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Selfcontainded Temperature and
Temperature Depth Logger

DESCRIPTION:

Minilog photo (46 kB)The Minilog is a miniature microprocessor controlled temperature and depth logger that stores data in non-volatile memory. The temperature and depth transducers are mounted on one end of the Minilog in a polycarbonate endcap. Data is transferred from the Minilog to a personal computer by an RS-232 interface using an infrared optical link. An infrared transistor is mounted in the Minilog's endcap and eliminates the need for expensive and unreliable waterproof connectors. A visible light LED is mounted in the end cap to transfer data from the Minilog to the PC interface. The LED also indicates the Minilog's operational status to the user.

STANDARD MODELS:

-TX:Temperature, Expendable (battery not replaceable).
-TR:Temperature, Factory replaceable battery.
-TDX:Temperature and Depth, Expendable (battery not replaceable).
-TDR:Temperature and Depth, Factory replaceable battery.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Memory Type:Non-volatile EEPROM.
Data Retention:20 years.
Standard Memory Capacity: 8064 readings of Temperature (TR, TX).
8128 readings of Temperature and Depth (TDR, TDX).
Power Supply:Single Lithium Cell, 1/2 AA size.
Battery Life:5 years or 1000 full deployments (TR, TX).
5 years or 700 full deployments (TDR, TDX).
Logging Interval:1 second to 6 hours.
Logging Duration:2 1/4 hours to 5 years.
Temperature Range:Factory preset to one of the following:
-4 to 20 oC0.1 oC resolution+/- 0.2 oC accuracy
-5 to 35 oC0.2 oC resolution+/- 0.3 oC accuracy
-30 to 40 oC0.3 oC resolution+/- 0.5 oC accuracy
Thermal Time Constant:Typically 45 seconds in stirred liquid.
Depth Ranges:Factory Preset to one of the following:
17 m (25 PSI)0.1 m resolution+/- 0.5 m accuracy
34 m (50 PSI)0.2 m resolution+/- 1.0 m accuracy
68 m (100 PSI)0.4 m resolution+/- 2.0 m accuracy
136 m (200 PSI)0.8 m resolution+/- 4.0 m accuracy
204 m (300 PSI)1.2 m resolution+/- 6.0 m accuracy
340 m (500 PSI)2.0 m resolution+/- 10.0 m accuracy
680 m (1000 PSI)4.0 m resolution+/- 20.0 m accuracy
(TDR only)
Case:TX, TDX - Thin walled epoxy cylinder, 16 mm diameter x 71 mm length.
Can be fastened with nylon cable tie loop in non-sensor end.
TR, TDR - PVC cylinder, 22 mm diameter x 95 mm length. More robust
Can be fastened through a 0.25 inch hole in non-sensor end.
Weight:TX, TDX - 23 g in air, 10 g in water.
TR, TDR - 41 g in air, 12 g in water.
Maximum Depth:1000 m (TR), 340 m (TX), maximum rated value of depth sensor + 50% for
TDX and TDR.
Full Memory Download:Standard 8 k TX or TR - 3 minutes.
Standard 16 k TDX or TDR - 6 minutes.

TEMPERATURE RANGES AND RESOLUTION:

The temperature resolution depends on the range of temperature the Minilog can record. The following graphs show the resolution for two of the standard ranges, -4 to 20 oC and -5 to 35 oC.

Minus 4 Graph (9 kB)Minus 5 Graph (10 kB)

MINILOG-PC INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS:

The Minilog-PC Interface connects the Minilog to a PC via the computer's RS-232 port. This allows setup information and data to be transferred between the Minilog and the PC. The Minilog-PC system includes an interface unit, 1 m of cable terminated with a 9 pin "D" connector and Windows or DOS based Minilog software on 3.5" diskette. A user replaceable 9V battery (included) powers the Minlog-PC interface. For first time purchasers of Minilogs, at least one Minilog-PC interface is required. For users with large numbers of Minilogs (i.e. 20 or more), purchasing additional PC interfaces can decrease the time required to download data by using several computers simultaneously.

MINILOG WINDOWS SOFTWARE OVERVIEW:

VEMCO's Minilog Windows software is designed to be used in a Windows '95, '98 or NT environment and is included with the Minilog-PC interface. Minilog Windows software is compatible with both 8-bit and 12-bit Minilogs. DOS software is still available upon request.

FEATURES:

Initialize a New Study: A text string may be entered to describe the study. A Sample Period from one second to six hours can be chosen and a delayed start option is available. When the Minilog is removed from the interface in recording mode, the LED flashes once every ten seconds.

Delayed Start: Delayed start allows the user to setup the Minilog, initialize a study and have the Minilog begin recording data at some time in the future. This option is useful for starting studies in several Minilogs at the same time or when the study is to take place a large distance from where the user's PC is located. When the Minilog is in delay mode the LED flashes once every five seconds until the start time is reached, then the LED flashes once every ten seconds.

Load Data From a Minilog: Data is downloaded from the Minilog and stored in a binary file on disk. The file name is based on the Minilog serial number and is stored in the default data directory.

Process Data: The binary data file can be displayed graphically or converted to an ASCII data file. Specific areas of the graphs can be viewed using mouse controlled zoom and pan. Files converted to ASCII format can be viewed with a text editor that is integrated in the Windows Minilog software or the file can be imported into spreadsheet software.

CUSTOM OPTIONS:

External Probe: External probes are available in one and two meter lengths.

TDR-FP: A temperature, depth logger with a fast response temperature transducer.

Additional Memory: Minilogs are available with 16, 32 and 64 kbytes of memory.

Custom Temperature Ranges: Custom temperature ranges are available. A setup fee is charged per order. 

Advanced Measurements and Controls Inc.