Monitor wiring harness on Cyclo Planter

Allan Rogis · Apr 27, 2010

Is there a simple way of testing the wiring harness and row sensors on an old Cyclo 400 planter? Had the monitor console tested and it was OK. Thanks

Bob · Apr 27, 2010

I don't remember the color codes, but the harness feeds regulated DC (5 Volts, IIRC) to each row sensor, and there is a "signal return" wire and a ground wire to each sensor. There's an infrared LED and a phototransistor in each seed drop monitor with a gap between them through which the seed falls, causing a "blip" on the signal return wire as every seed drop through the sensor.

SO... 3 wires...

+ Voltage (PROBABLY red)

Signal return (Green???????)

Ground (PROBABLY black)

Do ANY of the row monitors work? if any do, try swapping the sensors to rows that aren't working and see what happens.

Once you figure out the color scheme you can check for voltage at each sensor. The third signal return wire leads back to it's own row-specific pin in the harness-monitor connector.

Oh, yeah, take a good look into each row sensor for dirt, seed treatment debris, mud dauber or spider mess or ANYTHING blocking the "eye's" view of the LED light source.

Allan Rogis · Apr 29, 2010

Thanks Bob, That is very useful info. I used to work on these when they were new but I don't have an owner's manual or a service manual for the monitor. Also 35 years since I serviced those.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 29, 2010

I had a 400 spent a lot of time and money on the monitor and never did get it to work. The next step was to test the row sensors with a sensor checker that I bought from Shoup. Got rid of the 400 and bought a 900 before I accomplished that job. I had the dealer check the monitor box twice and both occasions it was OK. Checked ohm levels in all the wires and had to replace both main coupling ends to eliminate resistance differences.

Monitor wiring harness on Cyclo Planter

Allan Rogis

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Bob

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Allan Rogis

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Anonymous-0

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