference Card

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Status screens

When you enable the AgGPS Autopilot system, the status screens that are available change:

This EZ-Steer® menu …	Becomes …
Terrain Compensation Status	None (menu disappears)
EZ-Steer Status	Autopilot Status
Fault History / EZ-Steer Fault History	Fault History / Autopilot Fault History

Information tab

When the Autopilot system is enabled, an additional Information tab is available. It shows the current status of the Autopilot system.

System warnings

Warning messages appear on the lightbar screen when the following conditions occur:

the Automated system limits are reached
- a fault has occurred

There are two types of warning, full-screen and message bar:

To clear a full-screen warning, press the OK button.
- To clear a message bar warning, press the top function button (to the left of the screen).

© 2007. Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. Trimble, the Globe and Triangle logo, AgGPS, EZ-Guide, and EZ-Steer are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the United States and in other countries. Autopilot and SiteNet are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited. Version 1.00, Rev B. (April 2007).

P/N 66026-80-ENG