IMKO TRIME-FM User Manual

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TRIME-FM

User Manual

Page 2

Thank you for buying IMKO.

Should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact your local distributor or address directly to:

IMKO Micromodultechnik GmbH

Im Stoeck 2 D-76275 Ettlingen Germany Phone: +49-7246-5921-0 Fax: +49-7246-90856 e-mail: info@imko.de internet: http://www.imko.de

as of April 15

, 2001

Table of contents

TRIME-FM2 /-FM3 Field Measurement Device (Version P2 or P3) _____________________3

1.1 Functional Description ______________________________________________________3

1.1.1 Manual Operation _________________________________________________________________________ 3

1.1.2 Probe Connection _________________________________________________________________________ 3

1.1.3 Basic Alignment___________________________________________________________________________ 3

1.1.4 Display Functions / E rror M essages ___________________________________________________________ 3

1.1.5 Battery Operation _________________________________________________________________________ 4

1.1.6 Battery Charger ___________________________________________________________________________ 4

1.1.7 External Power Supply _____________________________________________________________________ 4

1.1.8 Data Logger Operation _____________________________________________________________________ 4

1.1.9 PC-Connection via RS232 ___________________________________________________________________ 4

1.1.10 Technical Data _________________________________________________________________________ 5

1.2 Probe Dimensions _________________________________________________________6

1.3 Preparation Rods __________________________________________________________7

1.4 Mounting of Spare Rods with O-ring Seals_______________________________________ 8

2 The TRIME-T3 Tube Access Probe ______________________________________________9

2.1 Introduction_______________________________________________________________ 9

2.2 Measuring Field ___________________________________________________________9

2.3 Measuring experiences_____________________________________________________ 10

2.4 Summary _______________________________________________________________11

3 Access Tubes and Augers ____________________________________________________ 12 4 Instructions for Access Tube Installation ________________________________________13

4.1 Fixing of the rubber bung ___________________________________________________13

4.2 Inserting T3 into the TECANAT tube __________________________________________14

5 Basic Alignment with the Calibration Set ________________________________________15

5.1 What is a basic alignment?__________________________________________________15

5.1.1 What are the benefits of t he calibration set for the user? __________________________________________ 15

5.2 How to make the basic alignment?____________________________________________16

5.2.1 Preparation of the glass beads ______________________________________________________________ 16

5.2.2 Basic alignment procedure _________________________________________________________________ 16

6 EMV/EMI Precaution _________________________________________________________18 7 Instructions for Wiring _______________________________________________________ 19

7.1 Water tight connectors and cable confection for use with the environmental measurement

system ENVIS ___________________________________________________________ 20

8 Operating instructions ACS-series _____________________________________________21

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1 TRIME-FM2 /-FM3 Field Measurement Device

(Version P2 or P3)

1.1 Functional Description

The TRIME-FM is a portable moisture measurement instrument, which has been developed for mobile field use. It can additionally be supplied with an external power supply. It is connectable to a data logger or a PC for automated data logging.

1.1.1 Manual Operation

The manual operation is very easy. Pressing the START-button switches on the TRIME-FM. Pressing the button once again, starts the measurement. The message “Measuring...“ disappears after about 10 seconds and the measured values of the water content and the TDR level are displayed on the first two lines. The TDR level can be used to assess the electrical conductivity of the soil or material. The instrument switches off about three minutes after the last operation, in order to save battery power.

1.1.2 Probe Connection

There is a build-in non-volatile memory (EEPROM) inside the probe connector, where all calibration data is stored, e. g. cable length, probe geometry, and calibration coefficients. Therefore several probes can be used with the same TRIME-FM. It is possible to connect probes with different cable lengths and different calibration data according to the device type P2 or P3. The device type P3 allows only the usage of P3-probes and P2-probes can only be connected to P2-devices. Probes can only be used at the TRIME-FM, which they were (basic) calibrated with. To prevent confusion, each probe has a label with the serial number of the device, which it was calibrated with.

To screw the probe connector on is only necessary if the instrument is exposed to the weather. For manual measurements with several probes, it is recommended not to screw on the coupling ring, in order to be easy on the thread.

