AML Base-X User Manual

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BaseX

User Manual

Version 1.14

13 April 2017

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Summary of Contents for AML Base-X

Page 1 BaseX User Manual Version 1.14 13 April 2017...
Page 2 User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Revision History Revision Revision Date Changes Name Version 1.00 2013-04-06 First Version of Manual Chris Bueley Version 1.01 2013-04-26 Updates Chris Bueley Version 1.02 2013-05-13 Updated SeaCast version Chris Bueley Version 1.03 2013-06-13 Format revision and updates Jehan Zouak Version 1.04...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Table of Contents General Description of the Instrument ....................2 Where Do I Start? ..........................3 Shipping & Receiving ........................4 Receiving an Instrument ......................4 Returning an Instrument to the Factory..................4 Using the Instrument ........................5 Pressure Ratings .........................
Page 4: General Description Of The Instrument
Supported communication protocols for Base•X are RS-232 or RS-485. The instrument can be powered both internally and externally. Like all AML logging instruments, Base•X can be equipped with Data•Xchange to add wireless capabilities and enhance data transfer rates. Base•X has these capabilities embedded.
Page 5: Where Do I Start
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Where Do I Start? AML Oceanographic X•Series instruments ship with several manuals on the USB: • An instrument manual (this Base•X manual) providing an overview on how to use and maintain the instrument; • A SeaCast manual providing instructions on how to use the software to configure the instrument and review instrument data;...
Page 6: Shipping & Receiving
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Shipping & Receiving Receiving an Instrument When receiving an instrument, perform the following steps to ensure the instrument will be ready for deployment when required: • Inspect the shipping container, looking for signs of damage. Damage to the shipping container could indicate damage to the instrument inside.
Page 7: Using The Instrument
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Using the Instrument Pressure Ratings Pressure ratings are given for Xchange™ sensors and the entire instrument. Deployments should never exceed the lower of these two pressure ratings. For example, a 500m instrument equipped with a 6000 dBar (0-6000m) P•Xchange sensor is limited to deployments of 500m depth or less.
Page 8: Supported Sensor Configurations
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX T•Xchange, C•Xchange, P•Xchange & CT•Xchange & Tu•Xchange blanking SV•Xchange blanking plug plug (Secondary Port) (Primary Port) Supported Sensor Configurations Swappable sensors allow you to configure the instrument in a number of different ways. Base•X...
Page 9: Led Indicator
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX LED Indicator The LED indicator is located next to the data/power connector on the instrument’s top endcap. In general, the LED: • will be on whenever the data/power cable is plugged into the instrument.
Page 10: Configuring Sampling Parameters Using Seacast
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Configuring Sampling Parameters Using SeaCast SeaCast is free software provided for use with AML Oceanographic instruments. It can be used to set up an instrument for profiling or monitoring data, as well as downloading, graphing, and exporting the collected data.
Page 11: Logging A Profile
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Using SeaCast Refer to the SeaCast User Manual for instructions on enabling "Zero Depth." Using a Terminal Emulator • Establish serial communications with the instrument on your computer. Refer to the Communications section of this manual for more information.
Page 12: Post-Deployment Procedures
Voltage drop due to cable resistance increases with cable length. The voltage drop on a standard AML cable, with a standard Minos•X, is about 2 volts per 100m of cable while sampling and 0 volts per 100m when in low power mode.
Page 13 User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX 2 File(s) listed >dump data.txt [cast header] InstrumentSN=08221 Date=02/24/10 Time=14:45:10.55 PressureOffset=0.09 UsePressureOffset=yes Slot1Sensor1=SV-C.Xchange SV.X SN 131197 01/22/10 Slot2Sensor1=P-T.Xchange P.X SN 145721 08/21/09 T.X SN 400048 11/17/09 [Data] 02/24/10 14:45:10.66 1474.313 0000.015 17.447 008.18 02/24/10 14:45:10.69 1474.334 0000.015 17.449 008.20 02/24/10 14:45:11.19 1474.332 0000.027 17.451 008.20...
Page 14: Configuring The Instrument For Data On Power Up
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Configuring the Instrument for Data on Power Up Perform the following steps: • Open a terminal emulation program, such as HyperTerminal. Ensure the serial port has been selected in the program. If the instrument has been set to a specific baud rate with the SET DETECT command, the terminal emulation program must be configured for that baud rate.
Page 15: Maintaining The Instrument
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Maintaining the Instrument Periodic Maintenance Periodic preventative maintenance will prolong the life of the instrument. The following steps are recommended: • If the instrument is very dirty or oily, allow it to soak in warm, soapy water before cleaning with a rag or soft brush.
