CINQ Edge Installation Manual

Introduction

Welcome! This guide provides instructions on installing your new Cinq Edge.

Read all instructions thoroughly before beginning installation. Understanding the complete procedure will help to prevent errors and delays.

Safety is essential when working in railroad environments. Ensure that you follow all required protocols.

Scope of supply

COMET Electronics supplies the materials below as part of the Cinq Edge installation package:

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) enclosure and internal hardware:
  • Cinq Edge processor.
  • MPRX (multiprotocol reader).
  • Surge suppression.
  • Cellular modem.
  • Cellular antenna (mounted on top of enclosure).
  • Battery charger.
  • Sodium-ion battery.

• Mounting hardware:
  • Three 4” x 4” x 10’ galvanized metal posts:  
    •  Enclosure post with strut channel.    
    • Antenna post with mounting brackets.
    • Radar post with mounting brackets.

• Grounding hardware:
  • Grounding rods.
  • Copper grounding wire and connectors.

• Antennas and RF components:
  • Two radio‑frequency identification (RFID) antennas.
  • Far- and near‑side antenna cables.
  • Cable hoods.
  • 1” Sealtight conduit.

• Frauscher wheel detector and clamp.

• Solar power components:
  • Solar panel.
  • Solar wiring.

• Radar presence system:
  • Radar presence unit.
  • Radar cable.

Prerequisites

Required tool and materials

NOTE: While a single technician can complete the installation, a two‑ to three‑person crew is recommended for efficiency and safe handling of equipment.

Ensure that your installation crew has access to the following tools and materials:

• Basic hand tools.
• 25-30 ft tape measure.
• 20” mason line for level measuring.
• Drill driver with Phillips and bits: Phillips bit, ⅜”, hex socket bit and ½” hex socket bit.
• Pickaxe.
• Two‑person auger with an 8” x 36” bit.
• Rotary hammer (or demolition hammer) with a grounding‑rod driver bit, or a manual post driver.
• 250 lbs of dry concrete.
• 5 gallons of water.
• Two magnetic levels.
• 6’ ladder.
• Wire fishing tool or equivalent to route cable.

Choose an installation site

Cinq Edge requires specific environmental and track conditions for accurate performance. Evaluate each potential installation site using the criteria below to ensure that operational requirements are met.

Choose a site that:

• Is accessible by road for maintenance crews.
• Has adequate sunlight for solar installations (not required for commercial power installations).
• Has a commercial power source for AC power installations (not required for solar installations).
• Has reliable cellular coverage for system reporting and maintenance.
• Has continuous track structure that is free of joints, switches, grade crossings, or rail crossings.
• Offers sufficient space for wayside equipment within railroad clearance limits.
• Allows for consistent and predictable railroad traffic patterns.

Avoid locations that:

• Pose vandalism risk.
• Are in low-lying terrain or otherwise prone to flooding.
• Contain discontinuities or obstructions that interfere with system performance, including:
  • Large, metallic objects near the reading area.
  • Reflective surfaces.
  • High-voltage power lines.
  • Fixed or portable automatic equipment identification (AEI) reader systems.

Contact utility locator services

Before digging, contact a qualified utility locator service to identify and mark underground utilities. Notify any required local authorities before work begins.

• United States: Call 811 or visit call811.com.
• Canada: Visit clickbeforeyoudig.com.

Installation

1. Unpack the installation package

Unpack the shipping crate and separate all components needed for installation:

• Remove the lid from the wooden shipping crate.
• Take out any boxed items or loose components not attached to the NEMA enclosure and set them aside for later use.

See Drawing 481403 Cinq Edge (Solar) Crate Disassembly for details on unpacking specific elements of the installation package.

2. Position the wheel sensor

Determine the wheel sensor position along the rail. The wheel sensor centerline sits between two ties, allowing the claw to clamp beneath the rail. Use this position as the reference point for marking the post locations.

See the site considerations details on the Frauscher Wheel Detector Installation and Optimization topic for full instructions on positioning the wheel sensor.

