Please note that this manual was originally produced by Campbell Scientific Inc. (CSI) primarily
for the US market. Some spellings, weights and measures may reflect this origin.
Some useful conversion factors:
Area:1 in
2
(square inch) = 645 mm
2
Length:1 in. (inch) = 25.4 mm
1 ft (foot) = 304.8 mm
1 yard = 0.914 m
1 mile = 1.609 km
In addition, part ordering numbers may vary. For example, the CABLE5CBL is a CSI part
number and known as a FIN5COND at Campbell Scientific Canada (CSC). CSC Technical
Support will be pleased to assist with any questions.
About sensor wiring
Please note that certain sensor configurations may require a user supplied jumper wire. It is
recommended to review the sensor configuration requirements for your application and supply the jumper
wire is necessary.
Table of Contents
PDF viewers: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use the
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1. General ........................................................................1
The CM110 (10 ft), CM115 (15 ft), and CM120 (20 ft) tripods are corrosionresistant stainless steel instrument mounts that support the attachment of
sensors, solar panels, and environmental enclosures. A guy kit is included with
the CM115 and CM120 models, and is an option for the CM110. A durable
Tripod Tote Bag is available as an option.
1/2-in and 7/16-in open end wrenches
adjustable wrench
socket wrench with 1/2-in and 7/16-in deep sockets (optional)
Phillips head screwdriver (medium)
Straight bit screwdriver (large)
12-in torpedo level
side-cut pliers
pencil
tape measure
compass and site declination angle
shovel
sledgehammer (for driving ground rod and stakes)
step ladder
4. Tripod Components
FIGURE 4-1 shows the tripod components packaged for shipment. The tripod
base is packaged with the mast, ground rod, lightning rod, and (6) stakes. The
ground rod clamp, lightning rod, and ground wires are enclosed in a bag. The
guy kit (optional for the CM110), and tripod tote bag (optional) are packaged
separately. The CM115 and CM120 tripods include additional mast sections.
A diagram showing how to stow the components inside the tote bag is shown
in Appendix A.
Tripod installation near power lines is dangerous. The
minimum safe recommended distance from overhead
power lines is two times the height of the tripod and
mast combined. Contact local utility providers to
locate any buried utilities prior to installation.
All three models of tripods use the same tripod base. Each leg is adjustable,
allowing the tr ipod to be adjusted for non-level terrain.
Prepare the area where the tripod will be installed. The tripod requires an area
approximately 7 feet in diameter. Natural vegetation and the ground surface
should be disturbed as little as possible, but brush and tall weeds should be
removed.
Stand the tripod base on end, and rotate the feet perpendicular to the legs.
Each leg has a slide collar and T-knob with a spring loaded pin that locks into
holes located on the underside of the leg as shown in FIGURE 5-1.
Extend each leg until the pin engages in a hole (depress the tab to disengage
the pin from a hole). With the legs extended, orient the tripod so that the open
channel of the tripod base faces north. The tripod is typically plumbed after
the mast has been installed, as described in Section 5.2, Mast.
The CM110, CM115, and CM120 tripods have one, two, or three mast sections
respectively. The top mast section has a 48-in long insert with a series of holes
that can be extended to lengthen the mast (FIGURE 5-2). Remove the bolt that
secures the insert to the inside of the mast, and slide the insert out from the
mast to see the different hole locations. Slide the insert back into the mast,
aligning the appropriate holes of the insert with holes in the mast, and replace
the bolt.
Additional 56-in mast section(s) included with the CM115 and CM120 tripods
have a 16-in long insert that is used to connect the mast sections together.
Remove the bolt that secures the insert to the inside of the mast and extend the
insert 8 in; align the holes and replace the bolt. Attach additional mast sections
by sliding the bottom of the next mast section over the insert of a lower section,
aligning the holes and installing the bolt. Typically the bottom mast section is
attached to the tripod and tilted down to a horizontal position, and the
additional mast sections bolted to the bottom section.
The tripod base has two sets of right-angled holes for attaching the mast;
typically the lower set is used (FIGURE 5-3A). The mast is attached to the
base with a pin, and secured in the upright position with a locking bracket.
Both the pin and the locking bracket are secured with a lanyard.
To attach the lower mast section, hold the mast upright and align the hole in the
bottom of the mast with the holes in the tripod base. Insert the pin through the
holes, and rotate the wire retainer over the end of the pin as shown in FIGURE
5-3B. The pin should be seated in the bottom of the hole when the mast is
upright. Lift the mast up so that the pin is in the upper end of the hole to allow
the mast to be tilted down to a horizontal position.
Secure the mast in the upright position by installing the locking bracket
(FIGURE 5-4A). Insert the top of the bracket into the notches in the tripod
base, and using both thumbs, press the bracket into the body of the base until
the lower tabs lock into position (FIGURE 5-4B). Install the pin as shown in
FIGURE 5-4C. To remove the bracket, remove the pin and squeeze the lower
part of the bracket to disengage the tabs, then rotate the bracket out and up.
