Ocean Instruments SoundTrap ST640 User manual

SoundTrap ST600 and ST640 User Guide
June 2023

1 About this guide...........................................................................................................................4
2 Quick start guide ..........................................................................................................................5
2.1 Opening and closing the housing...................................................................................5
2.2 Batteries........................................................................................................................7
2.3 Memory ........................................................................................................................8
2.4 Install the SoundTrap host on your PC...........................................................................9
2.5 Connect SoundTrap to your PC......................................................................................9
2.6 Check SoundTrap Status..............................................................................................11
2.7 Configure the deployment ..........................................................................................11
2.8 Begin recording using the IR Remote Control..............................................................13
2.9 Data Offload................................................................................................................14
3 More details...............................................................................................................................15
3.1 Data Files.....................................................................................................................15
3.2 Calculation of deployment endurance.........................................................................16
3.3 ST640 multi channel recording ....................................................................................16
3.4 Clock details ................................................................................................................17
3.5 Deployment hardware ................................................................................................17
3.6 Depth rating and PRV requirements............................................................................18
3.7 Software updates ........................................................................................................19
3.8 MSP firmware updates................................................................................................19
3.9 Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................20
3.10 Calibration...................................................................................................................21

4 Appendices.................................................................................................................................22
4.1 SoundTrap HF Click Detector (ST600HF Only)..............................................................23
4.1.1 Click detector.......................................................................................................23
4.1.2 Snippet extractor .................................................................................................24
4.1.3 User parameters ..................................................................................................24
4.1.4 Output File formats..............................................................................................25
4.1.5 Click Detector Caveats and Cautions....................................................................26

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 potentially dangerous. Carefully relieve any pressure by opening the
small seal screw at the base of the housing.
Opening the housing:
•Ensure the housing is dry and free of fouling.
•Use the supplied 4mm hex key to release the lock screw by
turning clockwise unit the screw bottoms out (figure 1).
•Hold recorder with the hydrophone facing downward to ensure
any remaining water won’t run down into the housing.
•Open the top with a twist and pull motion, ensuring the
hydrophone remains pointing downward.
•Where seal is tight you may need to use a screw driver (in the
slots provided) to gently lever the top open.
Closing the housing:
•Place an elastic band around the bottom set of batteries to
eliminate any battery rattle/movement.
•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, turning to align the locking
screw.
Figure 1 - Fit an elastic band
around bottom battery set to stop
any movement
Figure 2 –Operation of locking
screw

•Engage the locking screw by turning anticlockwise with supplied hex
key until screw is snug against the housing.
•Warning - over tightening the locking screw can cause the housing
to leak. Stop once it is snug against the housing, no force is
required.
•Seal the gap and locking screw 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.
Sealing the gap with insulation tape is important to avoid silt/mud/sand entering and eventually
working its way under the o-ring seals.
Figure 3 - Avoid silt/mud
entering the o-rings by
sealing with insulation tape

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 ST600 is powered by up to 12 Panasonic NCR18650B (flat top) lithium-ion batteries.
These are loaded individually, meaning you can use anything from 1 to 12 batteries depending on
desired length of deployment.
We recommend using Panasonic NCR18650B (flat top) batterie.These are commonly available and
all testing and advertised battery endurances assume use of NCR18650B batteries. Performance of
other brands is unknown. Where using other battery types we strongly recommend sticking to
quality brands such as Panasonic, Sanyo and Samsung. Use of inferior quality batteries may result in
leaking acid, potentially causing damage to the electronics and housing seal failures. Source
batteries from reputable suppliers to avoid inferior counterfeits. Batteries must be 18650 flat top,
unprotected type.
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 will no 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 ST600 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). All Evo card types are fine, including Evo, Evo plus, Evo Select. 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 ST600 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 4 - The Device List