The insertion of the probes must be carried out very carefully in order to prevent air pockets around the rods or the access tube, if the tube probe is used. Therefore the insertion of the rod probes with the preparation rods is only recommended, if it is not possible to stick them in manually. Repeated insertion in the same holes is not recommended, too. The access tubes should be inserted with our auger equipment. Since the highest measuring sensitivity is directly around the rods or the access tube, the TRIME-FM would measure too low values, if there was an air gap. In water saturated soils the measured values would be too high.

The probe rods must be inserted in the soil completely, because the probe measures along the whole length of the rods.

1.1.3 Basic Alignment

The basic alignment can be done without any connection to a PC and without the calibration program SMCAL. The TRIME-FM is set to the calibration mode by plugging the calibration connector. Please refer to the chapter “Basic alignment with the Calibration Set“.

A calibration for a specific material cannot be established by using the calibration connector.

1.1.4 Display Functions / Error Messages

The LC-display of the TRIME-FM has four lines with 20 characters each. Almost all messages, which can be displayed, are changeable, that means they can be translated to

the desired language. The modification of the texts can be done by the program TRIMETXT. Generally, the third line is used to display status and error messages. It indicates, whether measuring

is active or the battery is just being charged or discharged. Occurred errors are indicated with error number and address.

Error numbers between 1 and 29 are internal errors, which are displayed without additional text.

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Error No. Error Text Possible Cause of Error

30 TDR may be defective TDR electronic or probe cable defective 31 TDR level not found TDR level searching lasted too long, may occur with bad signal quality

due to conductive soil or material 32 Probe not connected No probe connected or probe connector defective 33 Salinity too high Electrical conductivity of soil/material too high 34 Invalid probe data Data in probe connector not plausible or probe connector defective 35 Battery is empty Supply voltage too low or battery empty

1.1.5 Battery Operation

The internal chargeable battery has a capacity of 600 mAh, which allows about 300 measurements. This is only an approximate value and dependent on a lot of influences, like ambient temperature, pauses between the measurements, measured material and age of the battery. The measuring operation should be terminated, as soon as the error message “Battery is empty“ appears.

If the battery capacity is not sufficient or battery operation is not desired, at all, an external battery or power supply may be connected via the RS232 connector.

Attention: Charging is only allowed with the supplied ACS charger!

1.1.6 Battery Charger

The micro controlled charging method of the ACS charger guarantees an optimised battery lifetime.

1. Regarding the battery lifetime the “discharging“ mode is most favourable. It is started by pressing the yellow button. However, it is not harmful for the battery to use the “charging“ mode if the charging shall be carried out fast, i. e. in up to 4 hours. The “discharging“ mode lasts between 6 and 7 hours.

The charger can remain connected as long as one likes. The battery can not be damaged by it.

Please refer to the charger operating instructions on page 21.

1.1.7 External Power Supply

An external power supply (9..15V/300mA) can be connected via the RS232-cable. In this case the internal battery is disconnected and the instrument is supplied by the external power only. It doesn’t switch off then, but remains on as along as the external voltage is connected. Therefore the data logger operation requires an external power supply.

It is even possible to connect an external battery if the capacity of the internal battery is not sufficient.

1.1.8 Data Logger Operation

The TRIME-FM comes with an analogue output of 0..1V in order to make data logging with external devices possible. For this data logger operation the TRIME-FM should measure automatically. The cyclic measuring mode (mode C) can be set by the program TRIMESET, whereas the cycle time can be chosen.

1.1.9 PC-Connection via RS232

The TRIME-FM can be connected to a PC via the RS232 connector and the appropriate cable, in order to carry out data logging, changing the operating mode, or calibration. As long as the PC is connected the power-off automatic is disabled to prevent switching off. It is to be considered that the internal battery is discharged as long as the PC is connected.

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1.1.10 Technical Data

Power supply: 7V..15V-DC, 600 mA/h battery capacity Supply current: 8mA standby 200mA while 10..15sec. measuring time Resolution: 0,1% Repeating accuracy: ±0,3% Measurement range 0-100% Temperature range: -15°C...50°C, expanded temperature ranges on request! Temperature caused value drift: max. ±0,5% Standard interface: analogue output 0..1V or 0(4)..20mA, RS232/V24, IMP232 MICRONET Calibration: calibrated for mineral soils, but individually adaptable per software Case: weatherproof, robust aluminium die-cast (IP65)

The measuring accuracy and -range as well as the tolerable range of bulk electrical conductivity depends on the corresponding probe.

