NSnappy Cool

Introduction

NSnappy Cool is a temperature transmitter specially designed for monitoring cook-and-chill food cooling. The device is user friendly since most of the operation is automated. The data is transmitted to NSnappy cloud service using LoRaWAN radio technology. The device is equipped with a stainless-steel holder for easy application inside a cooling cabinet with standard GN pans. The device has a fixed 100 mm stainless-steel temperature probe with a flexible silicone cable and handle. All sensor materials are food-safe. There are two indicator LEDs on the front panel for checking the operation of the device. The device is powered with three standard “AAA” alkaline batteries that are user-replaceable.

Installation

NSnappy Cool is ready for use when supplied from the factory. Upon shipping, it is automatically registered to the NSnappy service.

If the separate wall mount is used to store the device while not in use, it needs to be mounted using proper mounting hardware. Note the wall material when installing the mount.

Because the device is motion-activated, it should be stored in a stationary and non-vibrating place when not in use.

Connections

NSnappy Cool uses the LoRaWAN wireless communication standard on the European 868 MHz radio frequency band to send the data to the cloud-based NSnappy service. There is a fixed radio antenna inside the enclosure of the device.

For the LoRaWAN radio reception to work, an NSnappy Hub-4G-LWEU gateway device needs to be installed on all sites where these devices will be used. Please refer to the manual of the gateway device for its installation instructions.

Usage

Please refer to the NSnappy user manual for complete instructions on preparing and using the NSnappy service for measuring with NSnappy Cool.

Basic steps for using the Cool device are:

1. Pick up the device from its storage location, movement activates the device and the green LED starts to double-blink.

2. Place the device inside the cooling cabinet, use the holder to hang it from the edge of the GN container holding the product to be cooled.

3. Check that the green LED is still blinking. If not, move or rotate the device until the LED starts blinking.

4. Insert the temperature probe all the way into the hot product inside the container.

5. If you want to make sure that the product was hot enough to activate the Measuring state, wait for the blinking to change from double-blink to single-blink.

6. Close the cooling cabinet door and start the cooling cycle.

7. The Cool device automatically measures the cooling cycle and sends the data to NSnappy where you can monitor the cooling progress.

8. When the cooling cycle has completed, remove the Cool device from the cooling cabinet, clean it and return it to the storage location.

Operation

The Cool device has three operating states:

State 1: Storage

In this default state, the device is not actively measuring the temperature and the LEDs are not blinking.

However, the device is continuously sensing its movement trying to determine when it is picked up. If the device is handled cautiously (i.e. the device is exposed only to small accelerations), the detection requires a longer time of movements. Rapid motions are preferred when activating the device. Because the device is motion-activated, it should be stored in a stationary and non-vibrating place when not in use.

When movement is detected, the device switches to the Waiting state.

State 2: Waiting

In this state the measurement LED double-blinks every 2 seconds.

Once the device detects that it has been moved, it starts to continuously monitor the temperature waiting for a temperature rise.

If the device measures a temperature of over +40°C and the temperature is still over +40°C after 5 minutes, it recognizes this as the start of a cooling cycle and switches to the Measuring state. Temperature readings from these first 5 minutes with one minute interval are transmitted to the NSnappy cloud service after the start of a cooling cycle is recognized and the device switches to the Measuring state.

However, if the temperature does not rise above the +40°C limit within 3 minutes after last movement was detected or does not stay above +40°C limit for 5 minutes, the device stops measuring the temperature to conserve battery power and switches back to the Storage state.

The temperature that starts the cooling cycle and timer in NSnappy must be configured in NSnappy also. Cooling start temperature must be more than +40°C and less than +100°C.

State 3: Measuring

In this state the measurement LED blinks once every 2 seconds.

In this state, the device measures the temperature with one minute interval. The data is transmitted to the NSnappy cloud service after every 5 measurements.

The device stops measuring and switches back to the Storage state if the temperature has first dropped below +10°C after which it rises at least 5°C above the minimum temperature reached during the cooling cycle. This typically happens soon after the cooling has completed and the sensor probe is removed from the product being cooled. For example, if the minimum temperature reached during the cooling cycle was +3.2°C, the device stops measuring once temperature has risen above +8.2°C.

The temperature that stops the cooling timer and completes the cooling cycle in NSnappy must be configured in NSnappy also. Cooling stop temperature must be less than +10°C.

Note that if the Cool device is left in the cooling cabinet after the probe has been removed from the cooled product, the temperature might not rise 5°C, in which case the device continues to measure and transmit until the temperature rises or the timeout function stops it. The cooling cycle duration is still measured by NSnappy based only on the cooling start and cooling stop temperatures, even if the device continues to measure and transmit data after the cooling cycle has completed.

