American Innovations Develops External Power Supply for Bullhorn^® Remote Monitoring System

AUSTIN, TX – February 2, 2002: The Bullhorn External Power Supply (EPS3AH) can be used to provide DC power to low power transmitters used in remote locations with Bullhorn APM4AM Wireless Remote Monitoring devices. Bullhorn, American Innovations' low-cost wireless monitoring system, checks inputs from equipment remotely and provides automatic notification of alarm events by fax, page and/or e-mail. Bullhorn uses Aeris.net™, an inexpensive cellular control channel network, to communicate wirelessly. The device monitors all kinds of remote equipment including pumps, storage tanks, compressors, cell towers, gas, water and electric meters and more.

The External Power Supply consists of a waterproof enclosure that houses an interface board and a 12V DC lead acid battery. The interface board supports input connections for up to four transmitters, a low battery alarm output (contact closure below 11V), and a Bullhorn solar panel charger. The Bullhorn solar panel charger, normally supplied as part of the Bullhorn system, is used to trickle charge the battery on the External Power Supply. The solar panel charger maintains the charge on the battery when conditions are suitable.

Transmitters used with this device would typically be of the 3 wire or 4 wire variety. The External Power Supply provides 12V DC nominally at 0.008A for up to 15 days without recharging. The maximum current available is limited by a 0.5 A fuse. Loads between 0.008 A and 0.5 A can be used bearing in mind that the transmitter load utilized will impact the amount of reserve time; i.e. the amount of time the transmitter load can run off the power supply with no solar charging. Reserve time can be estimated using the information in the following table and the fact that we are using a 3 amp-hour battery.

About American Innovations
Based in Austin, Texas, American Innovations (AI) is a fast growing provider of products and services for web-based remote monitoring, including automatic meter reading, alarm point monitoring and remote equipment control. AI’s skills include the design and development of scalable network operating systems, secure web servers and reliable microelectronic communications devices for use in rugged environments. In addition, by combining the best low-cost and reliable technologies from Bass-Trigon, the leader in corrosion data and integrity management, and the Bullhorn® wireless remote monitoring system, AI provides a total pipeline corrosion monitoring solution. Both the Bass-Trigon and Bullhorn product lines help pipeline companies comply with current regulations and make their equipment safer overall. Visit AI at http://www.amerinnovations.com or call 1-800-229-3404 for more information.