Pin 1: Reserved Pin 2: Reserved Pin 3: Analog-Out 0..1V Pin 4: Analog-Out-0V Pin 5: SelfCal. Pin 6: R/T (IMP-Bu s) Pin 7: COM (IMP-B us)

abl

Probe connector

Connector f or

- analogue cable

- calibration plug

- battery charge r

AC-Connector

AC-banana plugs

Battery charger

external battery box

Connector for

- external power supply

- RS232/V24

front view

Pin 1: +U (9V..15V-DC) max. 250mA Pin 2: RxD Pin 3: 0V Pin 4: TxD

front view

Probe

P2D

Probe

P2Z

Connectable probes for TRIME-FM2

Connec tabl e pr obes for TR IME- FM3

Probe

P2G

Tube Probe

Probe

P3Z

Start

Probe

P3S

Powe

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1.2 Probe Dimensions

2-Rod

Probe

P2G

With screw for optional tube exten sion

All pin s can be re plac ed

2-Rod Probe

P2Z

for tube extension

2-Rod Probe

Miniatur

Probe

P2D

Rod diameter: 3,5mm

Different length: 50, 80, 100mm Rod diameter: 2,4mm

160

Rod diameter: 6mm

160

5080100

3-Rod

Probe P3S

Rod diameter: 3,5mm

3-Rod

Probe P3

160

35 35

115

3-Rod Probe

P3Z

Triangular arrangement

160

100

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1.3 Preparation Rods

For the protection of the rod tips it is necessary to use the preparation rods for probe P2, P2Z, P2G and P3. A defect and blank rod is sensitive against electrostatic charge and can destroy the electronic!

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1.4 Mounting of Spare Rods with O-ring Seals

1) prepare probe body, seals, rods

2) put the seals into the borings

3) push the seals to the basis of the borings where the threads begin

4) put silicon grease to the threads of the rods (new spare rod are greased at works)

5) screw the rods into the probe body

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2 The TRIME-T3 Tube Access Probe

2.1 Introduction

The measuring of soil water content with Time Domain Reflectometry is now a well established method. However water content profiling is not possible with conventional TDR rod probes. The TRIME tube probe was developed for this reason.

Since 1994 the TRIME-T3 has found numerous applications in earth and environmental sciences, fulfilling even the most exacting requirements.

2.2 Measuring Field

The effective penetration depth of the probe is about 15 cm with the highest sensitivity in the immediate vicinity of the access tube and decreases exponentially with distance. Figure 3 shows the electric field distribution of the probe and the approximate measuring volume.

equipot ential lines

effecti ve m easurement volume

aluminum plates

Figure 1: Electric field distribution of the TRIME probe and approximate measuring volume.

The elliptical measuring volume enables a higher representation to be achieved by several measurements rotating the probe after each measurement and calculating the mean value.

The following experiment illustrates the high penetration depth of the measuring field: In a bucket of 50 cm diameter filled with water saturated glass beads a moisture of 44 vol.-% is

measured. Measuring in a smaller bucket (see Fig. 3) would result in essentially lower measuring values due to an amount of air within the measured volume.

Figure 2: Influence of a too small measuring volume on water content determination.

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Note that the necessity of a close contact between access tube and material is vital for reliable measurements and that the tubes should be installed by our recommended method.

• For example at an assum ed water c ontent of 15 vol. % an air gap of 1 mm around the whole length of the tube would result in an underestimation of 1 - 2 vol. %.

• At a water content of 25 vol. % the error would be 5 vol.-%.

• At very high water contents (50 vol. %) errors may reach 10 vol. %.

• In the case of a water filled gap under conditions of saturation the gap error would be much smaller.

− Problems may arise, however, in very inhomogeneous soils and when drilling under very dry

conditions. For these soils other drilling methods are recommended (e. g. pre-boring with an Edelman auger, washing m ud into the cavity around the tube). Losses in accuracy must then be accepted, and measurements immediately after installation are not recommended.

− Problems can also arise in swelling and shrinking s oils, since cracks develop es pecially along the access tubes.

2.3 Measuring experiences

The new TRIME technique was thoroughly tested in the field and compared both to neutron probe measurements and thermo gravimetrically determined values.

Figure 3: Comparison of TRIME measurements and gravimetric water content determination for a clayey soil.

