HyQuest Solutions PVD200 User manual

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
- 1 -
PVD200
Current Meter Counter
(with signal processor)
Operation Manual
HyQuest Solutions Pty Ltd
48-50 Scrivener Street
Liverpool NSW 2170
Australia
Ph. 61 2 9601 2022 Fax. [phone]
Internet: www.hyquestsolutions.com.au
E-Mail: [e-mail]

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 2 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction........................................................................................ 3
2.1 Overview............................................................................................................... 4
3. Installation.......................................................................................... 4
3.1 Hardware Connections ....................................................................................... 4
4. Operation............................................................................................ 5
4.1 Navigating Screens .............................................................................................. 5
4.2 Current Meter Counter Operation.................................................................... 6
4.3 Current Meter Counter Menus.......................................................................... 7
4.4 Indicator LEDs .................................................................................................... 11
4.5 Bluetooth®Communications............................................................................... 11
4.5.1 Serial Communications Interface ...................................................................... 12
4.5.2 Data Conversion Example .................................................................................. 14
4.5.3 Operating the Special Functions Using Serial Communications.................... 16
4.6 Changing the Batteries........................................................................................ 16
4.7 Maintenance and Repair Procedure.................................................................. 17
5. Specifications...................................................................................... 18
Appendix A Capturing a Spin Test............................................................... 20
Appendix B Measuring Meter Dwell ............................................................ 25
Appendix C Example Calibration Certificate.............................................. 26
Appendix D Ground Feeler Device Model GFD.......................................... 27

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 3 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
1. Introduction
The HyQuest Solutions
PVD200 is similar in function
to the PVD100 Current Meter
Counter, with automatic
calculation and display of
‘point velocity’ and current
meter revolutions after a pre-set
time interval – it includes a
more user friendly display and
menu system to change
functions or add current meter
formulas. This measures flow
velocity from almost any
mechanically rotating current
meter. A feature of the device
is its ability to "clean" the
current meter signal and interface via Bluetooth to a compatible PDA, PocketPC, or other
computing device (compatible software also required) and provide serial data that can be used
by the external device to compute discharge. Current Meters fitted with a cat whisker ball
and wire contact to perform a mechanical switch closure can be used with the unit to produce
a clean, noise-free signal. The water velocity is directly computed and displayed on the LCD.
The PVD200 supports up to 6 current meters with each meter having up to 3 rating equations
and 3 rotations/sec ranges.
The PVD200 operates with 3 x AA alkaline 1.5V batteries and comes in a robust waterproof
enclosure. The commands are identical to the CMCsp commands, so existing third party
compatible software that has been developed, can be used to perform a measurement and
make operating selections. The PVD200 can operate with current meter velocities from less
than 0.05 ft/sec to more than 20 ft/sec for a Price AA meter. The PVD200 also provides a
slow-speed mode to improve measurements with extremely slow rotating current meters
[velocities less than 0.25 ft/sec]. The PVD200 does not need to be connected to an external
device to operate. The visual indicators, LCD and internal buzzer of the PVD200 can be used
to make a conventional current meter measurement and compute water velocity using look up
tables if required.
As you continue to read this manual, many features and operating capabilities of the PVD200
will be revealed and described. The PVD200 is extremely easy to use and yet versatile
enough to offer selections to operate in a wide variety of scenarios and field settings.
As an added benefit, whenever the PVD200 is inactive, it will automatically turn itself OFF
after a preselected period to help conserve the batteries. To turn it ON, simply press the 2
buttons together and all previous settings are restored ready for the user to begin a
measurement.
The PVD200 also has an internal serial port that can be used to upgrade the firmware as new
features become available.

