Eureka MANTA2 User manual

MANTA and TRIMETER
MULTIPROBE MANUAL
This manual (rev. 11-2018) covers Eureka’s Manta2, Manta+, and Trimeter models.
For simplicity the term “Manta” is used collectively for all models.

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CONTENTS
A Learning the Manta in 30 Minutes .................................................................................. 6
A.1 See Your Manta ......................................................................................................................... 6
A.2 Talk to Your Manta.................................................................................................................... 7
A.3 A Short Exercise… ...................................................................................................................... 9
B Manta Basics……………… ................................................................................................ 11
B.1 Deployment Specifications…................................................................................................... 11
B.2 Manta Control Software Flow Chart ....................................................................................... 11
B.3 The Manta Has Four Basic Applications .................................................................................. 11
B.4 Underwater Cables.................................................................................................................. 12
B.5 Operating the Manta with Eureka’s Amphibian2 .................................................................. 12
B.6 What do the LED lights mean? ............................................................................................. 13
B.7 The USB Converter .................................................................................................................. 13
B.8 Accessories .............................................................................................................................. 14
B.9 Flow Cell .................................................................................................................................. 14
B.10 Routine Maintenance.............................................................................................................. 14
C The Manta Control Software… ...................................................................................... 15
C.1 Manta Control Software Map ................................................................................................. 15
C.2 Home Page.. ............................................................................................................................ 16
C.3 Hot Buttons ............................................................................................................................. 17
C.4 “PC” Pull-Down Menu ............................................................................................................. 18
C.5 “Manta” Pull-Down Menu .................................................................................................... 19
C.5.a Manage Manta Files ................................................................................................... 20
C.5.b Logging Set-Up ........................................................................................................... 20
C.5.c Calibration Log............................................................................................................ 21
C.5.d Sensors and Parameters List ...................................................................................... 21

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C.5.e Calibrate ..................................................................................................................... 22
C.5.f Manta Version............................................................................................................ 23
C.5.g Create a Custom Parameter....................................................................................... 23
C.5.h Delete a Custom Parameter ....................................................................................... 23
C.6 Software Update of November 2018 ...................................................................................... 23
D Sensors and Calibrations............................................................................................... 25
D.1 The Difference between Sensors and Parameters.................................................................. 25
D.2 Basics of Parameter Calibrations............................................................................................. 25
D.3 Choosing Calibration Standards .............................................................................................. 26
D.4 Calibration Record (“Cal Log”)................................................................................................. 27
D.5 Sensor Response Factor (SRF) ................................................................................................. 28
D.6 Temperature............................................................................................................................ 28
D.7 Dissolved Oxygen .................................................................................................................... 28
D.8 Conductivity............................................................................................................................. 30
D.9 pH ............................................................................................................................................32
D.10 Reference Electrode ................................................................................................................ 32
D.11 Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP)...................................................................................... 33
D.12 Depth and Vented Depth (Stage) ............................................................................................ 33
D.13 Turbidity .................................................................................................................................. 34
D.14 Fluorometers........................................................................................................................... 36
D.15 Ion-Selective Electrodes (ISE’s) ............................................................................................... 37
D.16Total Dissolved Gas (TDG) ....................................................................................................... 38
D.17 PAR .......................................................................................................................................... 39
D.18 Set Barometric Pressure and Set Time and Date .................................................................... 40
E Data Logging................................................................................................................. 41
E.1 What’s the difference between “Logging” and “Snapshot”?.................................................. 41
E.2 Why We Do Logging the Way We Do...................................................................................... 41
E.3 Sensor Warm-up...................................................................................................................... 41
E.4 Setting Up Logging Runs, Logging File Management, Logging Interval................................... 41
E.5 Activating Manta Logging........................................................................................................ 42