Figures 5 and 6 s how a comparison of water content deter minations for a loes s and for a heavy clay, made with a neutron probe (Wallingford), the TRIME-T3 probe, and the gravimetric method. In contrast to the neutron probe, which is not suitable for m easurements near the sur face due to radiation losses to the atmosphere, TRIME has no problem at all to measure directly at the soil surface.

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Figure 4: Comparison of neutron probe, TRIME-T3 and gravimetric method for water content

determinations in a loess soil.

Figure 5 : Comparison of neutron probe and TRIME-T3 for water content determinations an illitic clay.

Some materials, es pecially very clayey soils and soils with high organic contents, can affor d material specific calibrations due to their different dielectric behaviour.

A limiting factor in T DR measuring is the bulk soil elec tric al c onductivity. For the TRIME-T 3 tube probe, bulk soil electric al conduc tivity should not exceed 1 dS/m . Note that bulk s oil electric al conduc tivity is a combination of the pore water electric al c onductivity and the surface conduc tivity of the soil matrix. Due to the tortuous nature of the conduc tivity path in the soil (soil type dependent), the bulk s oil conduc tivity is much lower than the electrical conductivity of the pore water and it is dependent on water content.

2.4 Summary

The TRIME tube probe is a promising new tool for determining water content profiles with the TDR method. Fast, routine and non destructive measurements of water content without the use of hazardous radioactive materials are poss ible. A measuring accur acy of ± 2 vol.-% is possible, provided that soil and access tube are in close contact and bulk soil electrical conductivity doesn’t exceed 1 dS/m.

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3 Access Tubes and Augers

The penetration depth of the measurement field of the 44mm TRIME tube-access-probe is up to 150mm into the soil. The measurement sensitivity is the highest near the access tube and decreases exponentially into the medium. Therefore the insertion method of the access tube is very important.

Auger equipment for the direct setting of the access tubes into homogeneous soils.

Small version without soil anchors for access tubes with 1m leng th

Pre-boring with an Edelmanauger

Fixing of the

rubber

bung

TECANAT access tube

Support pillar with clamp device

Ramming head with clamp device

Screw auger with handle

Internal steel guide and protection tube

Steel cutting shoe of access tube

Soil anchor

Clamp device

for

rubber

bung

Pre-boring of bore holes with standard augers destroy the soil texture, because it is difficult to come to a good and close contact of the access tube inside the soil. With the described auger equipment it is possible to set the access tubes directly into homogenous soils without pre-boring. In very stony soils it is not possible to use this method. Therefore it could be possible to use an Edelman-Auger for preboring and closing the air gaps with mud. Changes in soil structure, and a delay time (up to 4 weeks) before it is possible to come to precise measurement values must then be accepted.

The IMKO auger equipment consists of: access tube support pillar with three soil anchors, ramming head with clamp device, screw auger with handle, clamp device for the rubber bung, and an internal steel guide/protection tube. Deliverable is a small version without soil anchors for setting of glass fibre tubes with 1m length. A steel cutting shoe is glued into the access tube. The screw auger, that moves easily within the guide tube is used to drill out soil to about 0,1m below the cutting shoe. Depending on soil homogeneity, the tube can be hammered 5..10cm into the soil. This cycle is repeated until the tube is fully installed. The internal protection tube is then removed and the access tube can be sealed by a rubber bung.

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4 Instructions for Access Tube Installation

The following instructions should be taken account of:

The ramming head, the TECANAT access tube and the internal steel guide and protection tube are one unit. The internal protection tube has to lie on the cutting shoe of the access tube, before it can be fixed with a screw to the ramming head. This fixation is necessary to secure the shoe against being squeezed out by the returning force of the hammer-blow. The access tube, however, is fixed to the ramming head by the clamp device. Both fixation screw and clamp device should be controlled during the installation process and be re-adjusted with the adjustable levers if necessary. The screw auger, that moves easily within the guide tube is used to drill out soil to about 0,1m below the cutting shoe. Depending on soil homogeneity, the tube is then hammered 5-10 cm into the soil with a plastic hammer (with open support pillar clamps!). The guide tube is not used for making the hole in the first instance because this could result in soil compaction around the hole, which would lead to higher measurement values.

The access tube support pillar with three ground anchors avoids vibrations that would cause air gaps. Then the clamp of the support pillar must be closed and the soil can be removed with the screw auger. When the tube reach the support pillar, it must be removed and the access tube can be inserted to the final depth without the support pillar.

