MVP30 Operators
’ Guide
6
OM-09000-0-04-004B
AML Oceanographic Ltd.
2.3 AUTOMATIC PROFILING
1. Move the Hand/Off/Auto switch to Auto mode.
2. Confirm all data is being successfully interfaced to the MVP Controller software. Once
confirmed, press the ‘RESET’ button in the MVP Controller software. This will re-initialize
software settings and
remove the ‘COMM ERR’ alarm indicator.
3. At the MVP30 Controller, enter the Deployment Criteria in the Main Operator window. These
criteria are described in the Software Section.
4.
From the ‘Edit/System Configuration’ menu in the Main Operator window, select the Root
Filename and Data Directory in the Data Logging panel. Subsequent deployments will
increment the filename extension by one for each file starting with the current value shown
in the Index box.
5. Ensure all personnel are clear of the winch. When the vessel is in position, select the Start
button in the Deployment Control panel.
The winch will enter a Freewheel mode allowing the fish to free fall through the water column,
until one of the deployment termination criteria are met (assuming an operator does not halt the
profile or an Emergency Stop condition has not been encountered). The brake is applied, the
clutch is engaged and the winch recovers the tow cable at the maximum speed set by the
speed adjust knob on the Control Box until a messenger is detected at the outer sheave limit
switch. When a ‘Dock’ messenger is detected, the winch stops recovering cable and the brake
is applied. The system waits for the next deployment with the fish at the towed position.
6. If a number of automatic deployments are desired, set the Minute Intervals in the
Deployment Control panel in the Main Operator Window to the desired interval by clicking
the up/down arrows or double clicking the numerical display and entering a value
. The ‘Next
In’ display will show the time to the next deployment. Enable the Auto Deploy feature by
toggling the ‘Disabled’ button to ‘Enabled’. The Next In display will count down the minutes
and seconds until the next deployment after the initial auto deployment profile is completed.
When the required number of auto deployment profiles is completed, disable the Auto Deploy
feature anytime during the completion of the last profile (while the profile is being conducted).
The MVP can be configured to profile continuously without user intervention by setting the
number of minutes between profiles to zero. It is easy to become complacent about the system
in this mode.
CAUTION: If the winch has been idle for a week or more and wet conditions exist (rain,
mist, salt spray, etc.) the winch brake may be wet and may not perform
properly until dampness is removed from the brake. This will result in the
brake slipping when attempting to stop the drum. It is recommended that a
number of shallow deployments be performed to dry the brake. Observe the
Tow Body Depth on the Strip Chart Panel in the MVP Controller software to
ensure that the Maximum Depth value is not exceeded. If so, repeat the
shallow deployments until the value is not exceeded (within 5 m).
FAILURE TO DRY THE BRAKE MAY CAUSE COLLISIONS WITH THE SEAFLOOR.