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E.6 Am I using Battery Pack power or Cable power? .................................................................... 42
E.7 Logging with an Internal Battey Pack ...................................................................................... 43
E.7.a Changing IBP Batteries in Manta 20, 25, and Trimeters and Activating Logging....... 43
E.7.b Changing IBP Batteries in Manta 30 and Activating Logging ..................................... 44
E.7.c Changing IBP Batteries in Manta 35 and 40 and Activating Logging.......................... 44
E.8 Logging with an Enternal Battery Pack.................................................................................... 45
E.8.a The External Battery Pack .......................................................................................... 45
E.8.b Changing EBP Batteries and Activating Logging......................................................... 46
E.8.c Installing and Removing the EBP................................................................................ 47
E.9 Batteries and Battery Life........................................................................................................ 48
E.10 Logging Redundantly with Telemetry ..................................................................................... 51
E.11 Controlling Sensor Fouling ...................................................................................................... 51
E.12 Pipe Kit..................................................................................................................................... 50
F Small-Screen Data Displays ........................................................................................... 51
F.1 Small-Screen Data Displays ..................................................................................................... 51
F.2 Connecting the Amphibian2 with a Cable............................................................................... 51
F.3 Bluetooth Battery.................................................................................................................... 51
F.4 Establish Bluetooth Communication....................................................................................... 52
F.4.a Connect to the Amphibian2 with Bluetooth for the First Time ................................. 52
F.4.b Connect to "Classic Bluetooth" Android Data Displays.............................................. 53
F.4.c Connect to "Bluetooth Low Energy" (BLE) Data Display (including iPhone) .............. 53
F.4 Example Screens from Small-Screen Data Displays ................................................................ 53
G Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................... 58
G.1 Our Three Most-Frequently Asked Questions......................................................................... 58
G.2 Sensors .................................................................................................................................... 59
G.3 Calibration and Maintenance.................................................................................................. 60
G.4 Communication and Software................................................................................................. 63
G.5 Deployment and Applications ................................................................................................. 64
G.6 General FAQ’s.......................................................................................................................... 65

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Additional Documents
For more information on various subjects, please check your Eureka Flash Drive (that comes with each
instrument) and the Eureka Web site (www.WaterProbes.com) under the Documents tab shown on the
Home Page.
As this manual was written, these documents and videos were on the Flash Drive:
1Calibrating Ion-Selective Electrodes: The Difference between Activity and Concentration
2Standardizing Eureka’s Turner Fluorometers
3Calibrating Eureka’s Turner Fluorometers
4Manta Comm Protocol
5Manta SDI-12 Adapter
6MODBUS Communications
7Performance Verification Statement for the Eureka Manta2 pH Sensor (2015)
8Evaluation of the Eureka Manta2 Water-Quality Multiprobe Sonde (USGS, 2017)
9Installing Manta Control Software on an Android Data Display
10 Manta Logging with an Uninterrupted Power Supply
11 Manta Power Options
12 Eureka Outperforms the Competition
13 Conductivity Sensor Calibration
14 Multiprobe Setup Instructions
15 Manta2 Multiprobe Calibration
16 Unboxing Video
All Eureka videos are also available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSC0BpD9pS-
55mFAWt_jRQ .
Do you need help?
Eureka has the best customer service in the multiprobe market, so there’s no reason to get bogged down
with a problem. We welcome your call at 512-302-4333 x111, or email at [e-mail].
Eureka Water Probes 2113 Wells Branch Parkway Suite 4400 Austin TX 78728

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A. LEARNING THE MANTA IN 30 MINUTES
A.1 See Your Manta
1. The Manta Multiprobe is configured with your choice of sensors, and with or without a battery
pack.
2. The Underwater Cable connects the Manta to a Data Display (PC, Amphibian, logger, telemetry
device or, using the Bluetooth Battery, a tablet or smart phone).
3. The Storage/Calibration Cup protects the sensors when the Manta is not in use (keep a few ounces
of tap water in the S/C Cup when the Manta is not being used). And with the lid removed, it holds
your calibration solutions.
4. The Manta Flash Drive contains the software for connecting your Manta to your PC or other Data
Display, plus a digital copy of this manual, several instructional videos, and several technical notes.
5. The optional Data Cable lets you communicate conveniently with your Manta when an
Underwater Cable is not needed, for instance, during Calibration.The USB Adapter connects
between your Underwater Cable (or Data Cable) and a USB port on your Display Device. The USB
2
3
7
4
6
1
5
8

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Adapter can also connect an external power supply to your Manta if USB power is not adequate
(particularly with long Underwater Cables or large number of sensors).
Do not use the USB Adapter with anything but a USB port and a Manta.
6. The Maintenance Kit contains all the tools and maintenance items needed to keep your Manta in
top shape.
7. The Weighted Sensor Guard replaces the Storage/Calibration Cup to protect the sensors during
deployment, and to help the Manta sink.
A.2 Talk to Your Manta
Please follow the steps below to install Eureka software on your PC or laptop (collectively, PC).
1Plug the Manta Flash Drive into one of your PC’s USB ports.
2When the dialog box shown below opens, click Install Manta Software to upload the Manta User
Interface software and the USB Driver software onto your PC.
Eureka
Flash Drive

