oceantools ma500d manual rev 2

8/20/2019 OceanTools MA500D Manual Rev 2

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OceanTools Ltd.

OceanTools MA500DPrecision Digital

Subsea AltimeterUser Manual Revision 2


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OceanTools MA500DUser Manual

Revision. 2

Page 2 of 17 MA500D User Manual

NOTICE

Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this

Operators Manual; however, OceanTools Limited assumes no

responsibility for any errors or omissions.

No liability is assumed for any damages resulting from the use of

information contained herein.

OceanTools Limited reserves the right to change the information

in this manual without prior notice being given.

Any trademarks used are respected.

Copies of the manual may be made for in-house use only. Other

copying or distribution is forbidden.


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Contents

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 5

Safety ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 6

Unpacking and Setting to work ............................................................................................................... 6

Preparation for use .............................................................................................................................. 7

Power Supply .................................................................................................................................. 7

RS232/RS485 Communications ..................................................................................................... 7

Analogue Output ............................................................................................................................. 7

Free-running Output ........................................................................................................................ 7

Using the MA500 with the MA500 Software ........................................................................................... 8

Main Display .................................................................................................................................... 8

Settings Window ............................................................................................................................. 8

Global and Graph Settings .............................................................................................................. 9

Hardware Settings ......................................................................................................................... 11

Altimeter Settings .......................................................................................................................... 11

Recording and Replaying Altimeter Data ...................................................................................... 12

MA500D Serial Commands................................................................................................................... 13

Preliminary setup .......................................................................................................................... 13

List of commands (case insensitive for V3.05 and later) .............................................................. 13

Standard output format ................................................................................................................. 14

MA500 Analogue Output Calibration process ............................................................................... 14

Appendix 1 – Risk of Serious Injury ...................................................................................................... 16


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TECHNICAL SUPPORT

MAIL OceanTools Limited,OceanTools House,

Claymore Drive,

Aberdeen,

AB23 8GD. UK.

TELEPHONE +44 1224 709606FAX +44 1224 709616

MOBILE +44 7989 536850

EMAIL [email protected]

WEB www.oceantools.co.uk

If you are unsure how to operate this system or require technical support, contact someone within

your organisation who holds a Supervisory role or contact OceanTools using the details above.

If you need to use our technical support please have the following information to hand:

Serial Number

Fault Description

Any remedial action taken

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.oceantools.co.uk/http://www.oceantools.co.uk/http://www.oceantools.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]


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Introduction This manual contains Operation and Maintenance information relating to the OceanTools

MA500D Precision Altimeter manufactured by OceanTools Limited, Aberdeen, UK. This manual is only intended to provide information and instructions to personnel suitably

qualified to operate such equipment.

Please read this manual until you are familiar with the principles of operation of the equipment

and you are sure in your own mind that you know how to operate it safely.

SafetyThis unit, when connected correctly and according to these instructions, will have DC voltages within

it.

Generally DC voltages at these levels are non-hazardous but safety procedures should always befollowed. These include but are not limited to the following:

Read and understand this manual and all relevant company procedures.

Make sure power is removed from the unit before cleaning or disconnecting any electrical

connectors.

Check the supply voltage is DC and not AC and is within specified limits.

If the unit is damaged then consider returning it to OceanTools rather than undertaking

repairs yourself.

Be aware that if the unit should flood underwater it is possible that high pressure water may

be contained within the unit. Follow appropriate procedures for reducing pressure BEFORE

opening the equipment. Check the unit regularly for damages to any cables, connectors or anodising. If any damage

is detected then seek advice from OceanTools or an OceanTools approved agent.

Please also refer to Appendix 1: Risk of Serious Injury.

CCAAUUTTIIOONN – – RREEAADD TTHHIISS!!!!


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IntroductionThis document provides an overview of setting to work and using the OceanTools MA500D Precision

Digital Altimeter. The MA500D comprises of a microprocessor controlled set of electronics andtransducer contained in an anodised aluminium housing.

