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     December 2009

The newsletter of Scott Technical Instruments Limited

It’s the first newsletter in a wee while, and it is about time that we told you about what’s been happening at Scott Technical. As many will be aware, there have been (as usual) lots of changes at the company, but we are still running strong and doing what we do best which is finding technological solutions for your monitoring needs.

In this newsletter ……

  • What’s been going on at Scottech?
  • NEW from Campbell Scientific
  • NEW from Onset
  • XISYS Flow Logger
  • Tools for monitoring light
  • RMA Form
  • Contact Details
  • Subscribe / Unsubscribe

What’s been going on at Scottech?

After our restructuring of last year, we had a number of new staff taken on to fill the ever changing needs of our customers. For this reason we have put considerable time into training people. This has included a wide range including product training, health & safety related topics, Campbell Scientific programming and Excel user skills, and has involved everyone from sales, technical and administrative staff.

We have initiated a project to help us to quantify our environmental impact, and as part of this will be developing an environmental policy to cover such things as waste, carbon footprint and education.

The sales team have been coming to grips with a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program that we have installed. This is to help us to improve response times, improve inter-branch communication and to ensure that customers receive the best advice from staff with the most relevant skills and experience for their application.

Staff have attended a number of local and international events including: AHA (Australian Hydrological Conference), Campbell Scientific reps Conference, Geokon Asia-Pacific reps Conference, NZ Wind Energy Conference, as well as travelling to visit suppliers in the UK. This is to ensure we are up to date with both technology and industry trends.

NEW from Campbell Scientific

AVW200 Vibrating wire interface

The AVW200 interface module applies new methods for measuring the sensors frequency. In addition to refining the AC excitation, the new method featured in the AVW200 takes advantage of its built-in spectrum analyzer that uses spectral interpolation instead of the traditional pulse-timing approach. It samples the returned signal, performs an FFT (fast Fourier transform) to discriminate between spectral components, and then identifies and measures the resonant frequency of the sensor.

  • Eliminates the problem of incorrect readings due to noise sources.
  • Retrieves frequency of interest via SDI-12, RS-232, or PakBus network protocol
  • Supports standalone capability by using a wireless model (AVW211)
  • Low current drain (300 µA quiescent, 40 mA during 2-second measurement)
  • Includes dual channel coils plus a thermistor measurement
  • Simplified configuration and datalogger programming

LoggerNet 4 released

After some year’s development, we have received our first copies of LoggerNet Version 4. This contains a number of extra features including:

  • New look and feel, with more user-configurable options to fit your working style
  • View Pro--new, robust display tool that gives you more ways to look at your data
  • Network Planner--new tool that allows development, modelling, and verification of PakBus networks
  • RTMC upgraded--featuring functions added for building expressions, a new layout toolbar, and more manoeuvrability around the displays

ISFET pH sensor

By changing from the traditional glass bulb type sensor element, Campbell has made this sensor more rugged and easier to maintain. This technology also considerably reduces the number of acidic or alkaline errors in extreme pH conditions. It allows the CS525 to monitor pH in liquids containing high solids, aggressive chemicals, or biological materials that would clog or contaminate the junction of the traditional glass-bulb pH probes.

CS450 & CS455 Water Depth Sensors

The CS450 and CS455's rugged construction allows this transducer to be submerged in many water wells, lakes, and streams. The CS455 has a titanium body, while the CS450 is made from 316L stainless steel. They output either an SDI-12 or RS-232 signal to indicate observed pressure level.  The cable is rugged Hytrel cable that remains flexible and incorporates a vent tube to compensate for atmospheric pressure fluctuations. The static accuracy is ±0.1% FS over a 0° to 60°C temperature range.

NEW from Onset

U30 Wi-Fi Weather Station

The HOBO U30 Station is Onset's most rugged data logging system that can be easily reconfigured and adapted to a wide variety of applications. Up to 15 channels of data can be recorded and monitored with HOBOware Pro software.

It is now available with Wi-Fi communications which provide access to your data via the web.

