The TCM-4 Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter is ideal for measuring water velocity in shallow coastal ponds, bays, rivers and tidal flats and other locations where the depth is too shallow for the TCM-1 current meter. Only 10 inches (25 cm) long and able to operate in less than one foot of water, the meter’s electronics are housed in a carbon fiber case with no external sensors and floats.
Available at a fraction of the cost of acoustic meters, this data logger is simple to set up and deploy. Its low total cost gives you the flexibility to deploy multiple current meters in many locations simultaneously, which increases spatial data density and reduces uncertainty. Data offloads via a USB micro-B port and cable to your laptop.
How does the Tilt Current Meter Work?
The TCM-4 Tilt Current Meter measures current using the drag-tilt principle. The data logger is buoyant and anchors to the bottom via a short flexible tether. Moving water tilts the data logger in the direction of flow. Measuring with a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer for measuring tilt and bearing, the TCM-4's resulting orientation data is converted to current by applying calibration coefficients.
Features
- 30 meter depth rating
- Measures water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
- Operates in as little as 28 cm (11 inches) of water
- Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
- Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
- User replaceable lithium battery
- Battery life is more than a year with 1-minute logging
- 8 GB memory card virtually eliminates memory concerns
- Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
- USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload
Specifications
Speed (Recommended Range)
Range: 0-50 cm/s
Accuracy: 3 cm/s + 3% of reading
Resolution: 0.1 cm/s
Speed (Maximum Range)
Range: 0-75 cm/s
Accuracy: Not Specified
Resolution: 0.1 cm/s
Direction
Range: 0-360°
Accuracy: 5° (for speed >5 cm/s)
Resolution: 0.1°
Temperature
Range: -5 to 30 °C
Accuracy: 0.1 °C
Resolution: <0.005 °C
Range: -20 to -5, 30 to 50°C
Accuracy: 0.2 °C
Resolution: <0.01 °C
Electronics
Memory: 8 GB microSDHC flash card (standard)
Communications: Full speed USB micro-B port
Battery Type: Months to years depending on recording rates
Internal Clock: < 1 minute of error per month
Operating Modes
Start and Stop: Start and Stop at user defined times
Burst Mode: Variable rate logging at user defined interval
Recording Rate: Current: 64 Hz to 1 sample per hour with typical settings of one 20 second burst @ 8 Hz per minute (12-month battery life)
Temperature: 1 Hz to 1 sample per hour
Mechanical
Depth Rating: 30 m (100 ft)
Dimensions: Diameter: 2.54 cm (1.00 in)
Length: 25.4com (10.0 in)
Weight: 98 g (3.5 oz)
Construction
Housing: Carbon Fiber and Epoxy Laminate with PVC & PETG fittings, 316 Stainless Steel Screw and Buna and EPDM O-rings.
Software
User Interface: Domino for Windows® - Free Download
USB: USB 2.0 compliant MSC and CDC Classes
Firmware: Field upgradable via USB cable
