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Related Manuals for Spectrum Technologies Field Scout TDR 350
Summary of Contents for Spectrum Technologies Field Scout TDR 350
- Page 1 TDR 350 Soil Moisture Meter PRODUCT MANUAL Item # 6435...
- Page 2 General overview Thank you for purchasing the FieldScout TDR 350 soil moisture meter. This manual describes the meter's general features and operation. Soil moisture is a critical, and potentially highly varia- ble, component of the soil environment. Time domain reflectometry is a proven technology for quickly and accurately determining volumetric water content (VWC) in soil.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
CONTENTS General Overview Specifications Product Dimensions Meter Care Button Functions Meter Operation Display Screens Setting Date/Time GNSS (Location) Settings GNSS Location: Features, Use, and Optimization Data Logs Field Scout Mobile App/SpecConnect FieldScout Mobile App: Setup and Use Maintenance VWC Measurements Electrical Conductivity Optional Accessories Appendix 1: Soil Specific Reading Correlation... -
Page 4: Specifications
Specifications Measurement Percent volumetric water content (VWC) Units Period (raw sensor reading) Electrical Conductivity (EC) in milliSiemens per centimeter Resolution, VWC: 0.1% increment ±3.0% @ < 2 mS/cm Accuracy and 0% to Saturation (Saturation is typically around Range 50% volumetric water) EC: 0.01 increment ;... -
Page 5: Product Dimensions
Product dimensions... -
Page 6: Meter Care
Meter Care The FieldScout TDR meter will function properly under normal conditions experienced in field use. The sensor block is sealed and will not be damaged by immersion in water. The display is not waterproof so it should not be used during heavy rainfall or left exposed during irrigation events. -
Page 7: Button Functions
Button Functions ON/OFF | BACK button Press briefly to power on. − Press and hold to power on and stay on the startup − screen. Press for 2 seconds to power off. − Press briefly within a menu to return to prior −... -
Page 8: Meter Operation
Meter Operation Probe base, thumb screw, and probe rods Setting up the meter 1. Pull the clear battery transport tab out of the display unit. 2. If desired, extend the collapsible shaft by removing the thumb screw (shown above) from the side, grip and extend the lower shaft to its new position, re-insert the thumb screw, and hand tighten. -
Page 9: Display Screens
Display Screens The TDR 350 has 3 main display screens: - Startup (as shown on page 7) - Reading (shown below) - Settings Menu (see page 10) Startup Information screen Initially displayed after first powered on. - Displays model, serial number and firmware version. - Press and hold ON/OFF|BACK button to remain on this screen. - Page 10 Settings Menu screen Used for changing device features, setting rod length, and work- ing with log files. Use the arrow buttons to move to the desired option. Use the MENU|SELECT button to toggle option choices. Clear Average*: Clears the displayed average and count. Note: Same as a press and hold of the READ|Down arrow button.
- Page 11 Moisture Type: Selects displayed moisture mode VWC%, Peri- od, or TDR 300. - VWC%: Volumetric Water Content with EC compensation. - Period: Raw sensor reading in microseconds (us). - TDR 300: VWC without EC compensation EC Units: EC value (mS/cm) or Salinity Index (see p. 25). Auto-Off: Power off delay: 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes.
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Page 12: Setting Date/Time
Setting Date/Time By default, the TDR350 gets the date and time from the satellite signal. These values are displayed in the Settings Menu (p. 11). The date and time can also be set manually. When the time and date are set manually, they will over-ride the default value. Note: When the batteries are removed, the date/time are reset and the meter resumes getting this information from the satel- lites. -
Page 13: Gnss (Location) Settings
GNSS (location) Settings GNSS Location adds the ability to log global position coordinates with measurements to aid in irrigation mapping of crops and turf greens. Lo- cation references are stored with the measurement in the data log and can be uploaded to the cloud through the SpecConnect FieldScout Mo- bile App option (pages 20, 26). -
Page 14: Gnss Location: Features, Use And Optimization
GNSS Location: Features, Use and Optimization When enabled, the GNSS Location feature provides active location ref- erencing information to aid in measurement mapping. HDoP: Actively transitions from a high to low value as the level of precision improves. It may increase in value if conditions degrade. Val- ues typically range between 9.99 to as low as 0.2. - Page 15 Initial Use: During the first three days of use, the meter’s GNSS receiver will build an internal satellite record used for tracking and accuracy. Accuracy during this time may appear low, will depend upon the accuracy of available satellite systems, and can vary to within 10 meters. After the third use, the satellite record will be complete;...
