YSI SonTek FlowTracker User manual

P/N 6054-60211--D
This sheet is a quick reference to FlowTracker operation.
For more information, refer to the User’s Manual or the
detailed Technical Manual , both of which can be found on
the software CD or via the Start | All Programs | SonTek
Software menu after installation.
What’s in the case?
Standard Parts
Part description
Qty
FlowTracker
1
Communications/Power Cable
1
AA Battery
8
Toolkit
1
Quick Start Guide (this guide)
1
Software Installation CD (includes Manual)
1
Optional Extras
Part description
Qty
Wading Rod
1
Keypad Mounting Bracket
1
Probe Mounting Bracket (S or J styles)
1
Important FlowTracker facts
Some important tips on the FlowTracker and its use:
No calibration of the unit is required.
The Handheld Unit can withstand temporary
submersion, but should not be used underwater.
There is a built-in temperature sensor in the probe.
Take advantage of the SmartQC™ features;
see manual for details.
What does the FlowTracker do?
The FlowTracker measures velocities with a range as low
as 0.001 m/s (0.003 ft/s) and
up to 4.0 m/s (13 ft/s). When
combined with a wading rod,
the FlowTracker can be used
to measure the total discharge
across a river section.
How does it work?
The FlowTracker uses SonTek’s exclusive ADV®
technology to measure 2-D or 3-D velocities in a small
measurement point located 10 cm from the acoustic
transmitter. This allows
measurement of natural flow
that is free of any disturbance
caused by the instrument.
There are no moving parts on
the FlowTracker.
Where can I use a FlowTracker?
The FlowTracker can be used in:
Natural streams
Weirs and Flumes
Open channels
Irrigation
Water treatment
Stormwater
Basic FlowTracker operation
Install AA batteries in the compart-
ment in the back of the unit. To
turn the unit on, hold for one
second; to turn off, hold for four
seconds. Always follow the on-
screen instructions and use the
major key functions labeled on the
keypad.
Testing the FlowTracker
Before any extended field trip, you should run a system
diagnostics test using the Beam Check module. This
software should show signal amplitude plots on top of
each other. If not, it is possible the probe may be
damaged. A complete description of Beam Check can be
found in the manual. Use Recorder to download all files
from the recorder and to format it before deployment.
Measuring discharge - Theory
Measuring discharge involves wading across the stream/
river while taking measurements of water depth and
velocity at different locations (based on ISO/USGS
procedures). When combined with depth information, the
total discharge can be computed. This diagram shows the
Mid Section Equation used to compute discharge ( Mean
Section and Japanese Equations are also supported):
Mid Section River Discharge Measurement Equation
FlowTracker®- Quick Start Guide
Handheld ADV
®for Velocity and Flow Measurements
Loc0Loc1Loc2Loc3Loc4Loc5Loc6Loc7Loc8Loc9Loc10 Loc11 Loc12
Dep1Dep2Dep3Dep4Dep5Dep6Dep7Dep8Dep9Dep10 Dep11
Area1
Area2
Area3Area4Area5
Area6Area7Area8Area9
Area10
Area11
Station Location = Loc
Station Water Depth = Dep
Station Width = W = (Loc - Loc)/2 + (Loc - Loc )/2
Station Area = Area = W * Dep
Mean Station Velocity = V
Station Discharge = Q = Area * V
Total Discharge = Sum(Q )
i
i
i i+1 i i i-1
i i i
i
i i i
i
W1W2W3W4W5W6W7W8W9W10 W11
Measurement
Point (2D or 3D)
Receiver
Receiver Transmitter
10cm
Probe
Communications/Power
Connector
Keypad
LCD Screen
Probe Cable
Handheld Unit
1 32
0- .
7 98
4 65
ENTER
Set
Depth
Measure
Set
Location
GHI
PQRS
ABC
JKL
TUV
DEF
MNO
WXYZ
Next
Station
Previous
Station
Corr.
Factor
Abort
English Keypad
Delete
Set
Velocity
Set Meas
Depth
End
Section
Method
+
LEW /
REW
Calculate
Disch.
