AquiStar PT2X Instruction Manual

Pressure/temperature smart sensor and datalogger

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

AquiStar

PT2X

Pressure/Temperature Smart Sensor and Datalogger

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Page 1 INSTRUCTION MANUAL ® AquiStar PT2X Pressure/Temperature Smart Sensor and Datalogger...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Appendix D: Using a USB Port ..................27 Connecting with INW’s USB to RS485 Adapter ............27 Connecting with a USB to Serial Adapter ..............27 Appendix E: Reading the PT2X via Direct Read ............29 Setting Units for Direct Read ................... 29 ®...
Page 3 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the manufacturer. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of the manufacturer.
Page 4: Introduction
, this sensor provides high-accuracy readings in rugged and corrosive field conditions. Two internal AA batteries power the PT2X. (Auxiliary power supplies are available for data intensive applications.) The unit is programmed using INW’s easy-to-use Aqua4Plus control software. Once programmed the unit will measure and collect data on a variety of time intervals.
Page 5: Do's And Don'ts
Do’s and Don’ts Do handle the device with care. Don’t support the device with the connector. Do store the device in a dry, inside area when Use a strain relief device to take the not in use. tension off the connectors. Do install a desiccant tube if using a gauge Don’t allow the device to free-fall down a sensor.
Page 6 INW’s standard gauge submersible pressure devices utilize a vent tube in the cable to allow the device to reference atmospheric pressure. The resulting gauge pressure measurement reflects only the depth of submergence. That is, the net pressure on the diaphragm is due entirely to the depth of submergence. Pressure Diagram: See detail A on next page.
Page 7: Installation And Operation
Installation and Operation Connecting External Power The PT2X comes with two AA internal batteries. This provides enough power for at least one year of operation at the rate of four measurements per hour. (See Battery Life Calculation section in Appendix A for further details.) If auxiliary power is desired, you can use a 6 - 13 VDC supply that can provide 15 mA.
Page 8: Installing The Aqua4Plus Software
Installing the Aqua4Plus Software The PT2X comes with the Aqua4Plus host software that is installed on your PC or laptop. Use this software to program the datalogger, to retrieve data from the logger, to view collected data, and to export data to external files for use with spreadsheets or databases.
Page 9: Collecting Data
The sensor can be installed in any position; however, when it leaves the factory it is tested in the vertical position. Strapping the sensor body with tie wraps or tape will not hurt it. INW can provide an optional 1/4" NPT input adapter which is interchangeable with the standard end cone for those applications where it is necessary to directly attach the sensor to a pipe, tank or other pipe port.
Page 10 Setting up a Data Recording Session Click the tool button. A Session Profile Window will open. Refer to the Aqua4Plus Instruction Manual for details in describing your session profile. Click the Start button to save the session to the sensor and begin recording. Using the Session Profile Window, describe the test steps for your particular test.
Page 11 Viewing Data • Click the tool button to view data as a table. • Click the tool button to view data as a graph. • Navigate to the desired file, then click the Open button. (If the File Open box does not appear, click the File Menu, then select Open.) The File Display window displays your data in a tabular format.
Page 12: Maintenance
Because changing the batteries involves opening the water-tight seal, this must be done in a clean, dry environment to avoid contamination or moisture damage to the circuitry. PT2X Smart Sensors come in two housing styles - a twist open version and a set screw version. Directions follow for each type separately.
Page 13 2. Very gently work the top cap loose. Note, two O-rings provide a water-tight seal for the PT2X housing and often seal tightly. Inserting the blade of a flat screw- driver between the top-cap and the housing and twisting gently can help to release the O-rings’...
Page 14: Removing Debris From End Cone
Re-sealing the Housing 6. Replace service connector. Note: this connector is keyed and can only be connected in one direction. 7. Carefully wrap the cable around the slot in the connector board. 8. Replace top-cap and secure with set screws. Service Connector On the set screw housing, gently remove the service connector before replacing...
Page 15: Desiccant Tubes
Set Screw Housing 1. Remove the two set screws at the bottom of the housing tube, using a 1/16” allen wrench. 2. Gently remove the end cone. 3. Remove debris. Take care not to poke anything into the sensor. This can damage the sensor element and void the warranty.
Page 16: Miscellaneous
Weather-resistant connector Hydrophobic filter Desiccant tube Vent tube Cable The desiccant tube prevents water intrusion through the vent tube. Be sure to replace the desiccant when it turns pink, as that indicates it is saturated. Miscellaneous Sensor: There are no user-serviceable parts, other than the batteries. If problems develop with sensor stability or accuracey, contact INW.
Page 17: Trouble Shooting
Trouble Shooting Erratic Readings Erratic readings can be caused by a poor connection, damaged cable, moisture in the unit, or a damaged transmitter. In most cases, erratic readings are due to moisture getting into the system. The first thing to check is the connection. Look for moisture between contacts or a loose or broken wire.
Page 18 power spike will find the path of least resistance to earth ground – whether that path is through sensitive electronic equipment or the person operating the equipment. In order to ensure safety and prevent equipment damage, a grounding system must be used to provide a low resistance path to ground.
Page 19: Appendix A: Technical Specifications
