Ocean Instruments SoundTrap ST400 User manual

SoundTrap ST400 User Guide
September 2021

1 About this guide ..............................................................................................................................4
2 Quick start guide .............................................................................................................................5
2.1 Opening and closing the housing.....................................................................................5
2.2 Batteries...........................................................................................................................6
2.3 Memory............................................................................................................................7
2.4 Install the SoundTrap host on your PC.............................................................................8
2.5 Connect SoundTrap to your PC........................................................................................8
2.6 Check SoundTrap Status ................................................................................................10
2.7 Configure the deployment.............................................................................................10
2.8 Begin recording using the IR Remote Control................................................................12
2.9 Data Offload...................................................................................................................13
3 More details ..................................................................................................................................14
3.1 Data Files........................................................................................................................14
3.2 Calculation of deployment endurance...........................................................................15
3.3 Clock details ...................................................................................................................15
3.4 Deployment hardware ...................................................................................................16
3.5 Software updates...........................................................................................................16
3.6 MSP firmware updates...................................................................................................17
3.7 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................17
3.8 Calibration......................................................................................................................19
4 Appendices....................................................................................................................................20
4.1 SoundTrap HF Click Detector (ST400HF Only)................................................................20

4.1.1 Click detector..........................................................................................................21
4.1.2 Snippet extractor....................................................................................................21
4.1.3 User parameters.....................................................................................................22
4.1.4 Output File formats ................................................................................................23
4.1.5 Click Detector Caveats and Cautions......................................................................24

1About this guide
This guide begins with a ‘Quick start’ section to help you get going with your new SoundTrap, including
software installation and basic deployment instructions. This is followed by several sections containing
more detailed information around operation, deployment, maintenance and troubleshooting. It is
highly recommended you read the entire guide to ensure you have a good understanding of the
instrument and how to get the most from its capabilities.

2Quick start guide
2.1 Opening and closing the housing
Before opening an underwater housing always check for flooding by shaking and listening for
water sloshing around inside. If flooding is suspected, then be aware that the housing may be
pressurised and therefore hazardous. Carefully relieve any by wring the housing in a towel and
opening at arm’s length.
Opening the housing:
•Dry the with a towel so housing is completely dry before opening.
•Hold recorder with the hydrophone facing downward to ensure any remaining water won’t
run down into the housing.
•Twist the housing anticlockwise to release the lock.
•Gentry pull the chassis from its housing.
Closing the housing:
•Carefully check the O’rings. Any nicks or scratches indicate they must be replaced.
•Lubricate O’rings with silicone grease.
•Check O’rings are properly seated and absolutely free of stray hair/grit etc
•Insert the chassis in the housing.
•Lock the housing closed by turning the chassis clockwise until end of travel.
•Where heavy fouling is likely to occur, we recommend sealing the gap by means of a couple
of turns of insulation tape (figure 2).
•Replacement O’Rings should be type 48x3 N70 (Nitrile)
The O’ring checks are critically important to avoid damage. Any detritus or damage to the O’rings
may result in the housing being flooded which will almost certainly destroy the electronics.

2.2 Batteries
BATTERY WARNING. Lithium ion batteries may explode or burn due to improper use. Careful
attention should be paid to your battery suppliers safety recommendations.
The SoundTrap ST400 is powered by 2 Panasonic NCR18650B (flat top) lithium-ion batteries. These
are loaded individually, meaning you can use one or two batteries. However we recommend loading
both batteries to provide a level of redundancy.
We strongly recommend only using Panasonic NCR18650B (flat top) batteries. These are commonly
available and all testing and advertised battery endurances assume use of NCR18650B batteries.
Performance of other brands is unknown. Untested brands may leak acid, potentially causing
damage to the electronics. Source the batteries from reputable suppliers to avoid inferior
counterfeits.
Be careful to ensure correct battery polarity as indicated by the diagram in the battery
compartment. Once loaded, double check each battery’s polarity.
18650 batteries are generally supplied in a partially charged state and should be recharged prior to
first use. Recharging requires a good quality lithium-ion battery charger such as the XTAR VC4 or
similar.
When not in use, batteries should always be removed from the recorder and stored in a fireproof
container. If the batteries are not to be used for a long period (more than a month) they should
ideally be stored in a half-charged state in order to maintain future performance.

2.3 Memory
The SoundTrap ST400 series have capacity for up to 4 microSD cards.
Important things to note about memory:
1. You should only use the recommended memory cards –Samsung Evo MicroSD (up to
512GB). Counterfeits of these cards exist, so only source from reputable suppliers. Using
other card types or counterfeits may result in performance issues such as increased power
consumption, sampling gaps or unreliable recording.
2. The cards are used in the sequence 4->3->2->1 where 1 is the top-most card. Any full or
missing cards will be skipped.
3. It is critical that each card is formatted prior to each deployment. This can only be done in
the SoundTrap recorder using the ‘Delete All Files’ option. This must be done for each card
individually.
4. SoundTrap uses a custom file system to maximise performance and reliability. This means
the cards can only be read with the ‘SoundTrap Card Reader’ application supplied with the
SoundTrap Host software. When inserting the memory cards into a PC you may receive a
message like “Drive is not formatted, do you want to format it now?”. Agreeing to this will
result in loss of data. Instead select ‘No thanks’ and run the SoundTrap card reader
software.

2.4 Install the SoundTrap host on your PC
To start using your SoundTrap you’ll need to install the SoundTrap Host software.
For correct operation of your ST400 it is critical to use SoundTrap Host version 4.0.0 or
later.
•Pre-installation Notes:
oThe SoundTrap host software supports Windows 7, 8 & 10 (32 or 64 bit versions).
oDo not connect the SoundTrap to your computer until you have completed the
SoundTrap host software installation.
oThe installation will be smoother if you’re logged into windows as an administrator.
•Visit www.OceanInstruments.co.nz/downloads/ to download the software.
•Download and run the installer.
•Once the install completes, run the SoundTrap Host application.
2.5 Connect SoundTrap to your PC
•Connect the SoundTrap using the USB cable provided.
•The drivers will take a couple of minutes to install. Once complete you should see your
SoundTrap appear in the ‘Device List’ on the left, as shown in figure 3.
•Select your SoundTrap by clicking its label on the left.

Figure 1 - The Device List

2.6 Check SoundTrap Status
Note the ‘Status’ panel on the right (Figure 4). Carefully review the state of memory and
batteries in the right-hand pane, checking that all batteries show 100% charge and all
memory show 0% used.
Figure 2 –Deploy Control
2.7 Configure the deployment
•Select the ‘Deploy’ tab as shown in figure 4.
•Configure the deployment parameters as follows:
oThe ‘Recording Starts’ section determines when recording will begin. Recording can
begin immediately on disconnection of the USB cable, at a pre-determined date and
time, or manually using the IR remote control. Note that the remote can always be
used to override the other options.