RD Instruments WorkHorse Sentinel User manual

WorkHorse
Sentinel ADCP
User’s Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001)
RD Instruments
Acoustic Doppler Solutions
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Table of Contents
1Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 1
2WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP Applications........................................................................................ 2
3System Overview .............................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Sentinel ADCP Overview ....................................................................................................................4
3.2 I/O Cable Overview.............................................................................................................................6
3.3 Battery Pack Overview........................................................................................................................7
3.4 Flash Memory Card Overview.............................................................................................................8
3.5 Spare Parts.........................................................................................................................................8
4WorkHorse Care................................................................................................................................ 9
4.1 General Handling Guidelines ..............................................................................................................9
4.2 Assembly Guidelines ..........................................................................................................................9
4.3 Deployment Guidelines.....................................................................................................................10
5Setup the WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP........................................................................................... 11
5.1 Serial Communication.......................................................................................................................11
5.2 What if the WorkHorse Does Not Respond.......................................................................................12
6Software........................................................................................................................................... 12
6.1 System Requirements.......................................................................................................................13
6.2 Software Installation..........................................................................................................................13
6.3 Utility Software ..................................................................................................................................13
6.4 WorkHorse Software Philosophy ......................................................................................................15
6.5 File Naming Conventions..................................................................................................................15
7Batteries and Power ....................................................................................................................... 16
7.1 AC Adapter .......................................................................................................................................16
7.2 Alkaline Battery Pack Capacity .........................................................................................................16
7.3 External Battery Pack .......................................................................................................................16
7.4 Reusing Alkaline Batteries ................................................................................................................17
7.5 Bench-Top Battery Power Requirements..........................................................................................18
7.6 Operation Modes ..............................................................................................................................18
8Testing Your WorkHorse................................................................................................................ 18
9Compass Calibration...................................................................................................................... 20
9.1 Preparing for Calibration ...................................................................................................................20
9.2 Compass Calibration Verification......................................................................................................20
9.3 Compass Calibration Procedure .......................................................................................................21
10 Internal Pressure Sensor ............................................................................................................... 23
10.1 Pressure Sensor Maintenance..........................................................................................................23
11 Deployment Guide .......................................................................................................................... 24
11.1 Deployment Checklist .......................................................................................................................24
11.2 Prepare the ADCP for Deployment ...................................................................................................26
11.3 Use the Deployment Wizard .............................................................................................................27
11.3.1 Plan the Deployment.........................................................................................................................28
11.3.2 Set the ADCP’s Clock .......................................................................................................................29
11.3.3 Verify the Compass...........................................................................................................................30
11.3.4 Run the Pre-Deployment Tests.........................................................................................................31
11.3.5 Send the Commands ........................................................................................................................32
11.4 Deploy and Recover the ADCP.........................................................................................................33
11.5 Recover the Data..............................................................................................................................34
11.6 Verify and View the Data ..................................................................................................................35
11.7 Erase the Recorder...........................................................................................................................36
12 Backing Up Data ............................................................................................................................. 36

13 Reviewing the Data......................................................................................................................... 37
13.1 'Where' was the Data? ......................................................................................................................37