4.1 Fixing of the rubber bung

The rubber bung can be pushed into the access tube with the screw- adapter and the handle (the screw-adapter can be replaced instead of the screw auger) and can be fixed at the bottom of the access tube with two turns of the handle. If pushing down the rubber bung turns out to be difficult, just apply some talcum powder on the rubber bung sides and into the access tube.

A plastic collar should be mounted around the tube to prevent water from running down the tube wall and a plastic cap to protect the tube against rain.

Ramming Head with Clamp Device

Pull for best position

FixationScrew

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4.2 Inserting T3 into the TECANAT tube

When you are going to work with your TRIME-T3 tube access probe: Press the spring mounted wave-guides to the probe body when you insert the T3 probe into the tube! Thereby you avoid ripping off the spring mounted wave-guides.

Please note Should you use new T3 probes (eight wave-guiding plates instead of two) in old GFK tubes, we advice

to carefully chamfer the inner top side of the GFK tube. Thereby you avoid ripping off the spring mounted wave-guides.

Please note With the T3 comes three aluminium rods, which can be screwed together. They can be used to

orientate the T3 probe in the borehole.

TECANAT plastic tube

Press

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5 Basic Alignment with the Calibratio n Set

5.1 What is a basic alignment?

The basic alignment serves to compensate the cable length and tolerances of the probe mechanics (thickness of the rod coating, rod length, etc.). After two measurements, one in dry and one in water saturated glass beads, the calibration data is calculated and stored in the TRIME probe’s connector.

Every TRIME probe must be calibrated before it can supply proper measurement results. It is very important that the probe is calibrated with the device it belongs to. This calibration is regularly done by IMKO before the delivery of new probes.

Please note that probes can only be used with the TRIME device they were calibrated with!

5.1.1 What are the benefits of the calibration set for the user?

With the calibration set you can easily calibrate probes on your TRIME instrument by yourself. The calibration set offers the following advantages to you:

1. If defective probe rods must be changed you are able to make the required basic alignment by yourself.

2. You can calibrate probes purchased later with your TRIME-instrument by yourself.

3. If you have two or more instruments you can change the configuration of instruments and probes anytime by a new calibration of the appropriate probes to the specific instruments.

You would have to send instruments and probes to us in any of the above cases where basic alignment is required if you have no calibration set. IMKO will charge calibration costs. Moreover you will save the forwarding charges and you will not have to interrupt your measuring campaign, if you calibrate by yourself.

However, the calibration set allows only to make a basic alignment of the TRIME probes. You can not change the standard calibration for specific materials with it. For this purpose a measurement data set must be created with this specific material. In order to calculate the calibration data for this data set and to download it into the TRIME-probe you need the calibration program SMCAL.

Calibration Connector

Probe connector

TRIME Probe

dry

lass

beads

water

saturated

lass beads

Start

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5.2 How to make the basic alignment?

5.2.1 Preparation of the glass beads

First, the glass beads, which are supplied with the calibration set, have to be prepared. The preparation of the dry glass beads is uncritical: Fill up one of the containers until the rods of the probe could completely be inserted. To achieve a constant density, knock the container several times against the ground. After a long usage of the glass beads the density increases. Therefore they should be poured out into another bucket and poured back to achieve the original density.

The preparation of the water saturated glass beads is more critical, because water dissolves Na

O and K2O from glass. This causes a rising pH-value and an increased electrical conductivity. This property is most intensive with new glass beads. Therefore the glass beads should be washed intensively with tap water in a large container (e.g. 10 litre bucket). Fill a bucket with water, stir the beads under water and then pour out the water. This procedure should be done at least five times, each time with fresh water. If the glass beads have been in use for a longer time, three times is enough.

Now the second calibration container has to be filled with water in order to be able to fill in the glass beads without remaining air-bubbles. An additional precaution to remove air-bubbles is to stir slightly while filling in the glass beads. The container must now be knocked against the ground some times to achieve a constant density. The surplus water must be poured out until the thickness of the water film above the glass beads is below 2mm.

The water saturated glass beads should be in a temperature range between 20°C and 25°.

Please note that the electrical conductivity of the water saturated glass beads medium increases already after a few days storage. Therefore the glass beads must be washed again

before the next calibration.

