Hydrotide User's Manual Rev D
Hydrotide User's Manual Rev D
Hydrotide User's Manual Rev D
Rev D
May 2007
RBR Ltd.
Table of Contents
About this Manual.......................................................................................................................... 2
Warranty Statement....................................................................................................................... 3
Package contents .......................................................................................................................... 4
Basic operating instructions ........................................................................................................ 4
Installing and changing the batteries .......................................................................................... 4
Installing the RBR Windows Software ........................................................................................ 6
Communicating with the logger................................................................................................... 6
RS-485 .................................................................................................................................... 6
Using an RF modem ............................................................................................................... 6
Calibration ................................................................................................................................... 7
Deployment ............................................................................................................................... 12
Maintenance and repairs........................................................................................................... 13
Repairs.................................................................................................................................. 13
Calibration............................................................................................................................. 13
Technical information ................................................................................................................ 14
Connector wiring instructions and pin assignments ............................................................. 14
Connector Assembly Information.......................................................................................... 16
Appendix A Battery life calculation ........................................................................................ 17
When to replace the batteries ................................................................................................... 17
Predicting battery life................................................................................................................. 17
Warranty Statement
All data loggers manufactured by RBR Ltd. since September 2002, are warranted
against defects in workmanship or original parts and materials for life.
Units suffering from such defects will be repaired or replaced at the discretion of
RBR Ltd., provided that the problem has appeared during normal use of the
instrument for the purpose intended by us. The liability of RBR Ltd. extends only
to the replacement cost of the instrument. The customer will bear all costs of
shipment to us for repair; all other costs, including return shipment, will be borne
by RBR Ltd.
This warranty does not cover consumables or normal wear and tear, nor does it
cover damage caused by negligent use or mishandling. Attempted modification
or repair of any unit without the prior consent of RBR Ltd. will immediately void
any warranty in force.
Users are expected to maintain a regular program of calibration. Equipment,
such as sensors made by other companies, is warranted only to the extent
provided by the original manufacturers.
We reserve the right to grant or refuse warranty repairs at our discretion if we
consider that there are reasonable grounds for doing so.
Package contents
The RBR Hydrotide logger package consists of the following:
1. The RBR Hydrotide logger
2. The Druck sensor if supplied by RBR; or a sensor connector if sensor is
customer supplied
3. A cable to connect to your computer, part #2204-604A-1.8m, 1.8m length
4. This Hydrotide Users Manual
5. RBR Datalogger Users Manual
6. Additional data connector for custom length, part #2204-604A-xm
7. A mini-CD-ROM containing the RBR Windows Software and associated
manuals
8. If the RS-485 option was selected at the time of ordering, then an RS-485
to RS-232 adaptor will also be supplied.
RBR Hydrotide data loggers are powered by eight C size cells. Before changing
the batteries, ensure that the logger is not sampling and leave it idle for at least
one minute after disconnecting it from the computer. This will ensure that it has
entered its standby state and its operation will not be disturbed by removing the
old batteries.
To remove the batteries, open the box and gently pry each cell from its holder.
When replacing the batteries note the polarity and replace batteries in each
holder accordingly, see the photograph below. Always replace all eight batteries
at the same time.
Calibration
There are two ways to calibrate this instrument.
Method 1. Using the sensor calibration certificate.
This will have two calibration numbers which give the output for zero pressure
and that for full range as highlighted in the example (overleaf). To convert these
to the two calibration numbers to insert into the logger, several steps must be
taken. Conversions or corrections must be applied for (the bold figures refer to
the supplied spreadsheet):
Conversion of psi to dBar D20
0.689476
Density of water
D21
0.980665
D24
21.00000
Drive voltage
D25
3.00000
D29
15.0000 psi
D30
D31
0.0000 mV
Having entered the multiplier value with an offset of zero, a measure should now
be made of the real offset. Start the logger taking samples at a 1 second period
without averaging set and with no wave bursts being enabled for a TWR-2050HT. Locate the logger at the monitoring site and use a measured staff gauge to
plunge the Druck sensor into the water. Maintain the sensor in place for two or
three minutes. When the data is downloaded from the logger, use the View
Statistics window (page 32 of the Submersible Data Logger Users Manual) to
obtain a measure of the average depth of the sensor. With the Gauge depth and
the logger readings, a value for the offset can be calculated:
Offset = Gauge depth Logger depth
When calibration is completed, click on the Set calibration button to update the
constants within the logger.
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11
Deployment
Once you have ensured that the batteries are fresh and have programmed the
logger, the instrument is ready to be deployed. There are three precautions you
should take to avoid damaging the logger:
1. Heed the maximum pressure rating. All RBR loggers with pressure
sensors are individually rated to a maximum depth/pressure.
2. Mounting the logger and the pressure transducer. The Hydrotide
instruments need to be mounted so that the electronics enclosure is
protected from the weather, and the cable to the transducer needs to be
carefully routed to prevent any accidental damage. The pressure
transducer itself needs to be fixed at some known depth, and also
protected from accidental damage.
3. Use desiccant when necessary. The critical part of this instrument that
could be affected by moisture is the vent cable which goes from the
pressure transducer to the electronics enclosure. Every precaution must
be taken to ensure that this remains dry during installation. The sensor is
supplied with a desiccant pack sealed to the connector. When ready for
installation, quickly remove this pack and connect the cable to the
electronics. If moisture does enter the tube, then condensation may occur
and the pressure will have a fixed offset. The hydrotide data logger also
has desiccant cartridges installed inside the logger box. These DriCap
desiccant cartridges have indicating silica gel, which turns from blue to
pink, warning when adsorption capacity has been reached and cartridges
should be replaced.
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13
Technical information
Connector wiring instructions and pin assignments
14
15
16
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