Overview
High-visibility display for one or two utility meters.
The NextCentury RR4 Remote Reader is an advanced meter reading solution which provides a high-visibility remote display of one or two utility meters.
The Remote Reader has an attractive consumer design, making it an ideal solution for apartment or commercial metering. The utility and unit of measure are clearly displayed, ensuring an accurate interpretation of the read. It is NTEP certified and can be used to meet tenant meter read requirements.
The Remote Reader utilizes Dual Meter+™ technology, making this single model compatible with virtually all modern encoded and pulse-output utility meters, including water, electric, gas, and thermal meter models.
Installation and configuration of the Remote Reader is simple and quick using the NextCentury mobile app.
Specifications
Connectivity
| Configuration Requirements | Cloud configure or Direct Connect (no DC301 Direct Connect device needed) Pre-programming available |
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Physical and power
| Operation Environment | -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F ) Indoor or Outdoor installation (IP66, non-submersible) |
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| Battery | Preinstalled, field-replaceable CR18505 Up to 10-year battery life |
| Dimensions | Display unit and mounting plate: 5.7” x 4.6” x 1.7” (145mm x 117mm x 44mm) Mounting holes center-to-center: 3.5” (88.4 mm) Compatible with a standard single gang wall-box |
Certifications
| Certifications | FCC: 2AB8I-RR4 | IC: 20949-RR4 NTEP: 20-012 IP-Rating: IP66 |
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More details
| Dual Meter+™ | Any combination of two encoded or pulse-out meters Or, single meter pulse-in and pulse-out |
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Installation
What's in the box
- A: RR4 Remote Reader
- B: Mounting plate
- C: Sheetrock anchors
- D: Wall mount screws (#6-20)
- E: Box mount screws (#6-32)
- F: Wire security assembly
- G: Activation magnet (one per case)
Install the Remote Reader
Remove the Remote Reader from the mounting plate
Pull down the security tab and lift the Remote Reader off the mounting plate.
Important
Don't open the Remote Reader unless you're replacing the battery (about a 10-year lifespan). Its sealed, water-tight design protects it, and it doesn't need to be opened for installation.
Install the mounting plate
Position the mounting plate at the height you want and use its built-in level to line it up. Secure it with the sheetrock anchors and #6-20 wall mount screws.
To mount on a standard single-gang wall box instead, route the meter wires through the access holes and attach the plate to the box with the #6-32 box mount screws. The mounting holes are 3.5" (88.4 mm) apart.
Connect the meter wires
The Remote Reader can read one or two meters. Use the Meter 1 terminals (the left three) and, for a second meter, the Meter 2 terminals (the right three).
Strip each wire to 3/16" (5 mm), insert it into the terminal block, and tighten it securely with a PH-1 screwdriver. Follow the wiring diagram in the Quick Start Guide for your meter type (Neptune, Sensus/GWF, Elster/AMCO, or pulse). An interactive wiring guide is also available in the NCSS Mobile App.
For a tamper-evident seal, use the wire security assembly according to your installation specifications.
Reattach the Remote Reader and lock the security tab
Place the Remote Reader back on the mounting plate and push the security tab up to lock it in place.
Program the Remote Reader
Out of the box, the Remote Reader is set to read one pulse-type water meter on Meter 1. For any other setup, program it with the NCSS Mobile App:
- Sign in to the NCSS Mobile App and open the Direct Connect tool.
- Swipe the activation magnet past the activation zone on the right side of the display. A gear icon appears when the Remote Reader is ready.
- Connect to the Remote Reader over Bluetooth and set the utility type, unit of measure, multiplier, and initial meter read. You can also clear a tamper alert here.
No internet connection is needed for Direct Connect, and the DC301 programmer isn't required for this model.
Test the meter connection
- Pulse meters: confirm the pulse count increases when a pulse is sent.
- Encoded meters: make sure the correct read appears. Tap the display or swipe the magnet if needed.