13.2 'When' was the Data? .......................................................................................................................37
13.3 'What' is the Data? ............................................................................................................................37
14 A Few Principles of Operation ...................................................................................................... 38
15 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................... 39
List of Figures
Figure 1. Sentinel ADCP Overview ................................................................................................ 5
Figure 2. Connecting and Disconnecting the I/O Cable.................................................................. 6
Figure 3. I/O Cable Overview ......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 4. Battery Pack Overview .................................................................................................... 7
Figure 5. Memory Card Overview................................................................................................... 8
Figure 6. WorkHorse Sentinel Connections.................................................................................. 11
Figure 7. External Battery Pack Connection................................................................................. 17
Figure 8. Compass Alignment ...................................................................................................... 22
Figure 9. Visual Inspection before Deployment ............................................................................ 25
Figure 10. Prepare the ADCP ........................................................................................................ 26
Figure 11. Using the Deployment Wizard....................................................................................... 27
Figure 12. Plan the Deployment..................................................................................................... 28
Figure 13. Deployment Wizard – Setting the Clock ........................................................................ 29
Figure 14. Deployment Wizard – Compass Verification.................................................................. 30
Figure 15. Deployment Wizard – Test the ADCP............................................................................ 31
Figure 16. Deployment Wizard – Send the Commands.................................................................. 32
Figure 17. Deploy and Recover the ADCP ..................................................................................... 33
Figure 18. Recover the Data .......................................................................................................... 34
Figure 19. Verify and View the Data ............................................................................................... 35
Figure 20. Erase the Recorder ....................................................................................................... 36
List of Tables
Table 1: WorkHorse Self-Contained Application Guide ................................................................. 2
Table 2: WorkHorse Real-Time Application Guide ........................................................................ 3
Table 3: WorkHorse Special Applications ..................................................................................... 3
Table 4: Spare Parts .....................................................................................................................8
Table 5: WorkHorse Software ..................................................................................................... 12
Table 6: WorkHorse DOS Utility Software................................................................................... 14
Table 7: WorkHorse ADCP Tests ................................................................................................ 19

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 1
Acoustic Doppler Solutions
WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the RD Instruments (RDI) WorkHorse. This
guide is designed to help first time WorkHorse users to set up, test, and de-
ploy their ADCP.
This guide is designed for use with the other WorkHorse Technical Manual
books. Where needed, there are references to detailed information and fig-
ures contained in the WorkHorse Technical Manual.
WorkHorse Sentinel deployments are most often Self-Contained but can be
Real-Time. Typically, deployments are considered to be Self-Contained
when the ADCP is remotely deployed and powered using internal batteries.
In this configuration, no external connections to the ADCP are made during
the deployment. However, the ADCP can be connected to external power.
This power can be provide either by an external battery case or from shore.
This type of deployment is still considered Self-Contained, but this quick
reference guide may not consider all of the possibilities of this application.
Real-Time use refers to the fact you are viewing the data as the ADCP col-
lects it via a personal computer. This data is also stored on the computer to
allow for data playback and processing at a later time.
NOTE. When you receive your WorkHorse, look for a set up card that
shows all of the pieces you should have in your box. If anything is missing
or damaged, contact RDI immediately.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 2 RD Instruments
2 WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP Applications
The WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP is designed so that it can be used as a fully
self-contained system. This means that it contains its own battery for power
and internal recorder for the storage of all data that you have set it up to col-
lect. Using the internal battery and recorder, the WorkHorse Sentinel can
be used for several-month autonomous current profile deployments from
temporary or permanent mountings in the ocean, near-shore, harbors, and
lakes.
WinSC is the software package for self-contained ADCP setup, data collec-
tion, and data review. For detailed information on how to use WinSC, see
the WinSC User's Guide. Plan (part of WinSC) lets you enter known or
“best-guess” values for the various ADCP profiling parameters and shows
predictions of expected results. For detailed information on how to use
Plan, see the WinSC User's Guide.
Table 1: WorkHorse Self-Contained Application Guide
Application Blue Water Costal and Continental Shelf
Sentinel using WinSC Sentinel using WinSC
• Oceanography • Environmental monitoring
• Energy transport • Costal engineering
• Environmental monitoring • Enabling safe movement
• Engineering stress determination • Measuring Power plant discharge
• Circulation/model studies • Protecting coastal land forms
• Boundary layer studies • Detecting sewer outfall
• Monitoring sensitive environments
Autonomous
deployment
• Planning new ports
Sentinel using WinSCLowered
• Deep water oceanography

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 3
The WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP is also able to be used in real time applica-
tions that either take advantage of the internal battery power, or external
battery power, and can be used to collect data internally as well as exter-
nally. When considering real time applications, RDI offers you choices in
software packages that are intended to directly meet your needs. VmDas is
the most often used software package for ADCP setup, real-time data col-
lection, and data review. For detailed information on how to use VmDas,
see the VmDas User’s Guide.