Timeout function stops the measuring after about 8 hours to conserve battery power. After the measuring is stopped, the device switches back to the Storage state where it is only sensing movement.

The maximum allowable duration for the cooling cycle must be configured in NSnappy. Maximum cooling duration must be less than 8 hours.

Operating diagram

Status LEDs

NSnappy Cool has two LEDs in its front panel that indicate operation.

If the LEDs don’t blink at all when the device is picked up or moved, the batteries have run out and need to be replaced.

Maintenance

Replacing the batteries

NSnappy Cool is powered with three 1.5 V LR03 (size AAA) alkaline batteries.

Basic steps to replace the batteries:

1. Remove the device from the holder.

2. Remove the screw from the battery compartment cover on the back of the device.

3. Open the cover.

4. Replace all the batteries with new ones observing the polarity.

5. Close the battery compartment while making sure the cover’s rubber gasket stays in place.

6. Reattach the screw and the holder.

LED on the front panel blinks rapidly (5 Hz) after the power-up until the device has successfully joined the LoRaWAN network. The device cannot be used when the LED is blinking rapidly. Before using the device make sure that the rapid blinking has stopped.

If the device is not joined to the LoRaWAN network or needs to be rejoined to it, simply remove and reinsert the batteries.

Cleaning

NSnappy Cool can be cleaned with warm water and mild dishwashing detergent. Before cleaning the device, make sure that the battery cover on the back of the device is closed properly. After cleaning, wipe the device dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. We recommend the NHygiene fiber towels.

Avoid strong chemicals and never use abrasive substances or utensils for cleaning to prevent scratching and mechanical damage.

Service

In addition to battery replacements and cleaning, the device does not require other regular service or maintenance.

NSure service and calibration subscription services are available for these devices and these services include a periodic calibration and battery replacement.

Specifications

Environment
Storage conditions	-40…+60°C, relative humidity 5-95%, non-condensing
Operating conditions	-30...+60°C, relative humidity 0-100%
Protection class	IP67
Enclosure material	Enclosure ABS, gaskets silicone, screws stainless steel SUS304
Dimensions
Dimensions	79 x 28 x 126 mm not including probe and cable
Weight	192g
Temperature measurement
Probe	100 mm long, 4 mm diameter, hollow stainless steel probe
Cable and handle	100 mm long rubber cable, cable and handle material food-safe and FDA approved
Sensor	Pt1000 sensor element inside of the probe tip
Measuring range	-40…+105°C
Accuracy	±0,5 °C within range -30…+30 °C
Measuring interval	Normal 60 seconds, minimum about 5 seconds
Radio connection
Description	LoRaWAN standard, EU 868 MHz frequency range
Transmitter module	Murata ABZ-093 LoRaWAN modem
Antenna	Internal
Compatibility	Nokeval NSnappy Hubs and Cloud Service
Frequency	863-870 MHz (LoRaWAN 1.0.2 EU band)
Power	Max +14 dBm E.R.P.
Range	Depends on environment, indoors: in good conditions up to hundreds of meters, outdoors: line-of-sight up to 10 km
Power supply
Type	3 pcs LR03 (AAA 1.5 V alkaline). User replaceable. For the best battery life, use only high quality batteries.
Battery life	At least 1 year when used 4 hours per day

Declaration of Conformity

Warnings

This product contains a license-free ISM band (868 MHz) SRD radio transceiver. Observe local regulations concerning the use of such radio transmitters. Never start or use this device near explosion hazard areas or in areas where the use of radio transmitters has been limited, such as in airplanes, near medical instruments, near flammable liquids or chemicals or near explosion work sites.

Do not leave the product in direct sunlight or any other place, like in a parked car, where the temperature can rise to over +50°C. The battery may overheat and cause a fire or explosion hazard.

Read this manual carefully before using the product. Misuse may damage the product or cause other harm. Nokeval assumes no responsibility for any damages caused by inappropriate use or handling of the product.

Only Nokeval authorized services may repair or modify the product. The product contains no user serviceable parts.

The product must not be disposed of in household waste. Observe local regulations concerning the disposal of electrical waste. The device may contain a battery.

Trademarks

All trademarks mentioned and any logos reproduced in this documentation are the legal property of their respective owners. Nokeval and NSnappy are registered trademarks of Nokeval Oy.

Manufacturer

Nokeval Oy
Rounionkatu 107
FI-37150 Nokia, Finland

Phone: +358 3 342 4810
WWW: https://www.nokeval.com
Email: support@nokeval.com

Business ID: 2852422-8