Spectrum Technologies WatchDog 1650 User manual

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Spectrum Technologies, Inc.

3600 Thayer Court

Aurora, IL 60504 USA

Model Numbers: 1115, 1120, 1200, 1225, 1250, 1400, 1425, 1450, 1525, 1650

Description: WatchDog Micro Stations

Type: Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use

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, Weather Products Manager January 27, 2010

3600 Thayer Court

Aurora IL 60504

(800) 248-8873 or (815) 436-4440

Fax (815) 436-4460

E-Mail: [email protected]

www.specmeters.com

Rev. 10/18

1000 Series

Micro Stations

PRODUCT MANUAL

Models

1650, 1525, 1450, 1425,

1400, 1250, 1225, 1200, 1115

This manual will familiarize you with the features and operation of

your new WatchDog Micro Station. Please read this manual

thoroughly before using your instrument. For customer support, or

to place an order, call Spectrum Technologies, Inc. at 800-248-

8873 or 815-436-4440 between 7:30 am and 5:30 p.m. CST,

FAX at 815-436-4460, or E-Mail at info@specmeters.com.

www.specmeters.com

Spectrum Technologies, Inc

3600 Thayer Court

Aurora, IL 60504

CONTENTS

General Overview 3

Model Specifications 4

Installation and Placement 5

External Sensors 6

Battery Replacement 8

Identifying the Correct Com Port 9

Connecting to the Computer 10

Digital Display 11

SpecWare Software 12

Trouble Shooting 14

Warranty

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

manship 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 im-

proper installation or use, lightning, negligence, accident, or unauthor-

ized modifications, or to incidental or consequential 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 package that is returned without a valid RMA

number or for the loss of the package by any shipping company.

Commonly asked questions include:

Q. Why will the station not connect with my computer?

A. Most commonly, the micro station needs a new battery, or the

SpecWare comm port settings need to be changed (in SpecWare

Preferences). Refer to SpecWare User’s Guide for details.

Q. Why will the station not record rainfall?

A. Make sure rainfall sensor is plugged into port A, and that Port A is

configured for rainfall through the launch screen.

Q. Why is the station displaying “- - -”?

A. The station will display dashes for the external sensors if 1.) the

rainfall sensor is connected to the wrong port 2.) another external

sensor is connected to the port meant to record rainfall or 3.) the

sensor is not securely plugged into a channel port.

Q. Why is the station displaying and/or logging bogus, or out-of-range,

readings?

A. The external sensors are not plugged into the correct ports.

Trouble Shooting

The WatchDog Series 1000 Micro Stations are easy to use and reliable.

Should you have a problem, or have questions:

Who do I contact?

Contact the company you purchased the data logger from: Spectrum

Technologies, Inc. or an authorized Spectrum Dealer.

When Contacting Spectrum Technologies:

Please indicate that you need Technical Support. Be prepared to:

1. Provide details on the hardware and software configuration of your

components including: manufacturer, model number, peripherals

and versions of the operating system.

2. Completely describe the problem. The more information you

provide, the faster and more accurately we will be able to respond.

Service and Support

Thank you for purchasing a WatchDog 1000 Series Micro Station.

NOTE: All models of the 1000 Series stations have four external

ports. For most models, one or more are not used. They are

present on all models to simplify manufacturing and to retain the

port plug securely (see below).

This manual describes how to use your WatchDog Station and how to

keep it working accurately for many years. Read this manual thoroughly

in order to make effective use of your data logger.

The WatchDog Micro Station series will allow you to record and visually

monitor environmental conditions at remote sites. The WatchDog’s

liquid crystal display (LCD) eliminates the need to download the data

logger to observe current conditions.

These stations give you the flexibility to change external sensors as

your needs vary. Simply plug the sensor into the station port and

configure the station to the corresponding sensor through the software.

Download the accumulated data at your convenience using the

powerful SpecWare software. SpecWare will present the data in

graphical and tabular form. Use the software to calculate growing

degree days and chill hours, and/or view daily, monthly, and yearly

reports. Optional disease models aid the user with Integrated Pest

Management decisions.

All WatchDog 1000 Series Micro Stations can run on SpecWare 9

version 9.02 or higher. Firmware 9.61, Build 0312 is required to support

second generation Micro Stations (with purple faceplate labels or Mfg

Code 1800). Either the Pro or Basic versions may be used. The Pro

version is required for disease models and custom reporting. If you

have an earlier version of SpecWare 9, you can download a free update

at www.specmeters.com.

The WatchDog station includes a flexible plug to help guard against

insect infiltration through the computer and sensor ports. You can cut

the plug along the embossed

lines with ordinary scissors to

allow for sensor plugs. If you do

this, you may wish to connect the

smaller remaining parts with light

string to avoid losing them if

dropped.