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Depending on which version of Windows you are accursed with, you might have to answer the usual
questions about your intention to load new software on your PC. Once you’re through with that,
you’ll be returned to the same screen that you started with, meaning that your Manta software and
USB Driver are installed.
Click the X in the upper right corner of the dialog box to close the installation process.
Note that you can download the Manta manual and various videos and technical documents that are
stored on the Eureka Flash Drive.
3If your Windows did not create on your Desktop a shortcut to the Manta
Control Software, and you would like to have one, click the Start button in
the lower left of your screen, click All Programs, click the Eureka folder,
right-click “Manta 2 Control Software”, and drag it to your desktop.
4Now connect your Manta to the USB Adapter using either a Manta Data
Cable or Underwater Cable.Click the Eureka “fish” icon to connect your PC and Manta. The Home
Page will appear, showing the Manta’s real-time data and various menu options. You can close the
program by clicking the X in the upper right corner.
This software installation process should take only a few minutes. Please call us (512-302-
4333, Ext 1111) if you have any problems.

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If your Manta does not connect with your PC, it may be that your organization’s network
firewall prevented the installation of the USB driver. Consult your IT department if you do not
see the Prolific USB driver listed in your device-driver menu (which is usually found in Settings
after clicking the Start button in the lower-left screen).

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A.3 A Short Exercise
Let’s do a quick exercise to show how easy the Manta is to use. We will connect the instrument to a PC,
calibrate conductivity, and check the Calibration Log for the conductivity calibration information.
1Connect your Manta to your PC with the USB Adapter and either a Data Cable or Underwater Cable.
2Click the Eureka icon to launch the Manta Control Software. Soon you will see the Home Page and
the data being sent from your Manta.
3Fill the Storage/Calibration Cup with tap water or conductivity standard and wait for the conductivity
reading to stabilize.
4Click the Manta pull-down menu on the Home Page and click Calibrate, and then click SpCond on the
next screen.

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5Type in the approximate conductivity of your tap water or the value of your conductivity standard and
click OK.
6Click on OK in the next screen to finalize the calibration and be returned to the Home Page. (D.5)
7Click the Manta pull-down menu on the Home Page then click Cal Log on the next screen. At the
bottom of the list are the details of the calibration that you just did.
8Click on OK to return to the Home Page.
Was that easy, or what? Don’t you wish you had back all those frustrating, life-shortening, soul-crushing
hours you spent trying to decipher those other multiprobe manufacturers’ software?

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B MANTA BASICS
Eureka is the only major multiprobe manufacturer that provides a three-
year warranty that
covers all sensors, including pH and DO.
B.1 Deployment Specifications
The Manta can be used in natural water up to 50 degrees C and 200 meters deep, except that ISE’s are
rated to 10 meters deep, and TDG sensors and low-range depth should go no deeper than 25 meters.
B.2 Manta Control Software Flow Chart
Please see the first page in Section C.
B.3 The Manta Has Four Basic Applications
1Manual Data Collection, also known as profiling, surveying, site-to-site measurements, etc., means
that the user is present at the monitoring site and uses a Data Display for observing measurements.
This allows the user to make data-based decisions in the field in real-time, and lets the user visit
multiple monitoring sites in one day. The Data Display can be a laptop, Amphibian2, or almost any
tablet or smart phone. The user makes note of measurements either with pen and paper or,
preferably, by using the Manta’s Snapshot or Automatic Snapshot features. You might “snapshot” a
series of measurements in one or more lakes or streams during the day, and then download the data
to your desktop PC that evening. (C.3, E.1)
2Unattended Logging means that the user has set the multiprobe into its Logging mode, deployed the
multiprobe in the proper location in the water, and then left the site. The Manta can run for weeks
at a time with cable-supplied power or an optional Manta integral battery pack. You can, for instance,
set the instrument to take a set of readings every half-hour, anchor it in an estuary, and return after
two weeks to retrieve the instrument and download the data to a PC, laptop, or Android device.
3Telemetry Relay means that the user has connected the multiprobe to a telemetry device, deployed
the Manta in the proper location in the water, and then left the site. A cable connects the multiprobe
to the telemetry system. The telemetry device uses satellite or cell-phone communication to
periodically report data collected by the multiprobe to the user’s office PC or to a proprietary Web
page. In many telemetry systems, the user can also contact the multiprobe and request transmission
of the most recent data. Telemetry Relay allows the user to collect data all night and all day for weeks

