Xylem SonTek FlowTracker2 User manual

FlowTracker2
USER’S MANUAL 1.6
SOFTWARE VERSION 1.6
FIRMWARE VERSION 1.3
®
Copyright 2019 by Xylem Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not, in whole or in part, be copied,
photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or Machine-readable form with-
out prior consent in writing from Xylem. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual.
However, Xylem makes no warranties with respect to this documentation and disclaims any implied war-
ranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Xylem shall not be liable for any errors or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this manual
or the examples herein. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
9940 Summers Ridge Rd
San Diego, CA 92121
+1.858.546.8327
[email protected]
sontek.com
For Sales & Service Contact
2650 E. 40th Ave. • Denver, CO 80205
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
1-800-833-7958
www.geotechenv.com

SonTek – a Xylem brand
FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 1
SonTek – a Xylem brand
9940 Summers Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92121-3091 USA
Telephone [phone]
•
Fax [phone]
E-mail: inquir[email protected]
•
Internet: www.sontek.com
User’s Manual 1.6
Software Version 1.6
Firmware Version 1.30
Copyright 2018 by Xylem Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced,
translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or Machine-readable form without prior consent in writing from Xylem. Every effort
has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual. However, Xylem makes no warranties with respect to this documentation and
disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Xylem shall not be liable for any errors or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this manual or the examples herein.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

SonTek – a Xylem brand
FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 2
Release Notice 45-0120 Rev C
This is the October 2018 release of the FlowTracker2 User’s Manual. During the
creation of this manual, the following were the latest versions of firmware/software. As
such, if you are using different firmware/software versions, not all aspects of this manual
may apply.
•FlowTracker2 firmware version 1.30
•FlowTracker2 software version 1.6
Trademarks
The terms FlowTracker2 are registered trademarks of Xylem Inc. All rights are reserved.
All other brand names are trademarks of their respective holders.
Warranty, Terms, and Conditions
Thank you for purchasing the FlowTracker2. The instrument was thoroughly tested at the
factory and found to be in excellent working condition. If the shipping crate appears damaged,
or if the system is not operating properly, please contact us immediately.
The system you have purchased is covered under a two year limited warranty that extends to all
parts and labor for any malfunction due to workmanship or errors in the manufacturing process.
The warranty does not cover shortcomings that are due to the design, nor does it cover any
form of incidental damage as a result of errors in the measurements.
If your system is not functioning properly, first try to identify the source of the problem. If
additional support is required, we encourage you to contact us immediately, and we will work to
resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
If the system needs to be returned to the factory, please contact technical support to obtain a
Service Request (SR) number. We reserve the right to refuse shipments without SR numbers.
We require the system to be shipped back in the original shipping container using the original
packing material with all delivery costs covered by the customer (including all taxes and duties).
If the system is returned without appropriate packing, the customer will be required to cover the
cost of a new packaging crate and material.
Contact Information
Any questions, concerns, or suggestions can be directed to SonTek by telephone, fax,
or email. Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, Monday
through Friday.
Phone : [phone]
Fax : [phone]
Email : inqui[email protected]om (General information)
[e-mail] (Sales information)
suppor[email protected]om (Support information)
Web : http://www.sontek.com
See our web site for information concerning new products and software/firmware
upgrades.

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FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 3
FCC INFORMATION
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
The FlowTracker2 FCC license number can be found in two locations: (1) on the shipping box
label and (2) engraved on the back of the FlowTracker2. Examples of the shipping box label
and engraving are shown below.