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 4 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
Banana sockets for
current meter
2. Product Overview
2.1 Overview
Any pulse type current meter can be connected to the PVD200, and after entering the pulse to
velocity equations, it can display the measured velocity directly. Velocity can be either
displayed in feet/sec (ft/sec) or metres/second (m/sec) and is chosen by the user in a menu.
When a measurement is being made, the PVD200 counts contact closures, measures elapsed
time, and computes velocity to a precision of 0.01 ft/sec or 0.001 m/sec. The velocity is
computed based on the selection from up to 6 entered meter ratings, again chosen from a
menu. During a measurement, the PVD200 sends through the Bluetooth serial port the
number of accumulating meter contact closures and elapsed time at 1-second intervals.
An important operating feature of the PVD200 is the ability to signal process each contact
closure. Contact closures from any type of meter are inherently noisy causing miscounting or
double counting. The PVD200 samples the input signal from the connected meter and
examines the signal to determine if a contact closure has occurred and if successive signals
are of the same characteristics. The PVD200 then determines contact closure conditions and
either counts the signal closure or eliminates the condition as a noise pulse and does not count
the signal. For cat’s whisker contacts, this becomes extremely important since cat’s whisker
contacts offer the poorest quality for marking and counting rotations. The options for the
internal sounder allow it to operate momentarily or continuously when the current meter
contacts close – the continuous mode is ideal for operation with a Ground Feeler Device GFD
allowing detection of the river bed – see Appendix D.
The PVD200 offers (2) modes of operation for a cat whisker type meter - FAST and SLOW
speed mode. FAST is selected for meter rotations >0.25 ft/sec while SLOW mode is for
velocities below 0.25ft/sec. To improve noise rejection, the sample rate of the input signal at
the SLOW speed mode (lower velocities) is 1/10 of the sampling rate that occurs during
FAST mode. This slower sampling rate improves performance for back rotations and
corroded whisker contacts at extremely low meter cup rotations. It is important to know that
the PVD200 offers operational overlap at this 0.25 ft/sec velocity selection in either mode
and therefore it is not necessary for the operator to know precisely the velocity of water for
selecting either mode.
3. Installation
3.1 Hardware Connections
1. The current meter is connected through
the 2 banana type sockets at the top of the
PVD200.

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 5 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
4. Operation
4.1 Navigating Screens
The PVD200 has two front panel buttons that are used to turn power ON and OFF, view
menus, and choose operating settings. The labeling on the PVD200 gives you a reminder of
the button functions:
Power ON– Press and hold both buttons to turn on the PVD200.
Power OFF - Press and hold both buttons again to turn off the PVD200.
(The off function only occurs when the main screen is displayed)
Left Right
Button Button
Stop -CMC- Start
Up/Dn -Menu- Select
HoldMenu
Current Meter Counter
(CMC) Display
Press and HOLD
Right Button to
select the CMC
menus
CMC Menus

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 6 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
4.2 Current Meter Counter Operation
The Current Meter screen data is presented as shown above.
1. Press “Start” (right hand button) and the count,
elapsed time and velocity will be zero’d. The / will start
toggling between / and \.
2. When the first meter pulse is detected, the elapsed
timer will start. The count and velocity will also be
updated as pulses are detected.
3. When the elapsed timer exceeds the measurement
interval, and a meter pulse is detected, the timer will be
stopped. The final count, elapsed time and the
calculated velocity are all displayed.
4. If “Stop” (left hand button) is pressed during a measurement, the count, elapsed time and
velocity are frozen at that point.
Meter Type :
Mag Head / High Speed or
Cat Whisker / Hi+Lo Speed
Meter equations selected
(created by the User)
Measurement
interval in Secs
Water Velocity
calculated in ft/s or m/s
Toggles between \ and /
while taking a measurement
Elapsed Time
in Secs
Contact counts

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 7 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
4.3 Current Meter Counter Menus
While in the Current Meter Counter (CMC) display press and hold the right hand button to
enter the CMC Menu’s. Pressing “Up/Dn” (left hand button) will move the triangle pointer
down through the menus, and pressing “Select” (right hand button) will toggle the option, or
select the item.
1. The “Meter”type can be Mag Head, Cat
Whisker Fast, or Cat’s Whisker Slow.
In Mag Head mode the Status LED is Green.
In Cat Whisker Fast the Status LED is Red.
In Cat Whisker Slow the Status LED is off.
One important operating features of the PVD200 is the ability to signal process each contact
closure. Contact closures from any type of meter are inherently noisy causing miscounting or
double counting. The PVD200 samples the input signal from the connected meter and
examines the signal to determine if a contact closure has occurred and if successive signals
are of the same characteristics. The PVD200 then determines contact closure conditions and
either counts the signal closure or eliminates the condition as a noise pulse and does not count
the signal. For Cat’s Whisker contacts, this becomes extremely important since Cat’s
Whisker contacts offer the poorest quality for marking and counting rotations.
In Cat’s Whisker mode there are 2 speed settings. FAST is selected for meter rotations >0.25
ft/sec while SLOW mode is for velocities below 0.25ft/sec. To improve noise rejection, the
sample rate of the input signal at the SLOW speed mode (lower velocities) is 1/10 of the
sampling rate that occurs during FAST mode. This slower sampling rate improves
performance for back rotations and corroded whisker contacts at extremely low meter cup
rotations. It is important to know that the PVD200 offers operational overlap at this 0.25
ft/sec velocity selection in either mode and therefore it is not necessary for the operator to
know precisely the velocity of water for selecting either mode. When in SLOW mode, the
status LED flickers, and the sounder beeps longer whenever the whisker contacts are made.
2. The “Time”is the CMC elapsed time and can be set to 10, 20, 30, 40, …..90 Secs
3. Up to 6 different Meters can be selected – the Meters and their equations are entered in the
Setup Equations… option.
4. When Setup Equations… is selected, the Meter name and the respective equations are
displayed.
When the triangle is at item 1, and “Select” is
pressed, the Meter No is stepped through. The
equations for the selected meter are displayed
at the bottom of the screen.

