NexSens CB-1450 User manual

1
QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Figure 1: CB-1450 Data Buoy Overview
Overview
The NexSens CB-1450 data buoy platform is
constructed with a closed cell, cross-linked
polyethylene foam hull with polyurea coating that
provides 1450 lb buoyancy. The buoy has a
corrosion resistant, stainless steel internal frame
with topside lifting eyes and subsurface mooring
eyes for connection of single-point and multi-
point mooring systems.
An integrated data well located within the buoy
hull accommodates batteries and electronics. The
data well lid is available as a NexSens iSIC-CB
data logger assembly or as a standard lid with
pass-through fittings for use with user-supplied
electronics. Internal batteries are recharged by
(6) 30-Watt solar panels mounted on the buoy
tower, which also supports an optional LED
beacon, radar reflector, and RTU-R/C/I radio,
cellular or Iridium satellite telemetry module.
What’s Included
(1) Buoy hull with data well, 1450 lb buoyancy
(1) Buoy tower
(3) 55W Solar panels
(1) Data well lid (iSIC-CB or pass-through)
(3) Top-side lifting eyes
(3) Bottom-side mooring eyes
(1) Instrument cage, large
Common Accessories
iSIC-CB data logger enclosure
RTU-R/C/I telemetry module
CB-A09-3 battery harness/regulator assembly,
(3) x 55 A-Hr batteries
CB-A09-4 battery harness/regulator assembly,
(4) x 55 A-Hr batteries
M650H-Y LED beacon
RA-4180-1 mini radar reflector
916M 6” sensor deployment pipes
CB-PW-AC-60W battery charger
Assembly
The main components of the CB-1450 data buoy
platform are assembled at the time of shipment.
Installation of accessories may be required. Quick
instructions are provided in this guide. Visit the
online Knowledge Base for more information (see
Additional Information section).
Instrument Cage
The instrument cage is connected to the buoy
using a CB-CCA cage clamp accessory. Reference
the instructions provided with the clamp for
installation. Welding the cage and/or installing
additional security straps is also recommended
for use in rough water.
Figure 2: Cage with CB-CCA Clamp

2
QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Solar Tower
The top plate of the solar tower has hole patterns
designed for mounting of an M650 beacon, RTU-
R/C/I telemetry module, RA-4180-1 mini radar
reflector, and/or a weather sensor mount. These
devices are typically mounted on the tower in the
factory prior to shipment. Make any changes or
additions prior to installation of the tower onto
the buoy.
Figure 3: Tower with Beacon and Radar Reflector
Figure 4: Tower with Beacon and RTU-C Module
When the tower is ready to be mounted, remove
the locking pin from each of the three tower
mounting hubs on top of the buoy hull. Place the
tower legs into the hubs and secure the locking
pins.
Figure 5: Locking Pin and Tower Mount Hub
Figure 6: Installed Tower
Deployment Pipe
The bottom of the buoy hull includes (3) 6”
female threaded couplings for connection of
NexSens 916M deployment pipe assemblies or
other PVC fittings. To use these ports, simply
thread each deployment pipe securely into one of
the available couplings.
Instruments deployed in 916M pipes can easily
be accessed for calibration and maintenance by
removing the port cover plate from the top of the
buoy hull. Use a 5/16” Allen/hex key to remove
the set of screws on the cover plate.

3
QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Wiring & Device Connections
NexSens iSIC-CB Data Well Lid
For systems using NexSens electronics for data
acquisition and telemetry, the iSIC data logger is
housed in an iSIC-CB enclosure that provides a
watertight seal over the data well. The bottom of
the iSIC-CB has a power plug that connects to a
CB-A09-3/4 battery/solar regulator assembly.
The top of the iSIC-CB enclosure has a series of
UW ports for connection of solar panels, sensors,
communication devices, and external power
supplies to the iSIC.
The available ports and functions are:
-(5) SENSOR (P0/P1/P2): NexSens sensorBUS
architecture includes wiring for SDI-12, RS-
232 and RS-485 devices. For compatibility,
sensors must have a factory-installed UW
plug connector. The sensor ports are wired as
follows:
(2) P0: 12V full power, shared RS-232 port.
(2) P1: 12V switch power, shared RS-232
port.
(1) P2: 12V switch power, unique RS-232
port.
-(1) COM: Communications port for iSIC data
logger configuration and data acquisition
through UW-USB-232P-NP cable or RTU-R/C/I
radio, cellular, or Iridium satellite telemetry
module.
-(1) SOLAR: 6-pin input for solar panel to
apply system power and charge internal
battery. Solar cable or a specialized UW plug
with jumper (P/N UW-JUMPER) must be
connected to SOLAR port to power the iSIC.
-(1) VENT: Gortex vent for relief of outgassing
pressure during recharge of batteries located
in the data well. In heavy wave conditions,
this vent can be plumbed with tubing to the
top of the tower.
The sharing of RS-232 ports on P0 and P1 means
that only one non-addressable device can be
connected at a time. For example, two devices
with RS-232 NMEA0183 output will interfere with
each other if both are connected to P0. RS-485
and SDI-12 ports are shared throughout the bus.
Figure 7: iSIC-CB Enclosure
Devices with analog outputs (e.g. 4-20 mA, 0-2.5
VDC) may be connected to the iSIC-CB through a
mV-RS485 adapter, which converts the analog
signal to RS-485 Modbus. The mV-RS485 adapter
must be programmed for the specific sensor
connected. See the instructions provided with the
adapter for more information.
Figure 8: mV-RS485 Adapter

