Kipp & Zonen CVF4 User manual
Instruction Manual
CVF4 Ventilation Unit
V2007-01
2
1. Important user information
Dear customer, thank you for purchasing a Kipp & Zonen instrument. It is essential that you read this
manual completely for a full understanding of the proper and safe installation, use, maintenance and
operation of your new CVF4 Ventilation Unit.
We understand that no instruction manual is perfect, so should you have any comments regarding this
manual we will be pleased to receive them at:
Kipp & Zonen B.V.
Delftechpark 36, 2628 XH Delft, - or
P.O. Box 507, 2600 AM Delft,
The Netherlands
+31 15 2755 210
www.kippzonen.com
Warranty and liability
Kipp & Zonen guarantees that the product delivered has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets its
published specifications. The warranty included in the conditions of delivery is valid only if the product has
been installed and used according to the instructions supplied by Kipp & Zonen.
Kipp & Zonen shall in no event be liable for incidental or consequential damages, including without
limitation, lost profits, loss of income, loss of business opportunities, loss of use and other related
exposures, however incurred, rising from the faulty and incorrect use of the product.
Modifications made by the user may affect the instrument performance, void the warranty, or effect the
validity of the CE declaration or other approvals and compliances to applicable International Standards.
Copyright © 2019 Kipp & Zonen B.V.
All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, without authorisation by Kipp & Zonen.
Kipp & Zonen reserves the right to make changes to this manual, brochures, specifications and other
product documentation without prior notice.
Manual document number: V2007-01
Publication date: July 2020
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Table of contents
1. Important user information..........................................................................................................................2
2. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................4
2.1. Safety precautions ...............................................................................................................................4
2.2. Waste disposal......................................................................................................................................5
2.3. Customer support ................................................................................................................................ 5
3. CVF4 main components ................................................................................................................................6
3.1. CVF4 top side ........................................................................................................................................6
3.2. CVF4 bottom side .................................................................................................................................6
4. Installation ....................................................................................................................................................7
4.1. Individual components ........................................................................................................................7
4.2. Tools required ......................................................................................................................................7
4.3. Preparation...........................................................................................................................................7
4.4. Installation procedure..........................................................................................................................8
4.5. Electrical connections........................................................................................................................10
5. Accessories.................................................................................................................................................. 11
5.1. Spare filters ........................................................................................................................................11
5.2. CMF4 Mounting Fixture ......................................................................................................................11
5.3. CMB1 Mounting Bracket.....................................................................................................................11
5.4. Adapter for use of the CVF4 in the CM121C shadow ring ..................................................................12
6. Maintenance................................................................................................................................................14
7. Technical specifications .............................................................................................................................15
7.1. Optical and electrical .........................................................................................................................15
7.2. Dimensions and weight......................................................................................................................15
8. Trouble shooting.........................................................................................................................................16
9. Customer support ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Using this table
Click on any item in the table of contents to be taken directly to the relevant page.
Click on the bottom of any page to be taken back to the table of contents.
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2. Introduction
This manual will show you how to install, use and maintain the CVF4 Ventilation Unit. The CVF4 is meant for
ventilating solar radiation sensors with the purpose to keep the mounted radiometer window or dome clean
from dew, precipitation and pollution. It can be used outdoors under all-weather conditions. The CVF4 has a
built in heater to keep the air just above ambient temperature.
Reading this entire manual is recommended for a full understanding of this product..
The triangle with exclamation mark is intended to alert the user to the presence of important
installation, operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the
instrument.
This electrical equipment should only be serviced by authorized personnel, meaning people who
have been trained and designated as “authorized” by their employers.
Note Useful information for the user
Both the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN)
guidelines advise using a ventilator to optimise the performance of radiometers in general.
The use of the CVF4 will:
•Increase the maintenance interval.
•Increase the accuracy of the measured data (cleaner dome / window)
•Reduce the zero offset of the radiometer.
The CVF4 is meant for all CM, CMP, SMP, CG, CGR and CUV radiometers. However with the CMP3 and SMP3
and CGR3 the ventilation effect will be less due to the larger opening around the dome. The CVF4 is meant to
run continuously. The heater can either be switched on permanently for cold regions or be switched by a
data logger or clock to remove dew in the morning and be switched off afterwards. In that case the heater is
operated from a 2 hours before sunrise to an hour after sunrise. This saves power in situations where power
is limited such as PV operated sites.
This manual, together with the instruction sheet, gives information related to installation, maintenance,
product specifications and troubleshooting of the CVF4.
If any questions should remain, please feel free to contact your Kipp & Zonen dealer or e-mail:
For information about other Kipp & Zonen products or to check for any update of this manual, go to
www.kippzonen.com .
