Sentek Slimline SDI-12 Probe Manual
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Page 5
Installation and setup of the Slimline probe
Physical installation at the desired field location should use a slurry installation method.
Note:
Slimline probes are preconfigured, therefore the sensors do not need Auto-detecting, depths set, or
normalisation.
Configuring SDI-12 probes
This Probe Configuration Utility (PConfig) runs through the SDI-12 connector. You must use the SDI-
12 Programming cable.
Note:
If PConfig is not installed on your computer, the installation steps are described in the Sentek Drill &
Drop SDI-12 Series III Probe Manual.
1. Unplug the SDI-12 logger from the probe cable (if needed).
2. Plug the SDI-12 programming cable into the 3-pin connector on the probe cable.
3. Plug the USB connector on the Probe programming cable into a USB port on your computer. The
probe is powered through the USB 5V supply.
4. Run PConfig on your computer, select Baud rate Auto, or 1200, and connect to the relevant USB
COM port. PConfig connects at 1200 baud and uses the SDI-12 communication protocol.
5. If the probe will be used in a multi-drop arrangement (a series of probes on one SDI-12 cable),
change the SDI-12 probe address to a unique address for each probe, i.e. 0-9, A-Z and a-z. Consult
your SDI-12 logger installation instructions for any constrains.
Caution:
PConfig does not support multi-drop, disconnect other probes from the SDI-12 cable while
configuring each probe.
Note: Not all capabilities of Probe Configuration Utility can be utilised on SDI-12 Slimline Probe.
•Depths (5, 15, 25 etc) are shown on the Configuration tab. PConfig can change the depths if
required e.g. first sensor below ground level
•Detected sensors cannot change, therefore Auto-Detect Sensors is not available
•Air and water normalisation can only be performed simultaneously for all sensors (not
individually)
•Salinity sensor calibration coefficients (ABC) cannot be changed
Note:
The standard Sentek normalisation container is not suitable for Slimline probes and cannot be used for
water normalisation. After updating the probe firmware, if you cannot restore the configuration for a
previously saved backup Configuration you must use a water container long enough to fully cover all
sensors at the same time. It must also have sufficient clearance around each sensor, i.e. no cable or
container wall.