3. Excavate post locations

Set the post locations, dig the mounting holes, cut the conduit trench, and install the support posts as described below:

3.1 Find post locations

Measure 12 ft 6 in from the track centerline on the near‑side of the track and mark the location to place the enclosure post. Measure 12 ft 6 in from the track centerline on the far‑side of the track and mark the second post location. Align both marks with the wheel sensor.

3.2 Dig post holes

Dig the two post holes at the marked locations using the auger. Excavate each hole to a depth of 36 inches to accommodate each 4” x 4” galvanized post. Break up the top layer of soil with a pickaxe if needed. Optionally, add small amounts of water while drilling to help the auger penetrate compacted ground.

3.3 Cut the Conduit Trench

Cut a shallow trench to form a 3‑in‑deep conduit channel between the two post holes. Use a pickaxe or similar tool to cut a continuous path from post to post. Extend this channel under the rails to connect the two post locations.

4. Raise enclosure and antenna posts

To raise the enclosure post, place the post in the near‑side hole. Ensure correct bracket orientation based on Note 11 in Drawing 481000 Cinq Edge (Solar) Install Guide, with the strut channel facing away from the track. Keep the post square to the track and level in both directions. Fill the hole with dry concrete, packing it firmly. (Approximately 2.5 bags of 50‑lb concrete are required.) Adding small amounts of water at intervals is recommended.

Important! Use magnetic levels to maintain vertical and horizontal alignment.

Install the antenna post using the same procedure. See Note 13 on Drawing 481000 Cinq Edge (Solar) Install Guide

for correct orientation.

5. Align hardware

Complete the following steps to ensure proper alignment for your hardware:

1. Use a 20‑ft Mason’s line to determine the top‑of‑rail (TOR) height. See Drawing 481513 T.O.R. Measurement Procedure for details.
2. Tie the string to the opposite rail, pull it taut across the track, and mark the post at the point where the string touches the top of the rail.
3. Measure 31 inches and 53 inches above TOR to mark the antenna bracket locations.

   NOTE: If the strut aligns with the antenna bracket height Move the near‑side strut channel location. If adjustment is required, move both the top and bottom strut brackets equally to maintain 30 inches between the outside edges of the strut channel.

6. Attach the solar panel

Position the radar post based on the antenna bracket orientation. See Note 13 on Drawing 481000 Cinq Edge (Solar) Install Guide for correct orientation. Position the solar panel so it will face south or southeast when the post is raised (see Note 11 solar panel orientation).

Attach the solar panel to the top of the radar post while the top end of the post is still accessible. See Note 3 on 481515 Cinq Edge (Solar) Connections and Install. Support the post so the panel does not rest on the ground.

7. Attach the radar

Secure the radar assembly to the post by attaching the radar box to the radar‑bracket arms on the post. See Note 1 on Drawing 481515 Cinq Edge (SOLAR) Connections and Install.

8. Raise radar post

1. Stand up the radar post.
2. Secure the post using large U-bolts see Note 4 Drawing 481515 Cinq Edge (Solar) Connections and Install for placement.
3. Place U-bolts slightly above and below enclosure strut channel.

9. Drive grounding rods

1. Drive each grounding rod 2-6 inches from the post, in the loosened soil around the post hole. (Avoid driving the grounding rods into the concrete.
2. Drive the rod until only 4-8 inches remain above grade.
3. Cut the grounding wire in half to create two pieces with a terminal on one end. See Drawing 481514 Cinq Edge Grounding Install for details.

10. Attach antennas

1. Position the antenna brackets so that they are aligned with the antenna bracket locations from Section 8 Step 3.
2. Attach the antennas to the far‑side and near‑side antenna brackets.
3. Ensure the antenna brand label is upright at the top.
4. Use four bolts to secure each antenna to its bracket.
5. Install the grounding‑wire terminal on the lower antenna bracket assembly. See Note 4 on Drawing 481514 Cinq Edge Grounding Install.
6. Apply thread lubrication (anti‑seize preferred) to stainless‑steel parapanel hardware to prevent thread galling. See Note 5 on Drawing 481515 Cinq Edge (Solar) Connections and Install.

