TCM-4 Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter
The TCM-4 Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter is ideal for measuring water velocity in shallow coastal ponds, bays, rivers and tidal flats and other locations where the depth is too shallow for the TCM-1 current meter. The TCM-4 is only 10 inches (25 cm) long and is able to operate in less than one foot of water.
Operation
The TCM-4 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-4 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
- 30 meter depth rating
- Measures water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
- Operates in as little as 28 cm (11 inches) of water
- Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
- Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
- User replaceable lithium battery
- Battery life is more than a year with 1-minute logging
- 8 GB memory card virtually eliminates memory concerns
- Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
- USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload
| Measurement | Range | Accuracy | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed (Recommended Range) | 0-50 cm/s | 3 cm/s + 3% of reading | 0.1 cm/s |
| Speed (Maximum Range) | 0-75 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 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 with typical settings of one 20 second burst @ 8 Hz per minute (12-month battery life) | ||
| Temperature: 1 Hz to 1 sample per hour | |||
| Mechanical | |||
| Depth Rating | 30 m (100 ft) | ||
| Dimensions | Diameter: 2.54 cm (1.00 in) | ||
| Length: 25.4 cm (10.0 in) | |||
| Weight | 98 g (3.5 oz) | ||
| Construction | Housing: Carbon Fiber and Epoxy Laminate with PVC & PETG fittings, 316 Stainless Steel Screw and Buna and EPDM O-rings. | ||
| 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
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.
TCM-4 Battery Replacement Instructions
AN: Using a Bridle/Ground Line/Surface Float Set Up
Domino software for Windows is used to configure the TCM-1 for deployment and to process data and saved as text file (.csv).
- TCM-4 Shallow Water Current Meter
- MAT-1 Data Logger (installed in meter)
- Lithium Battery (installed in data logger)
- microSD Card (installed in data logger)
- microSD-to-SD card Adaptor
- USB A to micro-B cable (3ft)
- Spare Endcap O-ring (pre-lubricated)
- 30 cm (12 in) Lanyard