SIGNALFIRE ModQ Sentry Flow Totalizer
The SignalFire ModQ Flow Totalizer has the following features:
- Input frequency range 1Hz – 4kHz (low gain), 1Hz – 2kHz (high gain)
- Input Sensitivity of 20mV or 5mV peak-to-peak (jumper selectable)
- Provides grand total, yesterday’s, today’s, last month and this month totals to Modbus registers
- Real time clock for daily contract hour setting
- Configurable using pushbuttons and LCD
- Configurable K factor
- Flow rate reporting
- Display showing flow rates and flow totals
- Low power operation from an internal battery back or external DC power source
- All data is available via RS485 Modbus RTU
- Configurable pulse output
- On-board logging of 32 days of flow totals
- Batch processing mode
Specifications
| Overall Size | 5.8” tall × 5.9” wide × 3.6” deep |
| Power Source | 6-36VDC (<1mA without Modbus) or lithium battery pack SignalFire Part Number: 810-0030-01 (1BIS) |
| Temperature Rating | -40°C to +80°C (-40°F to +176°F) LCD visible: -20°C to +70°C (-4°F to +158°F) |
| Compliance Turbine Input
Digital Input Digital Output | Certified for use in Class I, Division 2 groups A, B, C and D areas.
Sensitivity: 5mV peak-to-peak (high gain), 20mV peak-to-peak (low gain) Input Frequency: 1Hz to 2kHz (high gain), 1Hz-4kHz (low gain) Input Voltage: 6V max 1” NPT swivel union connector. Includes standard 2-pin pickup connector
Dry contact, open collector (sinking ground), or push-pull voltage (30v max) pulse. 2kHz maximum frequency
Open collector output. 36VDC max. Maximum sinking current 250mA |
Battery Life
The table below gives battery life estimates assuming a new battery and no Modbus polling. If the RS485 Modbus port is used, a DC power source is recommended.
| LCD Off | LCD Always on |
| 6 years | 4 years |
Hazardous Location Certification
The ModQ Flow Totalizer is rated Class 1 Division 2 non-incendive.
WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD Substitution of components may impair suitability for Class I, Division 2
WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD Do not open enclosure unless area is known to be nonhazardous
Connections and Components 
Status LEDs
- The TX LED (green) blinks each time a Modbus response is sent
- The RX LED (red) blinks each time a Modbus request is received
Status LEDs
- The STATUS LED (green) Currently not implemented – for future use.
- The ERROR LED (red) will blink to indicate an error condition.
Setup
The nodes need to be set up for correct operation before being fielded. The configurable items include:
- Modbus Slave ID setting
- Modbus baud rate and UART mode
- Input k-factor
- Units and timebase setting
All settings are made using the SignalFire Toolkit PC application and a serial programming cable.
Using the SignalFire Toolkit
The SignalFire Toolkit application can be downloaded at www.signal-fire.com/customer. After installation, launch the software and the main toolkit window will open:
Select the COM port associated with the ModQ Flow Totalizer and click “Auto-Detect Device on COM Port.” This will open the device configuration window, where all device settings can be configured. 
- Serial Port Settings
- low Totalizer Internal/Saved Information
- Settable Parameters Reported
- Status of Last Operation
- Register Values
- Clock Settings
- Pulse Output Settings
Modbus Settings
The Modbus Slave ID must be set with the SignalFire Toolkit. All Modbus registers will be polled from the configured Slave ID. In addition, the Baud rate and UART mode must match that of the Modbus master device.
Turbine Meter Connection
The Flow Totalizer is supplied with a 1” NPT Union to allow it to be directly mounted to a standard turbine flowmeter. The nut on the union can be loosened to allow the totalizer to be rotated to the desired orientation. Also supplied is a 2-pin connector for connection to the turbine flow meter magnetic pickup. Teflon tape should be used on the NPT connections. The turbine meter is connected to the PICKUP and GND terminals.
The Input Select jumper (J1) must be positioned on the INDUCTIVE PICKUP location for turbine meters. For most turbine flow meters, the Gain Select jumper (J2) should remain in its default “LOW GAIN” position. This provides a sensitivity of 20mV p-p. If a higher sensitivity is needed the jumper can be moved to the “HIGH GAIN” position which increases the sensitivity to 5mV p-p.
Modbus and DC Power Connection
If the ModQ is to be DC powered, land the 6-36VDC power source on the VDC and GND terminals.
The RS485 connection is landed to the A and B terminals.
Note, in areas of high electrical noise it is recommended that a shielded cable is used for both the Modbus and power connection with the shield terminated to GND at both ends to prevent possible false counts.
Digital Input Connection
When the digital input is used the Input Select jumper (J1) must be positioned on the DRY CONTACT location. The digital input is then connected between the D_IN and GND terminals. The Gain Select jumper (J2) can be in either LOW or HIGH GAIN setting (does not matter which).