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FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 4
Table of Contents
List of Tables...............................................................................................................14
List of Equations.........................................................................................................16
Quick Overview .........................................................................................17Section 1.
1.1. System Components........................................................................................17
1.2. Definitions and Terminology.............................................................................19
System Operation......................................................................................21Section 2.
2.1. On/Off Switch...................................................................................................21
2.2. Keypad.............................................................................................................21
2.3. Keypad Filter....................................................................................................23
2.4. Screen Layout..................................................................................................24
2.5. Main Menu .......................................................................................................24
Device Configuration Menu (Main Menu) ...........................................................................252.5.1
Utilities (Main Menu)............................................................................................................262.5.2
Communication (Main Menu)..............................................................................................262.5.3
System Information (Main Menu)........................................................................................262.5.4
Measurement (Main Menu).................................................................................................272.5.5
Data Files (Main Menu).......................................................................................................282.5.6
Device Configuration ................................................................................30Section 3.
3.1. User Interface...................................................................................................30
Language ............................................................................................................................303.1.1
Use Beeper .........................................................................................................................313.1.2
Color Scheme......................................................................................................................313.1.3
Font Size .............................................................................................................................323.1.4
3.2. Application Settings..........................................................................................32
Units ....................................................................................................................................333.2.1
Wading Rod.........................................................................................................................333.2.2
File Naming .........................................................................................................................343.2.3
Folder Naming.....................................................................................................................353.2.4
GPS Station Tagging ..........................................................................................................363.2.5
Use Pressure Sensor (Pressure Sensor)............................................................................383.2.6
Probe Offset From WR Bottom (Pressure Sensor).............................................................383.2.7
Air Pressure Cal. Period (min) (Pressure Sensor)..............................................................383.2.8
3.3. Configuration Templates..................................................................................40
Template Options................................................................................................................403.3.1
Managing Templates...........................................................................................................403.3.2 Accessing Templates..........................................................................................................403.3.2.1 New Template.....................................................................................................................413.3.2.2

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FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 5
Selecting Template .............................................................................................................413.3.2.3
3.4. Template Functions..........................................................................................42
File Properties.....................................................................................................................423.4.1
Data Collection Settings......................................................................................................433.4.2 Averaging Time...................................................................................................................443.4.2.1 Salinity.................................................................................................................................443.4.2.2 Temperature........................................................................................................................453.4.2.3 Sound Speed ......................................................................................................................453.4.2.4 Mounting Correction............................................................................................................463.4.2.5
Quality Control Settings ......................................................................................................463.4.3 SNR Threshold....................................................................................................................473.4.3.1 Std Error Threshold.............................................................................................................483.4.3.2Spike Threshold ..................................................................................................................483.4.3.3 Velocity Angle for Warning..................................................................................................483.4.3.4 Tilt Angle Warning...............................................................................................................493.4.3.5
Discharge Settings..............................................................................................................493.4.4 Discharge Equation.............................................................................................................503.4.4.1 Discharge Uncertainty.........................................................................................................503.4.4.2 Discharge Reference ..........................................................................................................513.4.4.3 Max Station Q for Warning (%)...........................................................................................513.4.4.4 Max Depth Change for Warning (%)...................................................................................513.4.4.5 Max Spacing Change for Warning (%) ...............................................................................523.4.4.6 0.6 Method Depth................................................................................................................523.4.4.7
Displayed Velocity Methods................................................................................................523.4.5
Utilities .......................................................................................................54Section 4.
4.1. System Clock...................................................................................................54
Manual Change...................................................................................................................544.1.1
Sync with GPS Time ...........................................................................................................554.1.2
4.2. Recorder..........................................................................................................56
Manage Recorder................................................................................................................564.2.1
Erase Recorder...................................................................................................................574.2.2
4.3. Battery Data.....................................................................................................58
Battery Type........................................................................................................................584.3.1
Battery Voltage....................................................................................................................594.3.2
Percentage Full...................................................................................................................594.3.3
4.4. Raw Data Display.............................................................................................59
Velocity Raw Data...............................................................................................................604.4.1
SNR Raw Data....................................................................................................................624.4.2
Temperature Raw Data.......................................................................................................624.4.3
Tilt Raw Data.......................................................................................................................634.4.4
Battery Indicator..................................................................................................................634.4.5
Pressure (Pressure Sensor)................................................................................................634.4.6
4.5. Automated Beam Check ..................................................................................64
4.6. Beam Check.....................................................................................................65

