RBR Coda 3 Series User manual

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INSTRUMENT GUIDE

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Table of contents
1
RBRcoda³.............................................................................................................. 3
2 Specifications....................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Physical specifications......................................................................................4
2.2 Sensor specifications........................................................................................5
2.3 PAR sensor (LI-COR) connector ........................................................................9
2.4 MCBH and DB9 connectors.............................................................................10
2.5 RS-232 cables ..................................................................................................10
3 Maintenance....................................................................................................... 11
3.1 Cable maintenance.........................................................................................11
3.2 DO sensor (OxyGuard) care and maintenance ..............................................12
4 Calibration.......................................................................................................... 13
5
Repairs ................................................................................................................ 13
6
Revision history.................................................................................................. 13

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1 RBRcoda³
The RBRcoda3small smart sensors are a family of cabled instruments with high accuracy, low power consumption, and
ability to endure harsh conditions. These realtime streaming sensors are easy to integrate into any RBR multi-
parameter instrument, or connect directly via RS-232.
The RBRcoda3instruments are are a perfect choice for many oceanographic and limnology applications where realtime
steaming of data is desired, such as borehole monitoring, remotely operated underwater vehicles, stream gauging, or
harbour water levels. These completely sealed units are available in plastic or titanium housings to accommodate
shallow or deep deployments. Attach an MCIL connector with serial and power lines, and the data will stream.
Shallow variants
RBRcoda3D - depth
RBRcoda3 T - temperature
RBRcoda3 T.D - temperature and depth
RBRcoda3DO (OxyGuard®) - dissolved oxygen
RBRcoda3 PAR - photosynthetically active radiation
RBRcoda3rad - narrow-band radiation
RBRcoda3PAR (LI-COR®) - photosynthetically active radiation
Deep variants
RBRcoda3D | deep - depth
RBRcoda3T | deep - temperature
RBRcoda3T.D | deep - temperature and depth
RBRcoda3T.ODO | deep - temperature and optical dissolved oxygen
RBRcoda3PAR | deep - photosynthetically active radiation
RBRcoda3rad | deep - narrow-band radiation

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2 Specifications
Some physical specifications are the same for all the RBRcoda3instruments. Most configurations have only one sensor,
but some include two or, potentially, three.
2.1 Physical specifications
Common specifications for all RBRcoda3instruments
Parameter Value       
Storage No onboard memory
Power 7-15V, 3mA (RBRcoda³ T.ODO)
6-18V, 3mA (all other sensors)
Communications RS-232
.
Dimensions, weight, and depth rating for different configurations
Instrument Diameter Length* Weight Depth rating
RBRcoda³ D
RBRcoda³D | deep ~25mm ~235mm 170g in air, 70g in water 370g in air, 270g in water 1000m 6000m
RBRcoda³T
RBRcoda³ T | deep ~25mm ~244mm 160g in air, 60g in water 390g in air, 280g in water 1700m 6000m
RBRcoda³ DO ~25mm ~290mm 190g in air, 70g in water 1700m
RBRcoda³T.ODO | deep ~28mm ~160mm 180g in air, 100g in water 6000m
RBRcoda³ PAR, RBRcoda³ rad
RBRcoda³ PAR | deep, RBRcoda³ rad |
deep
~25mm ~271mm 140g in air, 15g in water
320g in air, 195g in water
1000m
2000m
RBRcoda³T.D
RBRcoda³T.D | deep ~25mm ~300mm 190g in air, 70g in water 390g in air, 280g in water 1000m 6000m
RBRcoda³ PAR (LI-COR), cosine
RBRcoda³ PAR (LI-COR), spherical ~25mm ~300mm, cable 0.6m 460g in air, 240g in water 400g in air, 100g in water 560m 350m
*Total length of the instrument, including the connector.

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2.2 Sensor specifications
Pressure
The RBRcoda3D, RBRcoda3D | deep, RBRcoda3T.D, and RBRcoda3T.D | deep use the same piezoresistive pressure
sensor. It is protected by a clear plastic guard. During deployments, always orient the sensor downwards to reduce
debris collecting in the housing.
Parameter Value
Range* 20 / 50 / 100 / 200 / 500 / 1000dbar (plastic)
1000 / 2000 / 4000 / 6000dbar (Ti)
Initial accuracy ±0.05% full scale
Resolution <0.001% full scale
Typical stability ±0.05% full scale / year
Time constant <10ms
*Recommended depth for wave measurements is less than 50m.
Temperature
The RBRcoda3T, RBRcoda3T | deep, RBRcoda3T.D, RBRcoda3T.D | deep, and RBRcoda3T.ODO | deepuse the same
thermistor-type temperature sensor.
Parameter
Range* -5°C to 35°C
Initial accuracy ±0.002°C
Resolution <0.00005°C
Typical stability ±0.002°C / year
Time constant ~0.1s |fast, ~1s standard, ~15s | slow
*A wider temperature range is available upon request. Contact RBR for more information.
Pressure sensor
Value
Temperature sensor