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QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Table 1 shows the sensorBUS signal for each pin
on the UW receptacle ports of the iSIC-CB. The
pins are numbered based on the diagram in
Figure 9 (plug pins are 1-4, socket pins are 5-8).
The table also lists the corresponding wire color
for a UW plug to flying lead cable connected to a
port (see Figure 10).
The system battery voltage can be checked
externally by placing the leads of a voltmeter on
pins 4 (red) and 7 (black) of a P0 or COM port.
Table 1: UW Receptacle sensorBUS Wiring
UW Receptacle Pin
Wire Color
sensorBUS Signal
1
Green
RS-485 A
2
Blue
RS-485 B
3
Brown
SDI-12
4
Red
12V Power
5
White
5V Power
6
Yellow
RS-232 Rx
7
Black
GND
8
Orange
RS-232 Tx
Figure 9: UW Connector Pinout
Figure 10: UW Plug to Flying Lead Cable
Pass-Through Data Well Lid
For applications with user-supplied sensors, data
loggers, telemetry modules and/or batteries, the
CB-1450 data buoy is provided with a data well
lid with a set of plugs and pass-through fittings
for securing user-supplied instrument cables. The
lid includes the following ports:
-(6) PASS-THROUGH: Blank UW receptacles
supplied with a set of plugs for sealing unused
ports and a set of fittings for securing
instrument cables going into the data well.
-(1) SOLAR: 6-pin port for connection of solar
panel assembly. Includes connector inside
data well for use with optional CB-A09-3/4
battery/solar regulator harness. For use with
user-supplied battery/regulator systems, see
Solar Power Wiring.
-(1) VENT: Gortex vent for relief of outgassing
pressure during recharge of batteries located
in the data well.
Tighten the fittings securely around cables routed
into the data well to maintain the watertight seal.
Plug all ports that are not used.

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QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
For a more robust connection at the data well
plate, the pass-through ports may be fitted with
UW-BULK bulkhead receptacle connectors. The
UW-BULK assembly has the same pinout as iSIC-
CB sensor ports (see Table 1), but the cable
terminates in flying leads for integration with a
user-supplied data logger. The device connected
must have a factory-installed UW connector.
Figure 11: UW-Bulkhead Connector Assembly
Solar Power Wiring
Figure 12 shows a schematic drawing for the
wiring of the CB-1450 power supply. The system
includes (6) 30-watt solar panels that connect
through the SOLAR port on the data well plate to
the CB-A09-3/4 or user-supplied battery/solar
regulator harness. A wire lead is provided to
supply 12V DC power to electronics inside the
data well (red = +12V, black = GND).
Figure 12: Wiring Schematic
*NOTE: The 12V power supply leads for user
supplied electronics will only supply power when
the solar panel is plugged into the SOLAR port on
the data well lid, even if a battery is connected
inside the data well. To supply battery power
without plugging in the solar panel, a special UW
plug with internal jumper is available (P/N UW-
JUMPER).
For systems with user-supplied battery and solar
regulator, the battery and regulator can be
connected through the 4-pin Molex connector or
by cutting the wires at section A-A in Figure 12
and splicing the connections. In these situations,
reference the signals listed in Table 2.

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QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Table 2: Wiring for user-supplied battery/regulator
Signal
Wire Color
+12V
Red
GND
Black
Solar input
Yellow
Charge output
Orange
Ballast Weight and Stability
To prevent overturning of a CB-1450 buoy
system and to ensure that it is stable in the
water, sufficient ballast weight must be added.
The required amount is dependent on the wind
and wave conditions. The center of gravity of the
buoy is somewhere near the water surface
without instruments connected. Any weight
added above the water surface must be
appropriately counterbalanced by adding ballast
weight below the surface.
The larger the distance from the location of
added weight to the center of gravity, the greater
the effect on the stability of the buoy will be. For
example, if a weather sensor is mounted 36″
above the water surface, it will cause more
instability than if it were mounted 24″ above the
surface and, as a result, would require more
subsurface ballast weight to counterbalance the
buoy. Conversely, a ballast weight added further
below the surface will provide a greater
stabilizing effect than the same size weight
mounted closer to the surface.
An instrument cage mounted to the buoy frame
helps to stabilize the buoy and provides a deeper
location for mounting additional weight. For
single-point mooring configurations, mooring
chain and lines connected to the bottom of the
cage may provide adequate ballast. For multi-
point configurations, the mooring hardware does
not contribute to the ballast weight.
Before deployment of a CB-1450 system, some
experimentation may be required to properly
balance the buoy. If needed, add ½” chain
(~2.3lb/ft) or other weight to the bottom of the
cage. Figure 13 shows an example of a buoy
system with a short section of chain added.
The buoy data well is not rated for submersion,
so proper ballast weight is critical to ensure that
the buoy does not overturn, including when the
buoy is subjected to additional loading (e.g. high
wind/waves, periodic snow/ice loads, etc.).
Figure 13: CB-1450 Data Buoy with Ballast Chain
Saltwater Deployment
Sacrificial zinc anodes should be used whenever a
buoy is deployed in a saltwater environment to
prevent corrosion. These zinc anodes must be
inspected and replaced as needed.

7
QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Mooring Configurations
This section contains only general information on
the available mooring options for CB-1450 data
buoys. To develop an effective mooring strategy,
a variety of application-specific criteria (water
level fluctuations, currents and wave action,
debris loads, etc.) must be thoroughly reviewed
prior to deployment. NexSens does not endorse
any particular mooring strategy for any specific
application.
Single-Point Mooring
Single-point moorings are used in calm waters
when monitoring sensors are attached to the
instrument cage or housed in deployment pipes.
The sensors are thus protected and less
vulnerable to damage caused by subsurface
debris, high currents, and entanglement from
anchor lines.
In a single-point configuration, a stainless steel
mooring line connects the buoy directly to a
bottom chain and anchor. At normal pool/stage,
the mooring line should be taut, with most of the
bottom chain resting on the floor of the water
body. As the water level increases and the buoy
rises, the bottom chain is lifted from the floor.
Figure 14: Typical Single-Point Mooring Configuration
Two-Point Mooring
Two-point moorings are commonly used when
monitoring sensors are deployed in the water
column below the buoy. In this setup, the
mooring lines are pulled taut away from the
buoy, freeing the water column for a suspended
sensor line.
In most two-point configurations, mooring lines
connect the data buoy to small marine marker
floats, often located on the water surface. These
marker floats are shackled to another mooring
line that runs to the floor and connects to a
bottom chain and anchor assembly. Additional
subsurface marker floats may also be used in
some applications. As in single-point systems,
the bottom chain prevents buoy submersion as
the water level fluctuates.
Figure 15: Typical Two-Point Mooring Configuration

8
QUICK START GUIDE
CB-1450 DATA BUOY PLATFORM
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
937-426-2703
www.NexSens.com
Safe Deployment
Personnel safety is the number one priority when
deploying a data buoy. Use of proper equipment
(work boat, lifting rig, gloves, safety footwear,
etc.) is essential to safely deploy any buoy
system. Buoy systems are heavy and personnel
can quickly become entangled with mooring lines
and anchors. Safety and flotation gear should be
worn at all times when working on or near the
water.
Remember to perform a complete system test on
shore prior to deployment. Learning the nuances
of the system is much better handled on shore or
in a lab rather than in the field.
Specifications
Hull Dimensions: 48” (121.92cm) outside
diameter; 28” (71.12cm) tall
Tower Dimensions: 50” (127.00cm) tall, 7/8”
tubular
Data Well Dimensions: 12.25” (31.12cm)
inside diameter; 55” (139.70cm) tall
Weight: 500 lbs. (226.80 kg)
Buoyancy: 1450 lbs. (657.71 kg)
Hull Material: Cross-linked polyethylene foam
with polyurea coating & stainless steel deck
Tower/Hardware Material: 304 stainless
steel
Mooring Attachments: 1- or 2-point, ¾” eye
nut
Solar Power: (3) 55-watt, 12VDC solar panels
Additional Information
Additional information and complete instructions
for the CB-1450 data buoy platforms are
available in the NexSens online Knowledge Base:
http://www.nexsens.com/knowledge-base
http://www.nexsens.com/category/knowledge-
base/data-buoys/cb-1250-buoy