Wiring options
With Dual Meter+™ technology, each Remote Reader supports these configurations:
- 1 pulse meter (default, Meter 1 port)
- 1 encoded meter (Meter 1 port)
- 2 pulse meters
- 2 encoded meters
- 1 encoded and 1 pulse meter
- 1 pulse and 1 encoded meter
- 1 pulse meter with pulse output
Serial numbers
The serial number on the front of the Remote Reader ends in 0. When connected to two meters, Meter 1 and Meter 2 are assigned separately in the device configuration. The second character identifies the model: 1 for the RR4, A for the RR4-TR.
Reading the display
The display cycles through each connected meter every 5 to 10 seconds, showing the meter read, utility type, and unit of measure (plus the serial number for encoded meters). Every fifth view shows the configuration event count, for example "Event 0001".
- Tamper: the Remote Reader was removed from its mounting plate. Clear it with the mobile app.
- Leak or freeze: a leak or freezing temperature is currently detected. Clears automatically.
- Low battery: replace the battery within the next 4 to 6 months. Clears automatically.
Configuration
Configuring a Remote Reader
This article outlines the process for configuring an RR4 Remote Reader using the NCSS mobile app. This allows an RR4 Remote Reader to be configured for one or two connected meters.
You must have the NCSS Mobile App on your mobile device to complete this process.
For instructions on configuring the RR301 Remote Reader see, Direct Connect Configure RR301 Remote Reader.
Open the Direct Connect page on the NCSS mobile app
Select the menu in the upper left corner. Under Tools, select Direct Connect
- Download the NCSS app from the Apple App Store or from the Android Google Play store.
- Open the app and select "Create Account".
- Submit your credentials and then select "Create Account".
- Select the activation link emailed to you to set up your password and finish your account creation.
- Sign in to the NCSS app using your new account.
Swipe a magnet next to the RR4
The RR4 Remote Reader will show a gear icon to indicate that it is attempting to connect via Direct Connect.
Select the RR4 from the App
The Remote Reader will appear on the Direct Connect page and can then be selected.
Adjust the RR4 configuration as needed
The RR4 Remote Reader's configuration settings will open. Make any necessary adjustments
While configuring the Remote Reader, you can select whether you want the LCD to always display the meter read, or to be "Tap to Display".
"Tap to Display" is required for NTEP compliance when used with encoded water meters. After tapping, the meter will be polled and the very latest read will then display. If instead, the LCD was always on, then the meter is polled every hour.
Battery life is not affected by "Tap to Display" vs. "LCD Always On".
This only applies to the RR4-TR, and not the RR4 model.
While configuring the Remote Reader, you can select "Rapid Check-In" This will prompt the Remote Reader to check in every 15 minutes for the next 4 hours. This can be useful during property installations in order to get quicker feedback, showing whether there is adequate Repeater and Gateway signal strength.
The pulse count can be reset by bridging the meter 1 or meter 2 pins as described on the RR4 FAQ. Alternatively, the pulse count can be reset using the Direct Connect tool. This option can be found by tapping on the Meter 1 or Meter 2 read. The meter status will display, and a "Reset Pulse Count" option can be toggled.
To program building and unit information via Direct Connect on the RR4-TR:
1. Select the "Program" option at the bottom of the RR4-TR configuration page.
2. Select the property name, building, and unit.
3. Select "Program to Unit" to associate the Remote Reader with the selected unit.
Verify your changes on the RR4
Changes will then appear on the RR4 Remote Reader.
FAQ
Situations that Require a Remote Reader Reset
- Accidental pulses were recorded during installation or maintenance
- Credit Card Payoff battery was replaced
- Meter's reed switch was replaced
- The meter was replaced
- Any other situation where the meter's visual read does not match the read appearing in the NextCentury system
Resetting the Remote Reader will revert its pulse count back to 0. A new IMR is entered, which compensates for the drop in the pulse count.
