ICT SFM1 User manual

SFM1 Sap Flow Meter
Quick Start Guide
Version 4.0 29/10/2014
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil,
plant & environmental monitoring.

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Contents
Quick Start Guide................................................................................................ 4
1 SFM1 Start Up Check List...................................................................... 5
2 System Requirements............................................................................... 6
2.1 Hardware.................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Software...................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Screen Resolution....................................................................................... 6
3 Power Requirements and Charging the SFM1 Internal Battery......... 7
3.1 Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument........................................... 8
3.1.1 Individual Power Supply Connections....................................................... 8
3.1.3 Connecting Power Directly via Solar Panel................................................ 9
3.1.4 Connecting Power via External 12V Battery or the ICT CH24.................. 10
3.1.5 Connecting Power via External 12V Battery and Solar Panel................... 11
3.1.6 Sharing an External 12V Battery and Solar Panel via Daisy Chaining..... 12
4 Install the SFM1 Software & USB Driver..............................................13
5 Turn the Instrument On..........................................................................13
6 Connect to the Instrument via USB Cable............................................ 14
6.1.1 Connect via USB Cable..............................................................................15
6.1.2 USB Connection Software Procedure Step 1:............................................ 16
6.1.3 USB Connection Software Procedure Step 2:............................................ 17
6.1.4 USB Connection Software Procedure Step 3:............................................ 18
6.2 Alternatively: if you are using a MCC1 Wireless Radio Modem..............19
6.2.1 Connecting the Wireless Hardware via a USB Cable................................19
6.2.2 MCC RF Connection Software Procedure Step 1:..................................... 20
6.2.3 MCC RF Connection Software Procedure Step 2:..................................... 22
7 Instrument Information...........................................................................23
8 Set Date & Time.......................................................................................24
9 Set Logging Options.................................................................................25
9.1 Probe Selection...........................................................................................25
9.2 Calculated Results.......................................................................................25
9.3 Raw Temperature Mode............................................................................. 26
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
8.1 Power Management...................................................................................24

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10 Set the Measurement Control..................................................................27
10.1 Needle Temperature Mode.......................................................................... 27
10.2 Sap Flow Mode........................................................................................... 28
10.3 Measurement Mode.................................................................................... 28
10.4 TestInstrumentintegritypriortodeploymentinthefield..........................29
11 Corrections................................................................................................ 29
11.1 Probe Spacing............................................................................................. 29
11.2 Base-line Asymmetry Multipliers............................................................... 30
11.3 Base-line Asymmetry Offsets......................................................................30
11.4 Thermal Diffusivity..................................................................................... 30
11.5 WoundingCoefficient................................................................................. 30
11.6 Vs Factor...................................................................................................... 31
11.7 Sap Wood Area............................................................................................ 31
12 Install the Sensor.......................................................................................32
12.1 Measure Bark Depth................................................................................... 32
12.2 Determine Sapwood Thickness................................................................... 33
12.3 Attach Installation Guide............................................................................ 35
12.4 Begin Drilling............................................................................................. 36
12.5 Check the Holes are Parallel....................................................................... 36
12.6 Use Spacers................................................................................................. 37
12.7 Greasing the Needles................................................................................... 38
12.8 Attach SFM1 to Tree and Install the Needles............................................... 39
12.9 Insulate Needles on Small Diameter Stems................................................ 40
12.10 Uninstall - Removal.................................................................................... 41
13 Download Data..........................................................................................42
13.1 Download Data via USB Cable.................................................................. 42
13.2 Download MicroSD Card via USB Adapter............................................... 44
14 Analyse Data..............................................................................................46
15 Appendix A................................................................................................47
16 Contact Details............................................................................back cover
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

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Quick Start Guide
NOTE: This manual should be used in conjunction with the instructional videos
provided by ICT International to compliment each section of operation. These
videos are located on the ICT YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/ictintl
WARNING – The measurement needles of the SFM1 are made of hollow
1.3 mm stainless steel tubing. They can easily be damaged if basic care is not
taken in handling the instrument.
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.

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1 SFM1 Start Up Check List
!Please Read, Understand and Complete this checklist
before unpacking the SFM1 Sap Flow Meter.
WARNING!
Have you read the manual?
http://ictinternational.com/support/product-manuals/
Have you watched the videos?
http://www.youtube.com/user/ictintl
If you are unsure about anything regarding your
Sap Flow Meter contact ICT International before use.
email: [email protected] phone: [phone]
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
Freight: TBA
If you break the needles of the SFM it will cost:
Replacement needles of the SFM: $220
Labour: $120 / hour
Packing & Handling: AU $45
$

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2 System Requirements
2.1 Hardware
The ICT Instrument software does not require a powerful computer.
Minimum Recommended System Specifications:
Intel Atom 1.66 GHz and 1GB RAM or higher.
2.2 Software
The ICT Instrument software is compatible with the following
Windows Operating Systems:
a.
b.
c.
d. Windows Virtual OS run from a Mac computer
2.3 Screen Resolution
TheICTInstrumentsoftwareiswrittentoafixed screenresolutionof857x660
dpi (it does not Auto Resize) and works best on current model laptops that have a
screen size of 11.6” or larger and a default screen resolution of 1366 x 768
(the vertical height of 768 being most important otherwise you can't see the
bottom of the software window).
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8 and 8.1

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3 Power Requirements and Charging the SFM1 Internal Battery
The SFM1 is a self contained instrument that incorporates a lithium polymer
battery. Before using the instrument, this battery MUST be charged.
To choose from a range of charging options see:
Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument (pages 8 to 12).
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. See section: Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument
(page8)Noothertoolsarerequiredwithallnecessarycomponentsfully
incorporated into the instrument design. Retaining straps ensure that the
power-bus plugs do not separate from the instrument when removed from the
power-bus during wiring preparation and connection of external power.
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
The SFM1 can be charged from a range of external voltages via the Bus Plugs,
however there are limits. For the SFM1 to correctly charge, the external power
supply must be within a voltage range of 8Volts DC to 30Volts DC at all times.
If the voltage falls below 8Volts DC the logger will automatically stop using
the supply to charge the internal battery. 30Volts DC is a predetermined
maximum voltage that the SFM1 can handle. Supply voltages that exceed this
level are not recommended and may cause accidental triggering of the
protection circuitry. Triggering this circuit may result in semi-permanent
disabling of the external power which will require the SFM1 to be sent back to
ICT for repair.

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3.1 Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument
3.1.1 Individual Power Supply Connections
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Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
see pages 9 -12
Remove both ICT
bus plugs from
one end of the Logger

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3.1.3 Connecting Power Directly via Solar Panel
SFM1
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
Solar Panel

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3.1.4 Connecting Power via External 12V Battery or the ICT CH24
External 12V Battery
ICT International
Enabling better global research outcomes in soil, plant & environmental monitoring.
SFM1
SFM1
12V Battery alone does
not guarantee
continuous operation
or charging of the SFM1
CH24 Power Supply
is a 24V DC output
charger that trickle
charges the internal
lithium polymer battery
of the ICT Instruments
CH24