Wire and set up a BEAM-DG node

Commissioning videos16 BEAM-DG sensor videosGeokon, Yieldpoint, MDT, RST and more →

Using a GeoArray? Installation, wiring and commissioning videos are in the GeoArray guide.→

Digital Node: RS485 / SDI-12 Digital Sensors

The BEAM-DG (Digital Node) supports a wide range of digital sensors via RS485, RS232 and SDI-12 communication protocols. It is the most versatile node in the Ackcio range and is commonly used with advanced geotechnical instruments from leading manufacturers.

Supported Digital Sensor Brands & Protocols

All Sisgeo digital sensors (RS485)
All YieldPoint digital sensors and the YieldPoint dMUX (RS485/RS232)
All Generic SDI-12 sensors: e.g. Campbell Scientific, Encardio, Climavue50, Maximet
Geogage RS485 sensors (e.g. tiltmeters)
Geokon RS485 sensors (e.g. IPIs, In-Place Inclinometers)
Geosense RS485 sensors (e.g. tiltmeters, IPIs)
RST RS485 sensors (e.g. tiltmeters, IPIs)
ZC RS485 sensors (e.g. tiltmeters, IPIs)
MDT SMARTLINK sensors: Sloughmeter & MPBX, addressable Smartlinks (up to 6 per node) and non-addressable Smartlinks (only 1 per node)

Note: If your sensor brand is not listed above, contact Ackcio at [email protected] with a link to the sensor, its manual and datasheet, and the digital protocol specification. Ackcio will evaluate compatibility and advise.

Warning: All BEAM-DG nodes are shipped without manufacturer-specific firmware pre-installed. You must install the correct sensor manufacturer firmware via the Nimbus app BEFORE connecting sensor cables and beginning commissioning.

Step 1: Wiring Your Sensor to the BEAM-DG Node

Connect your digital sensor's wires to the BEAM-DG Node's terminal blocks. The DG node has dedicated RS485, RS232 and SDI-12 ports with clearly labelled terminals. Refer to the wiring diagrams below that correspond to your sensor type.

Warning: For MDT SMARTLINK sensors: the DG node supports up to 6 addressable SMARTLINK sensors or 1 non-addressable SMARTLINK sensor at a time. Ensure wires are connected to the RS485 port only

Step 2: Installing Sensor Firmware & Configuring in Nimbus

As BEAM-DG nodes support multiple sensor manufacturers, each with unique digital protocols, the correct manufacturer firmware must be flashed to the node before commissioning. Follow this sequence precisely:

1. Connect the BEAM-DG node to your Android device via Micro-USB (ensure OTG is enabled in Android settings).

2. Open the Nimbus app and navigate to the Setup Sensor page for the DG node.

3. Select the correct manufacturer firmware for your sensor (e.g., Sisgeo, YieldPoint, Geokon, SDI-12 Generic). Tap Install Firmware and wait for completion, Commissioning Video for each sensor manufacturer with guides to install specific manufacturer FW

4. Once firmware is installed, connect the sensor cables to the node's terminal blocks as per the wiring diagrams above.

5. Configure the sensor: assign a Sensor Code, select the correct sensor model, and set/fetch the address or set channel as required.

6. Trigger a live reading to verify the sensor is communicating correctly. Confirm values are within expected range.

7. Once verified, tap Start Monitoring, clear flash memory if prompted, set sampling rate, and tap Save. Ackcio has created dedicated commissioning videos for each supported DG sensor brand. These videos include photos of actual sensor connections for your reference:

DG Commissioning Videos: Google Drive Folder

Do: Always install the sensor-specific firmware FIRST, then connect the cables. Connecting the sensor before firmware installation may result in failed communication or erroneous readings.