TCM-3 Deep Water Tilt Current Meter
The TCM-3 Deep Water Tilt Current Meter is designed to operate off the continental shelf in water up to 4500m depth. The TCM-3 is constructed from toughened syntactic foam with a titanium pressure housing and is easily deployed by small ROVs. The relatively low cost makes it feasible to accurately measure current in many locations simultaneously.
The core of the TCM-3 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 built-in data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.
Operation
The TCM-3 Deep Water Tilt Current Meter measures current using the drag-tilt principle. The data logger is buoyant and is typically attached to the bottom via a short flexible tether to a small lead or concrete anchor. Moving water tilts the data logger in the direction of flow. The TCM-3 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 with the included software.
Key Features & Benefits
- 4500 meter depth rating
- Water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
- Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
- Simple & rugged design is easy to deploy from a ROV
- Internal temperature sensor is accurate to +/-0.1C
- 8 GB memory card eliminates memory concerns
- Lithium battery allows continuous 4Hz sampling for more than 1 year
- User-replaceable battery
- USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload
- Easy meter configuration and data conversion with free Domino software for Windows
| Measurement | Range | Accuracy | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed (Recommended Range) | 0-80 cm/s | 3 cm/s + 3% of reading | 0.1 cm/s |
| Speed (Maximum Range) | 0-120 cm/s | Not Specified | 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 depending on recording rates | ||
| Internal Clock | < 1 minute 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 | |||
| Depth Rating | 4500 m (14760 ft), tested to 6000m (19700 ft) | ||
| Dimensions | Flotation Diameter: 5.08 cm (2.00 in) | ||
| Pressure Housing Diameter: 2.54 cm (1.00 in) | |||
| Overall Length: 77.6 cm (30.6 in) | |||
| Floatation Length: 60.9 cm (24.0 in) | |||
| Weight | 1.29 Kg (2.84 lb) | ||
| Construction | Floatation: Toughened Syntactic Foam with Titanium pressure housing and Buna 90 Durometer O-ring | ||
| Software | |||
| User Interface | Windows® Compatible Software Download | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 compliant MSC and CDC Classes | ||
| Firmware | Field upgradable via USB cable | ||
For a quote based on your exact requirements, please fill out this form or contact us or by phone at 508-444-2616 or email: sales@lowellinstruments.com
Domino software for Windows is used to configure the TCM-3 for deployment and to process data and saved as text file (.csv).
- TCM-3 Tilt Current Meter
- 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