Novalynx 255-212D User manual

DOC 255-212D UM 20201231
255-212D
User Manual
255-212D Digital Minimum-Maximum Thermometer
Floating or Submersible
Phone [phone]
Email no[email protected] Website www.novalynx.com

NovaLynx Corporation
255-212D Page 2 December 2020
Receiving and Unpacking
Carefully unpack all components and compare to the packing list. Notify NovaLynx Corporation
immediately concerning any discrepancy. Inspect equipment to detect any damage that may have
occurred during shipment. In the event of damage, any claim for loss must be filed immediately with
the carrier by the consignee. Damages to equipment sent via Parcel Post or UPS require the consignee
to contact NovaLynx Corporation for instructions.
Returns
If equipment is to be returned to the factory for any reason, call NovaLynx between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. Pacific Time to request a Return Authorization Number (RA#). Include with the returned
equipment a description of the problem and the name, address, and daytime phone number of the
sender. Carefully pack the equipment to prevent damage or additional damage during the return
shipment. Call NovaLynx for packing instructions in the case of delicate or sensitive items. If packing
facilities are not available take the equipment to the nearest Post Office, UPS, or other freight service
and obtain assistance with the packaging. Please write the RA# on the outside of the box.
Warranty
NovaLynx Corporation warrants that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of shipment from the factory.
NovaLynx Corporation's obligations under this warranty are limited to, at NovaLynx's option: (i)
replacing; or (ii) repairing; any product determined to be defective. In no case shall NovaLynx
Corporation's liability exceed product's original purchase price. This warranty does not apply to any
equipment that has been repaired or altered, except by NovaLynx Corporation, or that has been
subjected to misuse, negligence, or accident. It is expressly agreed that this warranty will be in lieu of
all warranties of fitness and in lieu of the warranty of merchantability.
Address
NovaLynx Corporation
431 Crown Point Circle, Suite 120
Grass Valley, CA 95945-9531 USA
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.novalynx.com
Copyright © 1988-2020 by NovaLynx Corporation

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255-212D Page 3 December 2020
CONTENTS
1 FORWARD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
3 SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
4 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................... 5
5 INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
5.1 Floating Configuration ............................................................................................................................................ 6
5.2 Submerged Configuration ....................................................................................................................................... 6
6 OPERATION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
7 BATTERY REPLACEMENT ................................................................................................................................................. 7
8 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
9 CALIBRATION ................................................................................................................................................................... 8
10 TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................................................... 8

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1 FORWARD
Thank you for purchasing NovaLynx products. NovaLynx has been designing and manufacturing
weather instruments since 1988. NovaLynx represents several well-known brands of quality
manufacturers, including Gill Instruments, RM Young, Kipp & Zonen, and Vaisala. It is our hope that our
products will meet all your monitoring requirements.
2 INTRODUCTION
The 255-212D Min/Max Thermometer features a digital display and extended probe suitable for
reading water temperature in an evaporation pan (NovaLynx 255-200). The unique base on which the
probe is mounted can be configured to float on the surface or rest on the bottom of the evaporation
pan.
Floating Configuration
Two floats are installed on the base to keep the thermometer probe approximately ¼" below the
surface of the water. A solar radiation shield shades the tip of the probe from direct sunlight. Anchor
lines attached to the rim of the evaporation pan keep the float near the center of the evaporation pan.
The display is waterproof and can be mounted in a convenient location outside of the pan.
Submerged Configuration
The floats are removed and the probe placed in the evaporation pan on the south side (Northern
Hemisphere) of the pan so that the thermometer is shaded. A non-magnetic wire handle is fastened to
the base and hooked over the rim of the evaporation pan to keep the probe from moving.
3 SPECIFICATIONS
Type Digital minimum-maximum thermometer with remote probe
Display 0.25" LCD, 3.5 digit
Cable Length
120" (305 cm)
Range
-50° to +300° C or -58° to +572° F
Accuracy
±1°C (-20 to 100°C)
Resolution 0.1° (-19.9 to 199.9°C); otherwise 1°C
Materials Stainless steel hardware, white Delrin base, white powder-coated aluminum
solar radiation shield, polypropylene floats
IP Rating IP61
Battery Button cell, 1.5V
Size
11-1/4" long without floats, 13-1/2" with floats
Weight / Shipping
1 lb / 3 lbs (0.5 kg / 1.4 kg)
255-212D Minimum / Maximum Thermometer

