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Stone Mountain, GA |
FAQFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR STORMWATER SAMPLERS2 Does the unit show the time the sample was taken? 6 How much does the unit weigh? 7 How long will the battery last? 8 What is the function of the water level sensor? Do I need it on every job? 9 If I need service, where do I send the unit? 11 What is the purpose of the 9 volt battery? 12 If my large battery loses its charge, will the smaller battery power the TR-3000? 13 Can I purchase extra parts? 14 Where are the parts shipped from? 16 How easy is it to use the data logger? 17 How do I retrieve the data from the data logger? 18 Can I retrieve the data from the data logger using a PDA such as a Palm Pilot? 19 Can I see rainfall amounts on the screen for rainfall events older than 24 hours? 20 Can I upgrade a standard unit to include the telemetry functions? 22 How do I mount the box in the field? 23 How long of sample hose can I use? 24 Will the solar panel perform in the shade? 25 Will I have to change batteries if I use the solar panel? 26 How do I mount the water level sensor and pick-up strainer? 27 Can I extend the cable on the solar panel so that I can clear the canopy? 28 I keep getting pine straw in the rain bucket; what can I do? 29 Can I retrieve the rainfall amount from the samplers fitted with telemetry units? 30 Can I retrieve the turbidity from the telemetry units? 31 Will the telemetry unit call me in the middle of the night? 33 Does the solar panel have a warranty? 34 How do I activate my Cyber Rain Gauge? 1 Can I extend the cable on the rain gauge bucket to allow it to be mounted out from under the canopy? § Yes. The cable has a regular phone jack connection. You can buy additional cord and two way-connector jacks at any electronic supply store such as Radio Shack and others. 2 Does the unit show the time the sample was taken? § Yes. The front panel display shows the time in Hours and Minutes. It will continuously advance at all times, unless both batteries are disconnected or the unit is turned off. § The controller shows the actual rainfall that has been recorded within the past 24 hours. This is a rolling timeline in which each additional rainfall accumulation within the hour is added and the previous 24th hour is overwritten. The operator can reset the accumulated rainfall by selecting this command from the scrolling menu and pressing the “Set” button. Since this is a rolling 24-hour timeline, previous rainfall accumulation amounts will be cleared and a new 24-hour count started. The clock will continuously advance at all times, unless both batteries are disconnected or the unit is turned off. § Yes, it will reset automatically at end of the month. § The case is water resistant. 6 How much does the unit weigh? § The weight is 16 lb with the battery and the sample bottle empty. Its size is also quite small at 6.7” x 11.4” x 17.4” which makes it easy to carry and set up in the field. 7 How long will the battery last? § About 1 month depending on event frequency. See tips on battery care. 8 What is the function of the water level sensor? Do I need it on every job? § The water level sensor ensures the water level at the hose intake point is sufficiently high to allow a sample to be pumped after rain gauge has indicated sufficient rainfall. Note: the sensor must be secured in place and at a level such that the hose strainer will be completely immersed when the sensor triggers. Alternatively, it can be used as a separate trigger device based on water level in your collection area. It may not apply for every project situation. 9 If I need service, where do I send the unit? § Send the unit to Durham Geo Slope Indicator, 2175 West Park Court, Stone Mountain, GA 30047. Call ahead 800-837-0864 to obtain a Return Goods Authorization Number (RGA). Goods will not be received without such a number. § Yes, any 12 V battery with a minimum of 7.5 Ah capacity will work. See tips on battery care. § Connectors are available 11 What is the purpose of the 9 volt battery? § The purpose of the small 9 V battery is to back up the memory and maintain settings in the controller when changing the main battery and in case the 12 V battery looses its charge. However, if the controller determines that a sample must be taken, it will attempt to power the pump. It will not have enough power to drive the pump but this attempt will quickly discharge the 9 V battery. Make sure you maintain the main battery charged at all times to avoid this situation. Consider the optional solar panel recharge your main battery automatically. 