Flow Settings / Configuration
Clock Setting
The battery backed up real-time clock must be set. To set the clock to match the PC’s clock, simply click “Set to PC”. Alternatively, the time/date can be manually entered.
Volume Units
The Volume units set the units that the accumulated volumes and flow rate will be presented in. Volume units available are:
- Gallons (“gal”)
- Barrels (“bbl”)
- Cubic Meters (“m³”)
- Liters (“L”)
- Cubic Centimeters (“cc”)
- Cubic Feet (“ft³”)
- Thousand Cubic Feet (“mcf”)
Timebase Units
The Timebase units configure the units used for the flow rates. For example, if the volume units are set to ‘gallons’, and the timebase units are set to ‘minute’, the flow rates will be reported as gallons/minute. Timebase units available are:
- Seconds
- Minutes
- Hours
- Days
K-Factor Units / K-Factor
The K-factor units set the units that the flow meter uses for its k-factor. For example, if the turbine flow meter has a stated k-factor of 50,000 pulses/gallon, select ‘gallons’ for the K-Factor units, and enter 50000 for the k-factor.
Contact Hour
The contract hour setting controls when the volume accumulated for today, rolls over to yesterday’s volume. The contract hour is set in hh:mm in the 24-hour format. For example, 2:30pm would be entered as 14:30.
Contact Day of Month
The contract day of month (1-28) controls when the volume from the current month rolls over to the last month total. This occurs on at the contract hour on the defined contact day of the month.
32 Day Logging
The Flow Totalizer also keeps an on-board log of the last 32 days of flow totals. This log can be accessed using the SignalFire ToolKit. From the Tools Menu, select ‘Daily Log’. On the daily log window click ‘Refresh’ to read the log file. The log can be saved as a .csv file.
Flow Rate Reporting
The Flow totalizer reports the instantaneous flow rate, which is calculated every 2-seconds.
Low Flow Cutoff
The low flow cutoff setting in the Parameters section allows the user to set a minimum required flow rate. While the instantaneous flow rate is below the cutoff, it will not be added to the accumulating volume and an asterisk will be displayed on the ‘Inst Flow Rate’ screen of the LCD. The units of the low flow cutoff are based on the device’s Volume and Timebase settings.
Local Display
The Flow Totalizer has a local LCD display (with back-light) that allows for easy viewing of the flow totals and flow rates. The display is powered on when any button under is pressed. Pressing the arrow buttons when the display is on, cycles through the various information screens. The display and backlight will automatically turn itself off after 30 seconds.
Configuration with the Keypad/LCD
The K-Factor and Contract hour are configurable using the keypad and local display. To edit either of these values, first navigate to the value to change. Then hold down the center (enter) key for 3 seconds. The display will then change to an entry mode and each digit can be navigated to and changed with the up/down arrows. When the changes are complete, press the center (enter) key again. A prompt will be given to accept the changes, select yes and click enter to save the changes.
And optional 4 Digit PIN can be configured in the ToolKit. If this PIN is enabled, it must be entered using the keypad before changing any settings using the keypad/LCD.
LCD Always on
The default operation of the LCD is for it to time out and turn off after 30 seconds. It will come back on when the any button is pressed. If it is desired that the LCD remain on always, this can be selected from the ‘Settings’ menu in the TookKit. Leaving the LCD always on will impact the system battery life, see the table on page 2 for details. Note that the LCD backlight will still turn off after 30 seconds.
The SignalFire Totalizer has two modes of operation – “Daily Mode” and “Batch Mode”. By default, the Totalizer operates in “Daily Mode” which means that today’s volume will be zeroed and stored into yesterday’s volume at the configured contract hour.
Batch Mode Operation
In Batch Mode, the Daily Total screen is replaced with a “Current Batch” screen and the current batch total is not zeroed at the contract hour (the contract hour is meaningless in Batch Mode). It is only zeroed when commanded to either from the ToolKit or (if enabled) by holding down (for
about 5 seconds) the center pushbutton while on the “Current Batch” screen. When the “Current Batch” is zeroed using the pushbutton, the current batch total is moved to the previous batch total.
The configuration of the Daily Mode / Batch Mode and pushbutton zeroing is set by selecting the “Button Zero Options” from the Settings menu: 
Select the mode by selecting either the Daily or Batch zero mode.
In Daily mode, if the Zero Total box is checked then all totals will be cleared by holding the center pushbutton while on the “Total Vol” screen. The total volume, today’s volume, and yesterday’s volume registers are zeroed. If this box is not checked, then the totals can’t be zeroed and the daily total will roll over (as standard) at the contract hour time.
In Batch mode, in addition to the Zero Total option, the Zero Batch option allows the current batch to be reset and moved to the previous batch by holding down the pushbutton while on the Current Batch screen. The two zeroing features are independent of each other and (if enabled) can
be zeroed by holding down the button while on the particular screen.