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4 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
The following information is excerpted from National Weather Service Observing Handbook No. 2
(July 1989). The complete manual can be downloaded here:
https://novalynx.com/manuals/coophandbook2.pdf
1.5.1 RESETTING INSTRUMENTS
Reset the maximum and minimum thermometers only once each 24 hours,
immediately after they have been read. Non-recording rain gages
should be emptied after being read only once each 24 hours.
Thermometers and gages should be reset only at the time of
observation agreed to with the NWS representative. Instruments may be
read at intermediate times, but they should not be reset.
5.3.6.1.3 RECORDING THERMOMETERS
Any recording thermometer with an immersible sensing element may be
used. Examples are electrical resistance, mercury-in-steel, and gas-
filled steel elements. The line connecting the thermometer to the
recorder should be long enough to permit installation of the recorder
where it will not cast a shadow on the pan, and more than four feet
from any instrument. It should be in a low housing along a fence in
the northern half of the enclosure (northern hemisphere). The
thermometer should be mounted on an adjustable float mechanism in a
horizontal position. It must be shielded from direct solar and sky
radiation and from possible physical damage. The float mechanism
should be adjusted to support the thermometer about 1/4 inch beneath
the surface of the water near the center of the pan.
5.3.6.3 ACCURACY CHECKS
Check the accuracy of the water temperature readings once a month
when the pan is cleaned…
5 INSTALLATION
The 255-212D Min/Max Thermometer consists of two main parts, the digital display unit and the
probe, which is mounted on a floating/submersible base. The display unit is weather-proof, but will last
longer if some protection from the weather is provided. Suggestion: Provide a small enclosure mounted
on a short post to house the display and protect it from sun and rain. Make sure the post/enclosure will
not cast a shadow on the evaporation pan.

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5.1 Floating Configuration
The probe is mounted on a base which has a float on either end. When placed in the evaporation pan,
the probe will be visible and will be submerged approximately ¼" below the surface of the water. The
tip of the probe is shielded by white cover to keep sunlight from heating the probe.
The floating probe must be tethered to keep it near the center of the evaporation pan. Tie short
lengths of string (of a type that will not rot, such as fishing line) through the plastic loops on the base
which holds the probe. Secure the sting to the rim of the pan or to screws in the wooden platform that
supports the evaporation pan. Leave enough slack in the string so that when the water level in the pan
is at its lowest, the base will still float level to the surface of the water.
5.2 Submerged Configuration
Remove the two floats at either end of the base that supports the probe. Do not remove the probe
from the base.
Locate the wire handle provided with your thermometer. Remove one of the nuts from the threaded
end of the handle. Insert the handle in the base using the hole closest to the thermometer cable. The
handle should extend away from the base on the same side as the probe. Put the nut back on and
tighten to secure the handle to the base.
Lower the probe assembly into the evaporation pan near the southern edge (Northern Hemisphere).
This location will ensure that sunlight does not shine directly on the probe. Hook the upper end of the
handle over the rim of the evaporation pan to keep the probe in position. Check to make certain the
thermometer base is as flat as possible against the bottom of the pan.
6 OPERATION
The 255-212D Min/Max Thermometer must be left ON between readings otherwise the minimum and
maximum temperatures cannot be calculated and retained. In fact, when the unit is switched off the
minimum and maximum values are reset. Be sure the operating instructions are understood to prevent
losing data.
When idling, the temperature displayed is the current temperature. Pressing the MAX/MIN button starts a
3-second timer, during which time the minimum or maximum value must be read. The process can be
repeated if needed, as long as the memory hasn't been reset by turning off the unit.
1. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the unit on.
2. Press the °F/°C button to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

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3. To view the minimum temperature reached since activating the unit, press the MAX/MIN button.
“MIN” appears on the display to indicate the minimum temperature recorded.
4. Press the MAX/MIN button a second time, within 3 seconds, to view the maximum temperature
reached since activating the unit. “MAX” appears on the display to indicate the maximum
temperature recorded.
5. Three seconds after pressing the MAX/MIN button, the unit automatically returns to the current
temperature reading. (“MIN” and “MAX” are no longer displayed.)
6. After recording the MIN and MAX values and it is appropriate to reset the MIN and MAX memory
(NWS Recommendations, Section 4), press the ON/OFF button. The unit will turn OFF and be
reset. Press the ON/OFF button again to turn the unit on so that it will begin to record new MIN
and MAX values.
7 BATTERY REPLACEMENT
WARNING: Keep all batteries away from young children.
Erratic readings, a faint display, no display, or the battery icon ( ) appearing on the display are
all indications that the battery must be replaced. Using a coin, turn the battery cover on the back of the
unit in the direction of the “open” arrow. Remove the exhausted battery and replace with a new 1.5
volt silver-oxide 389 size battery. Make certain the positive (+) side is visible. Replace the battery cover.
8 MAINTENANCE
The requirement to leave the display unit running in order to capture the daily minimum and
maximum temperatures means the battery will need to be replaced regularly. Variations in battery
capacity, temperature during operation, and individual differences among units makes predicting
battery life problematic. After some experience, however, a suitable interval may be determined to
anticipate the battery end-of-life so that it can be replaced before data is lost.
Clean the probe and its base whenever the evaporation pan is cleaned. Lightly brush off any algae or
other debris, and flush off with water.
Check the cable between the probe and display. Ensure the cable is not stretched, kinked, or rubbing
against sharp edges.
Whenever the thermometer is not being used (i.e. stored at the end of a season) turn off the display.
For long term storage remove the battery. WARNING: Keep all batteries away from young children.

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9 CALIBRATION
This thermometer cannot be user-calibrated. However, the sensor should be compared with a high-
quality reference thermometer periodically (NWS Recommendations, Section 4). Make sure the
battery is fresh before doing the comparison.
10 TROUBLESHOOTING
If this thermometer does not function properly for any reason, replace the battery with a new high
quality battery (Section 7, Battery Replacement). Low battery power can occasionally cause any
number of “apparent” operational difficulties. Replacing the battery with a new fresh battery will solve
most difficulties.