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FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 6
4.7. GPS Data.........................................................................................................65
4.8. Pressure Sensor (Pressure Sensor) ................................................................66
4.9. System Maintenance........................................................................................67
Force Probe Upgrade..........................................................................................................674.9.1
Data Collection Modes..............................................................................69Section 5.
5.1. Discharge Mode...............................................................................................69
Measurement Technique ....................................................................................................695.1.1
Discharge Calculation Methods ..........................................................................................705.1.2 Mid-Section Equation..........................................................................................................705.1.2.1 Mean-Section Equation.......................................................................................................725.1.2.2 Japanese Equation .............................................................................................................735.1.2.3
Determining Mean Station Velocity.....................................................................................755.1.3 Method None.......................................................................................................................775.1.3.1 Vertical Velocity Curve........................................................................................................775.1.3.2 Correction Factor ................................................................................................................785.1.3.3
Discharge Uncertainty Calculation......................................................................................795.1.4
Under Ice Measurements....................................................................................................805.1.5
Weighted Gauge Height......................................................................................................815.1.6
5.2. General Mode ..................................................................................................82
Measurement Technique ....................................................................................................825.2.1
Determining Mean Velocity.................................................................................................825.2.2
Quality Control ..........................................................................................83Section 6.
6.1. Quality Control Parameters..............................................................................83
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)................................................................................................846.1.1
Velocity Standard Error.......................................................................................................876.1.2
Boundary Interference.........................................................................................................886.1.3
Velocity Spike Filter.............................................................................................................906.1.4
Velocity Angle......................................................................................................................916.1.5
Tilt Angle .............................................................................................................................936.1.6
Station Percent Discharge ..................................................................................................936.1.7
Station Water Depth............................................................................................................946.1.8
Station Location...................................................................................................................956.1.9
Velocity Profile 0.2 \ 0.8 ......................................................................................................966.1.10
6.2. Quality Control Warning Messages..................................................................96
Types of Warning Messages...............................................................................................966.2.1
Timing of Warning Messages..............................................................................................986.2.2
6.3. Beam Check.....................................................................................................98
Beam Check Overview........................................................................................................996.3.1
Beam Check Features ......................................................................................................1006.3.2
Beam Check Operation.....................................................................................................1016.3.3
Diagnosing Measurements with Beam Check ..................................................................1016.3.4 Low Scattering Strength....................................................................................................1016.3.4.1 Strong Scattering Strength................................................................................................1016.3.4.2 Boundary Detected within Beam Check ...........................................................................1026.3.4.3

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FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 7
Boundary in Sampling Volume..........................................................................................1036.3.4.4
6.4. Automated Beam Check ................................................................................104
Measurement Process ............................................................................107Section 7.
7.1. Office Procedures ..........................................................................................107
Equipment List...................................................................................................................1077.1.1
Hardware Inspection .........................................................................................................1087.1.2
Office Diagnostic...............................................................................................................1087.1.3
7.2. Measurement Site Information.......................................................................110
7.3. Pre Measurement Diagnostics.......................................................................111
7.4. Measurement Procedure................................................................................112
7.5. Post Measurement Requirements..................................................................113
Review of Measurement Site Information.........................................................................1147.5.1
Review Measurement Summary.......................................................................................1147.5.2
Data Management.............................................................................................................1157.5.3
Storage..............................................................................................................................1157.5.4
Discharge Measurement.........................................................................117Section 8.
8.1. Create Measurement .....................................................................................117
Measurement ....................................................................................................................1178.1.1
New File Type ...................................................................................................................1178.1.2
New File Template ............................................................................................................1188.1.3
New Data File....................................................................................................................1188.1.4
8.2. Automated Beam Check ................................................................................119
Start Automated Beam Check...........................................................................................1208.2.1
Evaluate Beam Check Results..........................................................................................1208.2.2
8.3. Data Collection...............................................................................................122
Data Collection Window....................................................................................................1228.3.1 Add Station........................................................................................................................1238.3.1.1 Delete Station....................................................................................................................1238.3.1.2 Edit Station........................................................................................................................1248.3.1.3
Station Types ....................................................................................................................1268.3.2 Bank (left or right)..............................................................................................................1278.3.2.1 Island Edge .......................................................................................................................1278.3.2.2 Open Water.......................................................................................................................1288.3.2.3 Ice......................................................................................................................................1308.3.2.4
Station Measurement (Wading Rod).................................................................................1318.3.3 Station Parameters ...........................................................................................................1318.3.3.1 Point Velocity Measurement .............................................................................................1318.3.3.2 Review Point Measurement..............................................................................................1348.3.3.3 Review Station Measurement...........................................................................................1358.3.3.4
Station Measurement (Pressure Sensor)..........................................................................1378.3.4 Station Parameters ...........................................................................................................1388.3.4.1 Point Velocity Measurement .............................................................................................1388.3.4.2 Review Point Measurement..............................................................................................1428.3.4.3