Table 2: WorkHorse Real-Time Application Guide
Application Blue Water Costal and Continental Shelf
Sentinel using VmDas Sentinel using VmDas
• Oil production platforms • Port and harbor monitoring
Real-Time
deployment
• Current mapping • Water quality studies
Sentinel using VmDas Sentinel using VmDas
• Oceanography • Plume tracking
• Boundary layer studies • Environmental surveys
• Fisheries • Planning new ports
Boat Mount
(portable)
• Plankton biomass • Current mapping
Sentinel using VmDas Sentinel using VmDas
• Towed fish positioning • Towed fish positioning
• Boundary layer studies • Water quality studies
Towed
• Circulation/model studies
Sentinel using VmDas
• Seismic prospecting
• Exploration drilling
• Field development
Offshore oil
and gas
• Production
Table 3: WorkHorse Special Applications
Sentinel using WinRiver Sentinel using Waves
• River, stream and channel discharge • Coastal protection and engineering
• Suspended sediment load estimation • Port design and operation
• Plume tracking • Environmental monitoring
• Bridge scouring • Shipping safety
• Simultaneous bathymetry discharge, flow structure
NOTE. For information on how to use a Sentinel in river discharge
measurements, see the WinRiver User's Guide. For information on how to
use a Sentinel to monitor waves, see the Waves User's Guide.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 4 RD Instruments
3 System Overview
The Sentinel ADCP system consists of an ADCP, cables, battery pack, flash
memory card, and software. Both battery capacity and memory can be in-
creased with upgrades for longer deployments. The Sentinel can also be
used for direct-reading current profile operation. They only require the ad-
dition of a Windows® compatible computer to configure the ADCP and re-
play collected data.
3.1 Sentinel ADCP Overview
The transducer assembly contains the transducer ceramics and electronics.
Standard acoustic frequencies are 300, 600, and 1200kHz. See the outline
drawings in the WorkHorse Installation Guide for dimensions and weights.
I/O Cable Connector – Input/Output (I/O) cable connects the WorkHorse
ADCP to the computer.
Beam-3 Mark – The Beam-3 mark shows the location of Beam-3 (Forward).
Urethane Face – The urethane face covers the transducer ceramics. Never
set the transducer on a hard surface. The urethane face may be damaged.
Housing – The standard WorkHorse housing allows deployment depths to
200 meters.
Thermistor – The Thermistor measures the water temperature.
Pressure Sensor – The Optional pressure sensor measures water pressure
(depth).
Transducer Head – The WorkHorse electronics and transducer ceramics are
mounted to the transducer head. The numbers embossed on the edge of the
transducer indicates the beam number. When assembling the unit, match
the transducer beam number with the Beam 3 mark on the end-cap.
End-Cap – The end-cap holds the I/O cable connector. When assembling
the unit, match the Beam 3 mark on the end-cap with beam 3 number on the
transducer.
Internal Battery Pack – The internal battery pack has 400 watt-hours (Wh)
of usable energy at 0 C. When fresh, the voltage is +42 VDC. When de-
pleted, the voltage drops to 30 VDC or less.
Flash Memory Card – Flash memory cards are available in 16, 20, 40, 85
and 220-MB cards. The standard configuration is one 16MB card.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 5
URETHANE FACE
BEAM 3 MARK
THERMISTOR
PRESSURE SENSOR
(OPTIONAL)
TRANSDUCER
HEAD
HOUSING
MEMORY CARD
INTERNAL BATTERY
PACK
END-CAP
I/O CABLE
CONNECTOR
Figure 1. Sentinel ADCP Overview

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 6 RD Instruments
3.2 I/O Cable Overview
Always remove the retaining strap on the end-cap underwater-connect cable
and dummy plug when disconnecting them. Failure to do so will break
the retainer strap.
