GENERAL SALES QUESTIONS
A: You can contact us via phone at (508) 444-2616 or email at info@lowellinstruments.com with your request.
In order to give you an accurate quote we will need the following information:
• Name, institute/company and other relevant contact information
• What product(s) are you interested in?
• How many items would you like to order?
• When do you need the items?
• How are you intending to use our products?
• (Optional) How did you find out about us?
A: We are available via phone at (508) 444-2616 or email at info@lowellinstruments.com during office hours.
A: For all data loggers and tilt current meters we build to order. Lead time depends on a variety of factors but generally it takes between 1 to 4 weeks after a confirmed credit card or purchase order. Other items like batteries or spare parts that are in stock can be shipped the next business day.
A: Please see our distributor page.
A: Yes. Special discounts are available for large orders. Contact us for pricing.
A: Please contact us by phone at (508) 444-2616 or email at info@lowellinstruments.com for a quote. We do not publish prices on the website since pricing can depend on options, accessories, quantity, etc.
A: Lowell Instruments is always open to new suggestions and applications of our products. Contact us and let us know about your project so we can assist you in choosing the right product.
PRODUCT QUESTIONS
A: Once the logger is started and running you can run a demo deployment. Disconnect the USB cable, replace the cap on the TCM and deploy it. For a simple demo, simply roll the logger across a flat surface or swing it with your arm.
A: The meters come with everything you require but if you are planning ahead we suggest a battery replacement tool kit for your specific meter model and additional batteries for the number of meters you are purchasing.
A: The logger is battery limited not memory limited. It is essentially impossible to collect more than 3GB of data on one battery charge. Unless you charge batteries and don't delete your data, you will never "fill" the card. We are currently shipping meters with 8GB cards (Sandisk Class 4). Our cards arrive pre-formatted FAT32, but if you need to reformat the cards we use the SD association formatter FAT32.
A: The batteries in our meters are not rechargeable, but they are replaceable. Most of our meters use a custom lithium battery and they are available from Lowell Instruments at Accessories. We recommend purchasing the battery replacement tool kit to make the process easier (the kit includes the first battery).
A: You need a MAT-1/TCM-1/TCM-3 or TCM-4 Battery Replacement Tool Kit. The tool kit contains a special tool that allows you to easily open the logger with minimal risk of damaging the electronics. The kit also includes the hex driver and one replacement battery (to get you started). If you need to replace more than one battery, get one tool kit for the first logger and additional replacement batteries for the second, third... loggers. Due to the fact that the circuit board must be removed from the logger, it is recommended that the battery be replaced in the lab/office (not in the field). MAT-1/TCM-1/TCM-3 battery replacement instructions are here. TCM-4 battery replacement instructions are here. See Accessories for additional information.
A: The batteries in the MAT-1/TCM-X are lithium thionyl chloride batteries. This chemistry of battery has excellent capacity and a long shelf life, but there is a catch. While in storage, they develop an internal resistance called passivation. In some cases the passivation can be severe enough to brown-out the logger if installed and then immediately deployed. The passivation can be broken down by running the battery. To check, do a test run for a few minutes/hours (depending on the logging settings) and check for errors (red LED and status in Domino software). If there are errors, repeat the test until you are all set.
A: It can be difficult to determine the amount of capacity remaining in partially used battery. The voltage should be ~3.65-3.75 volts, but that range is valid for the first 85-90% of capacity. (The voltage only declines in the last 10-15% of battery life.) So the voltage is only and indicator to the end of life, similar to the low-fuel indicator in your car. A better indication is how much data has been collected with the meters and for how long. A new battery can collect from 1-2.5GB of data. But an allowance must also be made for time that the battery was installed but not in use. Unless you know the batteries have been replaced and when, it is a good idea to replace them.
A: To configure the TCM, make sure that both the “Accelerometer” and “Magnetometer” sensors are enabled.
This is a typical setting for Coastal Bay areas:
This is a typical setting for exposed areas with long swells:
This is a typical setting for areas near surf zones or other very turbulent locations.
For more detailed instructions see the Universal User Guide.
A: There are many options for anchoring Lowell Instruments TCMs. Typical anchors include:
- - 12 or 18 inch square concrete patio stones (30 x 30 x 5 cm or 45 x 45 x 5 cm)
- - Cinder blocks
- - Lead disk weights
- - Dive belt weights
Avoid steel/iron anchors as it may interfere with the compass.
A: The meter uses a three-axis magnetometer (not just two) so it can resolve the direction of the magnetic field relative to itself regardless of the logger’s orientation or the inclination of the earth's magnetic field. The accuracy on the magnetometer is about 3-5 degrees. The "real world" maximum acceptable inclination is probably about 80-85 degrees (5 to 10 degrees from vertical). You can see a map of the inclination here (bottom map): http://geokov.com/education/magnetic-declination-inclination.aspx.
A: First, make sure to set your PC clock at the start and end of the deployment using a NIST time reference. When you connect to the meter look in the status screen. Both the logger and PC times are shown. You need to manually take note of the time difference. In the example below the logger is 8 seconds slow.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The serial number includes a date code in the first four digits with the format YYMM. For example, the code 2108123 is decoded as:
- Year - 21
- Month - 08
- Number - 123
- Double-check that the micro-B connector is fully inserted into the logger’s USB port.
- Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable and try again.
- Restart Domino.
- Restart your computer
- We have found that not a USB to Micro-B cables are not created equal. This style of cable is very common to recharge devices and sometimes does not have the communications line. If you are using a different USB cable that wasn't supplied from Lowell Instruments, try a few different USB to Micro-B cables.
The logger has encountered a fatal error when attempting to enumerate with the computer. The logger will need to be reset by either power cycling or pressing the reset button (on newer devices from mid-2020 on). Please see the complete instruction here.
- Check that the logger is not running. The removable drive functionality is disabled when the MAT-1 is logging data. Open Domino and stop the logger.
- Disconnect and reconnect USB cable from the logger.
- Restart your computer.
- Eject the card and use a card reader to check that card is not damaged or corrupt.
This is a Windows error that occasionally occurs when the drive has been accessed by a third party application and the logger is started. Windows is typically not successful at repairing the drive. Cancel the dialog, open the card and save your data to your local drive and reformat the card. The drive should work normally after it has been reformatted.
- DO NOT REFORMAT the drive! Any data will be irretrievably lost. This error is usually a Windows error. Disconnect and reconnect the logger, and let it reenumerate as a drive.
- Eject the card and read it with a card reader.
The logger does not “know” about time zones or Daylight Savings Time. It will count up from the time set by the host computer. If UTC time is desired, the computer should be set to UTC time before the logger’s clock is set.
Check that:
- The SD card is installed in the logger.
- The SD card contains a MAT.cfg file.
- The “Stop Time” in the MAT.cfg file is in the future.
- The SD card is non-corrupt. Remove the card from the logger and use a card reader to verify that your machine recognizes the card.
- The battery may be failing. Replace the battery if the logger’s use history is in doubt.
- Moisture may have entered the case. Open the case and inspect/replace the desiccant.
- The logger may have been shocked by a large electrostatic discharge (ESD) event and reset. Reset the time and ground yourself before connecting the USB cable to the logger.
- A damaged card SD card can cause a fatal error. Check the card by inserting it into a card reader and verify that files can be read and written to the card.
- Check that the logger’s time and date were set to current time. Reset the clock if necessary.
- Contact Lowell Instruments for support.
- Open the “Device” tab and connect to the logger. Check the status screen. There are several possible errors:
- SD Card was removed while logging.
- Critically low battery. Check that battery voltage is higher than 3.4V on the “most recent data” section.
- Other SD card failure likely from a defective card.
- Contact Lowell Instruments for support.
DOMINO SOFTWARE/COMPUTER QUESTIONS
A: MAT Logger Commander is not recommended for new users. We continue to list it here for some of our longer-term customers. For new users we recommend using the Domino software.
A: Windows assigns a COM port number for each physical USB port. If you change the USB port that you use for communicating with the MAT-1 logger, Windows will assign a new number for that port. Use the "find" button in the "Logger Status" screen to determine what COM port Windows has assigned for the logger.
A:
- Windows 10 (32 or 64 bit)
- Dual Core 2.0+ GHz recommended
- 4 GB RAM minimum (8+ GB recommended)
- 1 GB disk space for the application, additional space for files
- 1024 x 720 monitor minimum
A: Domino for the Mac is in Beta and is only supported on MacOS 10.15 (Catalina). Domino is not currently supported on MacOS 11 (Big Sur) & 12 (Monterey). The Beta release is here.
A: The logger is most likely running. Only one device, either the logger's microprocessor or your computer, can use the SD card at one time. You need to stop the logger in Domino: Go to "Device" and click "Stop Logging". Wait a few seconds and the drive should appear in Windows Explorer.
A: Does the green light on the logger stay on even when disconnected from the USB cable? If so, then the logger needs to be reset.
If you have serial numbers 2004043 through 2004058 or 2006000 or later, the logger has a reset button which is to the right of the USB port. Gently push the button with the end of a pen. The green LED will be on and the red LED will blink twice and then both LEDs will blink 3 times. Plug the logger back into the computer and it should appears in Window Explorer.
If you have serial numbers 2004059 through 2005999 or less than 2004043, the logger will need to be reset by removing that battery. MAT-1/TCM-1/TCM-3 battery replacement instructions are here. TCM-4 battery replacement instructions are here.
A: After a hardware reset, the magnetometer frequently doesn't initialize properly. The fix for the frozen magnetometer is a software reset. To software reset, connect via Domino, press and hold the shift and control keys and click the USB icon in the upper left of the status screen. The logger will disconnect and reconnect and the clock will reset to 2000. The magnetometer should now be working again.
A: The short answer is that the MAT-1 logger uses a microprocessor that is designed for low power, not fast USB speed. Real-world transfer rates are 10-15 MB per minute (substantially slower than USB 2.0 flash card readers and much, much slower than USB 3.0 readers). For files that are larger than 5-10 MB the fastest way to transfer files is to eject the SD card from the logger and read it directly with a flash card reader. Remember to stop your logger before ejecting the card.
A: The file TCM-1_Example.lid is an example data file from the TCM-1 conducted in Woods Hole.
Location: 41.522348 N, -70.698044 W
Depth: 3-4 m
Currents: 0-50 cm/s
Data Start: 2015-09-16 12:00:00
Data End: 2015-10-21 12:00:00
TCM-1 Configuration: No Ballast Washer, Salt Water
The LID file is converted using Domino to CSV files with the Current and Temperature in different CSV files.
A: Domino's version history can be found on our GitHub page.