2.1. Safety precautions
Many hazards are associated with installing and maintaining instruments on towers or elevated structures.
It is advised to use qualified personnel for installation and maintenance. The client is responsible for
following the local safety regulations.
The use of appropriate equipment and safety practices is mandatory. Check your company's safety
procedure and protective equipment prior to performing any work. ) If the DustIQ is mounted at a high
position, special care must be taken to secure both the person installing it and the instrument from falling
during installation.
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2.2. Waste disposal
The pictogram showing a waste bin with a cross means that the product is subject to European
Union regulations covering segregated waste disposal. This applies both to the product itself
and to any accessories marked with the same symbol. Disposal of any such item as unsorted
domestic waste is not allowed.
2.3. Customer support
In case you need support, please contact:
Kipp & Zonen B.V.
Delftechpark 36, 2628 XH Delft, or
P.O. Box 507, 2600 AM Delft,
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 15 2755 210
www.kippzonen.com
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3. CVF4 main components
In this section the main CVF4 components are described.
3.1. CVF4 top side
1. Air duct and fan
2. Heating elements
3. Mounting holes CMP3, SMP3 and CGR3
4. Mounting holes all other instruments
5. Connector
6. Cover nuts
7. Slit for radiometer cable
3.2. CVF4 bottom side
1. Filter cover
2. Connector box
3. Mounting feet for SOLYS2 / Feet for stabilisation
4. Feet for stabilisation / Mounting feet for 2AP
5. Mounting holes for mounting feet on CM121C
shadow ring adapter
6. Cover nut
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4. Installation
The following section describes the CVF4 unit and the installation.
4.1. Individual components
The CVF4 consists of:
1. Base plate with ventilator, heater and connector
2. Replaceable filter plus cover
3. Top cover
Included with the product are:
1. Ventilation Unit
2. (Optional) 8-wire cable with connector or 8 pins connector only for customer cable
3. Fixing kit with screws, washers and Allen key
4. Instruction sheet
5. Pack of 5 spare ventilation fan inlet filters
For optional accessories see chapter 3.
4.2. Tools required
If the CVF4 is mounted with the supplied screws only the supplied Allen key is required. Make sure there is
space to fasten the screw under the bottom of the plate. To fasten the radiometers other Allen keys or
screwdrivers may be necessary.
4.3. Preparation
Like for any radiometer with 360 ° field of view, make sure there are no obstructions that are higher than
ten times their distance when selecting a location for the CVF4.
h 10 x h
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4.4. Installation procedure
First the CVF4 is screwed flat on its mounting plate. In case the CVF4 is mounted on a solar tracker, the
tracker has to be levelled first.
On our sun trackers the CVF4 is positioned such that the fan sticks out over the edge of the plate. This
ensures the air inlet is never blocked (see picture of the CVF4 on the SOLYS2 Sun Tracker on the next page).
The locations of the CVF4 mounting holes on the SOLYS2 top mounting plate are shown below.
CVF4 mounting holes
When using your own mounting plate, make sure the CVF4 is mounted in the same way with the fan sticking
out. The CVF4 mounting holes size and distances are indicated in the drawing below.
The CVF4 is mounted with the supplied 4 washers and 2 screws through mounting plates from 4 to 8 mm
thick. The other 2 feet are for stability but do not need screws.
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Then the radiometer is mounted in the CVF4 and levelled with its own levelling feet. Afterwards the
radiometer mounting screws and shoulder washers are fitted (not secured yet).
In case the CVF4 is mounted on a solar tracker, finish the alignment of the tracker first before securing the
radiometer screws because tracker (and radiometer) levelling might need re-adjustment.
After all mounting screws have been secured the cables of the CVF4 and the radiometer can be connected.
The radiometer cable goes (down) through the slit in the CVF4 base plate.
Finally the CVF4 cover can be put on and the two cover nuts can be fastened.
Make sure the cover is horizontal (check equal space around the radiometer dome) and the two cover nuts
are fastened hand tight.
SOLYS2 with topmounting plate and 3 x CVF4 SOLYS2 with small top mounting plate with CVF4
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4.5. Electrical connections
Compact Ventilation Unit Power Connection
Nr
Wire
Function
Connect with
1
Red
Heater -
Power ground
2
Blue
Heater -
Power ground
7
White
Heater +
+12V 0.46A
8
Black
Heater +
3
Green
Tacho +
Tacho input logger
5
Grey
Tacho -
Ground logger
4
Yellow
Ventilator +
+12V 0.52A
6
Brown
Ventilator -
Power ground
Shield
Earth
The ground is common for the ventilator and the heater (red, blue and brown). The CVF4 has an optional 8-
wire Kipp & Zonen cable for connecting the 12 VDC to the ventilator and heater.