General Overview

Model Internal

Sensors

External Ports

(Channels)

1115 None 1 (A)

1200 None 2 (A, D)

1225 Temperature 1 (A)

1250 Temperature /

Relative Humidity None

1400 None 4 (A, B, C, D)

1425 Temperature 3 (A, B, D)

1450 Temperature /

Relative Humidity 2 (A, D)

1525 Temperature 4 (A, B, C, D)

1650 Temperature /

Relative Humidity 4 (A, B, C, D)

Model Specifications

Temperature range: -40 to 185ºF (-40 to 85ºC)

Accuracy: ±1.1ºF (±0.6°C) at -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C),

else ±2.2°F (±1.2°C)

RH range: 0 - 100%

Accuracy at 77°F (25°C):

Generation 1: ±3% within 10 - 90% RH, else ±5%

Generation 2*: ±2.5%

Operating Temperature Range: -22° to 130°F (-30° to 55°C)

* Models with purple faceplate labels or Mfg Code 1800

When the “Wrap around when full” option is unchecked, the

station will stop recording data when it reaches its storage

capacity. If this option is checked, it retains all 10,500 data

intervals, erasing the oldest each time it records a new data

point. In this mode, the station never has to be relaunched - it

just keeps recording data.

Downloading the Station

Use the Readout button in the WatchDog Manager,

the Get data toolbar button, or the Get WatchDog

Data option in the Logger menu to download and

save the logged data. Downloading the logger does

not interrupt data collection.

Once the data has been downloaded to the computer, SpecWare

software offers a wide variety of Report options and Disease

Model options. Refer to the SpecWare Software User’s Guide

for more detailed instructions.

* Firmware 9.61, Build 0312 is required to support second

generation Micro Stations (with purple faceplate labels or Mfg

Code 1800).

SpecWare Pro or Basic software (version 9.02 or higher*) is

required for use with the WatchDog Micro Station. SpecWare

software is an integral part of the WatchDog station system. The

software installation file is downloaded from the Spectrum

Technologies website.

Configuring the Station

Use the Properties button in the WatchDog

Manager, the Launch/Set Properties toolbar button,

or the Launch/Set option in the Logger menu to

bring up the WatchDog Properties screen. This

screen is used to configure the logger for the specific

external sensors being used, and to set the measurement

interval, ranging from 1 to 60 minutes. The station has a capacity

of 10,500 intervals. Therefore, if it is set to a 30 minute interval, it

can record 209 days of data.

The logger continues recording data even when the WatchDog

Properties screen is opened. If the OK button is clicked, any

configurations are saved, the data is cleared, and data collection

resumes. If the Cancel button is clicked, the logger configuration

is not updated, no data is cleared, and the logger continues

logging.

SpecWare Software

Installation and

Placement

WatchDog Micro Stations, or mini-weather

stations, have the versatility to be located in

any micro-climate for recording weather data.

The optional sensors and radiation shield

include hardware for attaching them to a 1” to

1¼” (2.5-3cm)outside diameter mast (pipe).

Use a 5’ - 10’ (2-3m) length of conduit or pipe

as the mast mount. When purchasing and/or

cutting the mast to size, plan on placing 1½’ -

2’ (0.5m) of the mast into the ground. Refer to

the illustration as an example of how to install

your “mini-weather station.”

For outdoor and greenhouse use, the WatchDog

station must be placed in a radiation shield to

protect it from solar radiation and other sources

of reflected heat. The radiation shield also

protects the station from rain. Place the

WatchDog inside the radiation shield by

unscrewing the two finger-nuts and removing the

top of the radiation shield.

Important: Secure the external sensor wires to

the mast just below the radiation shield with a

plastic tie. This will insure that the sensor wires do not become

disconnected while recording.

For the 1115 model, the sensor cable must be used with port A

and a tipping bucket with pulsing output type of rain gauge. It will

come with a pre-assembled waterproof enclosure.

If using a waterproof enclosure with a model other than the 1115,

please refer to the WatchDog Micro Station waterproof Enclosure

Product Manual available online at www.specmeters.com.

All WatchDog 1000 Micro Station models except the 1250 have

external channels (ports) for additional sensor input. The

following table lists some of the available optional sensors. See

www.specmeters.com for a complete list. Most sensors include a

6-foot cable with pin-type connector. Items 3667-20, 6460-20,

6470-20, and 6450WD20 have 20 foot cables.

