ICT SFM1 User manual

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SFM1 Sap Flow Meter
Quick Start Guide
Version 4.2

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Contents
Quick Start Guide .............................................................................................. 4
2. System Requirements ............................................................................... 5
2.1 Hardware........................................................................................... 5
2.2 Software............................................................................................ 5
2.3 Screen Resolution ............................................................................. 5
3. Charging the SFM1 Internal Battery ......................................................... 6
3.1 Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument................................. 7
3.1.1 Connecting Power via USB Cable to a Laptop/PC ..................... 8
3.1.2 Connecting Power Directly via Solar Panel ............................... 9
3.1.3 Connecting Power Directly via CH24....................................... 10
4. Install ICT Combined Instrument Software and USB Driver.................... 11
5. Turn the Instrument On .......................................................................... 12
6. Connect to the Instrument ..................................................................... 13
6.1 Connect via MCC Mini..................................................................... 14
7. Instrument Information .......................................................................... 15
7.1 Set Date and Time........................................................................... 16
8. Set the Measurement Parameters.......................................................... 17
8.1 Configuration .................................................................................. 18
8.1.1 Corrections.............................................................................. 19
8.1.2 SD Card Logging Options......................................................... 20
9. Install the Sensor..................................................................................... 21
9.1 Measure the Plant........................................................................... 21
9.2 Attach Installation Guide ................................................................ 22
9.3 Begin Drilling ................................................................................... 23

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9.4 Check the Holes are Parallel ........................................................... 23
9.5 Using Spacers .................................................................................. 24
9.6 Greasing the Needles...................................................................... 25
9.7 Attaching the SFM1 to the Tree and Installing the Needles ........... 26
9.8 Insulating Needles for Small Diameter Stems................................. 27
9.9 Uninstallation – Removal of the Needles........................................ 28
10 Downloading Data............................................................................... 29
10.1 Download Data Directly from MicroSD Card .................................. 29
11 Analyse Data ................................................................................... 31

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Quick Start Guide
Note: The SFM1 needles are made of hollow 1.3mm stainless steel tubing.
They can easily be damaged if basic care is not taken in handling the
instrument.
Please read this entire document prior to installing your SFM1. If you are
unsure about anything regarding your sap flow meter, please contact ICT
International before use.
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

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2. System Requirements
2.1 Hardware
ICT Combined Instrument Software does not require a powerful computer.
Recommended Minimum System Specifications:
Intel Atom 1.66 GHz and 1GB RAM or higher.
2.2 Software
ICT Instrument software is compatible with the following Operating Systems:
a. Windows 7
b. Windows 8 & 8.1
c. Windows 10
d. Mac OS X
2.3 Screen Resolution
ICT Combined Instrument Software works best on computers that have
screen resolution of 1366 x 768 or larger.

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3. Charging the SFM1 Internal Battery
The SFM1 is a self-contained instrument that incorporates a lithium polymer
battery. Before using the instrument, this battery should be charged. To
choose from a range of charging options see:
Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument (pages 6-9).
A solar panel can be connected to the SFM1 in the field, see page 6 for more
details.
The unique power bus-plug design was developed by ICT International to
simplify the electrical wiring process. It minimises the need for custom tools
in the field, requiring only that the outer cable sheath be stripped back to
expose the copper wire.
As shown in Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument, no other tools are
required, with all necessary components and fixings fully incorporated into
the instrument design. Retaining straps ensure the power bus-plugs do not
separate from the instrument when removed from the power bus during
wiring preparation and connection of external power.

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3.1 Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument

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3.1.1 Connecting Power via USB Cable to a Laptop/PC

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3.1.2 Connecting Power Directly via Solar Panel

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3.1.3 Connecting Power Directly via CH24
Note: Continuous connection of an external battery or constant power
supply (for days to months at a time) is not recommended as this can shorten
the life of the internal battery. ICT International recommend using a solar
panel directly connected (with no external battery backup in parallel)
wherever possible; or a timer switch to turn off external power for 8-12
hours daily to simulate a solar panel during the day and night.

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4. Install ICT Combined Instrument Software and
USB Driver
Insert the supplied USB drive and run Autorun.exe.
Choose Software (a) and then choose USB Driver (b) and then ICT Combined
Instrument Software (c).
Alternatively, the individual installers (Windows and Mac) are available in the
Instrument Software folder.
The most recent versions of all ICT Software are available from:
http://www.ictinternational.com/support/software/

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5. Turn the Instrument On
To charge and turn on your SFM1, connect the instrument to a computer via
a USB cable. Alternatively, the SFM1 can either be turned on manually by
pressing the power button or automatically by connecting an external power
supply.

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6. Connect to the Instrument
Connect the USB cable to the instrument and the computer. The STM will
automatically be detected by the computer, as with any USB device. Open
ICT Instrument Software and Search for Devices.
Double-click the instrument in the list to connect to it or select it and click
‘Connect’.