Do not apply any upward force on the end-cap connector as the I/O cable is
being disconnected. Stressing the end-cap connector may cause the
ADCP to flood. Read the Maintenance guide for details on disconnecting
the I/O cable.
Figure 2. Connecting and Disconnecting the I/O Cable
PIN 1
PIN 9
3
2
9
8
5
P2
1
2
5
6
4
3
7
POWER +
POWER -
COMMUNICATION RETURN
RS-232 IN / RS-422 OUT A
RS-232 OUT / RS-422 OUT B
RS-422 IN A
RS-422 IN B
J1
P1
BLK
WHT
BLU
BRN
GRN
RED
YEL
P1 J1 P2
7
6
5
4
123
Figure 3. I/O Cable Overview

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 7
3.3 Battery Pack Overview
WorkHorse Sentinel ADCPs require +20 to 60 VDC to operate. The stan-
dard AC Adapter runs on any standard AC power and supplies +24 VDC to
run the Workhorse when the batteries are not connected.
If both the battery (either Sentinel internal batteries or the External Battery
Pack) and power supply are connected, the Workhorse will select the high-
est voltage source for use. The batteries (when fresh) supply +42 VDC and
the power supply output is +24 VDC. The Workhorse will draw all power
from the battery if the battery voltage is above +24 VDC (the power supply
will have no effect).
NOTE. The +24 VDC AC adapter does not override the battery voltage!
Substitute your own power supply with a voltage of +45 to 60 VDC to
override the +42 VDC alkaline battery packs.
Batteries should be replaced when the voltage falls below 30 VDC (meas-
ured across the battery connector under no-load conditions).
NOTE. Battery replacement induces both single and double cycle
compass errors. The compass accuracy should be verified after replacing
the battery pack. The compass does not have to be recalibrated if the
compass verification passes specification.
These compass effects can be avoided by using an external battery pack.
The external battery housing holds two batteries, and can easily be
replaced on-site. If properly used, no compass calibration will be required.
It provides an option for extended ADCP deployments.
INTERNAL
I/O CABLE
THREADED
ROD (4)
WING NUT (4)
WASHER (4)
RUBBER BAND
S
BATTERY PA
C
K
LOCK WASHER (4)
BATTERY
CABLE
SPACER (4)
DESICCANT
RUBBER BAND
SUPPORT PLATE
Figure 4. Battery Pack Overview

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 8 RD Instruments
CAUTION. The Workhorse Sentinel battery pack is held in place by four
sets of washers, lock washers, and wing nuts. If the wing nuts are not
tight, the assembly of washers and wing nut can become loose and
eventually fall onto the PIO board. This has caused the PIO board to
short out. Place a rubber band around the wing nuts to help hold them in
place.
3.4 Flash Memory Card Overview
Flash memory cards are available in 16, 20, 40, 85 and 220-MB cards. The
internal recorder holds two cards for a maximum of 440 MB of recording
space. The PC Card recorder is located on the Digital Signal Processor
(DSP) board inside the Workhorse’s electronics. To recover data, the card
can be removed and used in a personal computer (PC), or left in the Work-
horse, and accessed by using WinSC (see the WinSC User's Guide).
Figure 5. Memory Card Overview
3.5 Spare Parts
The following parts are included in the spare parts kit.
Table 4: Spare Parts
Description Part number
O-ring, face 2-260
Desiccant, sealed bag DES3
Lubricant, silicone, 5.3 oz, Dow-Corning DC-111
Fuse, 3.0 Amp, 250V GMA-3A

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 9
4 WorkHorse Care
This section contains a list of items you should be aware of every time you
handle, use, or deploy your WorkHorse. Please refer to this list often.
4.1 General Handling Guidelines
• Never set the transducer on a hard or rough surface. The
urethane faces may be damaged.
• Always remove the retaining strap on the end-cap underwa-
ter-connect cable and dummy plug when disconnecting them.
Failure to do so will break the retainer strap.