Unpacking and Setting to work

The MA500D is supplied with the following items:

Item Qty Category Description

1 1 Main system unit MA500D Altimeter

2 1 Accessories CD containing Manual(s)

3 1 Accessories Mating underwater connector


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Preparation for use

Power Supply

The unit requires a DC (Direct Current) supply voltage of +9V to +36V via the subsea connector ontop of the housing. Caution: ensure the supply voltage is DC and not AC. The pin out for this

connector can be seen in Figure 6:

Pin Description

1 V+ (9V to 36V)

2 Gnd

3 232/485 SELECT

4 RS232 GND

5 RS232TX / RS485A

6 RS232RX / RS485B

7 Analogue Out GND

8 Analogue Out +

Figure 1

RS232/RS485 Communications

The unit can be operated in either RS232 or RS485 mode. To select RS232 mode, pin 3 of the

connector (see Figure 1) should be connected to pin 4. For RS485 mode leave this pin open.

Analogue Output

An analogue output is provided with the output between 0-5V representing minimum to maximum

ranges.

Free-running Output

Upon power-up, the MA500D will start transmitting data.


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Using the MA500 with the MA500 SoftwareThe MA500D may be used with the OceanTools MA500 Display software. This provides a convenient

way to view the altimeter range data.

Main Display

The main altimeter display screen is laid out as shown below.

The measurements from up to 3 connected altimeters are displayed in column on the right. Each

altimeter has an associated colour. The graph shows the current measurements at the right (T-0) and

a trail of recent measurements for each connected altimeter in their respective colours.

Settings Window

To change the altimeter display or device settings, click on the upper-right icon that shows a set of

meshing gears.

Settings may be selected using standard Windows controls such as dropdown lists, tick boxes or

radio buttons. Numerical parameters may be edited using a keyboard and entering a new value.

Presets and Reset Default buttons are useful if your changes have an adverse effect.


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If a keyboard is not available, the up and down buttons to the right of a

numerical input can be used to increment and decrement the values.

Double-clicking a numerical input value produces a popup window

allowing any numerical value to be entered using the mouse alone. ClickOK to confirm the newly entered value.

The settings window is divided into a series of tabs:

Global - Speed of sound, measurement units and graphing options

Hardware - Serial port and baud rate for each altimeter

Altimeter X - Installation offset and plotting options for each altimeter

About - Software version information

Global and Graph Settings

The VSound setting specifies the

speed of sound through water that will

be used to calculate altitude from time

of flight measurements. The default

value is often suitable if a preferred

figure is not known.

The Units setting specifies whether

measurements are displayed in

metres or feet throughout.

The first of the graph settings specifies

whether to display the altitude

measurements from all connected

altimeters on a single graph, or

whether data from each altimeter

should be displayed on its own graph.


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The Plot Width affects the horizontal graph axis, specifying how many seconds of historical data to

display.

The Plot Range affects the vertical graph axis, specifying the maximum altitude range to

accommodate. If the Auto option is selected, the vertical graph axis will automatically adjust to fit the

current and historical data it needs to display.


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Hardware Settings

The software supports up to 3

connected altimeters. Each one must

be connected via a dedicated serialport, COM1 to COM16. A baud rate of

9600 should normally be selected.

Altimeter SettingsEach connected altimeter has its own

installation offset and plotting options.

The Offset specifies the vertical

installation offset in mm from the

transducer face of the altimeter to a

preferred reference point. This offset

is added to the measured altitude.

For example, if the altimeter is

mounted such that the transducer face

is 200mm above the lowest point ofthe ROV or other datum point,

applying an offset of -200mm causes

the displayed altitude to represent the

altitude of the lowest point of the ROV

or other datum point.

Each altimeter has an associated

colour used for graphing. Click the button next to the current colour to select a different one.


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The adjacent tick box specifies whether or not to display the data for each altimeter. This dictates

whether an altitude measurement is displayed on the right of the main screen, and whether a line ofthe associated colour is displayed on the graph. If each altimeter has its own graph, this tick box

affects the number of individual graphs displayed.

The Frequency setting is for information only.

Recording and Replaying Altimeter Data

Altimeter data may be recorded to and replayed back from the PC hard drive. Recording and

playback is controlled via the controls at the bottom of the screen:

The blue Data button will flash when data is received from the altimeter or from a recorded data file.