5.2.2 Basic alignment procedure

The basic alignment can be done with both the calibration connector (only TRIME-FM) and the calibration program SMCAL (

please read the information about the basic alignment with SMCAL in the f i l e

README.TXT in the s ubdi rectory BASICCAL of the SMCAL-disk

). Only the procedure with the calibration connector is described in the following: Before starting the essential calibration, connect the probe to the TRIME-FM and press the

START button to switch on the instrument. After this „dummy measurement“ is finished, you can plug in the calibration connector at the side of the TRIME-FM. The display shows the first reference value of dry glass beads for the appropriate probe (e.g. 2,8%). The probe cable must now be unwound and spread out in a way that the cable doesn't touch itself. Moreover, it must have a distance to metal objects (e.g. metal table-top) of at least 10cm. The probe must now be stuck vertically into the dry glass beads. Both, container and TRIME instruments, shouldn't touch metal objects, too! Now, knock laterally to the container to achieve that the glass beads fit closely to the probe rods. Then start the first measurement by pressing the START button.

After the measurement is finished, the second reference value is displayed (e.g. 43,8%). The probe has now to be stuck into the water-saturated glass beads. As described above please take care that the cable is not in contact with metal objects and itself. The probe rods must be completely and vertically inserted into the glass beads. The cable must not put force on the probe. Knock slightly laterally to the container for a close fitting of the glass beads to the probe rods. Now start the second measurement by pressing the START button.

After the measurement time has expired and the calibration is completed and the next probe can be calibrated. If you want to terminate the calibration work, remove the calibration connector!

To check the calibration success, measure in dry and saturated glass beads and verify the results with the reference values. The calibration would have to be repeated, if the deviations are too great.

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TEP LIST BASIC ALIGNMENT

1 Connect the probe (P3 etc.!) to the TRIME-FM. 2 Press START button for switching on the TRIME-FM. Display shows:

TRIME-System

Software Version 2.3

SN XXXX

(=serial number of the TRIME-FM)

3 Connect the calibration connector at the 7pin flange connector of the

TRIME-FM. Display shows:

BASIC CALIBRATION

1. dry glass beads

Reference 2.9Vol%

4 Put the P3 probe into your dry glass beads. (read “Preparation of the

glass beads”p.16)

5 Press START button for starting the measurement

Display shows 1st:

BASIC CALIBRATION

1. dry glass beads

Checking TDR Circuit

Display shows 2nd:

BASIC CALIBRATION

1. dry glass beads

Measuring.......

Display shows 3rd:

BASIC CALIBRATION

2. sat. glass beads

Reference 43.7Vol%

6 Put the P3 probe into your saturated glass beads (Read the description

of the TRIME-FM user manual too!)

7 Press START button for starting the measurement

Display shows 1st:

BASIC CALIBRATION

2. sat. glass beads

Checking TDR Circuit

Display shows 2nd:

BASIC CALIBRATION

2. sat. glass beads

Measuring.......

Display shows 3rd:

BASIC CALIBRATION

1. dry glass beads Okay, next probe!

Reference 2.9Vol%

6 Probe is calibrated.

You can connect the next P3 probe for calibration (begin with step 1) You finished calibration work? Then unplug the calibration connector!

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6 EMV/EMI Precaution

EMV/EMI precaution by means of ferrite filters ensures better disturbance suppression. Ferrite filters are clipped to both ends of the probe cable. They are important for an improved measurement accuracy.

tube probe

rod probe

snap here

snap

here

EMV/EMIFerrit Filter

Analog-

cable

RS232-cable

ZCAT-2035

EMV/EMIFerrit Filter ZCAT-1518

TRIME-FM

Start

Measuring

TRIME-FM

Version P2

GmbH

MICROMODULTECHNIK

Page 19

7 Instructions for Wiring

Dichtring gasket

Dichtring

gasket Druckring thrust coilar

Druckring thrust coilar

Druckschraube pressing screw

Gewindering coupling ring

O-Ring

Hülse mit Feder Shell wi th spr i ng

An den schwarz markierten Bereichen den Siliconkleber so dick auftragen, daß Dich tring und Kabe l wasse rdicht verkle bt sind.

At the black marked areas apply silicon glue so thick that the gasket and the cable are sticked together and are waterproofed.

Buchseneinsatz female insert

Gewindering coupling ring

In diesem Bereich

einfetten !

