Campbell Scientific WindSonic4 User Manual

Revision: 01/2021

Campbell Scientific, Inc.

1. Introduction 1

2. Precautions 1

3. Initial inspection 2

4. QuickStart 2

5. Overview 5

6. Specifications 5

6.1 Wind direction 6

6.2 Wind speed 6

7. Installation 6

7.1 WindSonic4 wiring 6

7.2 Data logger programming 7

7.2.1 Programming 8

7.3 Siting 9

7.4 Mount the sensor 9

8. Operation 10

8.1 Sensor configuration 10

8.2 SDI-12 measurement details 11

8.3 Long cables 11

9. Maintenance and troubleshooting 12

9.1 Troubleshooting 12

9.2 Maintenance 12

10. Siting references 13

Appendix A. Importing Short Cut code into CRBasic Editor 14

Appendix B. Determining True North and sensor orientation 15

B.1 Online magnetic declination calculator 17

Appendix C. SDI-12 sensor support 19

C.1 SDI-12 command basics 19

Table of Contents - i

C.1.1 Acknowledge active command (a!) 20 C.1.2 Send identification command (al!) 20 C.1.3 Start verification command (aV!) 21 C.1.4 Address query command (?!) 21 C.1.5 Change address command (aAb!) 21 C.1.6 Start measurement commands (aM!) 22 C.1.7 Start concurrent measurement commands (aC!) 22 C.1.8 Start measurement commands with cyclic redundancy check (aMC! and aCC!) 24 C.1.9 Stopping a measurement command 24 C.1.10 Send data command (aD0! … aD9!) 24 C.1.11 Continuous measurement command (aR0! … aR9!) 25

C.2 SDI-12 transparent mode 25

C.2.1 Changing an SDI-12 address 26

Table of Contents - ii

1. Introduction

The WindSonic4 is a two-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer for measuring wind speed and wind direction. It provides an alternative to traditional mechanical cup and vane or propeller and vane anemometers. Unlike mechanical anemometers, the WindSonic4 has no moving parts that need to be periodically replaced—minimizing routine maintenance costs.

The WindSonic4 outputs an SDI-12 signal.

NOTE: This manual provides information only for CRBasic data loggers. For retired Edlog data logger support, see an older manual at www.campbellsci.com/old-manuals.

2. Precautions

l READ AND UNDERSTAND the Safety section at the back of this manual.

l The WindSonic4 is not recommended for conditions where rime, ice, or horizontal snow

will occur. It is not heated.

l The WindSonic4 is a precision instrument. Please handle it with care.

l If the WindSonic4 is to be installed at heights over 2 m (6 ft), be familiar with tower safety

and follow safe tower climbing procedures.

l DANGER—Use extreme care when working near overhead electrical wires. Check for

overhead wires before mounting the WindSonic4 or before raising a tower.

l The black outer jacket of the cable is Santoprene® rubber. This compound was chosen for

its resistance to temperature extremes, moisture, and UV degradation. However, this jacket will support combustion in air. It is rated as slow burning when tested according to U.L. 94 H.B. and will pass FMVSS302. Local fire codes may preclude its use inside buildings.

WindSonic4 Two-Dimensional Sonic Anemometer 1

3. Initial inspection

l Upon receipt of the WindSonic4, inspect the packaging and contents for damage. File

damage claims with the shipping company. Immediately check package contents against the shipping documentation. Contact Campbell Scientific about any discrepancies.

l The model number and cable length are printed on a label at the connection end of the

cable. Check this information against the shipping documents to ensure the expected product and cable length are received.

4. QuickStart

A video that describes data logger programming using Short Cut is available at:

www.campbellsci.com/videos/cr1000x-data logger-getting-started-program-part-3 . Short Cut

is an easy way to program your data logger to measure the sensor and assign data logger wiring terminals. Short Cut is available as a download on www.campbellsci.com. It is included in installations of LoggerNet, RTDAQ, and PC400.

The following procedure also shows using Short Cut to program the WindSonic4.

1. Open Short Cut and click Create New Program.

2. Double-click the data logger model.

WindSonic4 Two-Dimensional Sonic Anemometer 2

3. In the Available Sensors and Devices box, type WindSonic1 or locate the sensor in the Sensors > Meteorological > Wind Speed & Direction folder. Double-click the WindSonic4 (SDI-12) Two Dimensional Ultrasonic Wind Sensor. The wind speed defaults to meters per second. This can be changed by clicking the Wind Speed box and selecting one of the other options. Type the correct SDI-12 Address; default is 0.

4. Click the Wiring tab to see how the sensor is to be wired to the data logger. Click OK after wiring the sensor.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for other sensors.

WindSonic4 Two-Dimensional Sonic Anemometer 3

6. In Output Setup, type the scan rate, meaningful table names, and Data Output Storage Interval. Click Next.

7. Select the measurement and its associated output option.

8. Click Finish and save the program. Send the program to the data logger if the data logger is connected to the computer.

9. If the sensor is connected to the data logger, check the output of the sensor in data display in LoggerNet, RTDAQ, PC400, or PC200W to make sure it is making reasonable measurements.

WindSonic4 Two-Dimensional Sonic Anemometer 4

5. Overview

The WindSonic4 is manufactured by Gill Instruments, Ltd. It is an ultrasonic anemometer for measuring wind direction and wind speed. Two pairs of orthogonally oriented transducers sense horizontal wind. The transducers bounce the ultrasonic signal from a hood, minimizing the effects of transducer shadowing and flow distortion.

The WindSonic4 outputs data using the SDI-12 interface, which is compatible with all contemporary data loggers as well as the CR200(X)-series and CR5000. SDI-12 is a three-wire digital interface standard used by processor-based sensors and digital recording devices.

