Pitstop^PLUS is a “Cloud” based Internet of Things (IoT) technology for precision mineral feed distribution. The Pitstop^PLUS system consists of Pitstop feeders PLUS electronics and software:

1. The cows have electronic ear tags or transponders, based on HDX or FDX ISO standards (this is a prerequisite, not a system component).
2. A master unit performs the main computing and handles the communication; wireless LoRa-based communication with the feeders and communication to the cloud via cable connection to a router. The master unit contains information about the cows, their daily quota of mineral supplements, the amount already allocated, etc.
3. The feeders are equipped with RFID antennas to identify the cows, as well as slave units that communicate with the master and control the operation of the dosing units - one or two per feeder.
4. Data is stored in the cloud.
5. The user interface is the Pitstop^PLUS Manager app.
6. Monitoring, remote control of software updates and analysis of collected data for patterns related to yield response, health, climate, geography, etc.

It is a prerequisite for the functioning of the feeders and the entire Pitstop^PLUS system that cows are marked with electronic ear tags or wear collar-mounted transponders of the HDX or FDX type.

The power supply that comes with each feeder is equipped with a 4-meter long cable and there must therefore be a socket within that distance of the feeder's location.

The installation of feeders is basically done as described in Installation instructions for MicroFeeder Pitstop with large mounting bracket.

The power cable between the feeder and the socket must be installed in such a way that the cows cannot damage it.

After correctly installing a feeder and connecting to power, diodes will light up in the front flap, initially in both red and green, and after a few seconds in green only when at rest. The red diode lights up when the front flap is pushed in. There is also a blue diode that flashes when the front flap is pushed in and the ID of an electronic ear tag is registered.

Feeders are automatically identified by the master unit and connected to it.

The Pitstop^PLUS master unit is mounted in the barn itself or nearby in a suitable location where there is a power outlet and access to the internet in the form of a router or switch with a free RJ45 slot.

After correct installation and connection of the master unit to both electricity and the internet according to the configuration diagram on the right, the diode under the master unit will start to light up after a few seconds.

The diode on the master unit is interpreted as follows: When the master unit is switched on, the diode is first red until it is connected to the internet (until it has been assigned an IP address) and the software has started up, then it turns green. After that, the diode is normally green, but red for a short time / a few seconds when a feeder is visited by a cow. If the diode is constantly red, this is due to a lack of internet connection.

1. The process is started automatically by scanning the QR code on the Pitstop^PLUS master device with a mobile phone. Alternatively, you can manually go to Registration in a browser and enter the S/N number of the Pitstop^PLUS master unit.
2. The primary user then creates their profile by following the instructions on the screen, providing the following information:
   1. Email address
   2. Password
   3. Name
   4. Street name and house number
   5. Additional address
   6. Postal code
   7. City
   8. Country
   9. Culture (select from dropdown, e.g. ”da-DK”, ”en-GB”, etc.) - this determines the language Pitstop^PLUS Manger uses after your login, the decimal separator sign used, the date format, and more.
   10. Country – determines the standard ID string that is included in the animals’ official ID string via a ISO3166 code.
3. Herd number – like the country, is included in the ID string for the animals' official ID. It is also used to identify the files that contain data / information about the animals' use of Pitstop^PLUS.
4. Herd name – used on screenshots.
5. The primary user can then create secondary users via their user profile, who are only registered with an email address and password.

To facilitate the daily use of Pitstop^PLUS Manager, it is recommended to install it as a standalone app and add the icon to the home screen. The procedure for this is different for mobile phones, tablets and computers.

The dashboard is intended for a quick overview of the system's main functions and usage.

The module is designed to provide a quick overview of the use of the feeders using key figures.

A button provides access to a complete list of the cows' visits to the feeders, which can be downloaded in EXCEL format.

The module provides an overview of cows with access to the MicroFeeder Pitstop^PLUS feeders.

The cow list is interactive and you can add, delete or edit cows:

Adding cows to the list is done as follows:

• The cow's number (or the ID for a special neck-transponder of FDX or HDX type) is entered in the "Tag ID" field, following the instructions on the screen. If you have cows without an electronic eartag, you can purchase additional, reusable, unofficial electronic eartags for these, and it is the chip's 12-digit number, imprinted on the eartag, that is entered in the "Tag ID" field after the country code and the "_" character.
• It is optional whether you want to enter anything in the "Other ID" field. The field can be used to write the cow's official number in case unofficial electronic eartags are used. You can also write the cow's name in the field. A maximum of 24 characters can be entered in the field.
• “Calving date” is entered, as a calendar pops up when the field is active.
• “Allocation per 24 hours, grams” of mineral feed “#A” and “#B” for Group 1, and “#A” and “#B” for Group 2 are pre-filled, see the standard entries under “Settings”. If the individual cow should have more or less than the standard amount, this is entered in the fields for “Deviation”.
  

  Once you have entered the mentioned information, press the save button.

  NB: If there are no cows at all on the list, i.e. If the list is completely empty, a button appears that you click to create the first cow and activate the list. The first cow is fictitious and will be deleted again as soon as you have created/added a real cow to the system.

Adding cows to the cow list can be rationalized by uploading a complete list of cows, for example once a quarter in either EXCEL or CSV file format. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Editing is done by clicking on the edit symbol on the left of the list next to the cow that needs to be edited.

Information is entered as stated above regarding adding cows.

After editing the information, save it by clicking on “Save changes”.

A cow is automatically deleted from the Cowlist after it has passed the period for access to mineral feed according to 'Settings'.

For systems running in auto mode, the cows are deleted automatically 14 days after their last recognition.

If you want to delete a cow from the list manually, e.g. as a result of the cow having left the herd, this is done by clicking on the delete icon, located on the right of the list, next to the cow you wish to delete. A warning is given that you must confirm before the deletion takes place.

The ear tag / transponder ID is indicated on a  red  background in the event that a cow has not visited any feeders at all during the earning period. “Alarm cows” that do not visit the feeders at all should be found and inspected, as they may have health problems. They may also have lost their electronic ear tag or are in a sick bay and do not have access to a Pitstop^PLUS feeder.

The ear tag / transponder ID is indicated on a  yellow  background in case a cow has not visited any feeder in the last 24 hours. The reason for the “observation cows” low use of the feeders may be an early warning that the cows are getting sick.

A list of all the cow’s registered visits to the feeders is displayed by clicking on its ear tag / transponder ID.

If your system is running in normal mode for at least one group, we recommend that you make an agreement to automatically re-use cow data in for instance the official animal register or the milk recording association. This would eliminate time that are otherwise spent on manual maintenance of the cow list.

Alternatively, you should update the cow list manually on a regular basis, at least bi-annually. Cows can be registered on the "Cow List" as soon as their expected calving date is known. The system ensures that they do not receive supplements outside the periods you have selected under "Settings".

Cows are automatically removed from the "Cow List" when they have passed the period in which you, according to "Settings", give them access to get extra supplements from the feeders.

It is recommended to inspect and refill feeders once a week according to a fixed routine.

Before refilling, you should put the system into calibration mode and bring a random ear tag to check that the feeders are dosing as expected in connection with the refill. Also, remaining supplements should be loosened before refilling, as supplements, despite a good flowability, often settles within a week.

When refilling, it is an advantage to only fill in an amount of supplements that corresponds to one week's consumption. The risk of bridging increases with the filling level.

It is recommended to open Pitstop^PLUS Manager daily to check for observation and alarm cows and, if necessary, follow this up with a physical inspection of the cows in question.

The number of feedings per day can vary. If it is below what is expected, you can check whether the supplements flows freely to the dosing augers. If not, loosen the supplements. If this happen too often, switch to a supplement with a betetr flowability.

If a feeder reports "Service required!", the number of feedings is low or the consumption of supplements does not correspond to the number of registered feedings, you should check the feeder. To do this, you must set the system in calibration mode in advance and bring a random ear tag. Simulate a feeding by pushing the front flap in with an electronic ear tag in your hand to activate a dosing. Check that the feeder actually doses supplements as expected in calibration mode. Otherwise, do the following:

1. Check that the supplement is flowing to the dosing augers. Loosen the remaining supplements in the feeder if necessary.
2. A dosing unit that has stopped working and does not respond to the simulated feeding should be cleaned. You can clean the tube in which the spiral auger is located using the cleaning stick located under the top lid of the feeder. Cleaning can be done via the hole in the outer feeder wall. In severe cases, it may be necessary to lift the entire innards with dosing units out of the feed hopper for cleaning.