Delta-t Hh2 User manual

User Manual for the

Moisture Meter

type HH2

Delta-T Devices Ltd

Version 4.0.1

Notices

whole or in part, without the written consent of Delta-T Devices Ltd. Under the law,

copying includes translation into another language.

CE conformity

The Moisture Meter has been assessed for compatibility under the European Union

EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and conforms to the appropriate standards. When used

in conjunction with a Delta-T soil moisture sensor (such as the Theta or Profile

Probes), then the EMC guidelines stipulated in the respective manuals for these

sensors should be followed to ensure the combined system remains compliant.

See EMC certificate copy on page 85

Design changes

Delta-T Devices Ltd reserves the right to change the designs and specifications of

its products at any time without prior notice.

User Manual Version: 4.0.1

SM150 sensor added - see Addendum, inserted at front

SM300 sensor added - see Addendum, inserted at front

ML3 sensor added - see Addendum, inserted at front

May 2013

__________________________________________________________

Delta-T Devices Ltd.

Tel: +44 1638 742922

128, Low Road

Fax: +44 1638 743155

Burwell e-mail: sales@delta-t.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE CB5 0EJ WWW: http://www.delta-t.co.uk

___________________________________________________________

Addendum to HH2 User Manual Version 4.0 for ML3

Addendum to HH2 User Manual

Version 4.0 for ML3

Please keep this document with your HH2 User Manual.

ML3 Sensor readings

Support for ML3 requires HH2 Firmware version 2.7 and HH2Read version 2.7 or

later.

To select the ML3 for the next reading:

Press Set at the start-up or readings screen to display the Options menu.

Scroll down to Device using the up ▲and down ▼ keys and press Set.

Scroll down to ML3 using the up and down keys and press Set.

Press Read to take a reading.

Temperature readings are not supported

Please note:

The HH2 does not read ML3 temperature readings

The HH2 hand held meter is intended for taking readings quickly and then moving on

to another location. But the temperature sensor in the ML3 takes about 30 minutes*

to thermally equilibrate with the surrounding soil, and should ideally be buried in the

soil. So for these two reasons it is not appropriate to use the HH2 for soil temperature

readings with this sensor.

* Note: This is defined as the time to equilibrate with and read within 1 degree C of

the soil temperature when burying an ML3 which is itself initially 10 degree C

Addendum to HH2 User Manual Version 4.0 for ML3



different from the soil temperature, and which has at least 20 cm of cable buried in

the soil too.

Support for the ML3 is the same the support for the ML2, ML2x and SM300 -

described in the HH2 User Manual.

Trouble Shooting

My ML2x and ML3 don’t agree

Cause

The ML2x conversion table is optimised for water at 0 mS.m-1

The ML3 table is optimised to be most accurate at a salinity of 150 mS.m-1.

This is the typical value in real soils, and helps extend the range of salinity over which

soil moisture readings may be taken.

Solution

When using an ML2x as well as an ML3 select the ML2 Special look-up table for the

ML2.

This is optimised for use at 150 mS.m-1 and so should give the best agreement with

the ML3.

This solution requires HH2 Firmware version 2.7 and HH2Read version 2.7 or later.

How to upgrade your HH2

Support for ML3 is provided in version 2.7 of the HH2 firmware and version 2.7 of

the PC software HH2Read.

Older versions of the HH2 Moisture Meter can be upgraded to work with the ML3 –

see HH2 upgrades section in our price list for details. This requires the HH2 to be

sent back to Delta-T or our distributor.

Which version do I have?

To check which version of HH2Read that you currently have, run HH2Read on your

PC and select Help. About.

To check which version of firmware in the HH2 connect it to your PC via e.g. COM1

and select the Version button in HH2Read

Upgrade Options

1) Complete upgrade. This upgrades both HH2 firmware and PC software

and is the best option.

Either return your HH2 to Delta-T for an HH2 factory upgrade or ask you

local distributor to do it. Contact us for prices and shipping instructions.

2) Partial upgrade for HH2Read only: Download HH2Read version 2.7 or

later from the Delta-T website or the Delta-T Software and Manuals DVD

Addendum to HH2 User Manual Version 4.0 for ML3

This option helps you to install the ML3 linearisation table into the HH2

meter using the HH2Read PC software.

