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ICT SFM1 Quick Start Manual

Sap flow meter
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SFM1 Sap Flow Meter
Quick Start Guide
Version 4.2
1
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

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Summary of Contents for ICT SFM1

  • Page 1 SFM1 Sap Flow Meter Quick Start Guide Version 4.2 Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Connecting Power Directly via Solar Panel ....... 9 3.1.3 Connecting Power Directly via CH24........10 Install ICT Combined Instrument Software and USB Driver ....11 Turn the Instrument On ................12 Connect to the Instrument ..............13 Connect via MCC Mini ..............14 Instrument Information ................
  • Page 3 Check the Holes are Parallel ............23 Using Spacers .................. 24 Greasing the Needles ..............25 Attaching the SFM1 to the Tree and Installing the Needles ... 26 Insulating Needles for Small Diameter Stems ......... 27 Uninstallation – Removal of the Needles........28 Downloading Data ................

  • Page 4: Quick Start Guide

    They can easily be damaged if basic care is not taken in handling the instrument. Please read this entire document prior to installing your SFM1. If you are unsure about anything regarding your sap flow meter, please contact ICT International before use.

  • Page 5: System Requirements

    System Requirements Hardware ICT Combined Instrument Software does not require a powerful computer. Recommended Minimum System Specifications: Intel Atom 1.66 GHz and 1GB RAM or higher. Software ICT Instrument software is compatible with the following Operating Systems: a. Windows 7 b.

  • Page 6: Charging The Sfm1 Internal Battery

    Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument (pages 6-9). A solar panel can be connected to the SFM1 in the field, see page 6 for more details. The unique power bus-plug design was developed by ICT International to simplify the electrical wiring process.

  • Page 7: Connecting A Power Supply To The Instrument

    Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

  • Page 8: Connecting Power Via Usb Cable To A Laptop/Pc

    3.1.1 Connecting Power via USB Cable to a Laptop/PC Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

  • Page 9: Connecting Power Directly Via Solar Panel

    3.1.2 Connecting Power Directly via Solar Panel Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

  • Page 10: Connecting Power Directly Via Ch24

    Note: Continuous connection of an external battery or constant power supply (for days to months at a time) is not recommended as this can shorten the life of the internal battery. ICT International recommend using a solar panel directly connected (with no external battery backup in parallel) wherever possible;...

  • Page 11: Install Ict Combined Instrument Software And Usb Driver

    Install ICT Combined Instrument Software and USB Driver Insert the supplied USB drive and run Autorun.exe. Choose Software (a) and then choose USB Driver (b) and then ICT Combined Instrument Software (c). Alternatively, the individual installers (Windows and Mac) are available in the Instrument Software folder.

  • Page 12: Turn The Instrument On

    Turn the Instrument On To charge and turn on your SFM1, connect the instrument to a computer via a USB cable. Alternatively, the SFM1 can either be turned on manually by pressing the power button or automatically by connecting an external power supply.

  • Page 13: Connect To The Instrument

    Connect the USB cable to the instrument and the computer. The STM will automatically be detected by the computer, as with any USB device. Open ICT Instrument Software and Search for Devices. Double-click the instrument in the list to connect to it or select it and click ‘Connect’.

  • Page 14: Connect Via Mcc Mini

    Connect via MCC Mini Ensure that the SFM1 is on. Connect the MCC Mini to your computer, open ICT Combined Instrument Software. Tick ‘Auto RF Discover’ and then search for devices. The MCC Mini should appear on the list, it will then automatically search for nearby ICT Instruments.

  • Page 15: Instrument Information

    In ICT Instrument Software, fields are given for naming and adding a comment. This naming system can be helpful for experiments, for instance, naming them based on location or purpose of the SFM1, and to tell them apart easily. The Name field is visible in the Device Chooser list, this makes it easier to find the logger you wish to connect to when using multiple SFM1 loggers in the field.

  • Page 16: Set Date And Time

    The date and time can be automatically set to the date & time of the computer that the SFM1 is connected to by selecting the option “Computer Date and Time”. An alternative option is provided to update the instrument to a user defined time.