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PAR and narrow-band radiometers
The RBRcoda3PAR and RBRcoda3rad instruments look identical and share several specifications.
The RBR coda3PAR and RBR coda3PAR | deep use the cosine photosynthetically active radiation sensors.
The RBR coda3rad and RBR coda3rad | deep use radiometers measuring narrow-band light with a fixed channel width,
available in various 10nm- and 25nm-wide channels. Both centre wavelength and channel width are factory-
configured.
Optical radiometry
Parameter Value
Initial offset error* ±0.0025% full scale
Resolution** ±0.0002% full scale
Dynamic range >5.5 decades (nominal)
Absolute calibration*** ±5%
Linearity ±1%
Time constant <5ms
Operating temperature
range -5°C to 35°C
Gain temperature
dependence 0.15% / °C
Cosine response error
(water) ±5% at 0-60°, ±10% at 61-82°
Azimuth error (water) ±1.5% at 45°
Out-of-band rejection** >25dB (typical), OD 2.5
* Dark offset is internally temperature-compensated.
** Out-of-band rejection and resolution are wavelength
dependent for narrow-band radiometers.
*** RBR calibrates radiometers with NIST traceable
references.
PAR
Parameter Value
Wavelength range 400 to 700nm
Full scale range 0 to 5000µmol/m2/s (minimum)
Initial offset error* ±0.125umol/m²/s
Resolution ±0.010umol/m²/s
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Narrow-band channels
Parameter Value
Centre
wavelengths (CWL) 413/ 445/ 475/ 488/ 508/ 532/ 560nm
Accuracy
(for CWL) ±3nm (for all CWLs except 475nm)
±5nm (for CWL 475nm only)
Full width at half-
maximum (FWHM) 10nm (for all CWLs except 475nm)
25nm (for CWL 475nm only)
Accuracy
(for FWHM)
±3nm
Full scale range 0 to 400µW/cm2/nm (minimum)
Initial offset error* ±0.010µW/cm²/nm
Resolution** ±0.001µW/cm²/nm
PAR radiometer

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Dissolved oxygen (OxyGuard)
The RBRcoda3DO uses the OxyGuard®galvanic dissolved oxygen sensor. The sensor consumes oxygen from the
environment and thus produces most accurate measurements when in a stirred environment. During deployments,
always orient the sensor downwards to reduce debris collecting at the aperture and minimise direct sunlight. Store the
sensor in the dedicated storage cap, included with the instrument.
Parameter Value
Range 0 to 600%
Initial accuracy ±2% oxygen saturation
Resolution 1% of saturation
Response time ~10s, 90% step change at 20°C
.
Optical dissolved oxygen
The RBRcoda3T.ODO | deep uses the optical dissolved oxygen sensor. During deployments, always orient the sensor
downwards to reduce debris collecting at the aperture and minimise direct sunlight. Store the sensor in the dedicated
storage cap, included with the instrument.
Parameter Value
Calibrated range (concentration) 0-500µM
Calibrated range (saturation) 0-120%
Calibrated range (temperature) 1.5ºC to 30ºC
Initial accuracy Maximum of ±8µM or ±5%
Resolution <1µM (saturation 0.4%)
Time constant ~1s (|fast), ~8s (standard), ~30s (|slow)
Galvanic
dissolved
oxygen
sensor
Optical
dissolved
oxygen
sensor

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.
PAR sensor (LI-COR) 
The RBR coda3PAR (LI-COR®) instruments use cabled cosine (one hemisphere, LI-192) or spherical (omnidirectional,
LI-193) PAR sensors.
Parameter Value
Wavelength range 400 to 700nm
Calibrated range 0 to 10000µmol/m2/s
Initial accuracy ±2%
Cosine PAR sensor (LI-COR) 
Spherical PAR sensor (LI-COR)

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2.3 PAR sensor (LI-COR) connector
Proper connection between the PAR sensors (LI-COR) and their cable is crucial for deployment success.
Both LI-192 and LI-193 have a two-pin connector with a small yellow mark on the side.
Ensure proper orientation of the yellow mark and the tab before each deployment. Inverted connection of
your PAR sensor will result in incorrect or lost data.
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Always align this yellow mark with the tab on the side of the cable connector when connecting the sensor to its cable.
Yellow mark
Yellow mark Connector tab
After connecting the cable to the PAR sensor, confirm that the yellow mark and the connector tab are aligned, and then
put the white locking sleeve in place. The sensor is ready for deployment.