General Specification ® The AquiStar PT2X is a microprocessor based digital intelligent sensor designed to measure and record pressure, temperature and time, utilizing state-of-the-art low power, battery operated circuitry. Pressure is measured with an extremely rugged and stable piezo-electric media-isolated pressure element combined with a 16-bit delta/sigma analog-to-digital converter.
Page 20 Mechanical: Transmitter Dimensions 12.025” x 0.75” cabled twist open housing 11.775” x 0.75” cableless twist open housing Body Material 316 stainless steel or titanium Wire Seal Materials Fluoropolymer and PTFE Desiccant High- and standard- capacity packs Terminating Connector Available Weight 0.80 lbs.
Page 21 Cableless Version Vented or Unvented Cable Screw Cap Patented Cable Harness (Top-Cap) O-Rings Service Connector User-replaceable AA batteries PT2X Sensor/Datalogger Circuit Board, containing non-volatile data storage Pressure Element Water Inlets End Cone - 0.75” interchangeable with 0.75” Twist Open Housing Twist Open Housing 1/4”...
Page 22: Continuous Rate And Filter Settings
To use the continuous rate during a session, enter a “c” in the Polling Interval. Filter Settings: The PT2X has the ability to apply some filtering to incoming data in order to smooth out minor variations in readings. This filter can be from 1 (no filtering) to 8 (maximum filtering.) Different versions of firmware have different filtering options as shown below.
Page 23: Battery Life Calculation
Battery Life Calculation The PT2X has been designed for very low power consumption. When not in active use, the unit goes into a “sleep” mode, waking only to take readings or communicate with the host computer. It is difficult to know how fresh particular batteries are. Just sitting on a shelf, especially in a warm environment, will cause the batteries to lose energy.
Page 24: Appendix B: Field Calibration (Pressure)
Before leaving the factory, your PT2X has been calibrated using precision pressure sources and thermal chambers. However, you may wish to run a field calibration from time to time for one or more of the following reasons.
Page 25 Two-Point Calibration: — Compute First Calibration Point — • Place sensor in the fluid you are measuring at a precise known level. • In the Ref box for the first point, enter this level or pressure. • Click first Measure button. •...
Page 26: Appendix C: Measuring Elevation Or Depth-To-Water
Appendix C: Measuring Elevation or Depth-to-Water The purpose of this appendix is to provide a simple description for configuring a PT2X Smart Sensor for monitoring depth-to-water or groundwater elevation, using the Aqua4Plus Control Software. In normal configuration, the PT2X returns a pressure measurement relative to the water above the sensor.
Page 27: Groundwater Elevation Calibration
Groundwater Elevation Calibration — Computing Offset — • Place sensor in well • If you are using a gauge (PSIG) sensor: Using a water level indicator or other measuring device, determine the depth to water. Subtract this from the elevation at the top of the casing. Enter this value in the Ref box for the first point.
Page 28: Appendix D: Using A Usb Port
If using INW’s USB to RS485 adapter, connect as shown in figure below. Drivers and installation instructions come with the adapter. USB to RS485 Adapter PC or Laptop Computer PT2X Cable USB Port PT2X Connection using INW’s USB to RS485 Adapter Connecting with a USB to Serial Adapter USB-to-Serial cables are readily available from many electronics and computer stores, as well as numerous sites on the Internet.
Page 29 USB Port Interface USB-to-Serial Cable Adapter PT2X RS232/RS485 Cable Adapter PC or Laptop Computer PT2X Connection using a USB to Serial Adapter...
Page 30: Appendix E: Reading The Pt2X Via Direct Read
Appendix E: Reading the PT2X via Direct Read While the PT2X comes with INW’s easy to use Aqua4Plus software, you can also use ® standard Modbus RTU or SDI-12 equipment to easily take readings, so as to tie into your existing equipment or networks.
Page 31: Reading Via Modbus Rtu
On the popup box, click the down-arrow and select the baud rate you need, and then click OK. Once you have changed the baud rate on the PT2X, you will not be able to talk to it with Aqua4Plus until you change the baud rate for Aqua4Plus, as follows: •...
Page 32 The data is returned as 32-bit IEEE floating-point values, high word first, also referred to as big-endian or float inverse. For further information and detailed Modbus examples, see INW application note, “Modbus Direct Read on AquiStar Smart Sensors” available from our web site at http:// www.inwusa.com/appnotes.htm.
Page 33: Reading Via Sdi-12
Reading Via SDI-12 Note: The default units setting for pressure is PSI. The default units setting for temperature is Celsius. To change these, use the Direct Read Units option under the Configure | Advanced menu in the Aqua4Plus Control Software. Addressing Default SDI-12 Address: 0 SDI-12 Command Nomenclature...
Page 34 <a>D0! <a>+22.0512{crc}<cr><lf> // read temperature <a>CC2! <a>00201<cr><lf> // request pressure measurement only // with CRC <a>D0! <a>12.0512{crc}<cr><lf> // read pressure For further information and SDI-12 examples, see INW application note, “PT2X SDI-12 Interface Specification” available from our web site at www.inwusa.com/pdfs/pt2x_sdi12_spec.pdf...
Page 35: Reordering Information
Reordering Information For sales & service offices, please contact: Instrumentation Northwest, Inc. www.inwusa.com 800-776-9355...
Page 36: Limited Warranty/Disclaimer- Aquistar ® Pt2X
® LIMITED WARRANTY/DISCLAIMER - AquiStar PT2X SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE /TEMPERATURE SENSOR A. Seller warrants that products manufactured by Seller when properly installed, used and maintained with a properly installed desiccant tube, shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. Seller’s obligation under this warranty shall be limited to replacing or repairing the part or parts or, at Seller’s option, the products which prove...
Page 37 Notes...
Page 38 © 1997 - 2012 by Instrumentation Northwest, Inc. All rights reserved. Instrumentation Northwest and INW are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Ofﬁ ce. Doc# 9B0730r12 07/2012 / PN 6D275-NI 8902 122nd Avenue NE Kirkland, WA 98033 USA 425-822-4434 425-822-8384 / info@inwusa.com...