  • Page 17: Set The Measurement Parameters

    SD Card Status, and the instrument time and date. You can also begin a manual measurement from this tab if the SFM1 is in Manual measurement mode. Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

  • Page 18: Configuration

    Measurement Mode allows you to select a measurement interval between 3 minutes and 60 minutes. A good standard measurement interval is 10 or 15 minutes. Refer to the SFM1 Manual for more information about logging intervals. Measurement Suspend and Time Delay allows you to set a time for the instrument to begin logging.

  • Page 19: Corrections

    8.1.1 Corrections Corrections are used for pre-processed channels – Corrected Inner and Outer; and Sap Flow (kg/hr). Note that data can be post-corrected in ICT DataView. Probe Spacing allows you to set the distance between probes. By default, this is set to 5mm.

  • Page 20: Sd Card Logging Options

    Internal Battery External Supply These record the status of the internal battery and external power supply. Both are enabled by default, and ICT International strongly recommend logging Internal Battery and External Supply as this is useful for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes.

  • Page 21: Install The Sensor

    Remove the sapwood core and stain with an indicator dye. See the SFM1 Manual for more information on measuring the plant. Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

  • Page 22: Attach Installation Guide

    Attach Installation Guide Attach the installation guide to the tree using the 4 anchor pins. For small diameter stems between 10-25mm in diameter it may be necessary to pack the back of the installation guide with a stick to ensure a stable mounting of the guide on the stem.

  • Page 23: Begin Drilling

    Begin Drilling Commence drilling the three holes into the stem using a 1.3mm drill bit. Use a cordless drill on a high RPM setting to get a good clean cutting action. Only drill short increments on each pass (2-3mm). The moist sapwood of the tree will build up in the flutes of the drill bit and will require cleaning.

  • Page 24: Using Spacers

    Spacers can be made from electrical cable sheath stripped from the figure-8 power cable used for charging the SFM1. Use a razor blade to cut all three spacers the same length, with square edges on both sides.

  • Page 25: Greasing The Needles

    Greasing the Needles Prior to inserting the needles, use a small amount of silicon vacuum grease to aid installation and removal of the needles. This helps minimise the cementing action of sap and gums produced by the tree in response to wounding and will help when it comes time for uninstallation.

  • Page 26: Attaching The Sfm1 To The Tree And Installing The Needles

    Attaching the SFM1 to the Tree and Installing the Needles Position the instrument so that a gentle curve in the cable of the measurement needles is created to take the strain off the cables. Fasten the plastic mounting bracket in place using a strap, screws or nails.

  • Page 27: Insulating Needles For Small Diameter Stems

    Insulating Needles for Small Diameter Stems If the needles extend beyond the stem, they should be insulated from direct sunlight, as this will artificially heat the stainless-steel needles. Cable sheath from the figure-8 power cable can be used along with some insulating foam. Cover the full installation with aluminium foil to reflect direct radiation.

  • Page 28: Uninstallation - Removal Of The Needles

    Uninstallation – Removal of the Needles SFM1 needles can be fairly difficult to remove. The key is to be slow and gentle. Grasp the hubs of all three needles and turn them clockwise and anticlockwise alternately. You should feel/hear a cracking as the needles break the bond with the sapwood.

  • Page 29: Downloading Data

    MicroSD card. If you rename the data file a new data file will be started by the SFM1, and the old data file can be retained as a backup. 10.1 Download Data Directly from MicroSD Card The MicroSD card can be removed from the logger and inserted into a MicroSD card reader.
  • Page 30 Open the USB port cap to access the MicroSD card. The card is secured with a spring locking mechanism, push the card in slightly to eject it. Forceps or tweezers can be used to remove and insert the card. Be careful not to drop the MicroSD card inside the logger.

  • Page 31: Analyse Data

    .bin files can be processed and exported from Sap Flow Tool as .csv. .csv files can be opened in ICT DataView for comparison with outer measured parameters, such as stem water potential, solar radiation, VPD, soil moisture, stem circumference, or any range of environmental sensors.
  • Page 32 Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring. www.ictinternational.com sales@ictinternational.com.au Ph: 61 2 6772 6770 Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

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