1. NR4 NextRegister

NR4 NextRegister

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Overview

Photo of the NR4 NextRegister from above with its gray lid flipped open. The round face has the NEXT METERS logo, a large LCD display and a barcode with a serial number. A coiled black cable wraps around the body and ends in red, black and green bare wires.

Programmable register that retrofits onto most existing water meters.

The NextRegister is a universal, fully programmable register designed to retrofit onto most existing water meters. It precisely reads the magnetic signature of the meter, transforming it into a smart, plug-and-play solution. When upgrading a meter already in operation, the register can be installed without removing the meter or disconnecting water.

With its interoperable encoded output and Bluetooth-enabled walk-by reading feature, the NextRegister provides diverse options for read retrieval. Its robust, intuitive mobile application eliminates the need for additional expensive equipment.

With mobile application and web support, NR4 installation is quick and easy.

Specifications

Connectivity

Wire Output Options: Nicor
Itron
Bare Wire
Outputs Encoded (Sensus, Neptune or AMCO/Elster protocols)
Pulse
Configuration Requirements Contact your distributor for meter compatibility information
Configure using mobile app (iOS or Android)

Physical and power

Operation Environment -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F )
Indoor or outdoor installation
Dimensions 4” x 3.75” x 2.5” (101.6mm x 95.25mm x 63.5mm)
Power Requirements Field replaceable CR18505 lithium primary battery

Certifications

Certifications FCC: 2AZJ7-NR4  |  IC: 27937-NR4

Installation

This article outlines the process for installing and programming the NR4 NextRegister.

 

The parts of the NR4, side view, top to bottom. Next Register: the register body with its lid. Meter Adapter Plate, plus security pin: a flat plate, with the pin beside it. Output Wire (bare wire, Nicor, or Itron): a coiled cable from the register ending in red, green and black wires.

Install the NextRegister

Remove Old Register

Remove the security pin or screw from the register and rotate and/or pull the register up to remove from the meter body.


 

Side view of a water meter body with the old register lifted above it. A red arrow at the left points away from the register: pull out the security pin. A dotted red arrow curving up from the right side: rotate and lift the register off the meter body.

Note: Some meter models will require additional tools to help remove the register. See manufacturer instructions, or contact NextMeters Product Support for additional tips.

Attach the Adapter Plate

Locate the slots and the post on the underside of the NextRegister.

The underside of the NextRegister, seen from below: a dark round base with a wide bar across the middle, a keyhole-shaped opening in the center and a yellow strip above it. The curved post at the right end of the bar is outlined in red. Four red arrows at the corners point in toward the base.

Align the Adapter Plate and locking lever over the post.

The Adapter Plate, a dark ring, held over the underside of the NextRegister and slightly to the left. Two red circles show what to line up: the small square locking lever on the Adapter Plate's rim, and the curved post on the NextRegister's base.

Press down to snap the Adapter Plate flush to the NextRegister.


 

Side view of the NextRegister with the Adapter Plate on its underside. A red arrow at the top points down, and short red lines at both sides of the lid show it snapping flush: press down until the plate is flush with the NextRegister.


 

Rotate the Adapter Plate clockwise until the lever falls and locks into place.


 

The Adapter Plate on the underside of the NextRegister, seen from below. Two curved red arrows, at the upper right and lower left, point clockwise: rotate the plate clockwise until the lever drops and locks.

Attach the NextRegister

Set the NextRegister onto the meter body and slowly rotate to find the alignment grooves.

Rotate 1/8th turn to secure the NextRegister to the meter.

Firmly insert the Security Pin until flush.

 

Side view of the NextRegister above a water meter body. Two short red arrows point down: set it on the meter body. Two curved red arrows below it show it turning: rotate to find the alignment grooves and lock it. At the lower left, a dotted red arrow points from the L-shaped security pin toward the side of the joint: insert the pin.

Note: If the Security Pin does not fit, use the security screw that came with the meter body instead.

Swipe and Configure

The NextRegister’s configuration must be set for the meter body it will be paired with. If your Register was not ordered pre-configured, then you can easily configure it using your mobile device.

In the NextMeters Mobile App select Setup New Device.

Follows prompts in Mobile App to configure.

Ensure you select the correct meter body profile that is paired with your NextRegister.

Swipe your magnet next to the right side of the register.

Face of the NextRegister with HELLO on its display and a serial number (B0123456 in this example) under the barcode. A green circle marks the right edge of the face. To the right, a horseshoe magnet with the word Swipe above it and a gray arrow curving down: swipe the magnet past the right side of the register.

The gear icon will display on the LCD showing it is ready to connect and the configuration will sync automatically.

A phone on the left, its screen blank, and the NextRegister on a water meter on the right, with signal waves between them: the phone connects to the register and the configuration syncs.

Wiring

When installing an NextRegister with bare-wire connection, match the color coding to the protocol of your transmitter.

3rd Party Devices

Wire chart for connecting the NR4 to a third-party reader. The NR4's red, green and black wires, top to bottom, connect to these reader wires. Pulse In: red is not used, green to +, black to minus. Elster/Amco: red to G (green), green to R (red), black to B (black). Sensus: red to R, green to G, black to B. Neptune: red to B, green to R, black to G.

NextCentury Devices

Three wiring diagrams. NR4 to TR4-X: NR4 red to TR4-X green, NR4 green to TR4-X red, black to black; a note reads Use Splice Kit for waterproof connection. NR4 to TR4: on the TR4's blue terminal block, red goes to OUT, green to IN and black to GND. NR4 to RR4: on the RR4's terminal strip, Meter 1 uses the three left terminals, B, G, R from left to right, and Meter 2 the three right terminals, R, G, B.

Splice Connection

To splice the bare wire connections, use the Field Splice Kit (available separately).

  1. Secure the NextRegister wires, and transmitter wires using the screw terminals.
  2. Ensure the transmitter is able to read the NextRegister to verify the wiring.
  3. Snap the cover closed to seal.

The Field Splice Kit opened into two halves joined by a cable. In the top half, a blue screw terminal block joins the two cables: green, black and red wires from the left and from the right, each under its own screw. The empty bottom half closes over it to seal the connection.

Documents

Guides

Specifications & Installation GuideViewQuick Start GuideView

Certifications

FCC CertificationViewIC CertificationView

Warranty & Compliance

WarrantyViewPlastics in Electronic ApplicationsView

Due to updated regulations and product improvements, Next Meters reserves the right to change the product specifications without notice.