TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter
The TCM-1 tilt current meter is ideal for measuring water velocity from inland to the edge of the continental shelf. The simple design and lower cost of the TCM-1 make it feasible to measure current in many locations simultaneously.
The core of the TCM-1 is the MAT-1 Data Logger. The MAT-1 data logger was designed for NOAA and is ideally suited as the “brains” of a tilt current meter.
The TCM-1 is field configurable for either low or high current range by simply adding or removing a calibrated ballast weight. The ballast washer is recommended for lower currents consistently under 40 cm/s. Housed rugged PVC, with no external sensors, the TCM-1 is easy to deploy and recover. The built-in data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.
Operation
The TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter measures current using the drag-tilt principle. The data logger is buoyant and is anchored to the bottom via a short flexible tether. Moving water tilts the data logger in the direction of flow. The TCM-1 contains a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer for measuring tilt and bearing. The resulting orientation data is converted to current by applying calibration coefficients.
Key Features & Benefits
- 300 meter depth rating
- Water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
- Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
- Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
- Seaweed snag-resistant
- Change range in the field without software
- Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
- 8 GB memory card eliminates memory concerns
- Lithium battery allows continuous 4Hz sampling for more than 1 year
- USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload
| Measurement | Range | Accuracy | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed (Low Range w/ Ballast Washer) | 0-40 cm/s | 2 cm/s + 3% of reading | 0.1 cm/s |
| Speed (High Range w/o Ballast Washer) | 0-80 cm/s | 3 cm/s + 3% of reading | 0.1 cm/s |
| Direction | 0-360° | 5° (for speed >5 cm/s) | 0.1° |
| Temperature | -5 to 30 °C | 0.1 °C | <0.005 °C |
| -20 to -5, 30 to 50°C | 0.2 °C | <0.01 °C | |
| Electronics | |||
| Memory | 8 GB microSDHC flash card (standard) | ||
| Communications | Full speed USB micro-B port | ||
| Battery Type | 3.6 V, size “A”, user replaceable lithium (from Lowell Instruments) | ||
| Battery Life | Months to years based on recording rates | ||
| Internal Clock | < 1 minute of error per month | ||
| Operating Modes | |||
| Start and Stop | Start and Stop at user defined times | ||
| Burst Mode | Variable rate logging at user defined interval | ||
| Recording Rate | Current: 64 Hz to 1 sample per hour | ||
| Temperature: 1 Hz to 1 sample per hour | |||
| Mechanical | |||
| Minimum Depth | 76 cm (30 in) | ||
| Depth Rating | 300 m (1000 ft) | ||
| Dimensions | Diameter: 2.7 cm (1.05 in) | ||
| Length: 73 cm (28.75 in) not including lanyard | |||
| Weight | 340 g (12 oz) | ||
| Construction | Gray PVC housing with EPDM O-ring | ||
| Software | |||
| User Interface | Windows® Compatible Software Download | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 compliant MSC and CDC Classes | ||
Pricing depends on several factors, but is generally in the range of $1200-1500 each. For a quote based on your exact requirements, please fill out the following form or contact us at (508) 444-2616 or email at sales@lowellinstruments.com
Depending on the deployment duration and fouling intensity of where you are working, we recommend applying anti-fouling paint to the meters. We can add it for you for a small fee.
We recommend ePaint EP2000 for clear tropical waters, which is relatively environmentally friendly. For turbid waters, we recommend Interlux Trilux 33 which contains a biocide.
MAT-1, TCM-1, and TCM-3 Battery Replacement Instructions
AN: Using a Bridle/Ground Line/Surface Float Set Up
AN: Deploying the TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter in an Inverted Position
AN: Applying AntiFouling Paint to Data Loggers
Domino software for Windows is used to configure the TCM-1 for deployment and to process data and saved as text file (.csv).
- MAT-1 Data Logger
- 46 cm (18 in) current meter housing
- Bronze “low-range” ballast washer and bolt
- Lithium battery (installed in data logger)
- 8 GB microSD card (installed in data logger)
- 1 m (3 ft) USB A to micro-B Cable
- Spare O-ring (pre-lubricated)
- 30 cm (12 in) lanyard