Zebra-Tech Turtle User manual

Turtle Dive Logger
Submersible position, depth, temperature and
immersion status data logger
Technical Manual
Version 4.0

1
Turtle Dive Logger Technical Manual
Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................. 1
2. Turtle Dive Logger Specifications.............................................................................. 2
Schematics ............................................................................................................. 3
4. Operating the Turtle Dive Logger ............................................................................. 4
Overview................................................................................................................ 4
Charging the Turtle Dive Logger............................................................................. 5
Activating the wet sensor ...................................................................................... 6
5. Communicating with the Turtle Dive Logger............................................................. 8
Installing TurtleCom............................................................................................... 8
Operating TurtleCom ........................................................................................... 10
Radio Linked Turtle Diver Logger and Paua Boat Loggers.................................... 15
6. Google Earth .......................................................................................................... 18
7. Further Assistance.................................................................................................. 19

1
Turtle Dive Logger Technical Manual
1. Introduction
The Turtle Dive Logger is a fully self-contained submersible data logger. It is very
simple to operate, logging automatically on contact with water. All the user need
do is download the data and charge the batteries.
The Turtle Dive Logger logs:
The geographical position when
on the surface of the water
Dive depth and temperature profile
while underwater
FRONT VIEW OF TURTLE DIVE LOGGER
Depth
sensor
Coms and
charging
connector
cap
BACK VIEW OF TURTLE DIVE LOGGER
Temperature sensor
TOP VIEW OF TURTLE DIVE LOGGER
GPS Antenna
Serial number
Status light
Indicator
Wet
sensor

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2. Turtle Dive Logger Specifications
Position:
Logging Interval:
GPS Module: Fastrax P500
Surface 10 to 60 seconds (user adjustable)
Dive 1 to 60 seconds (user adjustable)
Depth:
40m water depth
Temperature:
Range 0 to 40˚C
Batteries:
3 x Sanyo Eneloop Nickel Metal Hydride
Thermal and short circuit protection fitted
Memory:
4 megabytes: equivalent to about 200,000 surface records or
800,000 dive records.
Data is retained even if the batteries go flat

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Schematics

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3. Operating the Turtle Dive Logger
Overview
Operation of the Turtle Dive Logger has been designed to be as simple and
reliable as possible. When the Turtle Dive Logger is out of the water, it enters a
low power deep sleep mode. When it detects water, it wakes up and enters the
logging mode, logging data according to its situation, either on the surface or
diving.
On the surface the Turtle Dive Logger records the position data - latitude,
longitude and UTC date and time - from the GPS. During a dive, it records
temperature, water depth, UTC date and time.
The Turtle Dive Logger features a small flashing light visible through the housing.
The color and flashing sequence indicate the status and operation mode of the
Turtle Dive Logger (see table below).
Every 12 seconds
Description
1 flash
Green
Idle
Red
Idle, low battery
2 flashes
Green Green
Good battery, good GPS fix
Red Green
Low battery, good GPS fix
Red Red
Low battery, invalid GPS fix
Green Red
Good battery, invalid GPS fix
Green Orange
Good battery, diving (GPS Off)
Red Orange
Low battery, diving (GPS Off)
3 flashes
All Red
Flat battery shutdown
4 flashes
All Red
Memory full
Long flash
Green
Dry to wet state change

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When the diver comes out of the water, the Turtle Dive Logger will continue to
record its position for 30 minutes, flashing as in surface swim mode before going
into deep sleep mode.
The Turtle Dive Logger can store many days of dive data. To offload the data, the
Turtle Dive Logger is connected to a computer using the download cable and then
the program ‘TurtleCom’ is used.
Charging your Turtle Dive Logger
CHARGING CONNECTOR
Using a coin, unscrew the connector cap and attach the charging connector onto
the Turtle Dive Logger.
Plug the charger into a mains power socket.
The red power and red charge light should light up and the green ‘ready’ light will
flash for the first minute. During this time the charger is assessing the status of
the batteries. After 1 minute the green light will stop flashing and the charge light
will remain on until charging is complete. The red charge light will go off and the
green ‘ready’ light will flash.

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Charging may take up to 4 hours.
Once the batteries are fully charged, disconnect the charger from the mains and
THEN disconnect the charging plug from the Turtle. Do not replace the connector
cap for at least 30 minutes, to allow any gas to vent off through the charging
connector.
Ensure the O ring on the connector cap is clean and has some grease on it. If it is
dry, apply a light wipe of grease, such as Vaseline. Screw the cap back into
position using a coin. It is not necessary to apply excessive force to tighten the
cap.
The batteries in the Turtle do not have a memory which reduces the capacity as
with some other battery types. However it is recommended that every 6 months
or so, the batteries should be completely discharged. This can be done by
pressing the ‘Discharge’ button on the charger prior to following the charging
sequence.
Activating the wet sensor
The stainless steel temperature sensor and charging vent plug are the contacts for
the Wet Sensor.
Sensor
plate
Temperature
sensor
Wet Sensor

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The Wet Sensor needs to be activated to prompt the Turtle to download data
from satellites which assist with rapid position fixing. To activate the Wet Sensor,
simply dip the Turtle briefly in water.
To minimize position acquisition time, it is recommended that the Turtle has 10
minutes of clear unobstructed sky view at the start of the day prior to use. This
enables it to map the relevant satellite data and so re-acquire position data more
quickly after a dive.