The tacho output provides a 5 Volt square wave signal. It can be connected to a data logger to (remotely)
check proper operation of the CVF4. Ventilator and heater ground are separated but may be connected.
Ventilator and tacho ground are connected via a 100 Ωresistor.
The nominal tacho output is 475 Hz ± 25%.
Changes often indicate pollution of the filter (significantly higher frequency), or mechanical problems with
ventilator (zero or significantly lower frequency).
If sufficient power is available it is advised to use the heater in combination with the ventilator even in warm
climates. The heater will prevent deposition of dew in the morning.
Plug in the instrument data cable, connected to the data logger or SCADA system as described in its own
manual, in the instrument.
Plug the CVF4 power cable in the CVF4 socket.
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5. Accessories
5.1. Spare filters
Spare CVF4 filters are available under part number 2682047 from Kipp & Zonen or under EBM-Papst part
number: FP80T from a local distributor of Pabst fans.
5.2. CMF4 Mounting Fixture
Article number 0362703
5.3. CMB1 Mounting Bracket
Article number 0369701
To mount the CMF4 to a mast or wall the CMB1 mounting bracket can be used.
CMF4
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6. Maintenance
Regular inspection of the CVF4 is advised. Depending on the location (air pollution) this can be monthly or
yearly. When on site for inspection of other instruments it is advised to check the CVF4 filter.
At the same time radiometer levelling and desiccant can be checked. For access to the desiccant the 2
mounting nuts have to be loosened and the top cover taken off.
When replacing the cover, make sure it is placed correctly. This can best be done by checking the opening
around the radiometer, this should be evenly spaced.
Tip: When the tacho output is logged with the radiometer data, the performance of the ventilator can be
remotely checked.
1. Refer to radiometer instruction sheet for maintenance instructions.
2. Regularly inspect the fan inlet by unclipping the filter cover.
For optimal air flow, make sure the diagonal line on the filter cover is in line with the ventilator part
(see above drawing).
The filter cover clicks back on the ventilator.
3. Clean or replace filter every 6 months or more often when required.(The interval strongly depends
on the location and pollution of the air.) Discolouration or pollution of the plastic cover will not
affect the proper operation of the radiometer. (the radiometer cannot ‘see’ the CVF4 cover).
Cleaning of the cover can be done with water and a brush or cloth.
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7. Technical specifications
7.1. Electrical
Specifications
Heater voltage
12 ± 1 VDC
Heater current
460mA for the 7W version
Heater power
5.5W
Ventilator voltage
12 ± 1 VDC
Ventilator current
520mA ±20%
Ventilator power
6.3W
Tacho signal
5V and 475 Hz ±25%
Dimensions
210x178x126 mm
Weight packed
2 kg
Weigh unpacked
1.6 kg
Ingression protection
IP68
Max cable length using Kipp &
Zonen 8 wire cable
25 m
Temperature range
-40°C to +70°C
Increase of air temperature
0.25 K without heating
1 K at 6.8 W heating
Compliance with standards
ISO/TR 9901, BSRN operations manual
Zero o set A reduction
50% reduction for CMP’s
Cable resistance
0.16 Ω/m (2 x 0.08 Ω/m)
Voltage drop at maximum
heating
0.08 V/m
Intended instruments
CMP6, CMP10, CMP11, CMP21, CMP22
SMP6, SMP10, SMP11, SMP21, SMP22
CMP3, SMP3 and CGR3 with reduced
specifications
ISO/TR 9901, BSRN operations manual
Note: The performance specifications quoted are worst-case and/or maximum values
7.2. Dimensions and weight
Weight without cable: 1.6 kg
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8. Trouble shooting
Malfunction
Cause
Check
Ventilator and heater do not
work
Power failure
Check 12 VDC and/or mains voltage
Ventilator does not work
Mechanical obstruction
Snow below air intake
Frozen filter
Clean filter and/or remove obstruction
Ventilator does not work
Electrical failure
Check fan impedance ~30 Ω
Heater does not work
Resistor defective
Measure power resistors:
Specifications: 15 Watt and 50 / 39 Ω
9. Customer support
If you require any support for your Kipp & Zonen product please contact your local representative in the first
instance. The information can be found in the ‘Contact’ section of our website at www.kippzonen.com .
1. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at www.kippzonen.com/support
2. Please include the following information:
3. Instrument model
4. Instrument serial number
5. Details of the fault or problem
6. Examples of data files
7. Readout device or data acquisition system
8. Interfaces and power supplies
9. History of any previous repairs or modifications
10. Pictures of the installation
11. Overview of the local environment conditions
Kipp & Zonen guarantees that your information will not be shared with other organisations.
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