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Page 16: Data Logs
Data Logs Downloading Data Logs to a USB Flash Drive 1. Remove the protective dust cover from the USB port. 2. Connect the flash drive to the meter’s USB port. Note: A USB cable is not required or recommended. 3. Press the MENU|SELECT button to open the Settings Menu. 4. - Page 17 VWC%: Volumetric Water Content based on the Moisture Type setting - EC Compensated or “TDR 300” (without EC compensation) Period: Raw Period result (after any applied user calibration) EC: Electrical Conductivity in milliSiemens per centimeter Temp_Soil: Soil temperature sensor reading in degrees Celsius Temp_Soil(F): Soil temperature sensor reading in degrees Fahrenheit Temp_IR: InfraRed soil temperature sensor reading in degrees Celsius (if equipped)
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Page 18: Field Scout Mobile App/Specconnect
Field Scout Mobile App/ SpecConnect The FieldScout Mobile App can be used to view measurement results directly on your mobile device and send data directly to the Spec- Connect web interface. Data can be viewed on a Smartphone in two formats: Basic Grid mode - Available with or without SpecConnect subscrip- tion. - Page 19 Fig. 3. 2-D Mapped Readings and Contour Plot in SpecConnect Fig. 4. Trend Report...
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Page 20: Fieldscout Mobile App: Setup And Use
FieldScout Mobile App: Setup and use At any time, tap the App’s menu icon to view or edit options. 1. Enable the TDR’s Bluetooth and GNSS options. 2. Open the FieldScout mobile app. 3. Enter the SpecConnect username and password to send meas- urements to the cloud account or tap Use FieldScout Basic to start grid mode 4. - Page 21 10. Confirm that the meter you are using appears at the top of the screen. Tap a zone to bring up the Take Reading screen. 11. Press the READ button on the TDR and the measurement data will appear on the mobile device. Note: Although the device appears in the app, it may not appear on the phone's list of Bluetooth devices.
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Page 22: Maintenance
Maintenance Separating the Display and Sensor: 1. Remove the probe rods from the sensor base. 2. Flip the display so the backing plate is facing up. 3. Remove the 4 screws on the base using a Philips screwdriver. 4. Gently separate the display from the base plate. Note: The sensor cable connected in the center has limited cable length. - Page 23 Display Installation: 1. If previously removed, re-connect the sensor cable to the 3.5mm connector on the back of the display module. 2. Insert the foam spacer back into place behind the sensor cable. The split end fits around the sensor cable molding. 3.
