Contents of the package

1. Foaling alarm Birth Alarm Premium Plus.
2. Protective case: it can be attached either under the mare’s halter or to the ring of the anti-roll surcingle.
3. Cable ties (“Tie-wraps”) so you can get started right away. They are for single use, but you can find them in all major DIY stores.
4. Special screwdriver: it is used to open the device (to replace the batteries or insert/remove the SIM card) and to activate it using the magnet on the back of the screwdriver.
5. USB cable: this cable (or a similar cable) is required to update the device software.

Preparation and switching on

First use

1. Unscrew the casing of the Birth Alarm Premium Plus and remove the red tab placed on the terminal of one of the batteries: the batteries will then power the device.
2. Close the casing, making sure that the light reflectors are correctly positioned above the status indicators (see Casing), then continue with the setup.

Switching on

The device is operated using the supplied special screwdriver. Two status indicators are located on one of the long sides of the casing.

1. Place the back of the special screwdriver against one of the status indicators (it does not matter which one).
2. The device activates: when both status indicators are lit green, the transmitter is activated.
3. Remove the screwdriver.
4. The status indicators then flash approximately every 5 seconds, confirming that the device is activated and functioning correctly.

Switching off

1. Place the back of the special screwdriver against one of the status indicators again (it does not matter which one).
2. After a few seconds, the indicators light up red and the device switches off automatically.

Inside the device, batteries and SIM card

Components required to use the device: the batteries, the two status indicators, the SIM card adapter, the USB connector (for updating the software), and the three internal LTE indicators, “NET”, “RING” and “LTE”.

Installing and replacing the batteries

• Always use alkaline batteries (preferably Duracell, Panasonic or Varta). Rechargeable batteries are not recommended.
• Always replace all three batteries at the same time.
• If you cannot remove the batteries with your fingers, use a small screwdriver carefully.
• The negative pole of the batteries must always be placed against the small spring.

Housing

The housing only closes (screws shut) in one direction. When screwing on the cover, the light reflectors on its long side must be above the status indicators.

SIM card

The device uses a Nano SIM card, the smallest format (12.3 × 8.8 mm). Current SIM cards support several formats and can therefore be adapted to the Nano SIM format.

The supplied SIM card is already inserted and tested: you do not need to do anything.

You can use your own SIM card, but the device will then operate like a standard Birth Alarm Premium, without the Telegram function: in this case, refer to the Birth Alarm Premium user manual.

Indicators

The device has two status indicators to check that it is working, and three small indicators inside, specific to the LTE module.

Status indicators

They are located on the long side of the housing and both behave in the same way. There are two of them so that the status remains visible whether the mare is lying on her left or right side.

LTE indicators

They are only visible when the housing is open. You generally do not need to check them; however, they may be useful in the event of a mobile connection problem, if you need to contact us.

Install Telegram and BirthAlarmBot

Download Telegram

To receive messages from the device on your phone, install the Telegram Messenger app (icon: a paper plane on a blue background):

• iPhone: in the App Store, search for “Telegram” and install the app;
• Android: in the Play Store, search for “Telegram” and install the Telegram Messenger app.

The paper instructions also include a QR code for each phone.

Connect to BirthAlarmBot

1. Launch Telegram and tap the magnifying glass.
2. Type “BirthAlarmBot”, then tap this “bot” (you can also scan the QR code in the paper instructions).
3. You are connected to BirthAlarmBot.

Start and choose the language

1. Tap the “START” button at the bottom of the screen. If it does not appear, type “/start” and send it. Buttons appear at the bottom of the screen.
2. At the very bottom of the screen, four flags allow you to change the language at any time: tap the one you want, and the bot will reply in that language.

Register your Birth Alarm Premium Plus

1. Tap “Register/Registrieren/Enregistrer/Registreren”.
2. Enter your username, shown on the Birth Alarm Premium Plus data sheet.
3. Enter your password, which is also shown on the data sheet.
4. If the username and password are correct, BirthAlarmBot confirms that registration was successful.

The BirthAlarmBot keyboard

BirthAlarmBot has a special keyboard with command buttons that allow you to control the device. If it does not appear, you can always display it by tapping the button provided for this purpose in the conversation.

Notifications in a group

You can add BirthAlarmBot to a Telegram group chat: several people are then notified at the same time, on all their devices, of the birth of a foal.

Create the group and add participants

1. Tap the blue pencil at the bottom right, then “New group” in the menu that appears at the top of the screen.
2. In the search field, search for and select the people to add.
3. Finally, search for “BirthAlarmBot” in the same field and add it too.
4. Tap the blue arrow, give the group a name (for example, “Birth Alarm Group”), then tap the blue checkmark. The group is created.

Give BirthAlarmBot administrator rights

On Android:

1. Tap the group title bar, then press and hold BirthAlarmBot.
2. In the three-option window, choose “Promote administrator”. The bot now has the necessary permissions.