11. Install the enclosure

1. Position the enclosure to the near‑side post on the side away from the track.
2. From inside, loosely feed the bolts through the back of the enclosure (from inside) and thread onto the cone nuts.
3. Slide the top and bottom cone nuts on one side into the strut channel.
4. Shift the inserted cone nuts slightly towards the center to create space for the opposite side.
5. Slide the second set of cone nuts into the strut channel and center the enclosure.
6. Adjust the cone nuts vertically if needed.
7. Secure the bolts from inside the enclosure. See Note 2 on Drawing 481515 Cinq Edge (Solar) Connections and Install.

12. Install wheel detector

Install the wheel sensor and clamp, ensuring that the mounting point on the track is aligned with the near-side and far-side poles as closely as possible and located between the two ties.

See the Frauscher Wheel Detector Installation and Optimization topic for detailed instructions.

13. Connect antennas

1. Lay out the far‑side antenna conduit. Starting at the near‑side post, run the conduit through the shallow trench under the track and to the bottom of the far‑side post. Coil any slack and lay it neatly against the near‑side post.
2. On both sides of the track, attach the cables and hoods to the antennas. See Note 6 on Drawing 481515 Cinq Edge (Solar) Connections and Install.
3. Bury the conduit by filling in the trench.

14. Connect system wiring

14.1 Connect radar wiring

Feed the radar wiring up the conduit and connect it to the radar box.

14.2 Connect grounding wiring

Attach the grounding wire end to the grounding rod with clamp.

14.3 Connect solar wiring

1. Ensure that the breaker is off and attach the battery wiring to the terminals.
2. Feed solar wiring up conduit and connect to solar panel.
3. Connect them with the panel: positive to positive; negative to negative.
4. Make sure they click firmly in place in the cable connectors.

Verify final install checklist

Verify the details below before completing installation. See Drawing 481001 Cinq Edge (Solar) Install Checklist for details.

• Solar panel orientation faces south or southeast.
• Enclosure orientation faces away from track.
• Antenna orientation faces each other and in line with wheel sensor.
• Antenna center height 42” above TOR.
• Solar panel wiring connected.
• Radar wiring connected.
• Wiring is secured to post through conduit.
• Wheel sensor installed correctly.
• Grounding rod buried and attached to antenna.
• Battery connected to system.
• Enclosure door closed and locked.
• Cable conduit is buried and neatly wound at base of posts.

15. Perform install test procedure

1. Check all wiring, antenna, and sensor connections.
2. Download the VictronConnect app from the Victron Energy web site: https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software.
3. For installation and operating instructions, see the latest VictronConnect manual in the Victron Energy site’s Manuals section.
4. Turn the breaker on.
5. Connect the charger to the VictronConnect app.
6. Use the app to verify solar input, charger operation, and battery charging status.
7. Locate the modem inside the enclosure, near the top-right and adjacent to the antenna feed. Verify that the modem powers on and shows a green LED. (A steady green LED indicates the modem is powered. A blinking green LED indicates activity and communication.)

16. Test system startup

1. Ensure that the battery is charged to 11 V. You can either naturally solar-charge the battery or, for faster results, use a jumper.
2. Manually test presence detection at the wheel sensor: On the controller board (red PCB in enclosure), ensure that the presence LED is lit green. Trigger presence by swiping a metallic object (for example, a wrench or railroad spike) across the top of the wheel sensor. Verify that the presence LED changes color from green to purple, then blue. NOTE: The LED remains blue while presence is active (default of two minutes).
3. Verify that the relay in the lower‑left quadrant of the enclosure activates during the presence test and that its red LED illuminates, indicating that the MPRX is powered.
4. Verify that the power meter in the top‑left of the enclosure displays a non‑zero output between 0.7 W and 2.0 W (typically ~1.4 W) when the MPRX is active.
5. Log in to Cinq. See the CINQ Edge User Quick Start Guide for details on using Cinq.

Additional resources

• 481000 Cinq Edge (Solar) Install Guide
• 481001 Cinq Edge (Solar) Install Checklist
• 481403 Cinq Edge (Solar) Crate Disassembly
• 481514 Cinq Edge Grounding Install
• 481515 Cinq Edge (Solar) Connections and Install
• CINQ Edge User Quick Start Guide
• Installation and Optimization