Chapter 4: Maintenance
HOBO U30 Remote Monitoring System User’s Guide
45
Chapter 4:
Maintenance
This chapter describes how to maintain the HOBO U30 Remote Monitoring
System including:
•
General maintenance
•
Inspecting the HOBO U30 Station
•
Verifying sensor accuracy
•
Cleaning the HOBO U30 Station
•
Maintaining the battery
General maintenance
You can always use HOBOlink.com to make sure the HOBO U30 Station is
operating as expected, data is still being recorded, and regular readouts are
being completed. However, it is also recommended that you periodically
visit the HOBO U30 Remote Monitoring System to perform general
maintenance and test sensors annually.
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the accuracy of recorded
measurements. Performing regular maintenance checks allow you to:
•
Verify that the logger is logging data and functioning as you expect
•
Identify damage
•
Minimize the impact of any existing damage
Inspecting the HOBO U30 Station
Periodically perform a visual inspection of the HOBO U30 Station. Verify
that the enclosure is free of visible damage, such as cracks, and that it is
clean.
Check that all cables and wires are:
•
Free of damage, such as cracks, cuts, and splits.
•
Protected in conduit if necessary (exposed cables are prone to being
chewed by rodents and should be protected in conduit in locations
where rodents are present).
•
Fastened securely.
Chapter 4: Maintenance
46
HOBO U30 Remote Monitoring System User’s Guide
•
Free of corrosion and in good condition.
If moisture is visible inside the white enclosure or there is any sign of
corrosion on the connectors, spray WD-40
®
or an equivalent electronics-safe
corrosion inhibitor on the connectors. This will displace moisture and
prevent additional corrosion.
It is recommended that you wipe off any water on the outside of the HOBO
U30 case before opening it.
Verifying sensor accuracy
Onset recommends that you test most sensors for accuracy once a year using
HOBOware Pro. For details on verifying sensor accuracy, refer to the
documentation included with each sensor. For third-party sensors (even
those supplied by Onset), refer to documentation provided by the
manufacturer.
For a fee, Onset can verify the accuracy of a sensor. It may be possible to
recalibrate some sensors. Contact Onset Technical Support for details.
Cleaning the HOBO U30 Station
The HOBO U30 Station does not require specialized cleaning; however, if it
is deployed in a dusty or grimy location, you should wipe it down with a
damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking its best.
Maintaining the battery
The rechargeable battery requires an external power source to work properly.
The Power section on page 41 explains this in detail as well as how to
maximize battery life and how you can expect the HOBO U30 Station to
operate at varying voltage levels.
If you are using a solar panel for recharging the battery and there has been a
steady decline in battery voltage, you will need to make a change by either
reducing power consumption or increasing recharging current. Start by
reducing the calling interval and/or excitation current. Try cleaning the solar
panel or repositioning it for maximum sunlight. You can also attempt to
recharge the battery for 24 hours.