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Page 24: Vwc Measurements
VWC Measurements Volumetric Water Content (VWC) The ratio of the volume of water in a given volume of soil to the total soil volume expressed as a decimal or a percentage. Three soil moisture levels of most importance can be defined as follows: Saturation: All soil pores are filled with water. -
Page 25: Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Conductivity Electrical Conductivity The FieldScout TDR uses EC readings obtained from the same probes used to measure VWC. To improve the VWC measurement accuracy, EC is factored out of the VWC reading. This is a key advantage over its pre- decessor. -
Page 26: Optional Accessories
Optional Accessories There are optional items that can be used to expand the capabilities of the TDR350. Visit www.specmeters.com for more information and installation instructions. Infrared Temperature Sensor (item 6435TS) Provides an instantaneous and highly accurate tempera- ture reading as an alternative to the existing surface tem- perature sensor. -
Page 27: Appendix 1: Soil Specific Reading Correlation
Appendix 1: Soil-Specific Reading Correlation To improve accuracy, correlate TDR period readings with a soil-specific sample set. VWC data can be correlated by measuring the weight of a known volume of saturated soil as it is gradually dried, by gradually wetting a known volume soil with measured increments of water, or by using a neutron probe. -
Page 28: Appendix 2: Troubleshooting
Appendix 2 Troubleshooting Verifying operation: The meter should read a measurement of 0% VWC with clean rods raised in the air. Test measurements should be made using distilled water, not well or municipal tap water, in a container at least 3” (7.6 cm) wide and deep enough to submerge the full length of the sensor rods up to the sen- sor base. -
Page 29: Appendix 3: Updating Device Firmware
Appendix 3: Updating Device Firmware Firmware updates may be made available to add or improve the product features. The firmware can be updated using a USB flash drive. Firmware update files can be found on the Spectrum web- site. 1. Copy the latest firmware update from your PC onto the root directory of the flash drive. -
Page 30: Appendix 4: Calibration
Appendix 4: Calibration The FieldScout TDR is fully calibrated at the factory. Further calibration is not required nor recommended. The meter has internal calibrations that will work for many soil types. Each meter will have a small difference in how it responds to identical soil conditions. This can be due to air being introduced while measuring, bent probes, loose probes, sensor drift or component tolerances. -
Page 31: Glossary
Glossary EC: Electrical Conductivity. A measure of soil electrical conduction in milli-Siemens. The EC is influenced by the amount of salt and water in the soil. EGNOS: (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) Pan- European satellite navigation system. It augments the US GPS satellite navigation system and makes it suitable for safety critical applications. -
Page 32: Ce Declaration Of Conformity
In accordance with European Parliament and Council Decision No. 768/2008/EC Annex III we, Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a corporation validly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, having its principal place of business at 3600 Thayer Court, Aurora... - Page 33 conditions for Short-Range Devices EN 301 489-17 v3.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17 (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BGM113A-V1 or BGM13P where used) EN 301 489-17 V3.2.4; 2020-09 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17: Spe- cific conditions for Broadband Data Transmission Systems EN 301 489-19 V2.1.1;...
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Page 34: Declaration Of Conformity
UK Declaration of Conformity (DoC) #20210118_2 In accordance with BS EN ISO/IEC 17050-1:2010 we, Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a corporation validly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, having its principal place of business at 3600 Thayer Court, Aurora IL 60504 USA... - Page 35 EN 301 489-3 V2.1.1; 2019-03 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 3: Specific conditions for Short-Range Devices EN 301 489-17 v3.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17 (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BGM113A-V1 or BGM13P where used) EN 301 489-17 V3.2.4;...
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Page 36: Fcc, Ised And Other Regulatory Information
Unique Identifier: FieldScout Soil Moisture Meter 6435 TDR-350, 6250 TDR-250, 6445 TDR-150 Responsible Party – U.S. Contact Information Spectrum Technologies, Inc., 3600 Thayer Ct. Aurora IL 60504 Phone: (800) 248-8873 or (815) 436-4440 Fax (815) 436-4460 E-Mail: info@specmeters.com Web: www.specmeters.com Directive/Standard: FCC Part 15: 2020: Emissions for Unintentional Radiators for USA (ANSI C63.4:2014) - Page 37 Proper Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment This symbol when found on the product or packaging indicates that this product shall not be treated as common waste and that an effort to recycle materials should be made or may be required. Disposal of used and depleted electrical &...
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Page 39: Warranty
Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. During the warranty period Spectrum will, at its option, either repair or replace products that prove to be defective. This warranty does not cover damage due to improper installation or use, light- ning, negligence, accident, or unauthorized modifications, or to incidental or consequential damages beyond the Spectrum product. - Page 40 3600 Thayer Ct. Aurora IL 60504 (800) 248-8873 or (815) 436-4440 Fax (815) 436-4460 E-Mail: info@specmeters.com www.specmeters.com Rev L - 06/2021...
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