Plumb the tripod by adjusting the northeast and south facing legs. With a level
on the east side of the mast, adjust the northeast leg for plumb. With the level
on the south side of the mast, adjust the south leg for plumb.
5.3 Installing the Guy Kit .3 Installing the Guy Kit
The CM115 and CM120 tripods include a guy kit; the guy kit is an option for
The CM115 and CM120 tripods include a guy kit; the guy kit is an option for
the CM110. With the mast tilted down in the horizontal position, install the
the CM110. With the mast tilted down in the horizontal position, install the
guy collar over the mast insert, and attach the guy wires as shown in FIGURE
guy collar over the mast insert, and attach the guy wires as shown in FIGURE
5-5. Return the mast to the upright position and install the locking bracket.
5-5. Return the mast to the upright position and install the locking bracket.
Guy Collar
FIGURE 5-5. Guy collar
On the end of each guy line is a case consisting of a hook, clamp, and lever
arm. Rotate the lever arm to the “open” position, and attach the hook to the
tripod leg as shown in FIGURE 5-6. Loosen the Phillips screw, and remove
the slack in the guy line by feeding the load end of the guy wire through the
wedge while pulling up on the dead end (FIGURE 5-7).
After the slack has been removed from the guy lines, tighten the Phillips
screws and rotate the lever arms to “closed” position to tension the guy lines
(FIGURE 5-6).
FIGURE 5-7. Mechanical drawing of guy hook and case
5.3.1 Guy Duckbill Anchor Kits
Duckbill anchors are recommended for areas subjected to higher winds. They
allow the guy wires to be anchored at points beyond the feet, thereby
increasing the rating of the tripod for higher winds.
Two duckbill anchor kits are offered for these lightweight tripods. The 19282
Guy Duckbill Standard Anchor Kit is for standard soils, and the 25699 Guy
Duckbill Heavy Duty Kit is for aggressive soils. Aggressive soils have:
x Resistivity less than 3000 ohm-cm
x pH less than 5
x Chloride greater than 1000 ppm
x Sulfate greater than 500 ppm
x Poor aeration
The 19282 and 25699 have their own drive bar. The 19282 also has three
duckbill anchors with a cable attached to each of them. At the end of the cable
is a loop for connecting the guy wires. The 25699 has a threaded rod attached
to each of the three duckbill anchors instead of the cable. At the end of the
threaded rod is a metal ring for connecting the guy wires.
The duckbill anchors are driven to the ground at a 60-degree guy angle as
shown in FIGURE 5-8. Locate the anchors on a 7.5-ft radius for the CM115,
or a 10-ft radius for the CM120 as shown in FIGURE 5-9. Specifications for
sustained wind speed and gust tolerance are given based on guy angle, and the
ability of the anchors to hold at least 400 lbf.
NOTE
Duckbill anchors are not suitable for rocky or sandy soils;
UTEYE anchors should be considered for these types of soils.
It is important that the anchors be driven at the same angle as the guy wires.
Insert the drive bar into the anchor body and drive the anchor into the ground
using a sledgehammer until only the top half of the loop or metal ring remains
above the ground. Place a bar or highlift jack through the loop or metal ring
and jack the anchor up about four inches to rotate the anchor into the load-lock
position.
WARNING
Failure to install and lock the anchor at the correct
angle will result in the anchor cable cutting through
the soil until the angles equalize, causing slack.
Once the guy lines have been adjusted, the lever arms can be “opened” and the
guy hooks removed to allow the mast to be lowered to the horizontal position.
Six stakes are provided for securing the tripod feet to the ground. Drive two
stakes through holes in each foot at an angle as shown in FIGURE 5-10.
Stakes may not be adequate depending on soil structure, maximum wind
speeds experienced at the site, mast height, or wind load from the
instrumentation. For questionable situations, additional stakes (pn 17049) or
even concrete footings for the tripod feet and guy anchors should be
considered.
FIGURE 5-10. Staking the tripod feet
14
5.5 Tripod Grounding
Place the clamp over the ground rod and drive the rod (close to the center of
the tripod) using a sledgehammer or fence post driver. Stri p 1/2 i n. of
insulation from both ends of the black 4 AWG ground wire. Insert one end of
the ground wire between the clamp and ground rod and tighten the bolt on the
clamp. Attach the other end of the ground wire to the lug on the tripod base as
shown in FIGURE 5-12.
Strip 1/2 in. of insulation from the ends of the green 12 AWG wire. Attach one
end of the wire to the tripod ground lug, and the other end to the enclosure
ground lug as shown in FIGURE 5-12.
Mount the lightning rod and clamp to the tripod mast as shown in FIGURE
5-12.
