Spectrum Technologies 6466 User manual

Soil Sensor

Reader

PRODUCT MANUAL

Item # 6466

CONTENTS

Basic Operation 3

Power Up/Down 3

Sensor Reader Modes 3

Connecting Sensors 5

Calibrating the SMEC300 EC Sensor 6

Calibrating the SM100 7

Changing the Battery 7

Taking Readings 5

Power up/down

The soil moisture sensor reader is powered on and off with the

ON/OFF button. The meter will initially display the battery

level and firmware version. It will then transition to sensor

reading mode. The initial mode displayed will be the mode

that was active when the meter was powered off.

Sensor Reader Modes

Press the SET button to advance the meter to the desired

mode.

The available mode settings are listed below. The first four

modes are data measurement modes. The fifth mode is the

meter’s raw electronic (A/D) reading. The reader converts

the raw electronic reading to measurement units using internal

calibration constants. The sixth mode is for calibrating the

EC circuit of the SMEC300 or the soil moisture reading for an

SM100 (see pp. 6-7)

1. Spectrum Standard: For the SM100 and SMEC300, the

volumetric water content for a mineral soil will be dis-

played on the first line. For the SMEC300, the EC will be

displayed on the second line.

2. Spectrum Soilless: Similar to the Spectrum Standard mode

except the VWC displayed is for soilless media. Sphag-

num peat moss was used to develop the calibration con-

stants for this mode.

Basic Operation

Sample SM100

LCD screen

25.8 %WC

STANDARD 12.4 %WC

01.24 mS

Sample SMEC300

LCD screen

3. Watermark: Displays the soil moisture tension in kPa.

Reader must be connected to a WatchDog compatible

Watermark sensor (see Watermark Sensors, p 5).

4. Temperature: This mode is valid when a temperature sen-

sor or an SMEC300 sensor is connected to the reader.

5. Raw AD: Raw electronic reading.

6. Calibration: Initiate EC calibration for an SMEC300 or

soil moisture calibration for an SM100. Although readers

with firmware v 4.4 will display CAL EC? on this screen,

they can also calibrate the soil moisture circuit of an

SM100.

Sample Watermark

LCD Screen

116.0 kP

WatrMark

Sample Temperature

LCD Screen

73°F 23C

TEMP

Sample Raw AD

LCD Screen

1082 AD

Raw AD

EC Calibration Initiation

Calibration Initiation

LCD Screen (FW v4.4) LCD Screen (current)

CAL?

Hold SET

CAL EC?

Hold SET

Taking readings

The display is dynamic and will be continually updated as

conditions surrounding the sensor change. Because the meter

automatically refreshes itself, occasionally you will notice

that the LCD will spontaneously restart and display the initial

power-up screen. This happens if a sensor is being inserted

or withdrawn at the precise moment when the meter is taking

a reading. This is normal and will not affect subsequent read-

ings.

WaterScout SM100 and SMEC300 Sensors

Insert the 2.5mm stereo pin into the socket at the top of the

meter.

WaterMark Sensors

If the sensor is a WatchDog-compatible model of the sensor

(item numbers 6450WD or 6450WD20), the sensor can be

plugged directly into the meter like a WaterScout sensor. If

the sensor terminates in 2 green wires with circular leads, the

sensor must be connected to a Watermark Adapter (item

6450ADPT). The adapter has a 2.5mm stereo pin which can

then be connected to the meter.

Note: Only one adapter per Soil Sensor Reader is necessary.

Connecting Sensors

The EC sensor of the SMEC300 sensor has an

internal constant that can be adjusted by the user

to correct for sensor drift. To calibrate the sensor,

you will need a container wide enough to accom-

modate the sensor and tall enough so the sensor

can be immersed to the midway point of the sen-

sor molding.

Sensor Preparation

Before starting the calibration procedure, the following pre-

liminary steps are necessary to ensure the sensor is properly

calibrated.

1. Because residual oils on the EC sensor pads, including oil

from your fingers, will reduce the accuracy of the sensor,

clean the sensor with rubbing alcohol. After cleaning the

sensor, do not touch the pads with your fingers.

2. Allow the calibration solution to come to room tempera-

ture. You must calibrate with a solution with an EC of

1.41 mS/cm. It is important for the sensor and solution to

be at the same temperature.

Calibration Procedure

1. Pour clean calibration solution into the container.

2. Plug the sensor into the reader.

3. Immerse the sensor in the calibrating solution up to sec-

ond mark on the molding. This ensures the sensor’s inter-

nal thermistor is below the liquid level. Take care that the

EC sensor pads are not touching the side of the container.

4. Set reader to CAL mode (see p.4).

5. Press and hold the SET button for 5 seconds. The LCD

will count down the time. When the calibration is com-

plete, the sensor will transition to Standard Spectrum

mode (see p.3). If the SET button is released before the

Calibrating the SMEC 300

EC Sensor

The Field Scout Soil Sensor Reader uses a standard 9V bat-

tery. To change the battery:

1. Slide open the door on the back of the meter.

2. Remove the old battery from the compartment, and insert

the new battery. Be sure to orient the battery to match the

image on the bottom of the compartment.

3. Place the battery cover on the case and slide it closed.

calibration is complete, the internal sensor constant will

not be modified and this step should be repeated.

6. Disconnect the sensor plug.

7. Rinse and dry the sensor. Take care not to touch the EC

sensor pads with your fingers.

8. Store the sensor in plastic bag until you are ready to in-

stall it in the field.

Changing the Battery

Calibrating the SM100

SM100 sensors with the “3/14” code printed on the front can

be re-calibrated to the factory setting. The calibration proce-

dure is nearly identical to that used to calibrate the SMEC300

EC circuit. The calibration is done with distilled water. The

SM100 does not have an internal thermistor. So, when per-

forming the soil moisture calibration, the sensor molding does

not have to be immersed. For soil sensor readers with firm-

ware version 4.4, the calibration screen will read “CAL EC?”.

The calibration procedure for the SM100 will still work as

designed.

Note: The soil moisture circuit of an SMEC300 can not be

calibrated to the factory setting.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Spectrum Technologies, Inc.

3600 Thayer Court

Aurora, IL 60504 USA

Model Numbers: 6466

Description: Soil Moisture Sensor Reader

Type: Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and

Laboratory Use

The undersigned hereby declares, on behalf of Spectrum Technologies, Inc. of

Aurora, Illinois, USA, that the above referenced product, to which this declaration

relates, is in conformity with the provisions of:

Directive: 2004/108/EC

Standards: EN 61326-1:2006

EN 61000-4-2:1995, including A1:1998 and A2:2001

EN 61000-4-3:2002

EN 55011:2007

Michael J. Dunning

Director of Product Technology September 18, 2012

Edaphic Scientific Pty Ltd

61-2-6584 5768

[email protected]

www.edaphic.com.au

R 3/14

Warranty

This product is warranted to be free from defects in material or

workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. During the

warranty period Spectrum will, at its option, either repair or replace

products that prove to be defective. This warranty does not cover

damage due to improper installation or use, lightning, negligence,

accident, or unauthorized modifications, or to incidental or conse-

quential damages beyond the Spectrum product. Before returning a

failed unit, you must obtain a Returned Materials Authorization

(RMA) from Spectrum. Spectrum is not responsible for any pack-

age that is returned without a valid RMA number or for the loss of

the package by any shipping company.

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