• Do not apply any upward force on the end-cap connector as
the I/O cable is being disconnected. Stressing the end-cap
connector may cause the ADCP to flood. Read the Main-
tenance guide for details on disconnecting the I/O cable.
• Do not expose the transducer faces to prolonged sunlight.
The urethane faces may develop cracks. Cover the trans-
ducer faces on the Workhorse if it will be exposed to sun-
light.
• Do not expose the I/O connector to prolonged sunlight. The
plastic may become brittle. Cover the connector on the
Workhorse if it will be exposed to sunlight.
• Do not store the ADCP in temperatures over 75 degrees C.
The urethane faces may be damaged. Check the tempera-
ture indicator inside the shipping case. It changes color if the
temperature limit is exceeded.
• Do not scratch or damage the O-ring surfaces or grooves. If
scratches or damage exists, they may provide a leakage
path and cause the ADCP to flood. Do not risk a deploy-
ment with damaged O-ring surfaces.
• Do not lift or support a WorkHorse by the external I/O cable.
The connector or cable will break.
4.2 Assembly Guidelines
• Read the Maintenance guide for details on WorkHorse re-
assembly. Make sure the housing assembly O-rings stay in
their groove when you re-assemble the WorkHorse. Tighten
the hardware as specified. Loose, missing, stripped hard-
ware, or damaged O-rings can cause the WorkHorse
transducer to flood.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 10 RD Instruments
• Place a light amount of DC-111 lubricant on the end-cap
connector pins (rubber portion only). This will make it eas-
ier to connect or remove the I/O cable and dummy plug.
• Do not connect or disconnect the I/O cable with power ap-
plied. An exception to this is the external battery case. The
external battery case connector is always “hot” when batter-
ies are installed. When you connect the cable with power
applied, you may see a small spark. The connector pins
may become pitted and worn.
• The WorkHorse I/O cable is wet mate-able, not under water
mate-able.
4.3 Deployment Guidelines
• Align the compass whenever the battery pack or recorder
module is replaced, or when any ferrous metals are relocated
inside or around the WorkHorse housing. Ferro-magnetic
materials affect the compass.
• The AC power adapter is not designed to withstand water.
Use caution when using on decks in wet conditions.
• Avoid using ferro-magnetic materials in the mounting
fixtures or near the Workhorse. Ferro-magnetic materials
affect the compass.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 11
5 Setup the WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP
Figure 6 illustrates how to connect the WorkHorse cables and adapters on
your workbench. The internal battery plugs into a connector on the top
circuit board.
NOTE. When you first receive your WorkHorse, the battery is not installed.
You will need a container of water large enough to submerge the Work-
Horse’s transducer head into during testing (two to three inches of water is
sufficient). Testing the WorkHorse out of water may cause some tests to
fail but causes no harm to the WorkHorse.
I/O CABLE
POWER SUPPLY
24 VDC
COMPUTER
ADCP
10 MB
MEMORY CARD
400 Wh BATTERY
(NOT CONNECTED)
Figure 6. WorkHorse Sentinel Connections
5.1 Serial Communication
The standard communications settings are RS-232, 9600-baud, no parity, 8
data bits and 1 stop bit. Self-contained applications receive no benefit from
setting a faster baud rate.
You can set the WorkHorse for baud rates other than 9600 baud. If you
make the new baud rates permanent, WinSC will search for the correct set-
tings, (and will try COM2 but not COM3 or COM4). If you tell WinSC
these settings, you will save time required for searching. If you have trou-
ble connecting to the WorkHorse, use WinSC’s Auto Detect, which searches
for the WorkHorse’s current serial port and baud rate.
RS422. The WorkHorse Sentinel is normally set for RS232, but it can be
changed to RS422 by changing a switch setting. The switch is in plain view
on the top circuit board, near the cable connectors. Its settings are plainly

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 12 RD Instruments
marked on the board. If the serial protocol is set for RS422 and your com-
puter expects RS232, you will need an RS232-RS422 adapter between the
WorkHorse cable and your computer. This user’s guide assumes that you
use RS232. There is no reason to use RS422 for Self-Contained operation.