Page 16: Charging The Lithium-Ion Batteries
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Charging the Lithium-Ion Batteries • Ensure the instrument is dry. • Plug the data cable into the instrument. • Plug the charger into the data cable. • Plug the charger into a 120 or 240 volt AC outlet and allow the instrument to charge until the green flashing light on the charger turns solid green.
Page 17: Communications
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Communications PC Settings Base•X will communicate with both RS-232 and RS-485 serial connections. The computer to which the instrument is connected must be set up as follows: • 8 bits • 1 stop bit •...
Page 18: Default Example Outputs
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX The default data channel outputs with all calculated parameters turned on are: SV,P sensors Date Time Sound velocity Pressure Battery Density Salinity mm/dd/yy hh:mm:ss.ss dbar volts kg/m SV Turbidity sensors Date Time Sound velocity...
Page 19 User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX LoggingTimeout=0 StartupDelay=10 DisplayHeader=yes StartupMode=prompt CharacterReception=yes LoggingBreakMode=no DetectionMode=A3 BatteryACoefficient=+3.500000E-01 BatteryBCoefficient=+2.500000E-02 ShutDownVoltage=6.5 WarningVoltage=6.9 PressureOffset=0.00 UsePressureOffset=no SoundVelocityThreshold=1375.00 DelimterMode=Space SensorDetectionMode=Once Traceability=yes SkipPowerOff=no AnalogChannels=2 [Slot 1] SensorName=SV-C.Xchange SV.X SN 203421 06/07/13 BoardSN=05554 [Slot 3] SensorName=P-T-TU-DO.Xchange P.X SN 303108 04/03/13 BoardSN=55555 >dir...
Page 20: Support
Is the data/power cable connected to the instrument and computer? o Are there any cuts in the cable? o If using a cable other than an AML cable, it should be configured as a null modem cable. o If using multiple cable lengths, the extensions should not be configured as null modem cables.
Page 21 User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX ▪ If the indicator does not light up, the instrument is not operating correctly. Continue with the remaining troubleshooting items. • Allow at least two sample periods for the instrument to detect that it is immersed.
Page 22 User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX SeaCast fails to recognize a sensor: • Be sure to download the latest version of SeaCast. o Tu•Xchange™ requires SeaCast version 3.0 or greater for full functionality.
Page 23: Contact Aml Oceanographic
Customer Portal My AML Oceanographic is AML's online data centre. This secure area within our website is designed to offer one easy location for interested individuals and organizations - distributors, customers, prospects, and other members of our community - to manage their interactions with AML. My AML...
Page 24: Appendices
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Appendices Commands When using SeaCast, the full command set is not usually necessary. However, text commands are available. Below is a listing of commonly used commands. Note that some commands are only available on instruments equipped with the appropriate Xchange™...
Page 25: Output Format Commands
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Output Format Commands Command Description Requires DISPLAY SCAN Displays current scan options. SET SCAN NOBAT Turns the battery channel off. SET SCAN BAT Turns the battery channel on. CT•X and P•X SET SCAN NODENSITY Turns the calculated density channel off.
Page 26: Logging Commands
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Logging Commands Command Description Requires SET SCAN LOGGING Enables simultaneous logging and real-time output. If real- time logging in air is desired, set instrument conductivity threshold and sound velocity and pressure increments to zero.
Page 27: Technical Specifications
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Technical Specifications Electrical • Mother Board o Flash, non-volatile data memory (Minimum 1 GB) o Two dedicated slots ▪ Primary Xchange™ sensor slot ▪ Secondary Xchange™ sensor slot • Sensor Boards ▪ Sound Velocity, CT or Conductivity Xchange sensor board ▪...
Page 28 User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Housing Type Depth Rating Diameter Length Weight (in water) Weight (in air) Delrin 100 m Delrin (with 2.7” 15.3” 1.1 lb 2.6 lb internal [69 mm] [390 mm] [0.5 kg] [1.2 kg] 500 m...
Page 29: Ordering Codes
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Ordering Codes Instruments PDC-BSX-P1S1-01 Base•X, 100 dBar, Delrin pressure housing PDC-BSX-P1S1-05 Base•X, 500 dBar, Aluminum-sleeved Delrin pressure housing Ordering codes for sensors and accessories can be found at http://www.amloceanographic.com/...
Page 30: Regulatory Information
CE standards. Warranty AML warrants the instrument for a period of two years from the date of delivery. AML will repair or replace, at its option and at no charge, components which prove to be defective. The warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the instruments and only to instruments and sensors manufactured by AML Oceanographic.
Page 31: Technical Overview Drawings
User Manual for AML Oceanographic BaseX Technical Overview Drawings...