It is not that difficult (see the link below for instructions).

The downside is - each time your HH2 battery goes flat for more than 30

seconds you will have to reinstall the ML3 linearisation table.

For details see the document Support for the ML3 Soil Moisture Sensor

with an HH2, available on our website and on the Delta-t Software and

Manuals DVD

3) No upgrade: It is possible use an ML3 with earlier versions of the HH2

meter. It takes some effort. You need to create a linearization table called

ML3.lin in the correct format and load it into the HH2 using HH2Read.

The disadvantages are is the same as item 2 above, plus you also have to

remember to select the Device PR1 Special. (which is provided as a place

holder for additional tables).

Support for the ML3 Soil Moisture Sensor with an HH2, available on our

website and on the Delta-t Software and Manuals DVD.

Linearisation Tables Format on page 76 of HH2 User Manual version 4.0

Addendum to HH2 User Manual Version 4.0 for SM300

Addendum to HH2 User Manual

Version 4.0 for SM300

Please keep this document with your HH2 User Manual.

SM300 Sensor readings

Support for SM300 requires HH2 Firmware version 2.5 and HH2Read version 2.5 or

later.

Please note:

The HH2 does not read SM300 temperature readings

This is because SM300 temperature sensor has a slow response time and is

unsuitable for instantaneous temperature measurements’

Support for the SM300 is exactly the same the support for the ML2, ML2x and

SM200 - described in the HH2 User Manual.

To select the SM300 for the next reading:

Press Set at the start-up or readings screen to display the Options menu.

Scroll down to Device using the up ▲and down ▼ keys and press Set.

Scroll down to SM300 using the up and down keys and press Set.

Press Read to take a reading.

How to upgrade your HH2

Support for SM300 is provided in version 2.5 of the HH2 firmware and version 2.5 of

the PC software HH2Read.

Older versions of the HH2 Moisture Meter can be upgraded to work with the SM300 –

Addendum to HH2 User Manual Version 4.0 for SM300 2

see HH2 upgrades section in our price list for details. This requires the HH2 to be

sent back to Delta-T or our distributor.

Which version do I have?

To check which version of HH2Read that you currently have, run HH2Read on your

PC and select Help, About.

To check which version of firmware in the HH2 connect it to your PC via e.g. COM1

and select the Version button in HH2Read

Upgrade Options

1) Complete upgrade. This upgrades both HH2 firmware and PC software

and is the best option.

Either return your HH2 to Delta-T for an HH2 factory upgrade or ask you

local distributor to do it. Contact us for prices and shipping instructions.

2) Partial upgrade for HH2Read only: Download HH2Read version 2.5 or

later from the Delta-T website or the Delta-T Software and Manuals CD

Issue 3 or later.

This option provides a SM300 linearisation table SM300.lin which you install

into the HH2 meter using the HH2Read PC software.

It is not difficult. Disadvantages are:

a. the SM300 table displaces an existing table in the HH2, so the HH2

doesn’t offer the SM300 in the Device menu: you have to select ML1

instead.

b. each time your HH2 battery goes flat for more than 30 seconds you will

have to reinstall the SM300 linearisation table.

3) No upgrade: It is possible to use an SM300 with earlier versions of the

HH2Read: create your own linearization table file and load it into the HH2

using HH2Read.

The disadvantages are the same as Partial upgrade (above), plus you also

have to create your own linearization table file.

See also: Accessories on page 98.



Introduction to the Moisture Meter Moisture Meter User Manual 4.0

Unpacking

Your consignment will have the following parts:

Part:

Sales code

Description

Moisture Meter

HH2

Moisture Meter with:

battery,

connector cap,

this User Manual &

Data Collection software

HH2Read on CD

RS232 cable with

9-way to 25-way

converter

HHRS2 Cable has 9-way D-

connectors at both ends.

Use 9 to 25 way

converter to connect to

the Moisture Meter

and may also contain some or all of the following:

PR2-HH2 cable

PRC/d-

HH2

1.5m cable connects PR2

to HH2

SM200 - HH2

cable

SM2C/d-

HH2

1.5 m cable connects

SM200 to HH2

Spare battery set

HH2BAT

2 x PP3 Alkaline

DIN to 25-way D

socket converter

C-HH2-

DIN

Din plug connected to 25-

pin female D connector

via a short lead.