12 If my large battery loses its charge, will the smaller battery power the TR-3000? § No. The role of the small 9 V battery is only to back up the controller’s memory. See tips on battery care. 13 Can I purchase extra parts? § Yes, at our main facility in Stone Mountain, GA. Call 1-800-837-0864 14 Where are the parts shipped from? § Our main facility in Stone Mountain, GA § You can remove the pump cover. You can manually activate the pump and pump clean water, but remember that the pump purges automatically after sample is taken. Run deionized water through it, or disassemble and clean individual pieces (recommended to send back to Durham Geo Slope Indicator for that task) 16 How easy is it to use the data logger? § Just plug it in and launch it (which is done from your software on your PC). 17 How do I retrieve the data from the data logger? § Download it to your laptop PC using the (optional) Hobo Boxcar® software. Alternatively, you can download the data to an optional Hobo Shuttle and bring the information back to the office where you can download it to your PC using the (optional) Hobo Boxcar® software. 18 Can I retrieve the data from the data logger using a PDA such as a Palm Pilot? § No, not yet 19 Can I see rainfall amounts on the screen for rainfall events older than 24 hours? § No. The controller shows the actual rainfall that has been recorded within the past 24 hours. This is a rolling timeline in which each additional rainfall accumulation within the hour is added and the previous 24th hour is overwritten. The operator can reset the accumulated rainfall by selecting this command from the scrolling menu and pressing the “Set” button. Since this is a rolling 24-hour timeline, previous rainfall accumulation amounts will be cleared and a new 24-hour count started. 20 Can I upgrade a standard unit to include the telemetry functions? § Yes. We highly recommend purchasing the solar panel option when upgrading to telemetry because of the increased power demand. § Yes, there is a loop to latch a padlock to keep it locked shut. 22 How do I mount the box in the field? § Although you can purchase a tripod from Durham Geo Slope Indicator, you can simply mount it on a wood post or aluminum post of sufficient strength. 23 How long of sample hose can I use? § The hose length is limited to the amount of vertical head that can be pumped by the unit. Max. vertical head is 20 ft. 24 Will the solar panel perform in the shade? § Solar energy output is directly proportional to the amount of sunlight received. (e.g. 50% shaded, 50% energy capacity of panel to battery). Will not work in the dark. 25 Will I have to change batteries if I use the solar panel? § In very rare cases. The panel will usually provide sufficient charge for the battery. 26 How do I mount the water level sensor and pick-up strainer? § To a firmly embedded piece of rebar or probe rod. The sensor must be secured in place at a level such that the hose strainer will be completely immersed when the sensor triggers. 27 Can I extend the cable on the solar panel so that I can clear the canopy? § Yes. You can extend the wiring of our solar chargers up to 35 feet, using 16-gauge wire, without any significant loss of power. The cable has a regular phone jack connection (these are the same connections as you have on the rain gauge). You can buy additional cord and two way-connector jacks at any electronic supply store such as Radio Shack and others. 28 I keep getting pine straw in the rain bucket; what can I do? § Move it further away from the tree canopy and put mesh material over top (make sure it is not too fine because it will skew your rainfall amounts by excessive dripping) 29 Can I retrieve the rainfall amount from the samplers fitted with telemetry units? § Yes. Rainfall amounts can be viewed on a specified web site. Login information required. 30 Can I retrieve the turbidity from the telemetry units? § No. The sampler or the telemetry unit do not do perform any analysis. Therefore turbidity readings cannot be obtained automatically. 31 Will the telemetry unit call me in the middle of the night? § No. The wireless unit saves all tripped messages from 8:00 PM to8:00 AM. You will receive notification by e-mail, phone, fax, or pager (depending on how you set up the unit) between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. You can access your telemetry data on the Web, 24 x 7. Multiple and redundant messages per installation/user are available to ensure message delivery. § Limited warranty of one year from date of shipment against defects in materials and workmanship. Call for full details or to receive a copy of the warranty statement. 33 Does the solar panel have a warranty? § Yes, it has a 5 year power limited warranty offered by the panel manufacturer. It covers the solar panel only if it has less than 80% of its charge output. 33 How do I activate my Cyber Rain Gauge? § Data transmitted by the Cyber Rain Gauge can be viwed online onliy AFTER an online account has been activated for the specific serial number of the unit and for a specific individual. For new registrations, please go to http://www.cybermonitoring.info/new_registration/ .
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