GENERAL QUESTIONS MARINE MEASUREMENTS WATER RESOURCES
NAVIGATION PRODUCT REPAIRS
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GENERAL QUESTIONS
My WH ADCP is lying on its side and it fails the H/W Test in the PA test. What is wrong?
The H/W Test expects the WH ADCP to be oriented within the operational range of the tilt sensors. With the ADCP lying on its side, the H/W Test will always fail.
I sent an ADCP in for repair and was wondering when it might be done?
Our Customer Service Administrators will routinely keep you abreast of the expected ship date of your ADCP. Inquiries as to the status of a repair for which you have an RMA number should be sent via email to [email protected]. Please include the RMA number in the email (preferably the subject line).
I just tried to turn on my ADCP and it won't communicate, what do I do?
Remember that there are many reasons that an ADCP won't communicate. The problem could be cable connections, power issues, or even the PC you are using. All ADCP technical manuals (available at this site or with the CD that came with your ADCP) include sections on basic troubleshooting that will help walk you through the first steps of determining what may be wrong. If after using the troubleshooting guide you are still stuck, feel free to contact Field Service at [email protected] or by phone (858-842-2700).
How do I calculate/set the Range to first bin?
The formula for Range to first bin (technically to the center of the first bin) is as follows:
Range To Bin One = blank dist+1/2(bin size + xmit length + lag). Blank distance (WF command) and Bin size (WS command) is user settable, or accepted as factory default. Lag length and transmit length are a function of the Bin Size (WS command), and the Ambiguity Velocity setting (WV command). There is no published formula to predict these values. We recommend that the user use Teledyne RDI's PlanADCP software to determine the Range to the first bin. For data that has already been collected, transmit length and lag length are contained in the Leader data. These can be checked in Teledyne RDI's WinADCP software under the Utilities, File Details menu option. In order to set the distance to the first bin, only the blank distance should be altered. Changing the bin size will affect the standard deviation of the data. Reducing the blank distance can increase the chance of ringing in the data.
I did all the built-in 'P-tests' in water but I cannot get a PASS with PC1.
PC1 is the only 'P-test' which must be done in air. PA, PT2, PT3, PT4, PT5, PT6, PT7, PT10x (x=2-to-7), and PT200 tests MUST be performed with the transducer head submerged in water - a bucket of water is sufficient as long as the Beams/Ceramics are submerged. PC1 will not PASS in water.
I've done the PC1 (Rub beam) test many times and it keeps failing. Is my ADCP broken?
Your ADCP is likely not broken. The PC1 test is designed to measure relative noise in the environment and then have you apply more noise by rubbing the ceramics with your hand. Sometimes your hand does not generate enough noise for the system to detect. This could be due to the environment you are in or for other reasons. A simple, safe, and easy to find material that works very well as a replacement to your hand is packaging material (a.k.a. bubble wrap). Using this instead of your hand will very likely provide enough relative frictional difference for the system to pass. If it doesn't, your system still might be okay. In this case deploy the ADCP into a bucket or container of water (preferably at least 0.5 meters deep) and record some data using BBtalk and the log file (F3 key), or you can record data straight to the recorder card if your ADCP has one. You can then look at the data in our WinADCP program and make sure that the echo amplitude counts in the 1st depth cell for all beams is between 128 and 192. If they are not, contact Field Service for further troubleshooting tips.
How does the ADCP/DVL know I'm looking UP or Down? Why did my Instrument change sign when I turned it upside-down?
Your ADCP/DVL comes with a Built-In orientation sensor. No need for sending a command to the system to indicate the orientation, your ADCP/DVL will do it automatically. When turning the ADCP/DVL upside-down you need to make sure if not outputting velocities in Earth coordinates that Beam3 has the same azimuth as when it was looking for conformability. Indeed, except if outputting in Earth (North East Down) the direction of the flow depends on Beam3 azimuth, in other words if you rotate the instrument upside-down Beam3 will point out in the opposite direction. To be able to obtain the same direction, assuming the flow is propagating the same way Above and Below the ADCP/DVL, you should once turned upside-down rotate Beam3 +/-180degrees azimuth.
I have a standard ADCP with a 50m pressure sensor. The ADCP is rated to 200 meters, so can I deploy to 200 meters?
No. Even though the ADCP's housing is rated to 200 meters, the pressure sensor is now the limiting factor because its rating is shallower. The ADCP cannot be deployed to a depth deeper than 50 meters (the rating of the sensor). If you do deploy beyond the recommended depth, your pressure data will not be very accurate(as you are overexposing the sensor, an effect that will cause hysteresis) and you have a chance of breaking the pressure sensor and possibly flooding the system.
It says in your documentation that your connectors are "wet mate-able." Does that mean I can plug them in underwater?
No. There are 3 basic classifications for connectors: dry mate-able, wet mate-able, and underwater mate-able, Dry mate-able, connectors, like the computer end of the ADCP I/O cable, cannot have any moisture on them or they may not function as desired. These kinds of cables should be kept indoors whenever possible and should be protected from the elements in the same way you'd protect your laptop or cell phone. Wet mate-able, connectors are different, they can get a little rain or dirt or salt spray on them and still work okay. However, they CANNOT be submerged in water, doing so will cause damage to the components and whatever they are attached to. Only underwater mate-able, connectors, which have special parts that isolate power and safeguard communications can be plugged in and unplugged underwater. Teledyne RD Instruments's standard I/O cables come with wet mate-able, (ADCP side) and dry mate-able, (PC side) connectors.
MARINE MEASUREMENTS
When using VMDas does it matter what the two characters after the $ sign in a GPS string are?
No. The system looks for the $, then the GGA indicator. It also checks the position fix status indicator after the position data. A 0 indicates no fix. A 1 indicates a non-differential fix and a 2 indicates a differential fix.
Is the Range reported for bottom track along the beam, or corrected for the beam angle? Is it the depth of the water? Is it corrected for tilts?
The range reported is the average of the range from all four beams and it is calculated as the direct distance to the boundary. It is NOT along the beam. It's not corrected for tilts, but it is corrected for beam angle. Range is the distance from the transducer face to the boundary, typically the bottom.
In VMDas I can test the system fine, but when I start to ping I get an error, time out check cables and the system will not collect data. Why is this?
There is an error in some of the configuration files. (1) There is an errant : (colon) at the start of a line in the file. (2) The configuration file may include an unnecessary WM1 command. For (1) Using a text editor (there is one embedded in VMDas) do a search on a colon and delete it. For (2) look for a WM1 command and delete it.
In VMDas, is using the set up from options the same as using Set up from File?
Not necessarily. In the workhorse, yes the options set up are the same. However, using the configuration file there are more options that can be set. In Phased Array Ocean Surveyor transducers there is a difference when using Vmdas V1.44 or newer. The OS PA transducer has a function called Ambiguity Lanes. These are set depending on the WV and the EA (Beam three alignment setting). If the Set Up From file option is used, the Ambiguity Lanes are automatically set (presuming the correct EA angle is set in the configuration file). Using older versions, if the set up from options is used, the Ambiguity Lanes are not set. In versions 1.44 and newer, when using Setup from option, Vmdas will take the alignment angle from the Transforms tab, transform it into an EA command, and send it to the system and automatically adjust the ambiguity lanes.
WATER RESOURCES
My SP data files don't always playback properly in WinRiver.
What has happened is that the ensemble number got reset in the middle of the file. This can be due to Bluetooth issues possibly caused by batteries that are beginning to die. The solution is to use BBSub to renumber the ensembles to be sequential. Then the file will playback normally.
Can I view the CM vertical data in WinADCP as beam 3?
No, the vertical beam although it is the 3rd beam in the instrument is totally different in format from a regular beam and thus can not be displayed in WinADCP. However you can see it in WinH ADCP. Its format is documented in the CM Operational Guide.
Can I use a mobile device with the SP as they are cheaper than what you supply?
You can use any model that you find works; however, TRDI is not in a position to support you in any way should you have problems.
NAVIGATION
What can I do with the sensors connected to my Explorer?
Your Explorer DVL does not have internal attitude sensors compared to the standard DVL. The reason is mainly because these are already present/available on most of the vehicle the Explorer is and will be integrated onto. Thus, we decided the Explorer should be volatile enough to use what is already installed instead of being redundant with onboard sensors by providing built-in sensor package. With the Explorer you have the ability not only to use the data coming from these sensors to improve your navigation but also to set-up these sensors for turn-key operations. Indeed, you can talk to each sensor via the Explorer using a Sensor Terminal through BBTalk or through any Terminal application connected to the Explorer (itself connected to the sensors). Your set-up commands can be saved and sent to the respective sensors at each deployment automatically. This will save you a great amount of integration and interfacing time. Additionally, the Explorer can be set-up as a data pass through. Indeed, once the Explorer is connected to your onboard sensors, your Explorer can be set to be data-transparent, in other words your Explorer can be set to output everything that is sent to him from your sensors. Thus, in that configuration, you can think of your Explorer as a network smart node.
PRODUCT REPAIRS
How do I return a product to Teledyne RDI for repair?
Prior to shipping equipment for repair to RD Instruments, you will have to obtain an RMA Number. You can obtain an RMA Number either by filling our Online RMA request form or by contacting our Customer Service Administrators (+1-858-842-2700 or [email protected]).
Important notes:
Due to a recent change in U.S. EXPORT regulations, your instrument may require an export license for it to be returned to your country. Please refer to the list of countries currently affected. If your country is listed, contact Teledyne RD Instruments Customer Service Department for further direction.
Lithium batteries are considered a hazardous material and must be not be shipped to any Teledyne RDI Office. Please retain all lithium and non-lithium batteries.
Teledyne RD Instruments does not desire to accept ADCPs that have been coated with anti-foulant paints. We ask that this material be removed. In the event that the anti-foulant paint can not be removed and is considered to be suitable for shipping, then we require that a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) be sent with the ADCP.
Teledyne RD Instruments will not handle any ADCPs coated with anti-foulant paint without a copy of the MSDS for the coated material.
What is Teledyne RDI's warranty policy?
Teledyne RDI provides a warranty policy of 1 year for new instruments and 6 months for repaired instruments. Please contact Customer Service if you'd like to see a copy of our full warranty language.
How long will it take to inspect and repair my instrument?
Once the equipment has been received, an incoming inspection is performed. Generally speaking, the equipment is inspected within 2 weeks after receipt. The customer is then notified of the results of the inspection. The results will include the repair(s) needed, the cost, if any, of the repair(s) and the lead-time needed to make the repair(s). This lead time will depend upon the level or repair required.
Who can I contact to follow up on my repair unit?
Contact out Customer Service Administrators for assistance at +1-858-842-2700 or [email protected]