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6.1 Connect via MCC Mini
Ensure that the SFM1 is on. Connect the MCC Mini to your computer, open
ICT Combined Instrument Software. Tick ‘Auto RF Discover’ and then search
for devices.
The MCC Mini should appear on the list, it will then automatically search for
nearby ICT Instruments.
You can double click the instrument, or select it and Connect, as with USB.
You may need to install the MCC Mini USB driver from the ICT International
website.
http://www.ictinternational.com/support/software/

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7. Instrument Information
In ICT Instrument Software, fields are given for naming and adding a
comment. This naming system can be helpful for experiments, for instance,
naming them based on location or purpose of the SFM1, and to tell them
apart easily.
The Name field is visible in the Device Chooser list, this makes it easier to find
the logger you wish to connect to when using multiple SFM1 loggers in the
field.

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7.1 Set Date and Time
Click the date and time at the bottom of CIS to set the date and time of the
instrument.
The date and time can be automatically set to the date & time of the
computer that the SFM1 is connected to by selecting the option “Computer
Date and Time”. An alternative option is provided to update the instrument
to a user defined time. This is very important as Sap Flow Meters are often
deployed in regions away from your usual office or local time zone.

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8. Set the Measurement Parameters
When you connect to an instrument, the Channels screen will be displayed.
This shows the current measurement status, when the next measurement
will take place, instrument serial number/name/comment, battery status,
external power status, SD Card Status, and the instrument time and date.
You can also begin a manual measurement from this tab if the SFM1 is in
Manual measurement mode.

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8.1 Configuration
Measurement Options allows you to select the basic logging settings of the
SFM1.
Measurement Mode allows you to select a measurement interval between 3
minutes and 60 minutes. A good standard measurement interval is 10 or 15
minutes. Refer to the SFM1 Manual for more information about logging
intervals.
Measurement Suspend and Time Delay allows you to set a time for the
instrument to begin logging. This can be handy for completely setting up an
instrument prior to installation in the field. Logging can be delayed for up to
24 hours (23:59:59), at which point it will begin to log at the set interval.
Reporting Option: Sap Flow Mode produces corrected and uncorrected sap
flow values (cm/hr), as well as Sap Flow (kg/hr), temperature differences,
ratios, pulse duration and any other diagnostic information. This is stored on
the MicroSD card in .csv format.
Sap Flow Mode should be used for most applications.

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Needle Temperature Mode records raw temperature values in .bin format
(cannot be opened in Excel/ICT DataView). These files are designed to be
interpreted with Sap Flow Tool. Needle Temperature Mode is generally not
recommended.
Pulse Energy allows you to select the joules output during the heat pulse. 20
joules is appropriate for most applications. In delicate plants you may need to
use 10 joules to prevent damage. In plants with exceptionally high sap flow
rates you may need to use a higher value.
8.1.1 Corrections
Corrections are used for pre-processed channels – Corrected Inner and
Outer; and Sap Flow (kg/hr). Note that data can be post-corrected in ICT
DataView.
Probe Spacing allows you to set the distance between probes. By default, this
is set to 5mm. The original HRM principle was developed using 6mm spacing,
as such this option is provided, though it is not recommended. The standard
drill guide uses 5mm spacing.
Base-line Asymmetry Multiplier and Offset are used to correct for small
needle misalignments. See the SFM1 Manual for more information.
Thermal Diffusivity. A default value of 0.0025cm2s-1 is provided. For greater
accuracy, the thermal diffusivity of the fresh (green) sapwood can be
measured and entered. See the SFM1 Manual for more information.
Wounding Coefficient is used to correct for the wound response of the tree.
This is usually measured after de-installation; however, some example values
are provided in the SFM1 Manual.
Vs Factor is a multiplier used to convert corrected Heat Pulse Velocity to
Corrected Sap Velocity. See the SFM1 Manual for more information.
Sap Wood Area is the cross-sectional area of conducting sapwood. This can
be calculated automatically by entering bark depth, sapwood thickness and
tree diameter at installation/breast height into the SFM Water Usage mode
of ICT DataView. Contact ICT International for more information.

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8.1.2 SD Card Logging Options
Probe Selection. Inner and Outer is the default option and will record both
measurement points. Inner Only and Outer Only are intended to be used in
small stems where both measurement points are not within the plant.
Calculated Results. Available parameters are:
Raw Heat Pulse Velocity
Sap Velocity
Sap Flow in kg
All of these are logged by default.
Diagnostic Temperature Data records the max temperature, average
temperature rise, and temperature ratios during the heat pulse
measurement. This is not enabled by default but can be useful when
troubleshooting measurement options.
Power Management. Available parameters are:
Internal Battery
External Supply
These record the status of the internal battery and external power supply.
Both are enabled by default, and ICT International strongly recommend
logging Internal Battery and External Supply as this is useful for
troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes.
Raw Temperature Mode, number of measurements/second and Raw
Temperature Mode, number of measurements after pulse. These are used
in Needle Temperature Mode. Contact ICT International for more
information.