Model TPC-3000 Total Precipitation Collector Brochure

TOTAL PRECIPITATIONCOLLECTORMODEL TPC-3000PRELIMINARY BULLETIN TPC-3000General DescriptionDesigned for fully automatic remote operation, theModel TPC-3000 Total Precipitation Collectorconsists of a collection vessel, a motor-operated lidand a precipitation sensor. The collection vessel isnormally kept covered by the lid during periods ofnon-precipitation. The user periodically visits thesystem to recover the precipitation sample for off sitelab analysis. A next-generation, CPU-managedprecipitation sensor produces the open/closeddecision that controls the motor-gearbox assembly.Often the earliest phases of a precipitation eventcontain the highest concentrations, and thishistorical lack of sensitivity has biased sampling.The precipitation sensor represents a majorimprovement over older technology where the earliestlight precipitation events are often missed.An Infrared Data Associationâ (IrDA) data portpermits interaction with the system to view recentoperational event history on a Palm handheld. TheTPC-3000 is also expandable, accommodating up totwo additional slave systems for multiple chemicalassays such as Mercury deposition.Featuresn State-of-the-art completely automatedprecipitation detection and collectionn Integrates with a variety of rain gaugesn Modular design is lightweight and portable,compatible with legacy sampler mountsn DC battery operation (AC line option)n Includes Palmä and TPC-Manager QC softwaren Supports operation of large networksApplicationsn Atmospheric deposition at remote sitesn Acid rain and global climate change researchn Input for precipitation forecast modelsn Chemical/Bio agent researchn Validation of remote sensing platformsTPC-3000 (shown on optional stand)OptiGrid Optical + Grid SensorThe TPC uses a sophisticated dual technologyprecipitation sensor that sets it apart from otherprecipitation collectors. A dual beam, near IR opticalsensor, uses synchronous detection to detectprecipitation. A second, heated dual grid sensordetects very light precipitation events and alsologically qualifies the optical sensor output. Thisway, spiders and insects cannot fool the opticalsensor.OptiGrid Precipitation SensorDistributed Data CollectionManaging a network of precipitation collectorsrepresents a formidable data management andquality control task. Network quality controloperations are greatly simplified via TPC datamanagement tools. Collector and rain gaugehistory can be collected via telephonemodems or via IrDA-equipped Palmähandheld devices that users physically carryto locations with Internet data connectivityback to the central network site.TPC-3000 with lid closedTPC-3000 with lid openPalmä Data ManagementIn addition to supporting connections to otherdata loggers and serial terminal devices, youcan view data via the supplied Palm handhelddevice. Inexpensive Palmä devices arepowerful, rugged and easy to transport. Withtheir ample data storage and built in IrDA support,PalmOSä devices eliminate the need to bring alaptop and cables to remote collection sites. Palmdevices also offer a compelling alternative to other,more expensive handheld devices such as Laptops,which tend to be more fragile.Once the Palm handheld is synchronized with thePalm Desktop, data can be ingested into otherTCP/IP-based databases. System errors such asjam conditions or power outages are logged to permitnetwork level site audits and support online qualitycontrol. Periodic maintenance includes cleaning theprecipitation sensor and checking the standbybattery electrolyte level. The included TPC Managersoftware for the Palmä OS has the followingcapabilities:§ Supports walk-up wireless data transfer to yourPalm device via IrDA§ Synchronizes with the Palm Desktop Software§ Provides immediate graphical feedback¾youcan browse data immediately after collection§ Detectable system failures are immediatelyapparent to permit on site repairsA detailed review of all collected data is availableafter synchronizing to the Palm Desktop. For moreinformation about Palmä see www.palm.comTPC-Manager Welcome ScreenThe TPC Manager’s Instruments screen lists eachinstrument currently registered with it. You can thenmanage instruments and view their data. Byselecting “Edit”, you can also edit instrument/sitemeta data.Palmä Edit Instrument ScreenNotes can include site details, maintenancelog information, operator names or otherimportant site-specific data.Palmä Events ScreenYou use the Event viewer to see detectedautomation failure alerts, or precipitationstart/stop events that represent normaloperation. You can filter alerts only, andevents have GMT/UTC date/times.The Graph view gives you a high level visualsnapshot of collected data. A graph view isconvenient for browsing information, and forcorrelating vs. rain gauge data. By selectingDay or Week you can zoom the time scale tolook at a region of interest.Palmä Graph Viewer InterfaceDevelopment HistoryThe TPC-3000 was developed in partnership with theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,and incorporates many features suggested byNational Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)personnel. Problems such as splash andexpandability were carefully considered and rectified.Common operational problems solved included lidfreeze-down, motor and precipitation sensor failures,and poor sensitivity to precipitation under windy orvery light precipitation conditions.Model TPC-3000 – front viewModel TPC-3000 – side viewCopyright Ó 2003 Yankee Environmental Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.Mechanical Interface – dimensions in inches (cm). Shown with optional stand.SpecificationsPower Required 11-15 Vdc @3.1A (max), 2-12W heater configuration, 80mA (typ) w/o heaters ormotor operating; 1 mA disconnected. Average depends on duty cycle and heaterconfiguration. Inputs protected from polarity reversal, surges, & over-voltageconditions. Optional 120 Vac supply available.Weight 38 lbs ( 17 kg) without optional stand battery or collection bucketMaterials Aluminum, 304 stainless steel, bronze and UV resistant plasticsOperating range +45 to -35°C (YES recommends burying DC standby battery underground).Analog input Tipping bucket rain gauge switch contact;linear 0-5 Vdc rain gaugeDigital output Wired: RS-232, 9600 baud 8-N-1 9 pin serial D;and 0-5Vdc TTL “lid state” outputWireless: IrDA, (via supplied TPC Manager software)