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2.4 MCBH and DB9 connectors
RBRcoda3has an external MCBH-6-MP connector on the instrument. The data will stream to your computer via a patch
cable (ordered separately). Depending on the ordered configuration, your patch cable may have either an embedded
converter and USB connector, or a DB9-F connector.
External MCBH-6-MP connector pinout
Pin No. RS-232
1Ground
2Power +4.5 to +30V
3 Data output from
the instrument (Tx)
4 Data input into the
instrument(Rx)
5 N/C
6 N/C
DB9-F connector pinout
Pin No. RS-232
1N/C
2Data output from
the instrument (Tx)
3 Data input into the
instrument(Rx)
4 N/C
5 Ground
6-9 N/C
2.5 RS-232 cables
The RBRcoda3sensors use RS-232 patch cables to connect to power supplies and computers. Patch cables and
underwater extension cables are sold separately and not included with the sensors. Refer to the RBR Cable Guide or
contact oursupport team for the list of available cables.
.
...
RBRcoda3D with an RS-232 cable

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3 Maintenance
3.1 Cable maintenance
Cable bend radius
The smallest bend radius for RBR supplied cables is 15cm.
Lubricating the connectors
Lubrication improves watertight sealing, prevents corrosion, and reduces the force required to de-mate the connector.
Use the silicone compound provided with your instrument.
Apply the silicone compound to all female connectors before every mating
Ensure each connector hole is filled with approximately 30% lubricant
Lubricatinga connector
Reducing mechanical stress
Do not pull on the cable
Hold onto the connector to pull out the cable
Disconnect by pulling straight out, not at an angle
Avoid sharp bends at the point where the cable enters the connector
Avoid angular loads on the connector

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3.2 DO sensor (OxyGuard) care and maintenance
Storage
Store the OxyGuard dissolved oxygen sensor in the dedicated storage cap to minimize fluid loss. Storage caps are
provided with the instrument. Contact RBRif a replacement is needed.
O-ring
The red O-ring of the OxyGuard sensor serves two
purposes:
To retain the electrolyte during storage
To balance pressure during deployments
There are two positions for O-ring on the OxyGuard
sensor, "Transport" and "Measurement".
During transportation or storage, move the red O-ring of
the Oxyguard sensor to the "Transport" position, closing
off the port on the side of the cell.
Before deployment, move the O-ring to the
"Measurement" position to maintain the pressure
balance.
After deployment, return the O-ring to the "Transport"
position.
Support kit
RBR offers an OxyGuard sensor support kit that includes:
Membrane tool
Electrolyte solution (250ml)
Fast response membranes
Replacement O-rings
Oxyguard Support Kit and Refurbishment Guide
Check the state of your DO sensor before deployment. Look for any damage to the membrane, cloudiness of the
electrode, and buildup on the anode. If you find any damage, refurbish and re-calibrate the sensor.
Refer to Oxyguard Support Kit and Refurbishment Guide, included with the support kit, for instructions on refurbishing
your sensor. See Ruskin User Guide for instructions on calibration.
Storage cap
Transport
Measurement
Transport
Measurement

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4 Calibration
Factory calibration coefficients are calculated for each sensor, and the coefficients are stored on the instrument.
RBR calibrationcertificates containcalibration equations, coefficients, and residuals for each sensor. Hard copies are
provided with each shipment. RBR can replace lost or misplaced calibration certificates upon request.
RBR recommends calibrating your instrument before any critical deployment, periodically once a year, or if you suspect
the readings to be out of specifications.
Discuss your calibration requirements with RBR. In some cases, the instrument will need to be returned to RBR to have
it checked and re-calibrated.
Please contactRBRfor our current calibration fees.
5 Repairs
RBR supports all our products. Contact us immediately at[email protected]or via theRBR websiteif there are
any issues with your instrument. Please have the model and the serial number of the unit ready. Our support team will
work to resolve the issueremotely. In some cases, you may have to return your instrument to RBR for further servicing.
To return a product to RBR for an upgrade, repair, or calibration, please contact our support teamto obtain a return
merchandise authorisation code (RMA) and review the detailed shipping information on theRBR website.
There are no user-repairable parts of the instrument. Any attempt to repair without prior authorisation from
RBR will void the warranty.Refer to theRBR warranty statement.
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6 Revision history
Revision No. Release date Notes
A 30-November-2021 Original
B 28-February-2022 Corrected pressure rating (from 10000dbar to 6000dbar), added
maintenance instructions for the OxyGuard DO sensor.
C 15-March-2022 Added MCBH pinout and description of the PAR sensor (LI-COR) connector
to Specifications.