Tajimi to 25-way

D socket

converter

C-HH2-T 25-way female D

connector fitted with

Tajimi socket.

25-way D socket

kit

DSK1 25 way D Socket Kit for

user to solder onto

sensors with bare wires to

connect to HH2.

Spares Kit

HH2-SPK

Set of Spares for HH2

Introduction to the Moisture Meter



Moisture Meter Parts

Battery compartment - takes one

PP3 battery

LCD with 2 rows of 16 characters -

used to display menus and

readings

Splash proof case

25-pin D Connector for sensor

connection or PC connection

Keypad

Read take readings

Store save reading

Set select menu or

select option

Esc wake meter or

reject option & go back

▲▼ scroll

# #average



Introduction to the Moisture Meter Moisture Meter User Manual 4.0

How the Moisture Meter takes readings

Analogue sensors (SM200, ML1, ML2, ML2x, EQ2, PR2, PR1)

The Moisture Meter applies power to the sensor and measures the output signal

voltage returned.

It displays this directly, in mV, and/or converts into other units, depending on the type

of sensor and information available. (Equitensiometer results can only be displayed in

mV.)

The meter converts the mV reading into soil moisture units using a linearisation table

and soil-specific parameters.

Linearisation tables are pre-installed for sensors, and for Organic and Mineral soil

parameters.

For greatest accuracy you can enter your own soil type parameters - but these have

to be determined experimentally. This is outside the scope of this manual.

For mm Deficit you need to supply Field Capacity and Root Depth for each soil type

and crop.

The date and time is saved with each reading. Before saving readings you may enter

a unique Plot, Sample or Device identity (ID) label.

Digital Sensor (WET)

The Moisture Meter applies power to the sensor, receives readings as serial data,

processes these (as described in the WET sensor Application Note available from

Delta-T), and calculates bulk and pore conductivity, bulk permittivity and temperature

as required. Using installed soil calibrations the HH2 calculates water content. Given

the root depth and field capacity it can also calculate mm Deficit.

Sleep and Waking the Meter

To conserve the battery, the meter will “go to sleep” when it is not used for 1 minute.

The display will go blank and the meter will power down to reduce its power

consumption.

To make the HH2 sleep, press Esc once to return to the banner "Delta-T Devices

Moisture Meter" then press Esc one more time to make it sleep.

The meter will “wake up” when Esc is pressed or when RS232 messages are

received from the PC or when the battery is reconnected.

Averaging

Press # to shows the previous average – and press # twice to update it with the

current reading. Averages are not stored – sorry. Write it down if you need it.

For details see Averaging on page 14.

Navigating Options and Readings



Navigating Options and Readings

Press Esc to wake the HH2 and examine the Navigation Map overleaf. There are

two main routes - round the Read Cycle, and down (and up) the Options Menus.

Individual options or values are set at the bottom level of each menu path.

See also the Options Summary at the back of each sensor chapter.

Not all options are available with all devices. A table of permitted options, ranges

and default values are shown in each sensor chapter.

To display the main Options menu press the Set key when the readings are visible

on the display, or when the start-up screen is visible.

Options:



Data

Press Set to select an option - this may be another, lower menu.

Press Esc to reject an option and backtrack up to the previous menu.

When the and symbols are displayed, press the up and down keys to

scroll through the options in any given menu.

To save Readings - press Store.

To save Options - press Set.

Press Read and Store to take and save readings.

Options Menu

The symbol indicates that other options are available.

Data: Add label for Plot ID, Sample, Device ID, Root Depth, Sensor Depth or delete

all data.

Device: Select the sensor e.g. PR1 for a Profile Probe.

Soil Type: Choose one for each sensor if you want results in engineering units. The

default is Mineral.

Soil Set-Up: Define parameters associated with each soil type.

Units: Select which engineering units are used - e.g. %vol or m3.m-3.

Display: Select readings to be taken and displayed -e.g. mV and %Vol.

Date and Time: The clock can be set via the keypad or from the PC

Status: Displays: % memory used, % battery life remaining & number of readings in

memory. Also version numbers of firmware and any installed tables.

Remote: Select this when connecting to a PC.