How to Reset a Remote Reader
The Remote Reader does not have a reset button. The pulse count can be reset using the Direct Connect, or manually by bridging the meter 1 or meter 2 pins
- Remove the Remote Reader from its mounting plate
- With a metal object, bridge the corresponding pins on the back of the Remote Reader
- For meter 1, bridge the first 2 pins from the right
- For meter 2, bridge the first 2 pins from the left
- Continue to bridge the pins for 10 seconds
- The LCD will then adjust its reading
Once the LCD adjusts its reading, this indicates that the pulses have been reset
Note
A reset will not clear the IMR. A new IMR should always be recorded when a Remote Reader is reset. This can be done using the Direct Connect tool in the NCCS App. The IMR (initial meter read) is the meter's exact read at the time the Remote Reader was reset. The IMR should only include whole numbers, decimals are excluded.
The following points apply to the installation and function of a new Remote Reader
- Remote Readers ship in sleep mode to meet shipping requirements. The Remote Reader will wake up once removed from its mounting plate for installation. The Remote Reader cannot return to sleep once woken up.
- Tamper alerts will be inactive for 30 minutes after the Remote Reader is re-attached to its mounting plate for the first time
- Once woken up, Remote Readers will need to be configured using the Direct Connect tool in the NCCS App
- After installing and configuring the Remote Reader, it will then begin to record and display meter reads
Pulse Types
The Remote Reader can read the signals of both "passive" and "active" pulse-output meters. This includes meter models for gas, electric, run time, thermal usage, and water utilities.
Polarity
Meters that have no polarity in their wiring are typically circuit closure type devices. This includes meters that use reed switches or mechanical relays to create the pulse signal. This type of signal is referred to as a "passive pulse" since the meter's pulse mechanism does not generate any electric current. It simply completes a circuit between the two pulse output ports. With this type of output, the voltage to detect the contact closure comes from the Remote Reader.
Some meters emit an "active pulse" which gives off a voltage when they pulse. These types of meters use voltage charge coils, solid-state relays, or digital I/O pin to give off the signal. In this case, one wire is connected to the - ground/common ("-") port of the meter, and the other is connected to the + positive. Because an actual voltage is being emitted in this case, it is important that the common port/wire is connected to the "-" terminal on the NextCentury Remote Reader and the positive wire is connected to the "+" terminal. Some examples of meters that emit this type of "active pulse" are the Hershey 430 water meters and Leviton electric meters.
Encoded
The Remote Reader can interpret signals from most encoded meters. Meters that use Neptune, Sensus, and Elster/AMCO protocols are supported.
Battery Type
The Remote Reader comes with a field-replaceable CR18505 lithium-ion battery. Replacements can be purchased from your distributor
Battery Replacement
The Remote Reader battery is replaceable. To ensure the meter read & usage is recorded correctly, the Remote Reader should be reset after the installation of a new battery and a new IMR recorded.
Battery Life
The Remote Reader has an estimated 10-year battery life, based on normal operating conditions between 70°-90°F. Temperature extremes reduce the battery's capacity and lifespan.
Impedance Threshold During a Pulse
We recommend a closed impedance of fewer than 1k ohms (the closer to 0 ohms the better) and an open impedance of more than 3 MegaOhms.
Maximum Pulse Frequency and Pulse Width
The minimum pulse width required by the NextCentury Remote Reader is 9ms. Meaning that an open impedance of more than 3 MegaOhms must be present for 9ms and then an impedance of fewer than 1k Ohms must be present in order for a pulse to be counted as valid.
In addition to pulse-width specifications, please note that the Remote Reader has a limit on the pulse frequency. A maximum of 8 pulses per second is recorded as valid. Pulses received at a higher frequency will be filtered out as potential false pulses.
Please contact Support if you need help determining whether a specific meter will meet with the specifications
Specification
Value
Closed impedance
<1k ohms
Open impedance
>3 MegaOhms
Minimum pulse width
>9 ms
Maximum pulse frequency
<8 per second
A distance of 100 feet has been tested, but longer distances may be possible under ideal wiring conditions.
Observed at Any Time
- Single blue blink each time a pulse is recorded from meter 1
- Single purple blink each time a pulse is recorded from meter 2
Observed After Activating Magnetic Sensor or Tamper
- Two green blinks mean that the Remote Reader received a confirmation message from the mobile app when using Direct Connect.
- Eight rapid red blinks mean that the Remote Reader is attempting to communicate with the mobile app when using Direct Connect.