The WindSonic4 includes a user-specified cable to interface to a Campbell Scientific data logger. A serial cable (WINDSONICRCBL-L) is available for interfacing a WindSonic4 to a computer running the manufacturer’s computer support software. The cable and software are used during troubleshooting. A copy of this computer support software is available at

www.gill.co.uk/main/software.html. WindView is used for WindSonic4 anemometers with serial

numbers of 0810001 or greater, and WindCom is used for WindSonic4 anemometers with serial numbers that are less than 0810001.

Features:

l Low maintenance—no moving parts significantly reduces maintenance cost and time

l Minimum detectable wind speed of 0.01meters per second

l Compatible with Campbell Scientific CRBasic data loggers: CR6, CR3000, CR1000X, CR800

series, CR300 series, CR1000, CR200(X) series, and CR5000

6. Specifications

Output signal:

Output variables:

Measurement frequency:

Current drain:

Operating temperature:

SDI-12 version 1.3; address factory set to 0

wind direction, wind speed, and diagnostic or ux, uy, and diagnostic

40Hz block averaged to a programmable output frequency, factory set to 1Hz

<12 mA @ 12 V

–35 to 70 °C

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Storage temperature:

–40 to 80 °C

Dimensions:

Weight:

Operating humidity:

142 x 160 mm (5.6 x 6.3 in)

500 g (1.1 lb)

<5% to 100% RH

6.1 Wind direction

Operating range:

Accuracy:

Output resolution:

0 to 359° (no dead band)

±3°

1°

6.2 Wind speed

Operating range:

Accuracy:

Output resolution:

0 to 60 m/s

±2% @ 12 m/s

0.01 m/s

7. Installation

If you are programming your data logger with Short Cut, skip WindSonic4 wiring (p. 6) and Data

logger programming (p. 7). Short Cut does this work for you. See QuickStart (p. 2) for a Short Cut

tutorial.

7.1 WindSonic4 wiring

The WindSonic4 interfaces to a Campbell Scientific data logger using SDI-12 (Table 7-1 (p. 7)).

WindSonic4 Two-Dimensional Sonic Anemometer 6

Table 7-1: WindSonic4 to data logger connections

Description Color Data logger

SDI-12 Data Green

SDI-12 Power Red 12V

SDI-12 Reference Black G

Shield Clear ⏚ (analog ground)

U and C terminals are automatically configured by the measurement instruction for Campbell Scientific CR6 data

logger.

To use more than one sensor per data logger, either connect the different sensors to different terminals on the data logger or change the SDI-12 addresses of the sensors and wire them to the same terminal. Each SDI-12 sensor connected to the same terminal must have a unique SDI-12 address. The factory-set address for the WindSonic4 is 0. Possible addresses are a number from 0 to 9. Using unique SDI-12 addresses reduces the use of terminals on the data logger and allows sensors to be connected in a daisy-chain fashion that can minimize cable runs in some applications. At a 1Hz measurement rate, a maximum of four WindSonic4s can be measured by a data logger.

For the CR6 and CR1000X, triggering conflicts may occur when a companion terminal is used for a triggering instruction such as TimerInput(), PulseCount(), or WaitDigTrig(). For example, if the WindSonic4 is connected to C3 on a CR1000X, C4 cannot be used in the

TimerInput(), PulseCount(), or WaitDigTrig() instructions.

U configured for SDI-12

C, SDI-12,

7.2 Data logger programming

Short Cut is the best source for up-to-date programming code for Campbell Scientific data loggers. If your data acquisition requirements are simple, you can probably create and maintain a data logger program exclusively with Short Cut. If your data acquisition needs are more complex, the files that Short Cut creates are a great source for programming code to start a new program or add to an existing custom program.

NOTE: Short Cut cannot edit programs after they are imported and edited in CRBasic Editor.

A Short Cut tutorial is available in QuickStart (p. 2). If you wish to import Short Cut code into CRBasic Editor to create or add to a customized program, follow the procedure in Importing

Short Cut code into CRBasic Editor (p. 14). Programming basics for CRBasic data loggers are

WindSonic4 Two-Dimensional Sonic Anemometer 7

provided in the following section. Downloadable example programs are available at

www.campbellsci.com/downloads/windsonic4-program-examples.

7.2.1 Programming

The WindSonic4 updates the SDI-12 output at a frequency of 1 Hz. The SDI12Recorder() CRBasic instruction programs the data loggers to measure the WindSonic4. This instruction sends a request to the sensor to make a measurement and then retrieves the measurement from the sensor. For the most data loggers, the SDI12Recorder() instruction has the following syntax:

SDI12Recorder(Destination, SDIPort, SDIAddress, “SDICommand”, Multiplier,

Offset, FillNAN, WaitonTimeout)

For the SDIAddress, alphabetical characters need to be enclosed in quotes (for example, “A”). Also enclose the SDICommand in quotes as shown. The most appropriate SDI-12 command to retrieve data from the WindSonic4 is the Ro!, where o is the data format option (Table 7-2 (p.

8)). When using the "Ro!" command, the Destination parameter needs to be a variable array with three elements.

FillNAN and WaitonTimeout are optional parameters (refer to CRBasic Help for more information).

When using a CR200(X)-series data logger, the SDI12Recorder() instruction has the following syntax:

SDI12Recorder(Destination,"OutString",Multiplier,Offset)

OutString consists of the SDI-12 address and command. Enclose the OutString in quotes

as shown.

Table 7-2: WindSonic4 data format option

Option (o) Output Units Comment

wind direction degrees

status unitless

uxwind

uywind m/s

status unitless

m/s

Compass polar coordinate systemwind speed m/s

Orthogonal right hand coordinate system

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