Attach the CM202 (2 ft, 0.6 m), CM204 (4 ft, 1.2 m), or CM206 (6 ft, 1.8 m)
Attach the CM202 (2 ft, 0.6 m), CM204 (4 ft, 1.2 m), or CM206 (6 ft, 1.8 m)
crossarm to the tripod mast as shown in FIGURE 5-13. For wind sensors, the
crossarm to the tripod mast as shown in FIGURE 5-13. For wind sensors, the
crossarm should be approximately 103 inches above the ground for a 3 m
crossarm should be approximately 103 inches above the ground for a 3 m
mounting height, or 64 inches for a 2 m mounting height. Typically the
mounting height, or 64 inches for a 2 m mounting height. Typically the
crossarm is oriented east/west for wind sensors, north/south for pyranometers.
crossarm is oriented east/west for wind sensors, north/south for pyranometers.
FIGURE 5-13. CM200-series crossarm
5.7 Enclosure Attachment
The ENC 10/12, ENC 12/14, ENC 14/16, and ENC 16/18 enclosures can be
ordered with mounting brackets for the CM100-series tripods. All enclosure
models can be mounted to the tripod mast (above the legs) with the –MM Mast
Mount bracket option. All enclosure models except the ENC 16/18 can be
mounted to the tripod base and leg with the –LM Leg Mount bracket option.
Two enclosures with the –LM brackets can be mounted in a “back to back”
configuration.
5.7.1 Enclosure Mounting to Tripod Mast
An enclosure ordered with the –MM bracket has a three-piece top and bottom
brackets with a U-bolt for each bracket.
Attach an enclosure with the –MM mounting bracket to the tripod mast as
follows:
CM200-Series
Crossarm
Tripod Mast
x Remove the U-bolts, washers, and nuts from the brackets.
x Position the enclosure against the tripod’s mast (north side recommended).
x Install the U-bolts, flat washers, lock washers, and nuts. Tighten the nuts
xRoute the 14 AWG wire from the ground lug on the bottom side of the
enclosure to the ground lug on the base of the tripod (FIGURE 5-14).
Strip 1/2 in. of insulation from each end of the wire. Insert wire ends into
the ground lugs and tighten.
U-bolt
MM Bracket
FIGURE 5-14. Enclosure with the –MM bracket
5.7.2 Enclosure Mounting to Tripod Leg
An enclosure ordered with the –LM bracket has a bracket on each side of the
enclosure, and a U-bolt bracket for securing the enclosure to a tripod leg.
Attach an enclosure with the –LM mounting bracket to the tripod base as
follows:
xSlide the keyhole notches in the upper and lower corners of the –LM
bracket over the two extended Phillips head screws located on the tripod
base as shown in FIGURE 5-15B.
xRemove the washers, nuts, and U-bolt from the U-bolt bracket. Install the
bracket as shown in FIGURE 5-15C. Tighten the nuts on the U-bolt until
the lock washers are compressed.
xRoute the 14 AWG wire from the ground lug on the bottom side of the
enclosure to the ground lug on the base of the tripod (FIGURE 5-15).
18
Strip 1/2 in. of insulation from each end of the wire. Insert wire ends into
1.5-in U-bolt 1.0 to 1.5 25.4 to 38.1 0.75 to 1
2-in U-bolt 1.3 to 2.1 33.0 to 53.3 1 to 1.5
2-in U-bolt
with plastic V-block
Some of the brackets (for example, the CM210) include 1.5-in and 2-in U-bolts
to extend the range of pipe diameters the bracket can accommodate. Brackets
with holes for a 1.5-in U-bolt will accept a user-supplied 1.75-in U-bolt.
1.0 to 2.1 25.4 to 53.3 0.75 to 1.5
6.1 CM210 Crossarm Mounting Kit
CM200-series crossarms include a CM210 bracket as shown in FIGURE 6-1.
The CM210 can be ordered separately to attach a user-supplied pipe (1.0 to
1.5 in OD) to a mast or tower leg (1.0 to 2.1 in OD), or to attach a crossarm to
two tower legs.
CM210
FIGURE 6-1. CM210 Crossarm Mounting Kit (shown with user-supplied
The CM216 attaches to the top of the mast, and provides a 3/4-in or 1-in
The CM216 attaches to the top of the mast, and provides a 3/4-in or 1-in
mounting pipe (1.05 or 1.32 in OD) that extends 4 in. above the mast, as shown
mounting pipe (1.05 or 1.32 in OD) that extends 4 in. above the mast, as shown
in FIGURE 6-2.
RM Young Gill Radiation Shields are used to house and attach temperature and
relative humidity sensors to the tripod mast (1.0 to 2.1 in OD) or crossarm as
shown in FIGURE 6-7. Radiation shields ship with the U-bolt configured for
attachment to a vertical pipe. To attach the radiation shield to a horizontal
pipe, the U-bolt and plastic V-block must be moved to the other set of holes.
FIGURE 6-7. RM Young Gill Radiation Shield
26
Appendix A. Tripod Tote Bag
The Tripod Tote Bag is an option for the CM110-series tripods. The bag is
constructed of nylon, with a main compartment for the tripod base, and pockets
for stowing the other components as shown below: