NexSens CB-400 User manual

CB-400
Data
Buoy
User Manual

About NexSens Technology, Inc.
NexSens Technology, Inc. was founded in the late 1990s with a mission to advance the capabilities and
simplify the development of environmental monitoring systems. The company specializes in
environmental sensors, remote data acquisition and communications technology, easy-to-use computer
software, and web-based datacenters.
iChart Software is an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use Windows-based software program designed to interface
with the industry’s most popular environmental monitoring sensors and systems. A large, multi-vendor
instrument library makes setup quick and easy. iChart automates much of the tedious programming,
data collection, and manual data processing common with other environmental data collection systems.
The SDL500 (Submersible Data Logger) and iSIC (Intelligent Sensor Interface and Control) are state-of-
the-art data loggers that simplify the collection of real-time data from environmental sensors and
monitoring instruments. The data loggers support multi-vendor sensor connections and are specifically
designed for environmental data monitoring.
WQData LIVE is an enterprise class and business critical web-based software solution for environmental
data management. It assists with collecting, storing, analyzing, interpreting, sharing and publishing
environmental data. The datacenter effectively manages a wide variety of biological, physical, and
chemical parameters, along with many other environmental observations and project information.
Smart USB-based WQ Sensors include: Temperature, pH, ORP, Dissolved Oxygen, Ammonium, Bromide,
Calcium, Chloride, Fluoride, and Nitrate. An integral USB connector on the sensor cable offers a simple,
hassle-free connection to a computer without the need for a meter or batteries.
T-Node FR temperature systems, based on RS-485 Modbus technology, provide a simple, yet effective,
plug-and-play solution for developing multi-sensor networks and temperature strings. The T-Node FR
offers pass-through signals for SDI-12 and RS-485, allowing the user to connect Nodes and other
environmental measurement sensors along a string. This sensorBUS architecture has been designed so
researchers can easily build and customize multi-point temperature strings for more powerful
environmental monitoring networks.
Coastal Buoys are designed to support offshore monitoring systems. These buoys provide a robust
floating platform for coastal water or lake monitoring projects.
NexSens products and systems simplify the setup and operation of environmental monitoring networks
and help ensure quality data.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER 2 –COMPONENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................... 4
2.1 CB-400 Components ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 CB-400S Components ................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 CB-400/CB-400S Specifications..................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Common Accessories .................................................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER 3 –GETTING STARTED................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 System Connections –Power, Communications and Sensors ...................................................... 6
3.2 Gathering Sample Data ................................................................................................................. 7
CHAPTER 4 –BUOY SETUP ............................................................................................................................ 9
4.1 Basic Setup.................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1.1 Running Sensor Cables.......................................................................................................... 9
4.1.2 Installing the SDL500 Submersible Data Logger ................................................................. 10
4.1.3 Securing Buoy Lid................................................................................................................ 11
4.1.4 Setting Pipe Caps................................................................................................................. 12
4.1.5 Connecting Bottom Sensors................................................................................................ 12
4.2 Accessories.................................................................................................................................. 13
4.2.1 Deployment Pipe................................................................................................................. 13
4.2.2 Instrument Cage..................................................................................................................14
4.2.3 Ballast Weight .....................................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 5 –MOORING THE BUOY ............................................................................................................ 16
5.1 Mooring Configurations.............................................................................................................. 16
5.1.1 Single-Point Mooring .......................................................................................................... 16
5.1.2 Two-Point and Three-Point Moorings.................................................................................17
5.2 Connecting Mooring Hardware .................................................................................................. 17
CHAPTER 6 –SAFELY DEPLOYING THE BUOY..............................................................................................19
6.1 Single-Point Mooring Deployment ............................................................................................. 19
6.2 Two-Point and Three-Point Mooring Deployment .....................................................................19
CHAPTER 7 –MAINTENANCE ...................................................................................................................... 20
7.1 Post-Season Cleaning.................................................................................................................. 20
7.2 Replacing an RBP500 Battery Pack ............................................................................................. 20

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CHAPTER 8 –WARRANTY & SERVICE..........................................................................................................23
8.1 Limitation of Warranty................................................................................................................ 23
8.2 Corporate Headquarters & Authorized Service Center ..............................................................23

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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
NexSens CB-400 data buoy systems are designed for coastal or lake water monitoring applications. The
floating platform supports both topside and subsurface environmental monitoring sensors with options
for radio, cellular, and satellite data transmission. Temperature strings, multi-parameter sondes,
Doppler current meters, weather stations, and other monitoring instruments can all be quickly deployed
in protected coastal waters or lakes.
The 400 lb. buoyancy buoys are constructed of an inner core of cross-linked polyethylene foam with a
tough polymer skin. Three 4” diameter PVC pipes pass through the buoy hull for quick deployment of
subsurface instruments. On the topside, a removable tower supports weather monitoring stations and
beacons.
Multiple configurations are available for the CB-400 data buoy. The standard CB-400 package includes
the buoy with no power option. This configuration is designed for use with an SDL500 Submersible Data
Logger powered with D-cell alkaline batteries. CB-400S configurations are fitted with three 10-Watt solar
panels, which are harnessed together and connected to an RBP500 Rechargeable Battery Pack installed
inside the buoy hull. The RBP500 contains an 8.5 A-Hr battery to power the SDL500 and sensors.
The SDL500 is configured with five sensor ports for connection to industry-standard digital and analog
sensor interfaces, including RS-485, RS-232, SDI-12, 1-wire temp string, 0-2.5V, pulse count and more.
Each sensor port offers a UW receptacle with a double O-ring seal for a reliable, waterproof connection.
NexSens iChart Software is a Windows-based program for interfacing both locally (direct-connect) and
remotely (through telemetry) to a single data buoy or network of data buoys.

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CHAPTER 2 –COMPONENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
2.1 CB-400 Components
Polymer-coated foam hull
Polymer-coated foam tower
Stainless steel frame
(3) 4” PVC instrument deployment pipes
(7) 3/4-inch stainless steel eye nuts, three on top and four on bottom
2.2 CB-400S Components
Polymer-coated foam hull
Polymer-coated foam tower
Stainless steel frame
(3) 4” PVC instrument deployment pipes
(7) 3/4-inch stainless steel eye nuts, three on top and four on bottom
(3) 10-watt solar panels
(1) RBP500 Rechargeable Battery Pack with 8.5 A-Hr SLA battery
(1) Power harness for connection of solar panels to RBP500
(1) UW-1P 1-meter cable for connection of RBP500 to SDL500 data logger
2.3 CB-400/CB-400S Specifications
Dimensions
Tower: 23” diameter, 26” height
Hull: 36” diameter, 12” height
Overall: 57” height (without instrument cage), 81” height (with
instrument cage)
Weight
CB-400: 95 Lbs. (with SDL500, cage and tower)
CB-400S: 120 Lbs. (with solar, RBP500, SDL500, cage and tower)
Materials
Hull: cross-linked polyethylene foam with polyurea coating
Tower: cross-linked polyethylene foam with polyurea coating
Maximum Buoyancy
400 lbs.
Mooring Attachments
(7) ¾” stainless steel eye nuts, (3) top-mounted and (4) bottom-
mounted
Suitable Environments
Freshwater lakes, protected coastal waters, rivers, reservoirs,
estuaries
Power Options
RBP500: 8.5 A-Hr Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery
SDL500 (not included): (8) D-cell alkaline batteries
Charging
CB-400S: (3) 10-Watt solar panels with solar regulator

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Figure 2-1: Buoy Components & Dimensions
2.4 Common Accessories
Item
Description
Details
RBP500
Rechargeable battery pack
Provides power to an SDL500 in a CB-400S. Optional
on CB-400.
CAGE
Instrument mooring cage
For water sensor deployments.
914
Deployment pipe
4” Sch. 80 PVC pipe with threaded adapter.
SDL500
Submersible data logger
Fully submersible data logger designed for use with
NexSens data buoys. Direct connect.
SDL500C
Submersible data logger
Cellular telemetry.
SDL500R
Submersible data logger
Radio telemetry.
SDL500I
Submersible data logger
Iridium satellite telemetry.
502-A15
LED Beacon
Mounts to buoy tower, 15 flashes per minute.
DOR35
Anchor
Pyramid anchor, 35 lb.
DOR70
Anchor
Pyramid anchor, 70 lb.
SSPA375-BOW
Shackle
Bow shackle, 3/8”
SSPA500-BOW
Shackle
Bow shackle, 1/2”
SSPA625-BOW
Shackle
Bow shackle, 5/8”
SS187
Stainless steel mooring line
Used for buoy and sensor mooring systems.
HGPC500i
Chain, ½”
Galvanized steel chain used for buoy moorings.
A-3-RED
Marker buoy, 18” diameter
Used for 2-point and 3-point mooring systems.

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CHAPTER 3 –GETTING STARTED
Before deploying a CB-400 data buoy , it is very important for the user to become familiar with the
hardware connections and operation of the system with iChart software. To begin, lay out the buoy,
sensors, data logger, and other components that make up the CB-400 system. Follow the steps in the
Chapters 3-5 to test and assemble the system.
3.1 System Connections –Power, Communications and Sensors
CB-400 data buoys are designed to accommodate the SDL500 Submersible Data Logger for connection
of monitoring instruments. On CB-400 systems without solar charging, the SDL500 is powered with D-
cell alkaline batteries. A communications antenna may be installed in the SDL500 top bulkhead port for
radio, cellular or satellite telemetry systems. Sensor connections are made on the top port and/or the
five ports on the bottom bulkhead. All sensors and devices must have a NexSens UW connector factory
installed in order to connect to the SDL500.
Consult the SDL500 manual for detailed information on the port characteristics to aid in assigning
sensors to the appropriate ports. The available ports are shown in Figure 3-1 below.
Figure 3-1: SDL500 Bottom (left) and Top (right) Bulkhead Ports
CB-400S systems include an RBP500 Rechargeable Battery Pack and a solar charging kit comprised of
three 10-watt solar panels and a power harness with solar regulator. Figure 3-2 is a schematic drawing
showing how these components are connected together along with the SDL500.
The three 10-Watt solar panels are harnessed together and connected to a solar regulator. This
assembly is connected to Port D on the RBP500. Pass-through signals are enabled on the bottom
bulkhead of the RBP500 by connecting UW-1P cables from the SDL500 to the RBP500 top bulkhead as
shown. The CB-400S package includes (1) UW-1P cable that connects from Port P0 on the SDL500 to
Port P0 on the RBP500 top bulkhead. This enables sensors to be connected to Port P0 and Port D on the
RBP500 bottom bulkhead.

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Figure 3-2: CB-400S Power & Communications Schematic
Additional ports can be enabled on the RBP500 by connecting additional UW-1P cables. For example, to
enable Port P1 on the RBP500, a UW-1P cable must connect the SDL500 Port P1 to the RBP500 top
bulkhead Port P1. To enable Port T on the RBP500, a UW-1P cable must connect the SDL500 Port T to
the RBP500 top bulkhead Port T.
Port A, the Analog sensor port, is not available on the RBP500 because it is used as a vent for the
battery. Sensors with analog outputs can only be connected to Port A on the SDL500.
3.2 Gathering Sample Data
Prior to buoy setup and deployment, it is essential to test the monitoring system (sensors, data logger
and telemetry) on shore. This is the most important part of the setup process because it allows users to
familiarize themselves with the system while confirming that everything is operating properly.
Connect all sensors, power the system, and gather sets of sample data with iChart software.
Refer to the SDL500 and iChart manuals for additional information on setup and testing of the software,
data loggers and sensors. Systems may also ship with project-specific startup documentation provided
by NexSens Customer Support.

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For troubleshooting assistance, the NexSens Knowledge Base contains detailed information on many of
the most common issues that may be encountered:
http://nexsens.com/knowledgebase/
NexSens tech support specialists may also be contacted for assistance:
NexSens Technology, Inc.
2091 Exchange Court
Fairborn, OH 45324
937-426-2151
[email protected]m