On iPhone:

1. Tap the group title bar, then swipe the BirthAlarmBot from right to left.
2. In the three-option window, choose the green “Promote / Promouvoir administrateur” option. Check that all functions are enabled and tap “Apply / Appliquer”.
3. Tap “Edit / Modifier” (at the top right), then “Permissions / Droits” and “Add Exception / Ajouter une exception”.
4. Tap the name “Birth Alarm” (bot). Check that all options are enabled and that “Duration / Durée” is set to “Forever / Toujours”.

Registering the device from the group

You must register the Birth Alarm Premium Plus in the group again: follow the steps in the section Registering your Birth Alarm Premium Plus, but from the group, not from your personal chat with the BirthAlarmBot.

Sound settings

Set the notification sound in Telegram to make sure you wake up.

On Android

1. Tap the group title bar (or the chat with the BirthAlarmBot if you are not using a group), then “Notifications”.
2. Tap “Edit” and check the box that enables custom settings.
3. Choose the most noticeable, loud, and persistent sound.
4. It is also recommended to enable pop-up notifications.
5. If you use “Smart Notifications”, configure the chat to receive 10 notifications in one minute without them being muted.
6. Set Priority to “Urgent”.

On iPhone

1. In Telegram, tap the gear icon at the bottom right of the screen, then “Notifications and Sounds”.
2. Enable “Sound” and “Vibration”.
3. Tap “Group Chats” and check that “Show Notifications” and “Example” are enabled.
4. Tap “Sound” and choose a persistent sound, such as “Keys” or “Alert”.

Angle and sleep mode

Some device settings can be changed via Telegram.

Inclination angle

The device reacts when the mare lies on her side: it measures the inclination angle of the lying mare. On average, an angle above 65° can be considered “abnormal” and triggers the alert. The default setting is 65°; you can increase it so that the device is triggered later, meaning it is less sensitive.

1. Tap “Settings”, then “Angle”.
2. Choose the desired angle: 65, 70, 75 or 80.

Sleep mode

Sleep mode is used when your pregnant mare lies on her side to rest: it prevents an alert from being sent when she is simply lying down to rest. With this mode, the device checks that the mare is lying on her side and is restless, as during contractions.

1. Tap “Settings”, then “Sleep mode”.
2. Choose “Enabled” or “Disabled”.

Notifications and status information

Confirm a notification

When you receive a notification, the BirthAlarmBot repeats it every 10 seconds until you (or a group member) confirm it using the “Confirm” button. Notifications then stop.

Status information

The alert arrives as a text message, repeated every 10 seconds so that you continue to receive sound notifications. It contains:

• Battery level: the remaining percentage is shown after “Battery”. We recommend replacing the batteries at around 15%.
• Signal level (reception strength): it must not fall below 15%, otherwise the device will not work reliably. The device always selects the best available network.
• Measured tilt angle, in degrees, shown after “Angle”: you can use this value to adjust the detection angle.
• Current sleep mode setting (enabled or disabled), shown last. To change it, see Sleep mode.

Test

Before use, test the device to make sure it is working properly:

1. Go with the device to where your mare is.
2. Activate it: the status light flashes green once every 4 seconds.
3. Tilt the device 90 degrees until one of its short sides is facing upward. (If you use sleep mode, return the device to a horizontal position after 15 seconds.)
4. The status light flashes orange.
5. After a few seconds, it turns blue: a connection is being established.
6. Shortly afterward, the device sends a notification to your Telegram app.
7. Open Telegram and confirm the notification using the BirthAlarmBot keyboard.

If the test is successful, you can attach the device to your mare.

Fitting on the mare

Whether under the halter or in a surcingle, the device must be placed in the case provided:

1. Carefully slide the device into the case.
2. Check that both status lights are visible.
3. Close the flap with the fastening clip provided.

The status lights can face the fastening clip or the opposite direction: this has no effect on operation.

Under the halter

Secure the case under the halter with three cable ties. The halter must be tight enough for the device to hang straight under the mare's jaw.

On an anti-roll surcingle

Secure the case to the anti-roll surcingle with six cable ties. The device must be perfectly horizontal in relation to the mare's back.

Operating summary

• The device checks your mare's position once every 4 seconds; between checks, it switches to an energy-saving mode to avoid unnecessarily draining the batteries.
• When the mare feels contractions and lies down on her side, you receive a notification in Telegram. Open the application and stop the alert using the “Confirm” button. The device will only trigger again when the mare lies down on her side again.
• With a discussion group, all members receive the notification at the same time; any of them can stop the alert.
• In general, a set of alkaline batteries will last at least one month. Cheap carbon-zinc batteries and rechargeable batteries are strongly discouraged.

Technical data and warranty

Warranty: up to 2 years from the date of purchase. It does not apply in the event of breakage, water damage or other damage. If you have any questions, please contact us.

The manufacturer and importer accept no liability for any damage resulting from the use of the Birth Alarm Premium Plus. The Telegram application is managed by a third party: the manufacturer has no control over changes to its services, features or content, or over its proper functioning, for which the Telegram provider remains responsible.

Manufacturer: Birth Alarm® (deliveries subject to the general terms and conditions of Gallagher Europe B.V.). French adaptation of the manufacturer's user manual.