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 8 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
5. To Edit a selected Meter Equation, step to
item 2 and press “Select”
The Meter Serial No (or name), the number of
equations (1, 2 or 3), and the equations
themselves will be displayed. The first character
of the Serial No will be flashing. Press “Up/Dn”
(left hand button) to change the character, and
press “Select” (right hand button) to select this
character and move to the next character.
Repeat these steps so the equations on the screen
match the equations on your Current Meter
calibrations sheets.
6. Select “Save and Return” to go back to the previous menu.
7. When More Settings + Test is selected, 5
more selections become available.
8. The Buzzer can be set to Disable, EnFull,
and EnMom. (When set to EnFull, the
buzzer beeps while the contacts are detected as
closed) When set to EnMom, the buzzer beeps
only momentarily as the contacts close)
9. If the Bluetooth module is not detected, it will display “Not Fitted”, otherwise it can be set
to Disable, EnCMC or EnFull. At this time both these options provide the same set of
Bluetooth commands – a new set of commands will be available for EnFull in the future.
10. The Units selection can be imperial (ft) or metric (m). (The units do not modify the result
of the velocity equations – you must enter the appropriate equations to match the required
units.)
*** Please Note ***
If a metric result is required you must use m/s equations.
If an imperial result is required you must use ft/s equations.

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 9 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
11. LCD Options allows 3 more LCD
selections to be chosen.
The contrast can vary between 6 (light) and
24 (dark) and may only need changing at the
extremes of ambient temperature.
The Power Down time can be set to 15, 20,
25, 30, 35,…..60 mins. If no buttons are pressed, the PVD200 will power down automatically
after this time.
The BackLight time can be set to 1,2,3,4,5,6…14,15 mins or Off. This is the time the
backlight stays on after a button is pressed – when operating in daylight, it is best to set the
BackLight Off as this will conserve power and the batteries will achieve considerably longer
life.
12. The Dwell Test measures the rotational
angle that the contact is closed on the Meter
head.
Spin the meter by hand at about 1 to 2 revs
per second and press “Start”. The bottom of the display will show “Rdy” while it is waiting
for a contact closure, and the Start button function will change to “Stop”. When the 3 angles
are measured, the display will indicate “Done” and the angles will appear across the screen.
This function measures the dwell angle (ratio of meter contact time to the total time for a
single rotation) for a meter contact and is useful for making adjustments to a cat whisker type
meter in the field. For a cat whisker contact head, the optimum adjustment is 60º or a single
meter cup width (US Geological Survey Price AA or Pygmy meter). A variation to an
adjustment of +/- 10% is acceptable. The measure of dwell angle for the magnetic head
contact does not apply but can be performed.

HyQuest Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Current Meter Counter – Model: PVD200
© Copyright - 10 - Issue 1.03 August 2018
13. The “Spin Test” is an elapsed time
measurement from the time a meter is spun
to when rotation of the meter stops.
Press “Start” and the display will indicate
Rdy, then the first contact closure will start
the time and subsequent closures will
increment the count. This will continue until
no closures are detected for 10 a second period – indicating the meter has stopped. Note that
the time will then jump back 10 secs as the display shows the total count and the elapsed time
up to the last count.
Press “Stop” if you wish to terminate the test earlier.
14. The “Manual Calibrate” menu allows the analog ac Level and dc Threshold to be
measured and displayed. (Everytime the display changes from the TSR menu to the CMC
menu, a calibrate is automatically performed – as indicated by the Status LED flashing green
and red.) This calibrate process allows the circuitry to take into account the water salinity
when measuring the contact closures from the meter. This menu is for testing only.
dc Thresh = 87 (fresh water or air)
dc Thresh = 26 (extremely salty water)