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MinosX User Manual Version 1.88 13 April 2017...
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Revision History Revision Date Description Author Version 1.2 26 February 2013 Added Turbidity•Xchange information, Supported Sensor Configurations Dustin Olender Version 1.3 5 June 2013 Edited to match format of other manuals Jehan Zouak Version 1.4 26 August 2013 Minor edits Jehan Zouak Version 1.5 16 July 2014...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Table of Contents General Description of the Instrument ......................2 Where Do I Start? ............................3 Shipping & Receiving ............................4 Receiving an Instrument ..........................4 Returning an Instrument to the Factory ...................... 4 Using the Instrument ............................
• All calibration and traceability data resides within each Xchange™ sensor. Calibration data for all sensors is available from the instrument, and calibration certificates can be printed from AML Oceanographic SeaCast software when the instrument is connected. • Logged data is stamped with sensor traceability and instrument configuration data.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Where Do I Start? AML Oceanographic X•Series instruments are shipped with several manuals on the USB stick: • An instrument manual (this Minos•X manual) providing an overview on how to use and maintain the instrument;...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Shipping & Receiving Receiving an Instrument When receiving an instrument, perform the following steps to ensure the instrument will be ready for deployment when required: • Inspect the shipping container, looking for signs of damage. Damage to the shipping container could indicate damage to the instrument inside.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Using the Instrument Pressure Ratings Pressure ratings are given for Xchange™ sensors and the entire instrument. Deployments should never exceed the lower of these two pressure ratings. For example, a 500m instrument equipped with a 6000 dBar (0-6000m) P•Xchange sensor is limited to deployments of 500m depth or less.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Primary Xchange™ mount blanking plug Secondary Xchange™ mount blanking plug Supported Sensor Configurations Secondary Port Primary Port T•Xchange™ C•Xchange™ P•Xchange™ CT•Xchange™ Tu•Xchange™ SV•Xchange™ Minos•X with cage removed and blanking plugs installed. The P1S2 version shown above has one primary and two secondary sensor ports.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X LED Indicator The LED indicator is located next to the data/power connector on the instrument’s top endcap. • The LED indicator will be on whenever the data/power cable is plugged into the instrument. • The LED indicator will turn on when the red shorting plug is inserted into the instrument.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Configuring Sampling Parameters using SeaCast SeaCast is free software provided for use with AML Oceanographic instruments. It can be used to set up an instrument for profiling or monitoring data, as well as downloading, graphing, and exporting the collected data.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Using SeaCast Refer to the SeaCast User Manual for instructions on enabling "Zero Depth." Using a Terminal Emulator • Establish serial communications with the instrument on your computer. Refer to the Communications section of this manual for more information.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X • Plug the data/power cable into the instrument. If you power the instrument externally over a long cable, please note the following: o Voltage drop due to cable resistance increases with cable length. The voltage drop on a standard AML cable, with a standard Minos•X, is about 2 volts per 100m of...
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X 2 File(s) listed >dump data.txt [cast header] InstrumentSN=08221 Date=02/24/10 Time=14:45:10.55 PressureOffset=0.09 UsePressureOffset=yes Slot1Sensor1=SV-C.Xchange SV.X SN 131197 01/22/10 Slot2Sensor1=P-T.Xchange P.X SN 145721 08/21/09 T.X SN 400048 11/17/09 [Data] 02/24/10 14:45:10.66 1474.313 0000.015 17.447 008.18 00.034 0998.724 02/24/10 14:45:10.69 1474.334 0000.015 17.449 008.20 00.046 0998.733...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Maintaining the Instrument Periodic Maintenance Periodic preventative maintenance will prolong the life of the instrument. The following steps are recommended: • If the instrument is very dirty or oily, allow it to soak in warm, soapy water before cleaning with a rag or soft brush.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X discharge curve for a Minos•X sampling continuously with a full sensor load (SV•Xchange, P•Xchange, and T•Xchange) is shown below. Charging the Lithium-Ion Batteries • Ensure the instrument is dry. • Plug the data cable into the instrument.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X • It is possible to use the instrument while charging the battery, however, instrument use causes the power consumption to fluctuate which can confuse the charger and cause it to stop charging prematurely. The charger monitors the charging power to detect when the battery is charged;...
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Charging the spare battery • Dry the instrument. • Open the battery compartment on the instrument. o Remove the three ¼-20 cap screws in the instrument using a 3/16 inch hex driver. o Grasp the shackle bar and slowly wiggle the end cap out of the instrument until it reaches the soft stop.
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X o Undo the Velcro retainer, remove the battery pack, and disconnect the battery connector. o Connect the new battery connector. Ensure the correct polarity. The latch on the connector will engage.
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X o Place the battery pack into the holder and secure the Velcro strap. Tuck the battery connector into the endcap. Re-insert the endcap into the instrument. DO NOT twist the endcap more than ¼...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Communications PC Settings Minos•X will communicate with both RS-232 and RS-485 serial connections. The computer to which the instrument is connected must be set up as follows: • 8 bits • 1 stop bit •...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X The default data channel outputs with all calculated parameters turned on are the following: SV, P, T sensors Date Time Sound velocity Pressure Temperature Battery Density Salinity mm/dd/yy hh:mm:ss.ss dbar volts kg/m SV,P, Turbidity sensors...
