ICT SFM1x User manual

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SFM1x Sap Flow Meter
Quick Start Guide
Version 1.0

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Table of Contents
1. Quick Start Guide ...................................................................................... 4
2. System Requirements ........................................................................... 5
2.1 Hardware........................................................................................... 5
2.2 Software............................................................................................ 5
2.3 Screen Resolution ............................................................................. 5
3. Charging the SFM1x Internal Battery........................................................ 6
3.1 Connecting a Power Supply to the Instrument................................. 7
3.1.1 Connecting Power via USB C 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............................................. 11
5. Turn the Instrument On.......................................................................... 12
6. Connect to the Instrument ..................................................................... 13
6.1 Connecting via USB ......................................................................... 13
6.2 Connect via Bluetooth..................................................................... 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 SFM1x 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 .................................. 30
11 Analyse Data ....................................................................................... 31

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1. Quick Start Guide
Note: The SFM1x 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 before installing your SFM1. If you are unsure
about anything regarding your instrument, please contact ICT International
before use.
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

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2. System Requirements
2.1 Hardware
The minimum system required to run ICT Combined Instrument Software (CIS)
is :
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 8 & 8.1
b. Windows 10
2.3 Screen Resolution
ICT Combined Instrument Software works best on computers that have a
screen resolution of 1024x 768 or higher.

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3. Charging the SFM1x Internal Battery
The SFM1x is a self-contained instrument that incorporates a lithium-ion
battery. Before using the instrument, this battery should be charged. ICT
International recommends using part number CH24.
A solar panel can be connected to the SFM1x in the field, see Figures 1-3 for
more details.
The unique power bus-plug design was developed by ICT International to
simplify the electrical wiring process. It minimizes 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 Figure 1, no other tools are required. 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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Figure 1. Connecting wires to power bus plugs.
3.1.1 Connecting Power via USB C 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 recommends 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
Insert the supplied USB drive and run ICT Instrument-1.0.6.9 Beta 21.exe.
Choose Next (a) and then choose the desired installation location (b) and then
Install (c).
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 SFM1x, connect the instrument to a computer via
a USB cable. Alternatively, the SFM1x 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
6.1 Connecting via USB
Connect the USB cable to the instrument and the computer. The SFM1x 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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6.2 Connect via Bluetooth
Ensure that the SFM1x is on. Press BT Scan, ICT Instrument Software will then
begin scanning for available instruments.
You can double click the instrument, or select it and Connect, as with USB.

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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 the location or purpose of the SFM1x, 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 SFM1x loggers in the
field.

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7.1 Set Date and Time
SFM1x instruments are delivered with the clock set to Australian Eastern Time
(UTC +11). In case the clock needs to be adjusted to your local time zone, click
the Date and Time at the bottom of CIS.
The date and time can be automatically set to the date & time of the computer
that the SFM1x 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.

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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 SFM1x is in
Manual measurement mode.

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8.1 Configuration
Measurement Options allow you to select the basic logging settings of the
SFM1x.
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 SFM1x Manual for more information about logging
intervals.
Measurement Suspend and Time Delay allow you to set a time for the
instrument to begin logging. This can be handy for completely setting up an
instrument before 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.
Needle Temperature Mode records raw temperature values in .bin format
(cannot be opened in Excel/ICT DataView). These files are designed to be

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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 SFM1x 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 SFM1x 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 SFM1x Manual.
Vs Factor is a multiplier used to convert corrected Heat Pulse Velocity to
Corrected Sap Velocity. See the SFM1x 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 statusof the internal battery and external power supply. Both
are enabled by default, and ICT International strongly recommends 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 the pulse. These are
used in Needle Temperature Mode. Contact ICT International for more
information.