In this area place

a thin coat of grease !

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7.1 Water tight connectors and cable confection for use with the environmental measurement system ENVIS

Dear Customer, water tightness of the sensor modules (IP65) and the connectors (IP67) can only be guaranteed by

observing the following:

1. In case of carrying out the cabling of the distribution modules by yourself, please make sure that the cable seals fit tightly. Only cables with a sheath diameter of 5 to 8mm should be used. In case of smaller diameters water may enter the connector, the distribution box or the measurement device and may alter measurements or even destroy the equipment. IMKO supplies special seals.

2. All unused connectors have to be protected by blind covers. IMKO supplies all equipment respectively all open connecting terminals protected by blind covers. Additional ones can be obtained by IMKO.

3. When installing the connectors, special attention has to be paid to the connectors being threaded with care. The threads have to be aligned correctly to ensure efficient tightness. In addition, the connector should only be hand-screwed, i.e. without use of tools (e.g. pliers).

A thin coating of grease should be applied to the threads of the threaded ring and to the connector socket in order to ensure easy removal even after long periods of use.

Start

GmbH

MICR OM OD ULT E C HNIK

Page 21

8 Operating instructions ACS-series

Use of the charger Automatic charger / discharger for 4-10 cells nickel-cadmium and nickel-metalhydrid battery packs

(4,8-12,0 V) with a capacity of 500–5000 mAh (ACS 410p traveller 800-9.000 mAh).

Features

• Micro controller controlled charging

• Test phase at the beginning of the charging in order to recognize and indicate defect battery

packs

• Short circuit detection and electronic protection against reversed battery

• Battery condition at the beginning of the charging is of no importance for the battery packs

• Supervision of the charging condition by a micro controller during the whole charging time

• safety stages like voltage gradient supervision and -delta U switch off as well as a safety timer

are integrated

• possibility of discharging of the battery packs before use by pressing the button; after that, automatic switching over to the charging

• automatic switching over to trickle charge

• state indication through illuminated display

LEDs Illuminated display red (1): the flashing of the red illuminated display can have different meanings:

1. it signs the perfect contact of the battery packs during the test phase (about 10 seconds).

2. it signs that the battery pack is not connected properly with regard to the pole

3. it signs the defect battery pack or unsuitable amount of cells

4. it signs the discharging after pressing the PRESS button

Permanent light signs the charging of the battery packs. Illuminated display green (2): battery pack fully charged, trickle charge

Operating elements Discharging button (3): the discharging is started by pressing the PRESS button (for about two

seconds).

Attention

Only charge rechargeable Ni-Cd / Ni-MH battery packs. By using other batteries there is Danger of explosion!

Caution Keep your charger in a dry place (indoor use only). The charger should be disconnected from the

mains when not in use. Do not plug in the charger in case of damaged cabinet or power plug

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Operation The charger starts charging automatically as soon as a battery pack is installed and the charger is

plugged in. Usually, the battery packs are brought into contact by the plugs which are enclosed the supply. If the red LED after the test phase (about 10 seconds) still keeps flashing, check the polarity of the battery pack. Please gather the changing of the polarity (+/-) of the battery pack out of illustration No. 5. If the red LED is flashing again after the test phase and does not switch over to permanent light for charging, either the battery pack is defect or the battery pack might also not have the right number of cells (less than 4 cells (4,8V) or more than 10 cells (12,0 V)). The test phase is followed by the charging procedure (red LED is permanent on). After the charging procedure, the charger switches automatically over to trickle charge (green LED is flashing; red LED is off). The starting of the discharging procedure occurs by pressing ( about 2 seconds) the button for discharging (3). However, this discharging procedure should only take place after the test phase. After discharging, which can in individual cases last for several hours, the charger automatically switches over to charging.

Use in motor vehicles and trucks ( only ACS 410 mobile) The ACS 410 m obile c an be plugged into a 12- 32 V DC outlet. If you use it on DC you have to connect

the provided DC cable to the cigarette lighter. Note!! In passenger cars (12-16 V DC) only 4 to 6 cells battery packs (4.8-7.2 V) can be charged. In trucks (24-32 V DC) you can charge 4 to 10 cells battery packs (4.8-12 V).

Environmental reference Rechargeable batteries are not to be disposed in domestic waste. Surrender used batteries to your

dealer or rather to the battery collecting point