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without being present at the monitoring site and allows the user remote access to those data at any
time. Telemetry is helpful in deciding when a trip to the field for multiprobe calibration or
maintenance is necessary.Telemetry is also ideal in locations for which access is dangerous or
expensive.
4On-Line Monitoring, also known as process-control monitoring, means that the multiprobe is
connected to a PLC, SCADA system, etc. An example is monitoring the input to a water-treatment
plant for salinity or chlorophyll. On-Line Monitoring allows the user to make water-quality-based
decisions in real-time. The Manta is particularly effective in this application when more than one
parameter is used in the control loop.
B.4 Underwater Cables
The later Manta Underwater Cables have a marine-style connector (left), while the early Manta
Underwater Cables had an audio-style connector (right).
Vented Underwater Cables, which are used with the optional Vented Level sensor, have a small tube
within the VUC to connect the sensor to the surface of the water so that changes in barometric pressure
do not affect level readings. That vent tube is connected to a desiccant pack at the top of the VUC to
prevent water from condensing inside the vent tube. Later VUC’s are fixed to the Manta and cannot be
removed.
B.5 Operating the Manta with Eureka’s Amphibian2
(Please see F.4.a if you wish to connect to your Amphibian2 via Bluetooth instead of a cable.)
1Power on the Amphibian2 Data Display.

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1On the start-up screen, select “Amp_2_2_X” to launch the Manta
control software.
2Connect the Amphibian2 to your Manta cable’s 9-pin connector and
turn the Amphibian2 on.
3You should see scrolling data from the Manta's sensors.
The Manta Control Software loaded on the Amphibian2 mirrors the version
for the PC with some concessions for the small screen.
Section 5 has more information about small-screen Data Displays.
B.6 What do the LED lights mean?
The Manta has three light-emitting diodes (LED’s), mounted on the circuit board visible through the
instrument housing, to help you understand what’s happening, and to provide information when
troubleshooting a failure.
The green light blinks every second when receiving adequate operating voltage via the cable; it does not
blink when the Manta operates under its own battery power.
The red light blinks five times upon power-up when Logging is enabled.
The amber light blinks when the Manta is receiving RS-232 communications from an external device (such
as a PC or logger).
A sequence of red and amber LED flashes tell you the voltage of your battery pack if you have activated
Logging. When you first power-up your Manta, the red LED will blink five times to indicate that Logging is
activated and to indicate the first 3.5 volts of battery power, and then one amber blink for each volt, and
one red blink for each half volt.
For instance, five reds, five ambers, and a red means 3.5 + 5 + 0.5 = 9 battery volts.
B.7 The USB Converter
Eureka’s USB Converter converts your Manta’s data stream to a USB port. Newer models have a power
port on the side that you can use to provide power to the Manta if USB power is insufficient, or to protect
your laptop’s battery. The connector is fairly standard for power supplies, so you can plug in many third-
party power supplies – but do not use a power supply providing over 14 VDC.
If you are using a power supply that plugs into the wall, please use a GFI-equipped circuit.

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B.8 Accessories
Eureka provides a number of accessories for the Manta, including carrying cases, anti-fouling kits, SDI-12
converters, data displays, telemetry systems, cable reels, etc. Please see the Eureka Web page
(www.WaterProbes.com) for more details.
B.9 Flow Cell
If it is more convenient to bring the water to the Manta than the Manta
to the water, for instance when monitoring a ground-water well, you
can simply screw a Flow Cell onto the Manta as you would normally
screw on a sensor guard.
B.10 Routine Maintenance
Clean your instrument periodically with warm soapy water. Liquid
dishwashing soap is fine. Do not use abrasives. Do not use acetone. Do
not clean with gasoline, kerosene, or industrial cleaners. Mild
household cleaners work well. Clean sensor stems with a soft brush.
Rinse well with tap water, and store sensors with tap water in the
storage cup.
Replace any o-rings with visible cracks. Keep o-rings greased with silicon
grease (found in your Maintenance Kit). Always remove batteries and clean your Manta prior to storing it
for prolonged periods.
Be sure to limit the pressure in your sample lines to 15 psi
so that you don’t damage the flow cell.

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C THE MANTA CONTROL SOFTWARE
C.1 Manta Control Software Map
Graphing
Calibration
Record
MantaMinder Menu Flow Chart
PC or
Amphibian
Manta 2
Set PC or
Amphibian
Scroll Interval
Manage Manta
2 Files
select your choice
of scrolling
intervals from the
chart
view or delete
Manta 2 files, or
export Manta 2
files to your PC
Time & Date
SC in uS/cm, pH (2-
point), Depth … all
the paramerters for
which your manta 2
is enabled
Note: All MantaMinder screens have
"OK", "Cancel", and "Help" buttons.
Click on "OK" to implement whatever
changes you have made; click on
"Cancel" to go back to the Main Screen
without implementing any changes; click
on "Help" to get, well, help.
follow the
parameter-
specific
instructions for
calibrations
type in the
correct time and
date, or
synchronize with
your PC
select any of
three methods
for telling your
Manta 2 the local
BP
Calibrate
Barometric
Pressure
select your choice
of USB ports from
the chart
view real-time
data in graphical
form
MS Windows
standard "Save
As" function
select your choice
of parameters,
and their order of
appearance, from
the chart
view details of all
calibrations made
to your Manta 2
select your choice
of logging
interval, turbidity
wipes, and Manta
2 file names
COM Ports
Sensors and
Parameters List
Choose a File
for Storing Your
Snapshots
Logging Set-Up

