Delta Electronics SS1-UM-1.05 user manual Checking the desiccant

Page 65

Workabout battery management

When you receive the Workabout, the installed battery pack may not be fully charged. Connect the Workabout to the Docking unit and Charger immediately, so that charging can proceed whilst you are learning to use the SunScan.

The charger is a trickle-charger and may take 14 hours to fully recharge the battery pack. A fully charged Ni-Cd battery should easily give 2 or 3 full days use in the field. You must then recharge the Workabout overnight if you want to continue with daily use in the field.

Warning! In general, Ni-Cd batteries prefer to be fully discharged before being recharged. Do not leave them continuously trickle-charging.

If you ordered a spare Ni-Cd battery pack it will not be charged initially. Charge it as soon as you have the opportunity, so that you can replace an exhausted one without delay.

To gain access to the batteries, open the battery drawer by pressing the black button at the top left corner of the Workabout very firmly.

The Workabout will run equally well from 2 AA alkaline cells. Carry some of these with you if there is any chance that your Ni-Cd will become exhausted when no mains power is available for recharging.

Warning! Don't leave the Workabout without a main battery for more than a day or two. Its back-up cell will last for several days only.

Beyond this time you may lose data in the internal memory (but Flashcard data will not be affected).

If you get low battery warnings, even after fully charging the Ni-Cd pack, these can be reset by removing and then replacing the pack.

Checking the desiccant

Both the SunScan probe and Beam Fraction sensor contain desiccant packs to prevent internal condensation of moisture when they are used outside. The dryness of the desiccant is indicated by a coloured panel on the outside of each housing. Blue indicates dry, pink indicates that renewal is needed. The Workabout does not contain desiccant.

Refreshing the desiccant

The desiccant pack can be regenerated by heating. Remove the pack from the probe or BFS and heat the pack in an oven for a few hours at about 140ºC, then allow it to cool down away from moisture before reinstalling it.

Access to the probe handle is as described above for probe battery changing. To access the Beam Fraction sensor, prise upwards the red plastic strips on the lid, then undo the four cross-head screws that are revealed.

SunScan User Manual v 1.05

Technical Reference section • 65

Page 64 Page 66
Image 65
Page 64 Page 66
Contents SS1-UM-1.05 SunScanAcknowledgements CopyrightTrademarks CE conformityContents Measurement options Menus and Screens More Psion and file handling notesLAI theory Technical Reference sectionIndex AppendicesIntroduction How to use the manualsSunScan Canopy Analysis System Organisation of this manualSunScan probe Field accessoriesBeam Fraction sensor Data Collection TerminalWorkabout and SunScan probe Getting StartedPreliminary checks Checking the Workabout hardware Installing the s/w Installing the SunData s/w in your PCSunData s/w Diskette What the s/w doesRunning SunData Setting up your PCs COM portWorkabout to PC Communication checksSunScan probe to PC Running SunData in Windows Working with the Workabout SunScan TutorialAbout this tutorial Starting SunData in the Workabout What to do if you get lostStarting the PC software Using a PC instead of the WorkaboutThis page is intentionally blank Working through the menu options Setting up a measurement sessionHot Keys File SavingTaking readings Using the Emulator modeWithout a Beam Fraction Sensor Connecting the SunScan probeConnecting the Beam Fraction Sensor Measuring Leaf Area Index without a Beam Fraction Sensor Averages Reviewing your data fileTo the PC Transferring the data file to your PCFrom the Workabout Initiating the file transfer from the Workabout Meanwhile, on the PC Conclusion of the Tutorial RS232 communication problemsSunData Screens on the Workabout File SettingsMenus and Screens Utils ContdQuit Navigating Psion directories and screens More Psion and file handling notesWorkabout User Guide Navigating the Psion directories and screensPsion subdirectory usage in file select dialogs Flashcards reformatting Re-installing the SunData application iconDeleting unwanted Workabout files Data memory management Configuration and data file handlingSunData Configuration files Creating a configuration file Default .cfgRestoring a configuration Data files.CSV file Displaying data files on your PC.PRN file Data file layouts and data groups Page Above-canopy reference requirements Measurement optionsExperiment design Canopy type and LAI estimates Canopy Sampling volumeCanopy type and BFS practicalities Planning for the sun’s position Preferred light and weather conditionsAbsorption Advice on Absorption and Eladp valuesSetting Eladp Estimating Eladp in the field Relationship between Mean Leaf Angle and EladpLAI, PAR and All displays Workabout setupSunScan System Measurement modes Autolog function Probe handling in the field Measurement procedures in the fieldProbe GO button Levelling the probeBFS handling in the field Using the tripodUse of the tripod WorkaboutExtension cables, and the location of the BFS Finding North, and setting the shade ringLevelling the BFS Factory light calibration PAR calibrationsChecking the probe/BFS matching Recalibrate optionRestoring the factory calibration Routine maintenance and cleaningEffect of the shade ring on the BFS Comparing the calibration with other PAR sensorsSunScan probe and Beam Fraction Sensor Environmental and moisture protectionIngredients of the LAI computation method LAI theoryTheory versus reality Derivation of Wood’s SunScan canopy analysis equationsMajor assumptions Transmission of Diffuse Light Beers law for canopy absorptionCampbells Ellipsoidal LAD equations Transmission fraction τ Is given by I/I0 Diffuse light transmission cosine corrected sensor Modelling the canopy transmissionDetail Accuracy of LAI calculations Functions used to model canopy transmissionDiffuse light cosine response sensor Diffuse light hemispherical response sensorExp 0.1 . x . atan 0.9 Atan L Q Spher Modelling incomplete PAR absorption and scattering Summary Scientific references Calculating zenith angles Jones, Hamlyn G Plants and Microclimate second edition. CUP Technical Reference section Maintenance and repairChecking the batteries SunScan probe batteriesChecking the desiccant Factory calibration method Re-setting the factory calibrationChecking the PAR calibration Problems running the SunData application TroubleshootingPsion Workabout While running SunDataInsufficient power to write data reported Technical Support SunScan Probe Type SS1 SpecificationsBeam Fraction Sensor type BF1 Data Collection Terminal type DCT1 Psion WorkaboutTelescopic Tripod type BFT1 Carrying Case type SCC1Spares Kit type SPS1 Logging CablesSpectral response PAR PerformanceSunScan system cosine response Cosine responses of probe and BFSLogging the probe as a Linear Quantum Sensor AppendicesLogging the Beam Fraction sensor SunData PC s/w Upgrading the SunScan systemWorkabout SunData s/w Revision HistoryChoice of different programs File transfer between Workabout and PCPsiWin Workabout Remote LinkSlink and Rcom Example using SlinkDrives on the PC are referred to as REMA, Remc REM = remote Documentation of Rcom and Slink Example using RcomAlternative file transfer mechanisms Using the Workabout Comms applicationSending a file to a Communication program Sending a file to a serial printerGlossary Page Accuracy IndexIndex Field use 39, 46, 48, 50, 51, 58
Top Page Image Contents