To begin recording, click the red Record button. A dialogue box will appear asking for the name of file

to record to. When data is being recorded, the red Record button will be illuminated. To stop

recording, click the blue Data button.

To play back a recorded data file, click the green Play button. A dialogue box will appear asking for

the name of the file to play back. When data is being played back, the green Play button will beilluminated. Playback progress can be determined using the playback progress indicator and

associated time displays. The playback speed can be adjusted between 1x, 2x, 4x and 8x real time

using the playback speed selector. You can also skip to any point in the recorded data by dragging

the progress indicator to the desired position.

Note that during playback some of the altimeter settings are disabled. This is because it is not

possible to change settings retrospectively when playing back recorded data.

Playback can be paused at any time by clicking the yellow Pause button. This button will flash to

indicate that playback is paused. Press the Pause button again to continue playback. To stop

playback and return to live altimeter data, press the blue Data button.


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MA500D Serial Commands

Preliminary setup

You may wish to use Hyperterminal or a similar program to configure the MA500D. The default

settings are:

Baud rate - 9600, data bits - 8, parity - none, stop bits - 1 and flow control – none.

List of commands (case insensitive for V3.05 and later)

Commands are to be entered into a Hyperterminal window and followed with a line feed / carriage

return which can be sent by holding Ctrl and hitting the “j” key.

There is potential for some overlap with the transmitting and receiving of strings so commends suchas “$T****” and “$C****” should only be entered when the command “$H” has been used to halt the

data output from the Altimeter

· $D, sets the speed of sound, the DAC offset and the DAC slope to defaults.

· $ T****, sets the output from the altimeter to value in cm eg. $T0100 sets output to 1m. Set

output to 0cm to stop test mode (i.e. $T0000).

· $O±***, sets the offset value for the DAC.

· $S******, sets the slope value for the DAC.

· $C****, sets the speed of sound used by the Altimeter for calculations.


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· $V, returns the firmware version to the PC.

+

·

$H, halts or resumes pinging (this may take more than one attempt in 485 mode as it is half

duplex)

·

$B0*, change the baud rate for the Altimeters communications, use lookup chart below.

9600 = 0

4800 = 1

19200 = 2

This will require a restart (power cycle) to change the baud rate.

Note: the settings and values changed by these commands are stored in non-volatile memory and so,

will be saved after restarts and power losses.

Standard output format

The standard output from the altimeter is in the form $R,00000,000000,0000*00.

Where the first set of zero’s is the distance in centimetres, the second is the time of flight, the third is

the speed of sound the Altimeter is using and the last is a checksum value.

MA500 Analogue Output Calibration process

Set the altimeter up on a test lead (not supplied) with 24v DC power, connection to a computer with a

serial port and a Hyperterminal program and a voltmeter to measure the analogue output.

Power on the altimeter and type the following commands into the hyper-terminal;

“$H” Ctrl-J

“$D” Ctrl-J

“$O+000” Ctrl-J

“$S700000” Ctrl-J

“$T3000” Ctrl-J

“$H” Ctrl-J

This should leave the altimeter in test mode, with digital output of 3000cm.

START LOOP


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The analogue output should be exactly 5.00v at this point. If it is not adjust the slope of the DAC

output until the output is 5.00v (use the commands “$H” Ctrl-J, “$S******” Ctrl-J, “$H” Ctrl-J).

Once the slope is correct, change the test output to 100cm (command “$H” Ctrl-J, “$T0100” Ctrl-J,

“$H” Ctrl-J) and check the analogue output. The correct value is 0.166v. Adjust the offset value until

the output is 0.166v.

Check the output at 3000cm to ensure it is still 5.00v, if not, go to “START LOOP” and continue until

this is acheived.

Reset the altimeter out of test mode (using command “$H” Ctrl-J, “$T0000” Ctrl-J, “$H” Ctrl-J) and test

the altimeter in a test tank.


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Appendix 1 – Risk of Serious InjuryIntroduction This document aims to set out the necessary precautions which should be taken to avoid serious

injury in the event of recovering an item of equipment, comprising an atmospheric enclosure that issuspected of suffering an ingress of water, the following precautions shall be observed.

