1. General CB-25 Data Buoy Overview Key Components and Definitions Key Specifications CB-Series Data Buoy Planning & Precautions 2. Buoy Assembly Instrument Installation in CB-25 Data Buoy Cage Installation Sensor Cable Routing M550 Beacon for CB-Series Data Buoys Installation Operation Use of Sacrificial Anodes on CB-Series Data Buoys 3.
1. General CB-25 Data Buoy Overview The CB-25 Data Buoy is a simple, compact platform that integrates the X2-SDLMC Submersible Data Logger for both water and atmospheric observations. The buoy features (3) 1.5″ sensor pass-through ports, an integrated solar tower with (3) 4-watt solar panels, and a topside plate supporting a solar marine light, weather stations, and other environmental sensors.
CB-Series Data Buoy Planning & Precautions Buoy deployments are usually complex operations that involve many elements including sensors, data loggers, mounting hardware and mooring equipment. Careful planning is essential to the success of a buoy project, not only for system operation and data collection but also to ensure the project personnel’s safety and minimize the risk of damage to expensive system components.
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limited to, working on/near water and lifting of heavy equipment. Important factors to consider for personnel safety are: Use of safety equipment (i.e., life jackets, gloves, steel toed boots, etc.,) Proper lifting and mooring techniques Awareness of on-site and surrounding weather conditions and advisories Despite careful planning, unforeseen situations are always still a possibility.
Instrument Installation in CB-25 Data Buoy The CB-25 Data Buoy has a solar tower plate allowing the installation of top-side mounts for GPS units and weather stations. Three 1.5″ sensor pass-through ports and the optional purchase of an EXO cage for the EXOs series of YSI EXO sondes allow for multiple platforms for deploying subsurface water quality sensors.
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2. Use a Philips head screwdriver to remove the internal screws on the solar tower. Solar tower removal. 3. Use a Philips head screwdriver to remove the outside screws holding down the X2-SDLMC. X2-SDLMC removal.
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4. Use the provided bolt, lock washer and castle nut to attach the cage to the buoy frame. a. Insert the bolt through the center hole within the buoy hull. b. Place the black ballast washer between the cage and the bottom buoy plate. Bolt installation and cage connection.
Sensor Cable Routing 1. Route the sensor cables underneath the solar panel opposite the sensor ports. a. Ensure to insert enough cable within the solar tower to avoid tension on the connector. b. The connector should remain in a nearly vertical angle while connected. c.
M550 Beacon for CB-Series Data Buoys NexSens M550 Solar Marine Light is a common accessory added to NexSens CB-Series data buoys up to and including the CB-450. Depending on the configuration, it has a 1-3 nautical mile range and is normally delivered with flange mount hardware, yellow color and default 15 flash/minute pattern (Model M550-F-Y).
Operation The M550 is controlled using an IR programmer that is normally provided with the beacon. programming remote. The IR programmer can be used to perform the following functions: Turn beacon on and off Check the battery pack charge status Change the flash pattern Change the flash intensity...
Use of Sacrificial Anodes on CB-Series Data Buoys Sacrificial zinc anodes are recommended for use on CB-Series data buoys any time they will be used in saltwater environments. This helps to prevent corrosion on the stainless steel frame, as zinc is a more active metal that will be consumed while protecting the stainless steel.
3. Deployment CB-Series Data Buoy Ballast Weight & Stability Ballast weight may be needed to prevent overturning a CB-series buoy system and ensure stability in the water. The center of gravity of NexSens CB-Series buoys is near the water surface without instruments connected.
Top-Side Weight Top-side weight is any weight mounted on the buoy above the water surface or the buoys’ center of gravity. Top-side weight located further from the buoys’ center of gravity will cause greater instability of the buoy. For example, suppose a weather sensor is mounted 36″ above the water surface (Figure 2). In that instance, the sensor mount will cause more buoy instability than mounted 24″...
Ballast Weight Ballast weight is any weight mounted on the buoy below the water surface or the buoys’ center of gravity. Contrary to top-side weight, a ballast weight added further below the surface (Figure 4) will provide a more significant stabilizing effect than the same size weight mounted closer to the surface (Figure 5).
For first-time mooring designers, it is best to include an experienced marine engineer. NexSens Technology supplies mooring hardware to support user-designed systems but does not endorse any particular mooring strategy for any specific application and does not take responsibility for mooring performance or damage resulting from mooring failure.
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1. Catenary Moorings For shallow deployments with minimal wind, wave and current loading, most data buoys utilize catenary moorings. Shallow deployments can be designed with all chain or a combination of heavy bottom chain and light water column chain. Deeper water moorings may need to use a combination of chain and rope. Example catenary mooring deployment with single Example catenary mooring with combination of rope chain for shallow waters.
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Small-buoy catenary moorings Additional surface or subsurface floatation may be required for smaller buoyancy buoy applications where the floatation may not be adequate to support the mooring weight. Extra floatation can also free motion for wave measurement applications or offer additional resistance to horizontal loading. Example small-buoy catenary mooring with subsurface Example small-buoy catenary mooring with surface flotation.
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Horizontal Loading As wind, wave and current loads increase, the buoy is driven away from the anchor and mooring can be pulled taut resulting in the buoy listing to one side. Damage can result with topside equipment and solar panels becoming submerged. Additional surface or subsurface floatation may be required. Depiction of horizontal loading resulting Force diagram representing external forces acting on in buoy listing to one side.
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2. Semi-taut two point moorings For calm, shallow water with limited horizontal loading, semi-taut two point moorings can be utilized. These moorings are useful for suspending sensor lines by pulling the mooring lines free and clear. Rough water, shifting bottom or horizontal loads can tangle two point moorings and lead to chafing and cable failure.
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3. Inverse-catenary (S-shape) moorings Inverse-catenary moorings are often referred to as S-shaped moorings. Floats and weights on the mooring lines create an S-shape, which provides spring action in the water column. Waves and water level changes are easily managed. This mooring type is most common on deep water deployments but has utility in shallow rough water applications.
CB-Series Data Buoy Deployment Tips NexSens Technology supplies mooring hardware to support user-designed systems but does not endorse any particular mooring strategy for any specific application and does not take responsibility for mooring performance or damage resulting from mooring failure.
Shackle connections between the buoy tether line and Shackle connections between the anchor, chain, and marker buoy. water column line. Bow shackles must be properly connected and secured to prevent loosening, especially in rough water conditions. To attach a mooring line, remove the pin from the shackle and run it through the thimble of the mooring line (left image below).
system safely. Buoy systems are heavy, and personnel can quickly become entangled with mooring lines and anchors. Safety and flotation gear should be worn at all times when working on or near the water. Remember to perform a complete system test onshore before deployment. Learning the system’s nuances is better handled onshore or in a lab rather than in the field.
Single-point mooring system on CB-450 data buoy. Two-Point and Three-Point Mooring Deployment 1. Connect all mooring components inside the boat. Stage the components so that they can be lifted over the side of the boat and laid out without becoming entangled. 2.
Planning a Medium-Deep Water Mooring for Small Data Buoys Note: NexSens Technology supplies mooring hardware to support user-designed systems but does not endorse any particular mooring strategy for any specific application and does not take responsibility for mooring performance or damage resulting from mooring failure.
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Determination of mooring line length l While this is only a theoretical calculation which may vary in an actual deployment, especially depending on the physical properties of the mooring line, it can serve as a basis for determining the total mooring line length (also see Mooring Hardware Materials).
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Depiction of horizontal loading resulting Force diagram representing external forces acting on in buoy listing to one side. buoys in natural environments.
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A general principle is that the buoy should be allowed to move somewhat freely with waves and currents rather than attempting to firmly hold it in place at an exact point. How much drift radius can be tolerated must first be determined, and then the total mooring line length can be calculated.
Chains for Controlled Movement vs. Ballast Weight One strategy to provide an adequate potential mooring line length but provide some limitation on the buoy’s free movement is to use a heavy bottom chain as a part of the mooring system. The idea of the heavy bottom chain is that it can be lifted up from the seafloor as the buoy is pushed away from its centerline during rough conditions, yet provide enough resistance to dampen this effect.
System Maintenance A secondary consideration in calculation of mooring line length is serviceability of the instruments deployed. For practicality, it may be desirable to be able to access sensors mounted along the mooring line without having to lift the entire anchor system from its placement. This additionally helps to ensure that the buoy remains stationed at precisely the same location both before and after service.
S-shaped mooring with weight applied to avoid mooring rope coming into contact with sensors. To connect mooring components together, various shackle types may be used. Here, it is important to consider the materials of construction. The internal frame of CB-Series buoys is constructed of Type 316 stainless steel.
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Buoy mooring hardware carefully arranged on deck to avoid tangling. 2. Use the crane to lift the heavy anchor and carefully lower it over the side of the vessel at the deployment site. Use the winch to hold the mooring rope such that the release is controlled throughout.
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3. After drawing the wire of the crane back to its original parked position, begin slowly paying out the mooring line using the winch. Before the anchor touches the seafloor, there is the possibility to make fine adjustments to the mooring location by carefully navigating the vessel, being sure to avoid tangling of the mooring line with the motor.
12 months from the date of delivery to the original customer. This warranty is limited to the replacement or repair of such defects, without charge, when the product is returned to NexSens Technology, Inc. Damage due to accidents, misuse, tampering, lack of reasonable care, loss of parts, failure to perform prescribed maintenance, or accidents of nature are not covered.
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