5.2 What if the WorkHorse Does Not Respond
If your WorkHorse does not respond, check the serial port, cables, AC
power, and battery connection. If necessary, refer to the Troubleshooting
Guide in the WorkHorse technical manual.
NOTE. WorkHorse Sentinels are shipped from the factory without the
battery installed in the housing. Be sure to install the battery before
deployment!
6 Software
RDI has utility programs to help you set up, use, test, and trouble-shoot
your WorkHorse ADCP. Each program has a help file that you can print, or
you can view help while running the program.
Table 5: WorkHorse Software
Program Name Description
DumbTerm Windows ADCP communication program. Use this program
to "talk" to the ADCP and to run test script files. DumbTerm
is included on the RDI Tools CD. For detailed information
on how to use DumbTerm, see the RDI Tools User's Guide.
WinADCP Gives users a visual display of the entire set of data. You
can zoom in on a portion of the data for closer analysis and
you can export data to text or MatLab files. For detailed
information on how to use WinADCP, see the WinADCP
User's Guide.
Documentation CD The Documentation CD has an Adobe Acrobat® (*.pdf)
electronic version of the WorkHorse Technical Manual. Use
the Documentation CD to search for information. For de-
tailed information on how to use Adobe Acrobat® and the
Documentation CD, see the Read This First guide.
NOTE. See “WorkHorse Sentinel ADCP Applications,” page 2 to see what
software package to use for collecting data.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 13
6.1 System Requirements
The WorkHorse software requires the following:
• Windows 95®, Windows 98®, or Windows® NT 4.0 with
Service Pack 4 installed
• Pentium class PC 233 MHz (350 MHz or higher recom-
mended)
• 32 megabytes of RAM (64 MB RAM recommended)
• 6 MB Free Disk Space (20 MB recommended)
• One Serial Port (two High Speed UART Serial Ports recom-
mended)
• Minimum display resolution of 800 x 600, 256 color (1024 x
768 recommended)
6.2 Software Installation
To install the WorkHorse software, do the following.
a. Insert the compact disc into your CD-ROM drive and then follow the
browser instructions on your screen. If the browser does not appear,
complete Steps “b” through “d.”
b. Click the Start button, and then click Run.
c. Type <drive>:launch. For example, if your CD-ROM drive is drive D,
type d:launch.
d. Follow the browser instructions on your screen
6.3 Utility Software
The following DOS programs (on the RDI Tools CD) have been provided to
supplement features not yet implemented into the Windows environment.
RDI will incorporate these features in future releases. These programs have
been installed to the directory C:\Program Files\Rd Instruments\Utilities.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 14 RD Instruments
Table 6: WorkHorse DOS Utility Software
Program Name Description
BBLIST Executable program that can be operated through the Win-
dows environment. This program will display binary data in
tabular format as well as convert the data into an ASCII file.
BBBATCH Automatically converts a named binary data set to a named
ASCII data set using an existing format file. Use this pro-
gram to convert binary files unattended through a DOS batch
file.
BBCONV Executable program that cannot be operated through the
Windows environment. Removes user selected data from
binary files and stores the information into ASCII comma de-
limited format. See BCONV.DOC for decoder file format.
BBMERGE Executable program that cannot be operated through the
Windows environment. BBMERGE merges ASCII comma
delimited format data described by a decoder (.DEC) file into
the raw BroadBand ADCP data file "infilename", resulting in
an output ADCP data file called "outfilename". See
BCONV.DOC for decoder file format.
BBSUB Executable program that cannot be operated through the
Windows environment. BBSUB starts copying ensembles
from 'infilename' to 'outfilename' starting with the user speci-
fied “Start” and “End” ensemble number. This is intended to
allow users to subsection binary data files.
SS Executable program that can be operated through the Win-
dows environment. SS allows you to quickly calculate the
speed of sound in the water.