Resettable Zero Screen
There is a screen where the total volume (in the configured units) can be reset to zero at any time by holding down the front-panel center button for 3 seconds. Once reset to zero, the displayed value will begin to count along with the other total registers on the other screens.
Remote Modbus Register Mapping
The Flow Totalizer data is available to be read by a Modbus RTU master over a RS485 connection.
Modbus Registers
| Register Number | Register Address | Description | Data Type | Function Codes | Reg. Type |
| 100 | 101 | Zero ALL Totals | Coil | 05, 15 | read/write |
| 101 | 102 | Zero Yesterday’s total | Coil | 05, 15 | read/write |
| 102 | 103 | Zero Today’s total | Coil | 05, 15 | read/write |
| 103 | 104 | Zero resettable total | Coil | 05, 15 | read/write |
| 104 | 105 | Zero current month total | Coil | 05, 15 | read/write |
| 105 | 106 | Zero last month total | Coil | 05, 15 | read/write |
| 3000 | 43001 | Command Register (1= Zero All Totals, 2 = Zero Yesterday’s Total, 3 = Zero Today’s Total, 4 = Zero Resettable Total, 5 = Zero Current Month Total, 6 = Zero Last Month Total) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3001 | 43002 | Volume Units (2=gal; 3= bbl; 4=cc; 6=L; 7=m³; 8=ft³; 9=mcf)) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3002 | 43003 | K-Factor Units (2=gal; 3=bbl; 4=cc; 6=L; 7=m³; 8=ft³;9=mcf)) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3003 | 43004 | Time Base Units (3=day, 2=hour, 1=min, 0=second) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3004 | 43005 | Low Battery Alarm (0 = battery above 3.0V, 1 = battery below 3.0V) | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3005 | 43006 | Active Power Source (0=battery, 1 = DC power) | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3006 | 43007 | DC Supply Voltage (mV) | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3007 | 43008 | Battery Voltage (mV) | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3008 | 43009 | Major firmware revision number | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3009 | 43010 | Minor firmware revision number | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3010 | 43011 | Serial Number | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3011 | 43012 | Pulse Output Enable | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3012 | 43013 | Pulse Output Pulse Width | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 30163 | 43014 | Low Flow State | UINT | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3100 | 43101 | Flow Grand Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3101 | 43102 | Flow Grand Total (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3102 | 43103 | Yesterday’s Flow Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3103 | 43104 | Yesterday’s Flow Total (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3104 | 43105 | Today’s Flow Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 05 | read only |
| Register Number | Register Address | Description | Data Type | Function Codes | Reg. Type |
| 3105 | 43106 | Today’s Flow Total (Low Word) | Float | 03, 06 | read only |
| 3106 | 43107 | Resettable Flow Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 05 | read only |
| 3107 | 43108 | Resettable Flow Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 06 | read only |
| 3108 | 43109 | Current Month Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3109 | 43110 | Current Month Total (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3110 | 43111 | Last Month Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3111 | 43112 | Last Month Total (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3112 | 43113 | Instantaneous Flow Rate (High Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3113 | 43114 | Instantaneous Flow Rate (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3114 | 43115 | Gear Meter K Factor (High Word) | Float | 03, 04, 16 | read/write |
| 3115 | 43116 | Gear Meter K Factor (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04, 16 | read/write |
| 3116 | 43117 | Pulse Output Scaling (High Word) | Float | 03, 04, 16 | read/write |
| 3117 | 43118 | Pulse Output Scaling (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04, 16 | read/write |
| 3118 | 43119 | Low Flow Cutoff (High Word) | Float | 03, 04, 16 | read/write |
| 3119 | 43120 | Low Flow Cutoff (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04, 16 | read/write |
| 3300 | 43301 | Modbus Slave ID (1 – 240) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3301 | 43302 | RS485 Baud Rate (1200,2400,4800,9600,19200,38400,57600) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3302 | 43303 | RS485 UART Mode (see manual for values, 0x00 = 8N1) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3303 | 43304 | Current Month (1 – 12) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3304 | 43305 | Current Day (1 – 31) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3305 | 43306 | Current Year (0 – 99, 0 = 2000) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3306 | 43307 | Current Day of Week (0 – 6, 0 = Sunday) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3307 | 43308 | Current Hour (0 – 23) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3308 | 43309 | Current Minute (0 – 59) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3309 | 43310 | Current Second (0 – 59) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3310 | 43311 | Contract Hour (0 – 23) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3311 | 43312 | Contract Minute (0 – 59) | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3312 | 43313 | Contract Day for Monthly Totals | UINT | 03, 04, 06, 16 | read/write |
| 3500 | 43501 | Day 1: Flow Total (High Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3501 | 43502 | Day 1: Flow Total (Low Word) | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3502 | 43503 | Day 2: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3503 | 43504 | Day 2: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3504 | 43505 | Day 3: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3505 | 43506 | Day 3: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3506 | 43507 | Day 4: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| Register Number | Register Address | Description | Data Type | Function Codes | Reg. Type |