Additionally, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be provided as per Directive 89/686EEC asamended by Directive 93/95/EEC, 93/68EEC and 96/58/EC. In particular, Eye Protection shall beworn, Work Gloves shall be worn and it is advisable to wear Latex Gloves under Work Gloves as anyleakage from enclosures may be corrosive.

Do Not: Remove end cap retaining screws without reference to the section regarding this procedure.

Do:o Securely clamp down item of equipment such that the end is facing away from all

personnel, preferably towards a solid wall or such like. When releasing any threadedcomponents endeavour to avoid placing any part of the body ‘across’ the component.Consider also, when dealing with threaded connectors, that under high pressure, oncerotation has commenced it is possible for the pressure to continue the rotation if thethread is well lubricated.

Due consideration should also be given to the possibility that the air being released

maybe poisonous, explosive or both.

If the equipment is fitted with a vent plug that is pulled flush onto a spot face:

o Undo the plug, 2 or 3 turns, to pull the face seal free of the spot face. Using a paintbrush orsimilar, apply a generous amount of slightly diluted washing-up liquid around the plug andobserve for the appearance of any bubbles. If any appear, leave the equipment to stand untilthere are no more bubbles. If necessary re-apply more washing-up liquid. Undo the plug alittle more and re-check. The plug is fitted with a retaining nut internally, but a slow approachis advised until convinced that there is no trapped air within.

If the equipment is fitted with a vent plug that is not flush with a spot face, or there is no spot

face present (A taper thread):

o Follow the above procedure but commence with less turns of the plug each time. Leave tostand until it is no longer showing signs of venting.

If the equipment is not fitted with a vent plug, the above checks will have to be achieved via a

connector. If possible, obtain a data sheet for the connector and establish the location and

quantity of seals in the connector body. Then the following applies:o Flanged connector, face seal only: Remove one screw to establish the length of thread

engagement in the end cap. Replace the screw finger tight, ‘crack’ the remaining screws andcommence turning each screw equal amounts 2 or 3 turns at a time. Again, apply dilutedwashing-up liquid and check for bubbles as the seal begins to ‘break’. Leave to stand until it isno longer showing signs of venting.

o Flanged connector, face and piston (barrel) seal: Establish the gap necessary between theflange and the end cap to bring the piston seal to the upper edge of the bore. Remove onescrew to establish size, thread rate and engagement length in end cap. It will be necessary toobtain one or possibly two sets of longer screws to ensure that it will be possible to maintainsufficient engagement as the connector is withdrawn. Remove 2, diagonally opposed screwsand replace with screws that will have full engagement and reach the flange when the other 2

screws have at least 0.5D engagement. Remove the 2 shorter screws and replace with 2screws that will fulfil the same function as above for the first pair of longer screws. Repeat this


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procedure until the piston seal has reached a point where it is just able to vent. Again, applydiluted washing-up liquid and check for bubbles as the seal begins to ‘break’. Leave to standuntil it is no longer showing signs of venting.

o Threaded connector, face seal only: ‘Crack’ the thread and slowly turn until the face sealbegins to ‘break’. Do not continue turning. Again, apply diluted washing-up liquid and checkfor bubbles as the seal begins to ‘break’. Leave to stand until it is no longer showing signs ofventing.

o Threaded connector, face seal and piston (barrel) seal or piston (barrel) seal only: Checkwith OceanTools as it may not be possible to turn the connector a sufficient number oftimes to ‘break’ the seal due to internal wiring. If this is the case it will be necessary torelease the end cap seal. Remove 1 end cap screw to establish size, thread rate and lengthof engagement. Replace screw. Check with OceanTools to determine how far the endcap will need to be released to allow the seal to ‘break’, and how many seals there are . Obtain a range of screw lengths to allow 50% of the total number of end cap screws to

maintain 1D of engagement. Remove every alternate screw and replace with the next size up.Consider that even if the end cap does not ‘want’ to release, it is not a gua rantee thatthere is no internal pressure as the seals may have ‘stuck’ due to internal corrosion. Agenerous amount of diluted washing-up liquid should be applied around the end cap/bodytube interface. Continue up-sizing screws as described above until the last seal ‘breaks’Leave to stand until it is no longer showing signs of venting.

oceantools ma500d manual rev 2

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