YSI SonTek RiverSurveyor, System Manual

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SonTek/YSI Inc
RiverSurveyor System Manual (May 1, 2007)
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3.12. Additional/Ancillary Equipment
Ancillary equipment typically refers to any peripheral or auxiliary items not normally provided
with the purchase of your system. Depending on how you will be using your RiverSurveyor sys-
tem, you may need to provide one or more of the following items.
•
This manual (either a paper copy or the electronic PDF copy included with RiverSurveyor )
•
Laptop (typically for field use) or personal computer (typically for office use)
•
Serial cables
•
Battery power or a method to connect to boat/vessel power
•
Power inverter
•
Power strip
•
Tool kit
•
Vessel/Boat (if not using the RiverCat Integrated Catamaran System )
•
Mount for the ADP (if not using the RiverCat Integrated Catamaran System )
•
Ropes or towlines
The remainder of this section covers the following topics:
•
What essential equipment is needed to make field measurements?
•
What other items may be useful to me in the field?
3.12.1. What essential equipment is needed to make field measurements?
A trip into the field to make a measurement is often expensive and time-consuming. You should
make every effort to ensure all equipment is operating correctly before you make the trip.
Taking spare/backup equipment can always be beneficial. A spare laptop computer or additional
power strip can sometimes be the difference between a successful or unproductive field trip. Be-
sides the RiverSurveyor system itself, the following ancillary equipment is essential for making a
field measurement with any of the RiverSurveyor systems.
•
Laptop computer – Data collection using the RiverSurveyor software requires a computer
to run the system and to record the data. A laptop computer is the best option (vs. a desktop
computer) as they are a more portable and less susceptible to water or physical damage. If
possible, one of the more rugged and splash-proof laptops would be best option for field
data collection. Always ensure that the battery in your laptop is fully charged before going
out into the field – while you’re at it, take a spare battery or two.
•
Serial cables – Serial cables to peripheral sensors/equipment (e.g., GPS, echo sounder).
Make sure to test ALL cables before going to the field. A large number of communication
problems with field equipment can be traced to bad cables and/or connectors.
•
Battery power (or some way of connecting to vessel power) – Marine batteries (it is usually
best to have at least two) are a great way of powering your system and computer in the field.
Some vessels have outlets (or cigarette lighters) that permit the attachment of power con-
nections. Always make sure that you are familiar with the types of connections available on
the vessel, that the connectors will mate, and that the available power is of the correct speci-
fication. Some form of protective fuse for all your power connections can be beneficial.
Note : You should always use an isolated power supply with the RiverSurveyor
system and its controlling computer. This is because using “ship’s power” (e.g., an
unregulated and/or unfiltered common power source on a vessel or boat) can cause