Method
-
Set Ice
Depth QC Menu
Five Colors
Black
White
Grey (50%)
Yellow (Pantone Yellow CVC - 100% yellow in CMYK)
Blue (PMS 2935 Coated)
Fonts
Numbers Keys ( 1234567890 . - ): White 20 Point Arial
Alphabet on keys (A-Z): White Arial 8 Point
ENTER: White 9 Point Arial
All yellow text: Yellow 9 Point Arial

Measuring discharge - Procedure
Select a site with reasonable uniform bottom conditions
that may be safely waded (typically no more than 1-m
deep). String a graduated tag line across the river
perpendicular to the riverbanks.
Start at one edge and enter the starting edge location and
water depth. Divide the river cross-section into a number
of stations appropriate for its width. In the above diagram,
the river has start (Loc0) and end (Loc12) edges with 11
stations (marked Loc1to Loc11) in between.
At each station, the operator enters the station location
and water depth and measures the velocity at one or more
depths. A variety of measurement methods are supported
using measurements at different depths, including:
0.6 * Depth
0.2 and 0.8 * Depth
0.2, 0.6 and 0.8 * Depth
Kreps (surface and 0.62 * Depth)
5-point (surface, bottom, and 0.2/0.6/0.8 * Depth)
Multi-point method (any number of points at user
specified depths)
During the entire measurement, the probe’s X-axis must
be maintained perpendicular to the tag line. The probe
should be held away from underwater obstacles that may
disturb the flow. Do not turn the FlowTracker into the
direction of flow, as it will automatically account for flow
direction when making discharge measurements.
Sampling
Volume
Y
X
Probe
Coordinate System
Graduated Tag Line
Primary Flow
Direction
Mounting
Pin
Orient the FlowTracker perpendicular to the tagline
Velocity data is recorded once per second for the entire
Averaging Time, and then averaged to compute the mean
velocity. Quality control data is also reviewed and
displayed; you will be alerted to any unexpected values. If
the velocity measurement is found to be unsatisfactory,
you should repeat the measurement.
Based on the depth, station width, and mean velocity, the
discharge for a station is calculated. The total discharge is
the sum of all station and edge discharge values.
Starting the discharge measurement
Turn the FlowTracker on. Press ENTER to display the
Main Menu. Press 1to enter the Setup Parameters Menu.
At the Setup Parameters Menu, review the current settings
and change the values to meet your requirements. To
change a displayed value, press the number next to the
relevant parameter. Press ENTER to display more menu
options. For example: Press 2in the Setup Parameters
Menu to change the Averaging Time.
The defaults for these parameters are:
Units: English Averaging Time: 40 seconds
Mode: Discharge Salinity: 0.0 ppt (freshwater)
Discharge Equation: Mid Section
When you are finished, press 0to return to the Main
Menu. Now press 2to enter the System Functions Menu.
Field-testing the FlowTracker
Some general tips at the System Functions Menu:
Collect and verify temperature data (press 4).
Check battery voltage (press 5).
Collect and verify raw data. Ideally, SNR values
should be >10 dB, but 4 dB is acceptable (press 6).
Verify the internal clock is correct (press 9).
When you are done, press 0to return to the Main Menu.
Enter site information
Press 3to Start Data Run and display the Data File Name
Menu. Press 1and enter a file name. To enter text names,
use the same method as mobile phones (e.g., press 2four
times for “C”; 2–A–B–C). Now press 9to accept the name.
At any time during data collection, press 8(QC Menu) to
enter supplemental data including gauge height, rated
flow, and user comments.
Collect station data
In the Starting Edge screen, enter the location, depth,
correction factor, and starting edge using the marked
buttons on the keypad. Note that LEW/REW stands for
Left/Right Edge Water. Press Next Station to continue.
Enter the location, depth, and method of measuring
velocity (changed by pressing Method +/-). When the
station information is complete, and the probe is at the
correct depth and orientation, press the Measure button.
An updating display will show the measured velocity and
SNR values. Keep the probe as steady as possible. On
completion of the averaging time, a summary will be
displayed. Press 1to accept and go to the next station or
depth, or press 2to repeat this measurement. These steps
will be repeated for all stations until End Section is
pressed.
Ending the measurement
When End Section is pressed, the ending-edge
information is displayed. Enter the information for this
edge. The Previous Station and Next Station buttons can
also be pressed to review completed stations. Press Calc
Discharge to compute the total cross-sectional discharge
for all completed stations. Press 0to return to the Main
Menu. You must always return to the Main Menu to make
sure that all data is saved.