SURFACE Executable program that cannot be operated through the
Windows environment. Surface estimates the range from the
ADCP to the water surface or bottom from the echo intensity
data. This program does not change the original data. It
creates a text file with the estimated ranges. Intended for
customers to estimate where to cut off their data.
CHECKDAT Executable program that cannot be operated through the
Windows environment. CHECKAT will scan a data file for
missing ensembles, ensemble number out of order, bad
checksum ensembles and ensembles with bit errors. If the
DOS redirect command (> symbol) is used then the output
will be placed into a file.
C++ Code Library The C++ Code library has been provided to help you in the
creation of your own programs. These files are provided as
is and in general are not supported. Use at your own discre-
tion. The files are located in the directory: C:\Program
Files\Rd Instruments\Utilities\C_Code.

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
P/N 957-6163-00 (January 2001) page 15
6.4 WorkHorse Software Philosophy
Self-contained data collection involves a series of independent steps. Using
WinSC’s Deployment Wizard will ensure that the ADCP is setup correctly.
• Test your WorkHorse (WinSC)
• Plan your deployment (Plan can be run separately or run in-
side WinSC)
• Transfer your “plan” into the WorkHorse and start data col-
lection (WinSC)
• Transfer the data from the WorkHorse’s PC Card recorder to
your computer (WinSC)
• Verify data integrity (WinSC)
• When you are satisfied that your recorded data is safely
backed up, erase the WorkHorse PC Card recorder (WinSC)
• Display and process your data (WinADCP and WinSC)
The WorkHorse software is designed to allow you to set up your Work-
Horse to get the best possible data without having to understand and use
WorkHorse commands. Plan creates command files. These files hold the
commands that will be sent to the WorkHorse to start the deployment.
6.5 File Naming Conventions
The WorkHorse software gives you a complete record of information that
might help you understand your data. To help you associate these files with
your data, they use the same deployment name. Be careful not to lose these
files!
NOTE. Choose and use Deployment Names carefully: they help you
identify and organize all the data and log files associated with each
deployment.
Raw Data files produced by WinSC have the following filename format:
DeployName000.nnn
Where:
DeployName is a user-entered name for the deployment (up to 128 char-
acters),
000 is the deployment number (changes with each stop/restart),
nnn is the recorder card number, which is incremented when
the recorder card is full (.000 = card one, .001 = card two)

WorkHorse Sentinel User's Guide
page 16 RD Instruments
The file extensions have the following meaning:
DeployName.WHP WorkHorse command file created by Plan.
DeployName.SCL Deployment log file created by WinSC. This file contains all
of the commands sent to the WorkHorse (from *.WHP) and
the WorkHorse’s system information before deployment.
DeployName.DPL Binary deployment status file. This file keeps track of which
steps were completed when using the deployment wizard.
7 Batteries and Power
All WorkHorse tests and operations work equally well using internal battery
packs, external battery packs, or the AC power adapter.
7.1 AC Adapter
The AC Adapter runs on any standard AC power and supplies 24 VDC to
run the WorkHorse when the batteries are not connected. Substitute your
own power supply with a voltage of 45 to 60 VDC to override the 42 VDC
alkaline battery packs.
NOTE. The 24 VDC AC adapter does not override the battery voltage!
NOTE. If you collect data using the AC adapter, the profiling range is
reduced compared with standard battery voltage.
NOTE. Transmitted power increases or decreases depending on the input
voltage. A fresh battery provides +42 VDC. Batteries spend most of their
life at a nominal voltage of +33 VDC.
The transmitted power is decreased 1 DB if the input voltage drops from 42
VDC to 33 VDC. For a 300kHz WorkHorse ADCP, each DB will result in a
decrease in range of one default depth cell.
7.2 Alkaline Battery Pack Capacity
RDI specifies its battery packs to have 400 watt-hours (Wh) of usable en-
ergy at 0°C.
7.3 External Battery Pack
The External Battery Pack holds two 400 watt-hours (Wh) batteries. To
avoid affecting the compass, place the external battery case at least 30-cm
away from the Sentinel WorkHorse.