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C.2 Home Page
We call the Manta Control Software’s Home Page the “Home Page” because you can access all the Manta
functions from this screen. The Home Page functions are:

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C.3 Hot Buttons
“Hot Buttons” are the little squares you can click on to do something important without leaving the Home
Page. The Hot Buttons are:
1Click the “Manta logging is OFF” (or, “Manta logging is ON”) hot button to enable or disable the
Manta’s Logging function. It lets you tell the Manta that you will be deploying it in the field for
unattended Logging. Clicking the hot button toggles the Logging on and off. Generally, Logging should
be off – turn Logging to ON only when you’re preparing for unattended deployment.

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2Click the “Wipe one cycle now” hot button to activate one cycle of the turbidity sensor’s wiper. If your
Manta doesn’t have turbidity, you can still click this button, but nothing will happen.
3Click the “Capture One Line of Data to PC without Annotation” hot button to save the most recent
line of data (as shown in the yellow band on the Home Page) in your Snapshot file. (C.3.b)
4Click the “Capture One Line of Data to PC with Annotation” hot button to save the most recent line
of data (as shown in the yellow band on the Home Page) to your Snapshot file, along with a brief note
that you might wish to append to the data. Type that note in the annotation box. The note will be
saved, along with the data, in your Snapshot file. (C.3.b)
5Click the “Clear Data from PC Screen” hot button to remove the data you see on the screen and start over
with only the most recent data. Clicking this button does not close the program.
C.4 “PC” Pull-Down Menu
The Manta has two pull-down menus, called PC and Manta. They’re called pull-downs because when you
click on them, a bunch of hidden buttons appear. When you click on the “PC” pull-down menu, you get
six buttons to choose from:
1Click Set Scroll Interval if you wish to change the time for which lines of data on your Data Display
screen are updated. You can click on a specific scroll interval or type in your own.
2Click Set Snapshot Location if you wish to specify the file in which your Snapshots are to be filed. This
calls up the standard “Save As” (or equivalent) function of your Data Display’s operating system.
Follow the instructions just as if you were saving, for instance, a new Word document.
A “Snapshot” is what happens when you choose to log, or store, one line of data. That line can be
representative of, say, stabilized readings at 10 meters in a particular lake, or any other line of data
you find interesting.(C.4, E.1)

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If you want to find those interesting lines of data later, it’s a good idea to put them in a file whose
location you can actually remember.
Notice that the active Snapshot File location is listed on the bottom line of the Home Page.
3Click Automatic Snapshot if you wish log data automatically and quickly, for instance to catch a
transient situation or if you are rapidly profiling a column of water. You can also use Automatic
Snapshot to save data while you go to lunch. The data are stored in the Snapshot file as determined
by “Set Snapshot Location”. (C.4, E.1)
In Automatic Snapshot, data are logged at the same interval as they are displayed on your Data
Display screen when you’re not in Automatic Snapshot. For instance, if you have set your PC scroll
interval to 10 seconds, Automatic Snapshot will record data at 10-second intervals.
4Click Graphing to see your Manta real-time data in graphical form. The graph view is helpful when
profiling to watch for sensor stability. For example, Dissolved Oxygen readings are temperature and
salinity corrected, so when the probe goes through water with thermal or saline stratification, it’s
important to wait for stable readings before recording a Snapshot.
5Click COM Ports to change the USB port that your Manta Control Software uses to talk to your
Manta. Normally the Manta Control Software searches all active USB ports until it finds a Manta to
talk to, and then it stops looking. But you might have more than one Manta connected to your PC
at one time, for instance if you are calibrating several Manta’s at the same time or are using your PC
to monitor several Manta’s at the same time (like in a fish hatchery with multiple tanks). In that case,
you can click COM Ports to see the list all the COM ports that your PC knows about and choose
another COM port corresponding to another for the Manta.
6Click Control Software Version to get a screen that tells you the software version that your Data
Display is using to talk to your Manta.
C.5 “Manta” Pull-Down Menu
The Manta has two pull-down menus, called PC and Manta. They’re called pull-downs because when you
click on them, a bunch of hidden buttons appear. When you click on the “Manta” pull-down menu, you
get eight buttons to choose from: