Delta-T DL6 Quick Start Guide

Delta-T DL6 is a versatile soil moisture logger with 6 channels for soil moisture sensors, one for temperature, one for rain gauge, and a relay channel. It logs up to 16,000 readings and can be connected to your PC via a serial cable. The DL6 works with a variety of sensors, including Profile probes, SM series sensors, and ThetaProbe sensors, giving you flexibility to measure soil moisture in various settings.

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DL6 Data Logger
Soil Moisture Logger with 6 Soil Moisture Channels, Temperature and
Rain Gauge Channels and Versatile Relay Channel
Quick Start Guide Version 1.2
Delta-T Devices Ltd
4 Install Software
1 Unpacking
n
5 Program the
DL6
2 Layout
6 Check
Sensors
7
Retrieve,
View &amp; Save
Logged Data
3 Sensor Wiring
8
Service, Specs and Notices
1 Unpacking
The DL6 package includes the following:
 DL6 Logger with alkaline batteries and DL6 to PC serial cable (DL6-RS232)
 CD with DeltaLINK-PC software
Optional accessories:
 Mounting Kit (DL6-MKT1) – 1 m stainless steel post, mounting plate with fittings.
 Spares Kit (DL6-SP) – fuse, desiccant, battery holder, cable glands, bungs &amp; O-rings.
 Spare Alkaline batteries (DL6-BAT)
 Spare Lithium batteries (DL6-ELB)
Compatible sensors:
 One Profile Probe type PR2/4, PR2/6, PR1/4 or PR1/6 (see note*1)
 or up to six SM series Soil Moisture Sensors (SM150, SM150T, SM200 or SM300)
 or up to six ThetaProbe Soil Moisture Sensors (ML2 or ML3)
 and one temperature sensor – e.g. 2K thermistor (ST1, SM150T, SM300 or ML3)
 and one rain gauge (RG1 or RG2)
Note*1: Two soil moisture sensors can also be used along with a PR2/4 or PR1/4 Profile Probe
Note*2: Only one of the six SM150T or SM300 temperature sensors can be used
2016 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Page 2
2 Layout
Status LED
Reset Button
Fuse
Relay
Channel
Battery
connector
Channel 8:
rain gauge
Channel 7:
temperature
PR2
connector
Channels 1-6
ML3, SM150T
for ML2,
SM200 &amp;
other sensors with
voltage outputs
Channels 1-6
for PR1 wiring
RS232 Connector
8x Sealing
Bungs
8x Cable
Glands
The DL6 is a nine channel logger with: 6 differential analogue channels suitable for soil
moisture sensors, one resistance channel suitable for a 2K thermistor, one event
counter channel suitable for a rain gauge, and one versatile relay channel.
Up to 16000 readings can be stored.
3 Sensor Wiring
Profile Probes
Profile Probe PR2/4 and PR2/6: use the PR2 to DL6 cable (PRC/M12-05) or choice
of extension cables (no wiring–up required).
Do not connect any other sensors to channels 1-4 or 1-6 respectively.
Profile Probe PR1/4 and PR1/6: Wire according to the colours printed beside the
terminals. Do not connect any other sensors to channels 1-4 or 1-6 respectively.
See the online PR1 Wiring Instructions Guide in the DeltaLINK Document Library
folder.
2016 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Page 3
Single-ended voltage sensor (e.g. SM200)
The picture shows an SM200 single-ended sensor
connected and powered from Channel 1.
Colour
(SM200)
DL6 terminal
Power to sensor
Red
V+
Signal
White
IN+
Ground
Shield
IN-and 0V
Function
Note: Ensure a wire link is fitted between IN- and 0V.
Differential voltage sensor (e.g. ML3)
The picture shows an ML3 soil moisture sensor connected and powered from
Channel 1 and its temperature sensor connected to the resistance channel.
Colour
(ML3)
DL6 terminal
Power to sensor
White
V+
Power return
Brown
0V
Signal +ve
Blue
IN+
Signal -ve
Black
IN-
Temperature +
Grey
RES IN+
Cable screen
Green
Function
Temperature / Resistance channel 7 (e.g. ST1)
The picture shows a 2K thermistor temperature sensor connected
to channel 7. Connect between IN+ and IN-.
Connect any braid or screen to the
terminal if required.
Rain gauge / Count channel 8 (e.g. RG1)
Use this channel to monitor slow events such as a rain gauge.
A rain gauge is shown connected to IN+ and IN- terminals.
This channel can be used to initiate dual-rate logging.
Refer to online Help for detailed information.
Note: the polarity of cable connection is not important when
using thermistors or rain gauges.
Relay (alarm) channel
The relay channel is an open/close switch (default
condition open). The channel is protected with a
resetting poly-fuse and can switch up to 1A.
2016 Delta-T Devices Ltd
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Reset Switch
Reset
In the unlikely event of the logger locking up, press
the Reset button briefly.
After pressing Reset, four LED flashes indicate that the DL6 is
performing a warm reset. Program and data are preserved
and logging will resume.
Holding Reset for more than 5 seconds will initiate a cold
reset, with the status LED flashing an additional four times. A
cold reset restores the factory-set default program and deletes
all data.
Status LED
Pattern
LED
Logging?
Error?
Tap the logger - the LED should flash as follows:
If it does not flash, check the battery.
No
No
Yes
No
Analogue Channel Considerations
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
The differential analogue channels accept signals
of nominally 0 to 1V, with a full signal range of –0.01 to +1.15 V. Each channel has
V+ and 0V connections to allow the switched powering of sensors. Sensors can be
powered up with an adjustable warm-up time prior to taking sensor readings. Warmup times of multiples of 1 second are permitted. The supply voltage is unregulated.
Ensure analogue signals are kept within the permitted input voltage range (-0.2 to +3 V
relative to logger ground
). If sensors are used that are not powered by the DL6
then the input signal may need a 10K resistor between IN- and ground.
4 Install Software
To operate the DeltaLINK software for the DL6 logger you need:
 A PC running Windows XP, Vista, 7,8,10 or a later version.
 Microsoft Excel 97 or later for the Dataset Import Wizard.
 One free RS232 serial port or USB-RS232 adapter.
 DVD or internet connection for installing DeltaLINK.
 A minimum of 50MB of available hard disk space.
 DL6 to PC RS232 cable (supplied with DL6).
 DeltaLINK-PC version 3.6 or later, from DVD or www.delta-t.co.uk.
 Acrobat Reader for reading documentation (free download from www.adobe.com)
To install DeltaLINK-PC:
1. Insert the DVD, browse to loggers, DeltaLINK and select Install DeltaLINK, or
download and install it from http://www.delta-t.co.uk/software/
2. Setup creates a desktop shortcut to DeltaLINK-PC,
and a DeltaLINK-PC program group.
3. Check Release Notes.pdf in the Document Library
folder for latest information.
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Start DeltaLINK-PC
1. Connect the DL6 to the PC’s serial port
(preferably COM1) using the supplied
DL6 to PC serial cable1
2. Double click on the DeltaLINK-PC icon
on the desktop.
3. DeltaLINK attempts
to connect to a
logger. If successful,
DeltaLINK shows information about the
DL6 in the Logger window.
4. If you have a fresh installation,
DeltaLINK attempts to use COM1. If
the connection fails because the DL6
is connected to the wrong serial port
select File, Properties. Click New... to
create a connection which uses the correct port.
Online Help
DeltaLINK provides extensive online Help. Click Help from any DeltaLINK window (or
press F1) for detailed information about DeltaLINK operation and functionality.
Select Help, Document Library to open a folder of application notes and technical
documentation.
5 Program the DL6
1. Select the Program window. For a new
logger, this will show the DL6's factoryset 'Default' program. Click Change to
enter your own program settings.
2. Right-click the Input Channels list to
select a sensor type from a pop-up
menu, or select Edit Channel from the
popup menu to customize a sensor's
properties.
3. Click the Advanced Features options
to add or remove Alarm, Control and
Dual Rate tabs, and enter details in
these tabs, as required.
4. Click Apply to install a modified logging
program into the DL6 logger.
Custom Sensor Support
DeltaLINK supports the use of custom sensor linearisation tables for using custom
sensor types. Refer to the Document Library folder for detailed instructions.
1
You can also communicate with the DL6 via a modem (see Document Library folder for modem
application notes).
2016 Delta-T Devices Ltd
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6 Check Sensors and Start Logging
1. Select the Sensors window and click
the Read now button. The sensor
readings will continually refresh on a
scrolling time graph.
2. Observe the sensor reading display in
the scrolling charts and value panels
while adjusting sensor wiring and/or
installation conditions.
3. Click the Cancel button when finished.
4. Once sensors are setup select the
Logger window and click Start to
commence logging.
7 Retrieve, View and
Save Logged Data
1. Select the Dataset window. All stored
data in the logger will be retrieved and
displayed on the screen (it may take a
few seconds to upload the data).
Click Refresh if required.
2. Select File, Save to save the data to a
dataset file.
3. Select File, Open to open and view a
previously saved dataset file.
4. To save a dataset file as a ASCII file
for importing into other programs,
open the file in DeltaLINK, and select File, Save As… selecting the appropriate file
type to save.
Dataset Import Wizard
Dataset Import Wizard helps you seamlessly import data into MS Excel spreadsheets.
Multiple dataset files may be imported and the data interleaved.
1. Select
, All apps, DeltaLINK, Install Dataset Import Wizard.
2. If prompted by Excel, select Enable Macros. Note that Excel’s security settings must
allow macros to run: refer to Excel Help.
3. Dataset Import Wizard will report that it has installed successfully, and will add
Import Dataset(s) to the Add-in menu (or File menu in earlier Windows versions).
To Start Dataset Import Wizard: Start Excel, select Add-ins, Import Dataset(s) and
follow the instructions (or File, Import Datasets in earlier versions of Windows.
DeltaLINK Cloud
For our free Cloud service see
http://www.delta-t.co.uk/deltalink-cloud/
2016 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Page 7
8 Specifications, Service and Notices
Inputs/outputs
Analogue channels
(soil moisture)
6
6
DL6 Accuracy
logger -10 to +50C
Range
#
0.001 m3.m-3
0.0 - 0.1 m3.m-3
0.1 - 0.6 m .m
1% of reading
-10 to 1150 mV
Common mode
range
-0.2 to 3V
sensor -20 to
+60&deg;C
(0.3mV + 0.2% of
reading)
+ common mode error:
0.25mV/V
3
-3
Notes
Applicable to : ML3, SM300 and
PR2 (with up to 100m cable)
PR1 (up to 25m cable)
Mineral &amp; organic soil calibrations
Analogue channels
(DC voltage)
6
Temperature
channels
1
Event counter
channel
1
Sensor excitation
6
5 - 9V at 120mA
Uses internal battery voltage supply
Alarm out
1
1A, 25V DC/AC
Isolated relay switching 2A max1
Logger can read either volumetric
water content or voltage (not both)
Using ST1 or ST2 or other 2K
thermistor
0.4C
&lt;50Hz, contact closure or pulse logic inputs
Max 1mm/second if using RG2 rain
gauge (0.2mm/tip)
Note 1: Alarm relay rated 2A but the fuse is 1A. Alarm out should support brief 2A
Feature
Logging frequency
Accelerated logging
Reading capacity
PC connection
Battery lifetime
Environmental
Full scale
1s to 24hr
1s to 24hr
16k readings
1
1yr
IP67
Notes
User selectable with accelerated logging option
User selected - rain gauge or event triggered
Auto-wrap or stop logging - user selectable
Via RS232 connection (USB to RS232 converters are available)
6 alkaline AA cells last for up to one year (depends on logging frequency)
-20 to +60&deg;C Operating
-10 to +50&deg;C Full accuracy
Product Care and Maintenance
The battery can be removed for 10 hours without losing program settings or data, but no
additional data will be logged while the battery is removed. Change the battery when the Power
indicated in the Logger window of DeltaLINK is under 6.6V.
If the battery goes completely flat the LED will not flash. Put in new batteries. You may need to
press the Reset button inside the logger then update the clock in DeltaLINK Logger window.
Use Lithium batteries for extended battery life and the full temperature range of the logger.
A lithium battery will typically last 3 to 5 times longer than a good quality alkaline.
Use of rechargeable or zinc-chloride batteries is not recommended for performance.
Desiccant: If indicator paper in the lid turns pink change or regenerate the white desiccant bag.
Regenerate desiccant at 120&ordm;C for 4 hours. Seal desiccant in a plastic bag when logger is open.
Legal Notices
This product uses software code. It should not be used in safety-critical applications or where consequential
loss may occur. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for regularly
monitoring and checking the equipment.
In no event shall Delta-T’s liability exceed the selling price of the product. Delta-T is not liable for indirect,
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use of equipment, including but not limited to: data
loss, vegetation loss, loss of energy or water, cost of substitute equipment or services, property damage, or
personal injury that results from installer’s negligence. The customer agrees to the limitations and exclusions of
liability by purchase or use of this product.
See also Product Usage.pdf in the online Document Library folder.
The DL6 product is CE compliant, conforming to EN61326 (1997).
Delta-T Devices Ltd
130 Low Road, Burwell
Cambridge CB25 0EJ
UK
Tel:
+44 1638 742922
Fax: +44 1638 743155
e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.delta-t.co.uk
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Key features

6 Soil Moisture Channels
Temperature & Rain Gauge Channels
Versatile Relay Channel
16,000 Readings Storage
PC Connectivity
Various Sensor Compatibility
IP67 Rating

Frequently asked questions

You can use Profile Probes (PR2/4, PR2/6, PR1/4, PR1/6), SM series sensors (SM150, SM150T, SM200, SM300), ThetaProbe sensors (ML2, ML3), a 2K thermistor for temperature, and a rain gauge (RG1 or RG2).

Use the supplied DL6-RS232 serial cable to connect the DL6 to your computer’s RS232 port. You can also use a USB-RS232 adapter.

You will need DeltaLINK-PC software, which is included on the CD that comes with the DL6. You can also download it from the Delta-T website.

The battery life depends on the logging frequency, but alkaline AA batteries can last up to one year. Lithium batteries can last three to five times longer.