10 Navigating Options and Readings Moisture Meter User Manual 4.0

Navigating Options and Readings



Using the Options Menu

Select your Device option first - the other options depend on which device has been

selected.

Note: before you can select a WET sensor device you must install the WET sensor

calibration file using HH2Read ( see Install WET Sensor Calibration on page 41).

You may specify any Plot ID (A - Z), Device ID (0 - 255) and Sample ID (1 - 2000) for

any reading. These are just labels.

You may choose which engineering units to display result.

For soil moisture you must select a soil type unless you only want mV readings.

(Equitensiometers readings are only available in mV.)

The default soil type is Mineral.

Advanced users, able to calibrate their own soils, may install their own soil specific

calibration coefficients called a0 & a1 under Soil Set-Up. (b0 & b1 for WET sensors).

Other users should use the Mineral and Organic soils already defined in the Moisture

Meter.

WET users have a choice of standard soil types and, if purchased pre-installed in the

HH2, custom calibrations for specific commercial artificial soils such as stone wool.

If you want mm deficit you MUST define the Field Capacity and Root Depth for

each soil type. We provide a table in the back of this manual for mineral soils. Organic

soils are so variable you have to determine the field capacity experimentally, before it

makes any sense to take mm Deficit readings.

The default for Field Capacity is pre-set to the 38% corresponding to a silty clay loam.

The default Root Depth, set to zero, forces the calculated default value for mm Deficit

to be zero. See Calculating Field Capacity on page 108.

Some crop consultants recommend 700 mm as the default Root Depth.

For ease of graphing data it is good to always measure your sensors in the same

order each visit.

Some experts recommending having three sensors, or access tubes, at each

location, and taking three readings from each, to average out random sampling errors

later on your PC.



Navigating Options and Readings Moisture Meter User Manual 4.0

Example: Change the Plot Label

The Plot Label is an optional label in the Data sub menu and can take any value from

A to Z.

Press Esc to wake the meter.

Press Set to display the main Options menu.

Scroll down to Data and Press Set.

Scroll down to Plot ID and Press Set.

Plot Label:



In this example, "C" is offered because it was saved with the previous reading.

Press up or down to change the value.

Press Set to select the new value.

To reject an option or value press the Esc.

In practice you will most probably visit the Data sub menu each time you change your

location - to change one or more labels - in order to better identify each reading later.

Setting the Clock

You can set the clock from the PC or from the keypad of the Moisture Meter.

To set the time in the HH2 to that of your PC use the Settings, Clock command in

the HH2Read application, (see page 64). Alternatively you can set the clock from the

keypad.

Note: The date - month - year order will be set to reflect that on your PC the first time

you use the Settings, Clock option in the HH2Read.

To set the clock from the keypad

Press Set at the start-up screen to display the Options menu.

Scroll down to Date and Time using the up and down keys and press Set.

Date and Time:



Set Date

Press Set to display the Date menu:

Date:



01/01/2000

Navigating Options and Readings



Note that the date - month - year order will be set to reflect that on your PC the first

time you use the Settings, Clock option in the Data Collection software HH2Read on

your PC.

Use the up and down keys to change the first field and press Set to accept it.

The indicator jumps to the next field.

Repeat for the second and third fields in the Date display.

This will return you to the Date and Time menu.

Scroll down to the Set Time option with the key and repeat the above instructions

to set the hours, minutes and seconds fields, shown below:

Time:



22/56/42

Options are device specific

Options are only displayed if relevant to the device selected.

For instance, if under device you select Equitensiometer, then you will not be given a

choice of Soil Type or Soil Set-Up, or Units.

The default settings in the Moisture Meter are for an ML2 ThetaProbe.

The next section is organised by sensing device. Each has its own menu navigation

tree and a table indicating the default settings, available menu options and permitted

ranges for settings.

Upload Data to PC

From the main Options menu select Remote and press Set.

The rest of the work is done from your PC keyboard.

If not yet installed, install HH2Read on your PC, as described on page 60.

Connect the PC to your Moisture Meter as explained on page 61.

Run HH2Read and select its Retrieve command as described on page 65.

The end result is that your data is saved to file in a comma separated (.CSV) format

as shown on page 70.

See also Dataset Import Wizard on page 68.

Note: you can’t store or upload averages to the PC

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