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X StartupDelay=10 DisplayHeader=yes StartupMode=prompt CharacterReception=yes LoggingBreakMode=no DetectionMode=A5 BatteryACoefficient=+3.500000E-01 BatteryBCoefficient=+2.500000E-02 ShutDownVoltage=6.5 WarningVoltage=7.2 PressureOffset=0.00 UsePressureOffset=no SoundVelocityThreshold=1375.00 DelimterMode=Space SensorDetectionMode=Once Traceability=yes SkipPowerOff=no [Slot 1] SensorName=SV-C.Xchange SV.X SN 131197 01/22/10 BoardSN=65535 [Slot 2] SensorName=P-T.Xchange P.X SN 145721 08/21/09 T.X SN 400048 11/17/09 BoardSN=65535 >...
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Date=02/24/10 Time=14:45:21.85 PressureOffset=0.09 UsePressureOffset=yes Slot1Sensor1=SV-C.Xchange SV.X SN 131197 01/22/10 Slot2Sensor1=P-T.Xchange P.X SN 145721 08/21/09 T.X SN 400048 11/17/09 [Data] 02/24/10 14:45:21.92 1474.309 -0000.019 17.598 008.20 00.000 0998.671 02/24/10 14:45:21.95 1474.308 0000.019 17.451 008.20 00.017 0998.711...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Support Troubleshooting Instrument fails to communicate: • Is the connector damaged? • Check the cables o Is the data/power cable connected to the instrument and computer? o Are there any cuts in the cable? o If using a cable other than an AML cable, it should be configured as a null modem cable.
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X ▪ If the indicator does not light up, the instrument is not operating correctly. Continue with the remaining troubleshooting items. • Allow at least two sample periods for the instrument to detect that it is immersed.
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X SeaCast fails to recognize a sensor: • Be sure to download the latest version of SeaCast. o Turbidity•Xchange requires SeaCast version 3.0 or greater for full functionality. SV•Xchange data does not match CTD-calculated SV: •...
Customer Portal My AML Oceanographic is AML's online data centre. This secure area within our website is designed to offer one easy location for interested individuals and organizations - distributors, customers, prospects, and other members of our community - to manage their interactions with AML. My AML...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Appendices Commands When using SeaCast, the full command set is not usually necessary. However, text commands are available. Below is a listing of commonly used commands. Note that some commands are only available on instruments equipped with the applicable Xchange™...
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Output Format Commands Command Description Requires DISPLAY SCAN Displays current scan options. SET SCAN NOBAT Turns the battery channel off. SET SCAN BAT Turns the battery channel on. C•X, T•X, and P•X, SET SCAN NODENSITY Turns the calculated density channel off.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Logging Commands Command Description Requires SET SCAN LOGGING Enables simultaneous logging and real-time output. If real- time logging in air is desired, set instrument conductivity threshold and sound velocity and pressure increments to zero.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Technical Specifications Calculated Parameters Accuracy Type Required Sensors Equation Range Salinity C•X, T•X, P•X TEOS10 ±0.010 psu 0 to 42 psu Salinity (from SV) SV•X, T•X, P•X AML ‘07 ±0.035 ppt 0 to 42 ppt Density C•X, T•X, P•X...
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Current Draw at 12VDC Primary Sensor Secondary Sensor Secondary Sensor Current Draw (mA) C•X* SV•X T•X P•X Tu•X C•X T•X SV•X T•X C•X P•X SV•X Tu•X SV•X P•X T•X C•X T•X P•X SV•X T•X P•X...
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User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Bulkhead Connectors Type Status Pins Material Manufacturer Bulkhead Delrin housings Micro 8 Female SS316 Subconn Bulkhead Titanium housings Micro 8 Female Titanium Subconn Sampling Capabilities • Frequency o Time: Sample rates from 25 per second to 1 per 24 hours o Pressure: Specific pressure increments in 0.01 dbar steps...
AML Oceanographic. The warranty of third party sensors will apply as per the specific vendor’s warranty policy. The warranty does not apply if the instrument has been damaged, by accident or misuse, and is void if repairs or modifications are made by other than authorized personnel.
User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos•X Technical Overview Drawings...
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PDC-MNX-P1S2-10 9.14 .360 • 1 slot for an SV, C, or CT•Xchange sensors • 2 slots for P, T, or Tu•Xchange sensors SHACKLE THICKNESS 316 Stainless Steel Protective Cage 10.8 .390 R.43 Shorting Plug AML No: PLG-H0009-1 Status Indicator Window NOTES: 23.5 1.
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9.14 PDC-MNX-P2S1-60 .360 SHACKLE • 2 slots for SV, C, or CT•Xchange sensors THICKNESS • 1 slot for P or T•Xchange 10.8 .390 R.43 23.5 18.7 NOTES: 1. Dimensions in Inches [Millimeters] 2. Sensor shown equipped with SV•Xchange, CT•Xchange, and P•Xchange for a SVCTD configuration.
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External Power + 9-pin "D" Connector Minos Electronics EXT PWR Signal: Tx(232) or A(485) Green Signal: Rx(232) or B(485) White PWR/COMM Ground Black Brown Charger + Charger + Blue Power switch OUT Screen Power switch IN COMM Power IN External Power GND Communication/Charging Connector for Cable Assembly...
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