Delta-T BF5 Quick Start Guide
Delta-T BF5 is a Sunshine Sensor that measures Total (Global) and Diffuse Radiation as well as Sunshine Duration. It is designed for above-plant-canopy measurements and can be mounted on a tripod or cross-arm. The BF5 features a RS232 serial port for connection to a PC or SunScan radio link, an analogue output connector for connection to a SunScan or external data logger, and an optional heater. It can be used for a variety of applications including, for example, monitoring solar radiation levels in agricultural fields, studying the effects of solar radiation on plant growth, and research into solar energy.
advertisement
BF5 Sunshine Sensor
Total (Global) and Diffuse Radiation and Sunshine Duration sensor
needing no routine adjustment or polar alignment.
Quick Start Guide version 1.4
Delta-T Devices Ltd
Total (Global) and Diffuse Radiation and Sunshine Duration sensor
needing no routine adjustment or polar alignment.
Quick Start Guide version 1.4
Delta-T Devices Ltd
© 2022 Delta-T Devices Ltd Page 2
Overview
About this guide
This shows how to set up, connect to and obtain readings from the BF5.
See also: BF5 User Manual.pdf
PDFs can be found on the Software and Manuals CD and online at www.delta-t.co.uk
Unpacking
The BF5 is supplied in a foam-lined box with
• RS232 serial cable SP-BF-RS01
• This Quick Start Guide
• Calibration certificate
• Delta-T Software and Manuals CD
Optional Accessories
• Telescopic tripod BFT1
• BF5 cross arm BF5-M
Red LED flashes when
taking a reading
Renew internal dessicant
bag when this humidity
indicator turns pink
Bubble level indicator
RS232 serial comms port to
PC or SunScan radio link
Analogue output connector to
SunScan or external data logger
RS232 cable
10 m
1.5 m
5-way
M12
female
5-way
M12
female
9-way
serial
female
5-way
M12
male
SP-BF-RS01
SP-BF-RS10
BF5 endCABLE OPTIONS
RS232 extension
cable
5 m
10 m
25 m
8-way
M12
female
8-way
M12
male
EXT/8w-05, EXT/8w-10 and EXT/8w-25
BF5 to SunScan
cable or logger
extension cable
8-way
M12
female
Flying
leads SP-BF/w-05
Logger cable
Overview
About this guide
This shows how to set up, connect to and obtain readings from the BF5.
See also: BF5 User Manual.pdf
PDFs can be found on the Software and Manuals CD and online at www.delta-t.co.uk
Unpacking
The BF5 is supplied in a foam-lined box with
• RS232 serial cable SP-BF-RS01
• This Quick Start Guide
• Calibration certificate
• Delta-T Software and Manuals CD
Optional Accessories
• Telescopic tripod BFT1
• BF5 cross arm BF5-M
Red LED flashes when
taking a reading
Renew internal dessicant
bag when this humidity
indicator turns pink
Bubble level indicator
RS232 serial comms port to
PC or SunScan radio link
Analogue output connector to
SunScan or external data logger
RS232 cable
10 m
1.5 m
5-way
M12
female
5-way
M12
female
9-way
serial
female
5-way
M12
male
SP-BF-RS01
SP-BF-RS10
BF5 endCABLE OPTIONS
RS232 extension
cable
5 m
10 m
25 m
8-way
M12
female
8-way
M12
male
EXT/8w-05, EXT/8w-10 and EXT/8w-25
BF5 to SunScan
cable or logger
extension cable
8-way
M12
female
Flying
leads SP-BF/w-05
Logger cable
© 2022 Delta-T Devices Ltd Page 3
BF5 system wiring options
BF5 serial port
to BF5-RL4 radio link
...to SunScan
(fitted with
SS1-RL4Radio Link)
to PDA
running SunData
BF5 serial port
to PC
running SunRead
SunScan
SunScan
BF5 analogue
port to SunScan
to PDA running
SunData
SS1-RL4
SunData
SunRead
BF5 analogue
port to
GP1 Logger
(Then serial link from
GP1 to PC or PDA
running DeltaLINK)
Optional
heater power supply
7-15V DC,
1.5A max at 12V
SunData
BF5-RL4
EXT/8w-x
SP-BF-RS01SP-BF-RS10
EXT/8w-x SP-BF/w-05
EXT/8w-x SP-BF/w-05
Analogue cable
SP-BF/w-05
can provide sensor
“warm-up” power
from the logger for
analogue readings
It also has 2 wires for
optional heater power
BF5 system wiring options
BF5 serial port
to BF5-RL4 radio link
...to SunScan
(fitted with
SS1-RL4Radio Link)
to PDA
running SunData
BF5 serial port
to PC
running SunRead
SunScan
SunScan
BF5 analogue
port to SunScan
to PDA running
SunData
SS1-RL4
SunData
SunRead
BF5 analogue
port to
GP1 Logger
(Then serial link from
GP1 to PC or PDA
running DeltaLINK)
Optional
heater power supply
7-15V DC,
1.5A max at 12V
SunData
BF5-RL4
EXT/8w-x
SP-BF-RS01SP-BF-RS10
EXT/8w-x SP-BF/w-05
EXT/8w-x SP-BF/w-05
Analogue cable
SP-BF/w-05
can provide sensor
“warm-up” power
from the logger for
analogue readings
It also has 2 wires for
optional heater power
© 2022 Delta-T Devices Ltd Page 4
Simple BF5 use with SunRead
RS232 output from BF5 to PC
via 1.5m cable type SP-BF-RS01
SunRead
PC running
SunRead
for
set-up and test ,
real-time readings &
to log data to PC
Log to file
Optional heater power
supply via 5m analog
signal cable
type SP-BF/w-05
Analogue
8-pole M12
connector
Serial out
5-pole M12
connector
Individual sensors
Optional
BF5 serial extension cables
type SP-BF-RS10 (10m)
Simple BF5 use with SunRead
RS232 output from BF5 to PC
via 1.5m cable type SP-BF-RS01
SunRead
PC running
SunRead
for
set-up and test ,
real-time readings &
to log data to PC
Log to file
Optional heater power
supply via 5m analog
signal cable
type SP-BF/w-05
Analogue
8-pole M12
connector
Serial out
5-pole M12
connector
Individual sensors
Optional
BF5 serial extension cables
type SP-BF-RS10 (10m)
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
advertisement
Key Features
- Total & Diffuse Radiation
- Sunshine Duration
- RS232 Serial
- Analogue Output
- Optional Heater
- IP65 Rating
- Above-Plant-Canopy
- Tripod Mountable
- SunScan Compatible
Related manuals
Frequently Answers and Questions
How do I connect the BF5 to my PC?
Connect the BF5 to your PC using the RS232 serial cable, plugged into the 9-way D connector. The BF5 can also be connected to a SunScan radio link.
What is the accuracy of the BF5?
The BF5 has an accuracy of ±12% for Total radiation and ±15% for Diffuse radiation. The accuracy of the sunshine status is ±10%.
How do I level the BF5?
The BF5 is equipped with a bubble level. The tripod BFT1 has 3-axis adjustment to facilitate levelling. The sensor is level when the bubble is within the central circle.
advertisement
