Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel
Summary of Contents for Chelonia F-POD
- Page 1 Chelonia Limited Wildlife Acoustic Monitoring F-POD User Guide CHELONIA...
- Page 2 POD, TAD, T-POD, C-POD, F-POD, LF-POD, DeepC-POD and DeepF-POD are trademarks of Chelonia Limited. Chelonia Limited and the Chelonia logo are registered trademarks of Chelonia Limited. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2008-2020 Chelonia Limited. All rights reserved.
-
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Buoys ....................11 Towing ....................12 Setting up F-PODs for deployment ............13 Setup options ................... 13 Opening the F-POD .................. 13 Internal parts ..................13 Installing batteries..................14 Starting the F-POD ................... 15 Checking the POD starts, runs and stops ..........16 Closing the POD .................. - Page 4 Opening the F-POD after deployment ............19 Stopping the POD..................19 Redeploying the F-POD immediately ............20 Downloading your data ................21 Files on the SD card ................. 21 Multiple deployment data..............21 Error report ..................21 Data files ....................21 Connecting the SD card to a PC...............
-
Page 5: Introduction
▪ there is an opportunity to integrate data from different projects over wide geographical areas. The F-POD click data are stored on an SD card in the POD. After deployment, the data are downloaded from the SD card onto a PC and are then analysed using the supplied F-POD PC app. -
Page 6: Checking Parts
The F-POD consists of a polypropylene casing with hydrophone housing at one end and a removable lid at the other end. F-PODs are very robust, but be careful not to drop the F-POD or subject it to hard knocks, as this might interrupt the power supply. -
Page 7: Sd Cards
Two 32 GB micro SD cards and adapters are supplied with each POD. No setup is required – all the setup information for the F-POD is already in the POD. When the POD is deployed, it writes click data to the SD card. -
Page 8: Software Installation
The F-POD app is used to analyse and automatically identify the presence of cetaceans by detecting the trains of ultrasonic echo-location clicks they produce. The app can also be used to compare F-POD and C-POD data. The installation procedure consists of downloading files from the Chelonia web site. -
Page 9: Planning Your Deployments
SD card will take to fill up, based on existing data. See the F-POD Software Guide. ▪ To extend deployment time, the F-POD can be set to record data intermittently: 1 minute in 2, 1 minute in 5 or 1 minute in 10. See the F-POD Software Guide. -
Page 10: Moorings
▪ Do not use buoys. Use a line between two anchors that can be located via GPS using a grapple. ▪ Use pop-ups. These are commercially available acoustic releases. However, currently they are very expensive. F-POD U UIDE... -
Page 11: Mooring Lines
However, make sure the float will not be collapsed by the water pressure. F-POD U UIDE... -
Page 12: Towing
Towing a long way behind a yacht might give a usable way of filling weather-gaps in survey data for porpoises, and crude dolphin-encounter data. F-POD U UIDE... -
Page 13: Setting Up F-Pods For Deployment
6 and 7, so that you are confident with the operating procedures. Setup options The F-POD app allows you change the following setup options: • using different types of battery •... -
Page 14: Installing Batteries
For most purposes, alkaline D-cells are recommended. See Calculating the maximum deployment time on page 9 more information. F-POD buoyancy varies with total cell weight. Positive buoyancy is approximately 0.7 kg with alkaline D-cells and 1.2 kg with lithium batteries. -
Page 15: Starting The F-Pod
Starting the F-POD 1. Fit the battery pack connector spring as shown above. 2. Use one of the 32 GB micro SD cards provided by Chelonia. If one is not available, any blank micro SD card up 32 GB can be used. -
Page 16: Checking The Pod Starts, Runs And Stops
10 deployment data files on the card. Remove the SD card, delete any files on it and try again. The F-POD has an accurate internal clock that has been set to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and the left LED will now briefly flash green every minute and continue to flash if there is data to be written to the SD card, e.g. - Page 17 To restore the crystals, place the bag in an oven and heat at 120°C for two hours. 3. Align the lid and housing carefully and begin screwing them together until the visible O-ring is beginning to be compressed. The strap wrench shown here is not essential. F-POD U UIDE...
- Page 18 The POD is now ready for deployment. F-POD U UIDE...
-
Page 19: Retrieving F-Pods
▪ a waterproof marker pen to write contact details on the POD housing ▪ any tools for your attachment method ▪ a splash-proof box for this kit Opening the F-POD after deployment When you retrieve an F-POD: 1. Use a plastic scraper to clean off any heavy fouling. -
Page 20: Redeploying The F-Pod Immediately
8. Remove the batteries and note which stack each one comes from. Redeploying the F-POD immediately If you want to redeploy the F-POD immediately: 1. Check that the spare SD card has no files on it. 2. Insert the spare SD card into the card holder. -
Page 21: Downloading Your Data
Multiple deployment data If you run an F-POD using an SD card that already has F-POD data on it, the POD saves the new data files using a different naming format. If the SD card is large enough, you can run an F-POD up to 10 times without deleting the previous data files. -
Page 22: Connecting The Sd Card To A Pc
4. Click on the Read SD tab. Copying data from the SD card To copy data from an F-POD SD card: 1. On the Read SD page, enter location information that the app will use to append to the data file name. -
Page 23: Resetting The Internal Clock
6. Locate the FPOD data folder where you should store your F-POD data files and click Save. Tip: If you save all your F-POD data files in the same folder, it's easier to batch process files using the app. FPOD.exe extracts any data in the .CHE file(s) and creates corresponding data files: F_DATA0.CHE →... - Page 24 To check the clock: 1. Run the POD for at least 2 minutes. 2. Stop the POD and note the stop time. 3. Download the data and check that the data stop time matches your clock time. F-POD U UIDE...
-
Page 25: Analysing Your Data
If you send us a copy of your F-POD data, we will, in return, provide brief feedback on the quality of your datasets free of charge. Any data you send us will be kept in complete confidence. -
Page 26: Maintenance
▪ If you are in any doubt about the state of the O-rings, replace them with new ones. A spare set of O-rings is supplied with new PODs. Replacements are available from Chelonia Limited. Transducer housing Bio-fouling or contamination with grease or paint can be removed using the kind of abrasive pads and preparations used for cleaning cooking utensils. -
Page 27: Storage
O-rings and any mooring lines. If you are storing PODs in a dry place, leave them open. If you are storing PODs in a damp place, store them closed, with active silica gel packs inside. F-POD U UIDE... -
Page 28: 10 Troubleshooting
10 Troubleshooting Can I use any SD card in an F-POD? ▪ The F-POD is designed to run using any blank micro SD card up to 32 GB capacity. When I start the POD, only one blue LED lights brightly There is a problem with a battery stack. - Page 29 F-POD U UIDE...
- Page 30 F-POD U UIDE...
- Page 31 F-POD U UIDE...
- Page 32 Chelonia Limited Wildlife Acoustic Monitoring The Barkhouse, North Cliff, Mousehole, Penzance, TR19 6PH, UK Tel: +44 (0)1736 732462 Email: team@chelonia.co.uk Web: www.chelonia.co.uk Company Registered in UK, no. 5472768...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the F-POD and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers