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. 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 logger is buoyant and is anchored to the bottom via a short flexible tether. Moving water tilts the 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
- 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
- Minimal depth: 76 cm
- Depth rating: 300 meters
- 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
Package Contents
- MAT-1 Data Logger
- 46 cm (18") current meter housing
- Bronze "low-range" ballast washer and bolt
- Lithium battery (installed in 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") lanyard
Datasheet TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter
User Guide
Deploying the TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter in an inverted orientation
The TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter is typically mounted in a vertical orientation where the meter is anchored on (or near) the sea bed and the meter floats above the anchor. But for some deployments, it is advantageous to measure water velocity near the top of the water column in an inverted orientation with the meter hanging below the attachment point. You need the TCM-1 Inversion Kit for this application.
Application note written by Nick Lowell
Domino Software
Domino Software is Lowell Instrument's Python based, open source software for use with the data loggers and current meters. It is used forconfiguration and control of meters, as well as for conversion of binary data to useful formats. It can be downloaded here.
System Requirements Windows for Domino
- Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32 or 64 bit)
- Any Intel or AMD x86 processor, Dual Core 2.0+ GHz recommended
- 1 GB RAM minimum (2+ GB recommended)
- 1 GB disk space for the application, additional space for files
- 1024 x 720 monitor minimum
