A marine systems technology company required a durable, corrosion-resistant sensor for a coastal tidal monitoring station. The key challenges were not only the harsh seawater environment but also the need for direct plug-and-play compatibility with their existing SDI-12 data-logging hardware. The ideal solution was found in a submersible level transmitter that matched these demanding requirements for both materials and communication protocol.
- Application: Continuous, long-term coastal tidal level monitoring.
- Challenge: Withstanding constant seawater immersion, measuring a 12-15m tidal range, and ensuring seamless integration with a pre-existing SDI-12 transceiver system.
- Solution: A submersible level transmitter featuring a Marine Bronze CA104 housing and an identical SDI-12 communication protocol.
- Benefit: Achieved long-term operational reliability in a corrosive environment and eliminated the need for software redevelopment, saving significant engineering time and resources.
A provider of marine technology systems required a robust and reliable sensor for a coastal tidal level measurement application. The project involved installing a submersible sensor, either mounted to a concrete block or secured within a protective tube, to continuously monitor tidal variations. A key challenge was the harsh marine environment, demanding materials capable of withstanding constant immersion in seawater. The installation specified that the sensor would be connected to a junction box positioned safely above the Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) mark, a critical consideration in coastal engineering to prevent inundation of electrical components.
The primary technical requirements for the sensor were precise and dependable measurement across a tidal range of 12 to 15 metres. The sensor needed to be constructed from materials resistant to saltwater corrosion and potential bio-fouling. Critically, the customer stipulated a requirement for a digital communication output using the SDI-12 protocol. This was not just a preference but a necessity for seamless integration, as their existing data acquisition and transceiver systems were already configured for the command structure of a specific SDI-12 device. Adopting a sensor with an identical protocol would prevent costly and time-consuming software redevelopment, ensuring backward compatibility and a true plug-and-play implementation.
The proposed solution was the SLS-CD series submersible level transmitter. This sensor directly addressed all of the customer’s specific and challenging requirements. To combat the corrosive effects of seawater, the sensor was configured with a housing made from Marine Bronze CA104 and FKM seals, materials selected for their proven durability in saline environments. This construction ensures long-term stability and reliability, minimizing maintenance and extending the operational life of the sensor in a demanding submerged application. A 0-20 mWG pressure range was selected to comfortably accommodate the maximum 15-metre tidal range, and a high accuracy option of better than ±0.10% of full scale was chosen to deliver the data precision required for tidal analysis.
The decisive factor was the SLS-CD‘s fully compliant SDI-12 version 1.4 digital interface. It was confirmed that the sensor’s electronics were identical to the device the customer had previously integrated. This guaranteed the required backward compatibility, allowing the sensor to be connected directly to their existing systems without any need for software or firmware adjustments. This compatibility, combined with the sensor’s low power consumption and dual level and temperature output, provided a technically superior and highly efficient solution, perfectly aligned with the demands of remote marine telemetry and data logging.
SLS-CD Submersible SDI-12 Interface Seawater Level Sensor
- Part No: SLS-CD-AB-A030-MV-2000G-00
- Level Range: 0 – 20mWG
- Pressure Datum: Gauge
- Output Type: SDI-12, Version 1.4
- Accuracy Class: 0.1 %
- Cable material: PUR
- Cable Length: 20m
- Housing material: Marine Bronze CA104
- Process Connection: G1/4 male DIN3852 with removable nose cone
- Seal Material: Viton
- Special Options: none