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FlowTracker2 User’s Manual (January 2019) 8
Review Station Measurement...........................................................................................1438.3.4.4
Data Collection Menu........................................................................................................1458.3.5 Settings .............................................................................................................................1468.3.5.1 Supplemental Data............................................................................................................1468.3.5.2 Discharge Summary..........................................................................................................1478.3.5.3 Station Summary...............................................................................................................1488.3.5.4 Automated Beam Check...................................................................................................1498.3.5.5 PS Calibration (Pressure Sensor).....................................................................................1508.3.5.6 Complete Measurement....................................................................................................1508.3.5.7 Discard Measurement.......................................................................................................1518.3.5.8 Go to Home Screen ..........................................................................................................1528.3.5.9
8.4. Measurement Summary.................................................................................152
General Measurement.............................................................................154Section 9.
9.1. Create Measurement .....................................................................................154
Measurement ....................................................................................................................1549.1.1
New File Type ...................................................................................................................1549.1.2
New File Template ............................................................................................................1559.1.3
New Data File....................................................................................................................1559.1.4
9.2. Automated Beam Check ................................................................................156
Start Automated Beam Check...........................................................................................1579.2.1
Evaluate Beam Check Results..........................................................................................1579.2.2
9.3. Data Collection...............................................................................................159
Data Collection Window....................................................................................................1599.3.1 Add Station........................................................................................................................1609.3.1.1 Delete Station....................................................................................................................1619.3.1.2
Station Measurement (Wading Rod).................................................................................1619.3.2 Point Velocity Measurement .............................................................................................1629.3.2.1 Review Point Measurement..............................................................................................1649.3.2.2 Review Station Measurement...........................................................................................1659.3.2.3
Station Measurement (Pressure Sensor)..........................................................................1669.3.3 Point Velocity Measurement .............................................................................................1669.3.3.1 Review Point Measurement..............................................................................................1699.3.3.2 Review Station Measurement...........................................................................................1719.3.3.3
Data Collection Menu........................................................................................................1729.3.4 Settings .............................................................................................................................1739.3.4.1 Velocity Summary.............................................................................................................1739.3.4.2 Automated Beam Check...................................................................................................1749.3.4.3 PS Calibration (Pressure Sensor).....................................................................................1749.3.4.4 Complete Measurement....................................................................................................1759.3.4.5 Discard Measurement.......................................................................................................1769.3.4.6 Go to Home Screen ..........................................................................................................1779.3.4.7
9.4. Measurement Summary.................................................................................177
FlowTracker2 Hardware........................................................................179Section 10.
10.1. ADV Probe..................................................................................................179

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10.2. Handheld ....................................................................................................180
10.3. Cables and Connectors ..............................................................................181
10.4. Certifications...............................................................................................181
10.5. PC System Requirements...........................................................................182
Operational Considerations .................................................................183Section 11.
11.1. Software Upgrade.......................................................................................183
Upgrading Handheld Software..........................................................................................18311.1.1
Upgrading ADV Firmware .................................................................................................18511.1.2
11.2. Mounting and Installation............................................................................185
FlowTracker2 Handheld....................................................................................................18511.2.1
Handheld Mounting Bracket..............................................................................................18511.2.2
Probe Mounting Bracket....................................................................................................18611.2.3
11.3. Routine Maintenance..................................................................................187
Battery Power Supply........................................................................................................18711.3.1
Cleaning Instrument..........................................................................................................18711.3.2 Handheld.........................................................................................................................18711.3.2.1 Transducers ....................................................................................................................18811.3.2.2
Cable Maintenance ...........................................................................................................18811.3.3
O-rings...............................................................................................................................18911.3.4 Housing...........................................................................................................................18911.3.4.1 Battery Cap .....................................................................................................................18911.3.4.2
Condensation in FlowTracker2 Housing...........................................................................18911.3.5
Zinc Anodes for Corrosion Protection...............................................................................18911.3.6
11.4. Seeding.......................................................................................................190
Scattering Material ............................................................................................................19011.4.1
Field Applications..............................................................................................................19011.4.2
11.5. Troubleshooting..........................................................................................191
Cannot Turn System On ...................................................................................................19111.5.1
Cannot Communicate with the FlowTracker2...................................................................19111.5.2 Handheld.........................................................................................................................19111.5.2.1 Communication ...............................................................................................................19111.5.2.2
Cannot Retrieve Data from Internal Recorder ..................................................................19211.5.3
Velocity Data Appears Noisy or Unreasonable.................................................................19211.5.4
Recovery Mode.................................................................................................................19211.5.5
11.6. Health and Safety.......................................................................................193
Planning Field Work..........................................................................................................19311.6.1
Communication .................................................................................................................19411.6.2
Measurement Site Conditions...........................................................................................19411.6.3
FlowTracker2 File Format.....................................................................196Section 12.
12.1. FlowTracker2 JSON File.............................................................................196
Measurement File Framework ..........................................................................................19712.1.1
Measurement File Structure..............................................................................................19812.1.2