Item # Description Measurement

Range

Accuracy

3665RTipping Bucket Rain

collector

N/A ±2%

3666 Leaf Wetness Sensor 0(Dry) - 15(Wet) N/A

3667,

3667-20

External (Soil)

Temperature Sensor

-25 to 212ºF

-32 to 100ºC

±1°F

±0.5°C

3670i Silicon Pyranometer 1-1250 W/m2±5%

3668i, 3668i3,

3668i6

Quantum Light Sensor

and Sensor Bars

0-2500 µmol m-2s-1±5%

3676i UV Light Sensor 0-200 µmol m-2s-1±5%

6460,

6460-20

WaterScout SM 100 Soil

Moisture Sensor

0% to saturation

(typically 50%)

±3%

6470-6,

6470-20

WaterScout SMEC 300

Soil Moisture EC,

Temperature Sensor

0% to saturation

0 to 10 mS/cm

-25 to 212ºF

±3%

±2%

±0.5°C

3669

Soil Moisture

Transducer

0-100 kPa ±2%

6450WD

6450WD20

Watermark Soil Moisture

Sensor

0 - 200 cbars N/A

6451 Irrigation Sensor Switches at 5 psi ±1 psi

3673

3674

Input Cables for user-

supplied sensor

0-2.5V

4-20mA

±0.005V

±1%

External Sensors

The digital LCD display is a key feature of the WatchDog 1000

Micro Stations. A visual display of the on-site readings correlates

to the sensor configuration of the logger.

Press the button to the right of the LCD to read all the sensors

and activate the display. The display will cycle through all

sensors four times, then shut off. The displayed sensor values

will not be updated unless you press the button again.

The A, B, C, D indicators will light to identify any external sensor

values. If dashes (“——”) are displayed, a sensor is not plugged

into the port. For station models with internal sensors, the

temperature and RH icons will light when their values are

displayed.

If the “Sync” icon (the two circular arrows) is lit, it means the

logger is full and no longer recording data. The logger must be

connected to a data shuttle or a PC running SpecWare to

download the data and begin logging again.

The battery icon displays the relative battery life remaining. At

the lowest level, the diagonal bar lights to indicate that there is

almost nothing left.

Digital Display

To launch and/or download data from the station, connect the

station to a computer via the data transmission cable (item

3661U). This cable is shipped when the SpecWare software

package is ordered.

The only time you must have the WatchDog connected to the

computer is during the launching and downloading of the data.

After the station has been launched, and/or downloaded,

disconnect the station and place it in the environment you wish to

monitor.

If the computer will not connect with the station, you may need to

change the battery or change the comm port settings (see the

SpecWare Software User’s Guide).

Connecting to the

Computer

To connect the external sensor to the station, plug the sensor

cable into the station port that has been programmed for that

particular sensor. If the sensor is not connected, a “- - -” will

appear on the LCD display for the respective logger port until the

sensor is connected.

Port A is the only channel that will record rainfall data.

Program each channel (port) to a specific sensor through the

SpecWare launch screen. Refer to the SpecWare Software

User’s Guide for more detailed instructions on launching and

sensor configuration.

Each WatchDog Micro Station is powered by a 3 Volt CR2450 battery.

The battery has a life of 12 months continuous use, and a 2-year shelf

life. Battery life can be affected by extreme temperatures. The battery is

user replaceable and can be purchased locally.

To replace the battery:

1. Remove the four screws from the back cover of the WatchDog.

2. Remove the back cover.

3. Squeeze the battery clip in the direction of the arrow below. If the

battery does not pop up, press down on the opposite side at the

same time.

4. Insert a new CR2450 battery, positive (“+”) side up.

5. Confirm that the logger is working by checking if the black bars at

the top and bottom of the LCD light for a few seconds.

6. Replace the back cover. Insert and tighten the four screws .

Battery

Replacement

The computer Communications Port to which the PC-3.5mm

serial cable is connected can usually be identified by clicking the

Com Port button on the main screen to bring up the Port

Selection screen. It can also be found by using a paper clip. The

procedure is:

1. Disconnect the serial

cable from the meter.

2. Bring up the

Communications tab of

the Preferences screen.

3. Select the COM port to

be tested. It will be

identified as "USB Serial

Port".

4. Click the Test Port

button. If the “Connection

OK” message is displayed,

another device (such as a

modem) is probably connected to that port. If the “No

Connection” message is displayed, this port may be the one

connected to your serial cable and you can proceed to the next

step.

3. Place a paperclip on the end of the serial pin so that it touches

both the tip of the pin and the metal area between the two black

rings. Again click on the Test Port button. If the “Connection

OK” message now appears, this is the com port connected to your

serial cable.

Note: The meters do not short-

circuit the serial pin.

Therefore, when the Test Port

button is clicked while the me-

ter is connected, the “No

Connection” message will be

displayed.

paper clip

or wire

Identifying the

Correct Com Port

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