The TCM-4 is a current meter that 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.
The TCM-4 Shallow Water 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-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.
Windows® software is used to configure the TCM-4 for deployment and to convert binary data to text files. The built-in MAT-1 data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.
Key Features & Benefits
- Measures water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
- Operates in as little as 28 cm (11 inches) of water to 30 meters
- Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
- Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
- User replaceable lithium battery allows continuous 1-minute current measurements for more than a year
- 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
Package Contents
- TCM-4 Shallow Water Current Meter
- MAT-1 Data Logger (installed in meter)
- Lithium Battery (installed in logger)
- microSD Card (installed in logger)
- microSD-to-SD card Adaptor
- USB A to micro-B cable (3ft)
- Spare Endcap O-ring (pre-lubricated)
- 30 cm (12”) Lanyard
Datasheet TCM-4 Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter
User Manual
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