| 3507 | 43508 | Day 4: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3508 | 43509 | Day 5: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3509 | 43510 | Day 5: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3510 | 43511 | Day 6: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3511 | 43512 | Day 6: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3512 | 43513 | Day 7: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3513 | 43514 | Day 7: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3514 | 43515 | Day 8: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3515 | 43516 | Day 8: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3516 | 43517 | Day 9: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3517 | 43518 | Day 9: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3518 | 43519 | Day 10: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3519 | 43520 | Day 10: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3520 | 43521 | Day 11: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3521 | 43522 | Day 11: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3522 | 43523 | Day 12: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3523 | 43524 | Day 12: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3524 | 43525 | Day 13: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3525 | 43526 | Day 13: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3526 | 43527 | Day 14: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3527 | 43528 | Day 14: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3528 | 43529 | Day 15: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3529 | 43530 | Day 15: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3530 | 43531 | Day 16: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3531 | 43532 | Day 16: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3532 | 43533 | Day 17: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3533 | 43534 | Day 17: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3534 | 43535 | Day 18: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3535 | 43536 | Day 18: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3536 | 43537 | Day 19: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3537 | 43538 | Day 19: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3538 | 43539 | Day 20: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3539 | 43540 | Day 20: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3540 | 43541 | Day 21: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3541 | 43542 | Day 21: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3542 | 43543 | Day 22: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3543 | 43544 | Day 22: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| Register Number | Register Address | Description | Data Type | Function Codes | Reg. Type |
| 3544 | 43545 | Day 23: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3545 | 43546 | Day 23: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3546 | 43547 | Day 24: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3547 | 43548 | Day 24: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3548 | 43549 | Day 25: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3549 | 43550 | Day 25: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3550 | 43551 | Day 26: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3551 | 43552 | Day 26: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3552 | 43553 | Day 27: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3553 | 43554 | Day 27: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3554 | 43555 | Day 28: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3555 | 43556 | Day 28: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3556 | 43557 | Day 29: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3557 | 43558 | Day 29: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3558 | 43559 | Day 30: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3559 | 43560 | Day 30: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3560 | 43561 | Day 31: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3561 | 43562 | Day 31: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3562 | 43563 | Day 32: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
| 3563 | 43564 | Day 32: Flow Total | Float | 03, 04 | read only |
Internal Lithium Battery Replacement
Battery Packs can be changed with the node in place.
- Open the cover.
- Slide the power switch to the off position
- Unplug the battery from the PCB, by depressing the locking clip on the connector.
- Remove the battery from the clip and replace with new battery.
- Connect the battery to the main PCB battery connector.
- Slide the power switch to the on position.
- Close and snap shut the enclosure cover.
Coin Cell Battery Replacement
The coin cell is used to backup the real time clock in the event that the main battery pack is unplugged. The battery is a CR2032 coin cell battery
Mounting Instructions
WARNING: The ModQ Flow Totalizer must be mounted in a location free of high vibrations. Over time vibrations can damage the ModQ Flow Totalizer or battery pack, which could impair its safety ratings. Do not mount directly to continuous vibrating equipment such as pumps or compressors.
Configuration / Debug
Debug and configuration information is available if a connection is made via the debug port on the main board. A USB converter cable (available from SignalFire) must be used for this interface.
Debug and configuration is done using the SignalFire Toolkit PC application.
Technical Support and Contact Information
SignalFire Telemetry
140 Locke Dr, Suite B
Marlborough, MA 01752
978-212-2868
support@signal-fire.com
Revision History
| Revision | Date | Changes/Updates |
| 0.1 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.4 | 4/20/18 5/21/18 7/3/18 7/10/18 8/23/18 | Initial engineering release Various updates Added electrical specs for digital output Small changes (SK) for clarification on some points Updated certification details |
| 1.5 | 11/19/18 | Added info about PIN code setting for keypad |
| 1.6 | 10/2/19 | Added Cubic Centimeters (“cc”) and Cubic Feet (“ft³”) to volume units and register map. |
| 1.7 | 8/23/21 | Added Low Flow Cutoff setting with registers 3318/3319 and 3120. Added Thousand Cubic Feet (“mcf”) to volume units and register map. |
| 1.8 | 10/17/22 | Added note about using shielded cables in high noise environments |
Documents / Resources
 | SIGNALFIRE ModQ Sentry Flow Totalizer [pdf] Instruction Manual ModQ Sentry Flow Totalizer, ModQ Sentry, Flow Totalizer, ModQ, Sentry Flow Totalizer, Totalizer |