Wide Range of Measurements with Smart Sensors:
Air Temperature - Humidity -Rainfall - Wind Speed - Wind Direction -Barometric Pressure - Solar Radiation - PAR - Leaf Wetness - Soil Moisture - Soil Temperature - Water Temperature -  AC Current - AC Volts - DC Current - DC Volts - kW - kWh - 4-20mA -Pulse Input  Air Velocity -CO2 - Gauge Pressure - Differential Pressure - Water Flow - VOC

HOBOnode Wireless Sensors

HOBOnode wireless sensors monitor temperature and soil moisture conditions and transmit the data back to your computer. They enable you to view current conditions through a remote sensor, receive alarm notifications, and log data on your PC without having to run cables through the field.

  • Sensors transmit current field conditions to your PC
  • Accompanying software provide audible and visual alarm notifications
  • Up to 9km transmission range (with HOBOnode Repeaters)
  • Sensors can be easily added to a HOBOnode network

XISYS FlowLogger -Standard and Telemetry

Provides an accurate data on the history of water flow through your pulse output flow meter, a secure record of compliance for resource consent purposes and onsite verification of flow meter readings (total amount pumped and rate of flow).

Meets all of the requirements for the National Standard for Water Measuring Devices and Approved by ECan for consent monitoring

Features

  • Web display customised to each consent requirement
  • Easy upgrade path
  • Telemetered loggers are delivered "on-line"
  • Large user-friendly display

Useful tools on the web

Decagon have put out a range of videos to help users get the best use out of their range of soil moisture and plant physiology sensor. 
Check this out at: http://www.decagon.com/videos/

Tools for monitoring light

Skye UV Index Light Sensor

Skye have been designing and manufacturing quality, fully calibrated light sensors since 1983. The range has included UVA and UVB sensors since 1992 and has now been further expanded with the addition of the UV index sensor

  • Measures damaging ultra violet radiation, which cause skin damage and cancers
  • Indicates erythmal dose
  • Fully waterproof, suitable for long term datalogging

This sensor has a response closely matching the Erythemal Action Curve, the portion of the solar radiation spectrum usually associated with sunburn and skin cancer.

Apogee Meters

In addition to a range of sensors for use with dataloggers, Apogee have recently redesigned their range of meters for light measurement.
Models are available for:

  • Pyranometer (300-1100nm)
  • PAR (400-670)
  • UV (250-400nm)

Each meter can store up to 99 manually recorded measurements. In automatic mode, measurements are made every 30 seconds and averages are stored every 30 minutes. Daily totals are calculated and the past 99 days are recorded.

RMA Form…

To ensure efficient processing of your return whether it is for repair, warranty replacement, service, a mistaken order, or otherwise please ensure that it is accompanied by a fully completed copy of our Return Merchandise Authorisation (RMA) Form.

You can locate the most up-to-date version of our RMA form on our website, at the bottom the Technical FAQ’s webpage. http://www.scottech.net/faq/technical/Simply download and print out a copy of the PDF document Return Merchandise Authorisation Form, at the bottom of the Technical FAQ’s webpage. Fill in as much information as possible, including a detailed description of the fault encountered e.g. the problem you have been having, or why you are returning the item to Scottech – for replacement, general service or calibration. Then pop it into the box with the item before you ship it back to us, or drop it off. Ideally each individual item being sent in for repair should be accompanied by a separate RMA form.

Including this information will ensure efficient processing of your return.

Contact Details


Hamilton

89 Colombo Street
Frankton
Hamilton
Phone: +64 7 847 0646

Christchurch

Unit 3/492 Moorhouse Avenue
Christchurch
Phone: +64 3 374 2101

All Offices

Fax: +64 7 847 0647
Email: sales@scottech.net
Web: www.scottech.net


Just a little note: Scott Technical is closed from between Christmas Eve and the New Years Holiday so any new enquiries should be made by 24 December 2009 & after 4 January 2010….

See you at the next newsletter… Happy Christmas & Merry New Year!!

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