Sea-Bird Scientific SBE 38 User Manual

Digital oceanographic thermometer

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SBE 38 Digital Oceanographic

Document No.

SBE38

Release Date:

2023-08-30

Version:

Firmware:

2.0.0

User manual

Thermometer

425-643-9866

seabird.com

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Summary of Contents for Sea-Bird Scientific SBE 38

Page 1 User manual SBE 38 Digital Oceanographic Thermometer Document No. SBE38 Release Date: 2023-08-30 Version: Firmware: 2.0.0 425-643-9866 seabird.com...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Section 1 Safety information ......................3 1.1 Hazard information........................3 1.2 Equipment labels.......................... 3 Section 2 SBE 38 quick start guide ....................5 Section 3 Specifications ........................7 3.1 Mechanical........................... 7 3.1.1 Bulkhead connector......................7 3.1.2 Dimensions..........................7 3.2 Analytical ............................ 7 3.3 Electrical .............................
Page 4 Table of Contents...
Page 5: Section 1 Safety Information
Section 1 Safety information Please read this entire manual before this equipment is unpacked, set up, or operated. Pay attention to all danger, warning, and caution statements. Failure to do so could result in serious injury to the operator or damage to the equipment. D A N G E R Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Page 6 Safety information...
Page 7: Section 2 Sbe 38 Quick Start Guide
Section 2 SBE 38 quick start guide This quick start guide gives the steps necessary to make sure that the SBE 38 sensor operates correctly and collects data before it is deployed. This quick start guide and user manual applies to both RS232 and RS485 models.
Page 8 SBE 38 quick start guide...
Page 9: Section 3 Specifications
Section 3 Specifications 3.1 Mechanical Material Titanium Depth rating 10,500 m Weight in air, water 0.9, 0.5 kg 3.1.1 Bulkhead connector Contact Function MCBH4MP Ground RS232 or RS485A RX RS232 or RS485B TX Voltage in 3.1.2 Dimensions 3.2 Analytical Range -5 to 35 °C Accuracy ±0.001 °C (1 mK)
Page 10: Electrical
Specifications 3.3 Electrical External power RS232: 8–15 VDC @ 15 mA avg RS485 half duplex: 8–15 VDC @ 10 mA avg Current draw, data collection RS232: 6.3 mA @ 12 V (navg=1) RS485: 3.5 mA @ 12 V (navg=30) Current draw, low power RS232: 6.2 mA @ 12 V (navg=1) RS485: 3.5 mA @ 12 V (navg=30) Baud rates...
Page 11: Section 4 Set Up Sensor And Verify Operation
Seasave and SBE Data Processing software can be used to see and process the entire data stream when the SBE 38 is used with the SBE 21, SBE 45, or SBE 16 or 19plus V2. If the SBE 38 is used with the SBE 25plus, data cannot be seen in real-time.
Page 12: Cable Length And External Power
4. In the Communications menu, select Options/cycle baud when connecting. 5. Select Connect. The software tries to connect to the SBE 38 at the baud rate set in Step 3.b. If it cannot, it will try all other possible baud rates to try to connect. When it connects, the display will show SBE 38 V 2.0.0 S/N xxxx then S>.
Page 13 Set up sensor and verify operation Example 1: What is the maximum cable length that can supply power to the SBE 38 with 18 gauge wire? Is the cable length the limiter at 1200 baud? ÷ I = 1 V ÷ 0.015 A = 67 ohms...
Page 14 0.5 volts = 0.015 amps × (0.0064 ohms/foot × cable length) Cable length = 5208 ft (1588 m). Note that 1588 m > 800 m, the maximum distance SBE 38 can transmit data at 1200 baud, so the IR loss does not limit the distance.
Page 15: Section 5 Deployment And Recovery
To stop the SBE 38, push Enter, then send Stop, or remove power to the sensor. Make sure to flush the SBE 38 with fresh water, then dry, and attach the dummy plug and lock collar.
Page 16 Deployment and recovery...
Page 17: Section 6 Maintenance
Section 6 Maintenance W A R N I N G If the user thinks that a sensor has water in the pressure housing: Disconnect the sensor from any power supply. Put on safety glasses and make sure that the sensor is pointed away from the body and other people.
Page 18: Examine O-Rings
Attaches to end flange to protect temperature sensor 30931 O-ring, Parker 2-214 N674-70 Install in end flange groove 801263 MCIL4FS to DB9S I/O cable with battery snap, from SBE 38 to PC 2.4 m 171398.1 MCIL4FS dummy plug and lock collar Bulkhead connector protection...
Page 19: Section 7 Command Reference
To capture real-time data to a file, select Capture on the toolbar in the software and enter a file name. Do this before you start data collection. • If the voltage drops below 6.5 volts for ten consecutive scans during data collection, the SBE 38 stops and sets the status to low battery •...
Page 20: Rs485 Commands
#ii #iiIDReq=N do not use #ii before a command to a single sensor. use this setting when there is only one SBE 38 IDReq=N does require #ii but subsequent commands to any sensor do not require #ii ID (used when only on SBE 38 is online) show SBE38 ID, where ID = ii, and ii is 0–99, and whether ID is required before commands to a single sensor...
Page 21: Section 8 Change Interface
Section 8 Change interface The SBE 38 ships from the manufacturer with a user-specified RS232 or RS485 interface. Do the steps below to change RS232 to RS485, or RS485 to RS232. 1. Make sure that the sensor is dry and remove any water that may be in the seam between the pressure housing and the end flange.
Page 22 12. If possible, use dry gas such as Argon to fill the electronics housing. This helps to prevent condensation. 13. If it is not possible to fill the SBE 38 with dry gas, wait at least 24 hours to deploy the SBE 38 so the desiccant removes any moisture inside the sensor.
Page 23: Section 9 General Information
Section 9 General information Revised editions of this user manual are on the manufacturer's website. 9.1 Warranty Refer to the manufacturer's website for warranty information (seabird.com/warranty). 9.2 Service and support The manufacturer recommends that sensors be sent back to the manufacturer annually to be cleaned, calibrated, and for standard maintenance.
Page 24 General information...