Question

What is the best practice for setting up a M12 cable network to ensure a waterproof and secure connection..

Answer

It applies to:
GP2 for SDI-12 and logger networks.
Celora for SDI-12 networks.
All sensors with M12 connector cables.

Examples of SDI-12 network and GP2 logger networks:

DO
When connecting multiple cables and T-piece together, it is essential that any M12 connector is tightened sufficiently:
• Ensure internal connector O-ring and opposite sealing face are free from dirt.
• Tighten the connector thumbscrews as much as you can by hand or use a torque driver set to 1Nm to be sure. See video:

We recommend the Weidmuller “1900021000” torque driver:

• This will save lots of painstaking troubleshooting hours if you do have a loose connection and give you piece of mind that all connectors are correctly tightened.
• Untightened connectors can come undone and let water into the cable network which can damage wire cores and cause erroneous readings.

Connect in the office first and then transfer the network to the field. This way, you’re not trying to do it in unpleasant weather and the time pressures are off.
DON’T
Use duct tape. This will hold water against the connector. If tightened correctly, the connector will seal and hold.

Question

What checks are needed when setting up a DeltaLINK-Cloud modem gateway after a period of storage?

Answer

You may choose to shut down your DeltaLINK-Cloud modem once the growing season is over (e.g. Winter). When setting up the equipment again for the next growing season, it’s important to perform a few checks, just to make sure everything is working ok.

1. 1. Re-charge the 12v battery before redeploying otherwise the modem won’t have any power to start up. If you need a battery charger for the LBAT4 battery, please contact sales@delta-t.co.uk.
   2. Make sure the aerial/antenna is connected securely and is mounted as high as possible.
   3. Make sure all loggers are connected to the modem box/kit. Check the cables for any damage that may have occurred during storage. If replacement cables are needed, please contact sales@delta-t.co.uk.
   4. Connect the 12v battery to the power leads in the modem box or, if you are using the kit in a steel enclosure, make sure the battery is connected directly into the logger power terminals and the modem is connected to the logger using the 5-way M12 connector.
   5. Check the modem status LED (note, the modem may take a few minutes to connect to the network and display the correct LED flashing code):

2G FX009 modem:

********It should be displaying a ‘slow flash’.********

2G/3G FX30 modem:

********It should be solid Amber********

1. If the status LEDs (‘modem LED’ on 2G modem and ‘power LED’ on 2G/3G modem) indicate no power, check:
   – The battery and power leads are connected to the modem.
   – The solar charge regulator has green LEDs lit up on it (check wiring if LEDs are red)
   – Check any fuses in the cable.
2. If the status LEDs show that the modem is not connected to a network, check the local network service – there may be a tower down. Also, check there is a SIM pushed into the modem SIM card slot, it should be ‘clicked’ into place and the cover latch is slid across on the 2G modem. For the 2G/3G FX30 modem, you may need to remove the cover plate.
3. If the status LEDs are ok, log into DeltaLINK-Cloud and check the gateway status, it should connect within your sync time frame. It might be worth changing the sync rate to every 15minutes whilst it reconnects. This will increase the number of connections so you can check it more rapidly. Once the connection has re-established, the sync rate can be changed back to its previous setting.
4. Always make sure that the same loggers are used with the same modem gateways before trying to connect. This will avoid any additional set up routines. If different loggers are used with different modems, then you’ll need to make sure that:
   – The serial number for the logger has been entered correctly.
   – The logger hasn’t already been registered on another user’s account – if it has, you’ll need to delete it from the other user’s account before registering it on your own account with the different modem gateway.
   – Equally, make sure that you’re using your own modem gateways that are already registered to your account. If you are borrowing one from another user, you’ll need to ask them to delete the modem gateway from their account before registering it on your own account.
   You can check the logger serial number by opening the lid and looking at the number printed on the circuit board inside. Alternatively, you can communicate with the logger using the DeltaLINK software on a laptop. The opening DeltaLINK screen shows the logger serial number in one of the information fields.
5. If there are any problems with the modem status LED or the connection cannot be resolved, please do get in touch with Delta-T technical support (tech.support@delta-t.co.uk).

Question

Are there simple protocol commands to communicate with the Delta-T Devices Data loggers, so I can set up my own test software to communicate with them?

Answer

GP1, GP2 and DL6

The GP1/GP2 and DL6 loggers have a binary communications protocol, so it isn’t possible to use an ASCII terminal to communicate with them. We don’t publish the protocol because it’s highly optimized and complex, and it’s not practical for us to support development of custom implementations. Instead we provide a software development kit (SDK) for developing applications in Visual Studio, and a command line program for use in batch files for automating data retrieval.

1. Using the development toolkit:
   Instructions:
   SDK instructions

   Software can be found here:
   link to software

2. Using a command line retrieval file to automatically retrieve a data file:
   command line document link

DL2e

The DL2e does have a protocol for RS232 commands and the programmer’s guide can be found here:
DL2e programmer’s guide

Question

How do I set up my USB to RS232 convertor? - Photo Guide

Answer

1. These convertors usually come with a website link to visit and download the drivers. Please make sure you download the drivers. Then follow all the on-screen instructions correctly.
2. If you have purchased the device from Delta-T, you can download the drivers from here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2pu0ll8b26y8qkm/CDM212364_Setup.exe?dl=0 or here: https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/
3. Once the drivers have been installed correctly, plug the USB convertor into a USB port on your PC.
4. The computer will then assign the convertor a COM port. You will need to check which com port has been assigned via the computer’s “device manager”:

Windows 10
Use the search tool in the bottom task bar to search for ‘device manager’:

Windows 8
Right click on Desktop background and select ‘All Apps’

Right click on control panel and select ‘properties’:

Click on Device Manager:

Windows 7

Click on Start, Control Panel, Device Manager:

XP

Click on Start, Control Panel, System:

Under the ‘Hardware’ tab, click on ‘Device Manager’:

• Once in the device manager, expand the “ports” option. The example below shows a P.C which has the USB to serial converter installed (COM3):
  
• Please make sure that you use this same COM port number in the device software e.g. HH2read, SunRead, LS2win, DeltaLINK, AP4 retrieve.
• You will probably have to re-boot the P.C once the drivers have been installed.
• Also, please remember to use the original RS232 cable, that was supplied with your device, in series with the RS232 to USB converter.

Multiple USB convertor Installations check

If you have more than one USB to RS232 convertor installed, you can check which COM port has been assigned to the one you want to use, by doing the following:

• Unplug the USB convertor
• Open Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)
• Plug in the USB connector and observe which COM port is added to the list.