RETIRED ›
This product is no longer available and has been replaced by: OBS501.
OBS500 Smart Turbidity Meter with Antifouling Features
Services Available
Repair No
Calibration No
Free Support No

Overview

The OBS500 is a submersible turbidity probe with active antifouling capabilities for better measurements in biologically active water with both high and low turbidity. It outputs an SDI-12, digitally processed signal that many of our data loggers can measure. ClearSensor®  and OBS® are registered trademarks of Campbell Scientific.

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Benefits and Features

  • Dual backscatter and sidescatter sensors used to measure turbidity
  • Patented ClearSensor antifouling method for better measurements in biologically active water
  • Shutter/wiper mechanism keeps lenses clean
  • Refillable biocide chamber prevents fouling
  • Disposable plastic sleeve facilitates cleanup
  • Optional copper sleeve for additional protection (especially for sea water) or disposable plastic sleeve facilitates easy cleanup

Images

27473 plastic sleeve that simplifies cleanup of the OBS500 (sold separately)
Biological fouling on an OBS500 after 86 days of deployment in the Atlantic Ocean. A closed sensor (far left) and opened sensor are shown.

Detailed Description

Design features of the OBS500 include the combination of a backscatter sensor (better at measuring higher turbidity) with a second sidescatter sensor (better at measuring lower turbidity). It has a shutter that is opened only during measurements, which reduces the time that algae or other organisms can cling to its optics.

To prevent biofouling and ensure better measurements, the OBS500 incorporates the ClearSensor Method (U.S. Patent No. 8,429,952). This method uses a shutter/wiper mechanism to protect and clean the optics. With the ClearSensor method, a chamber is also filled with a biocide that continuously leaches out over the optics while the probe shutter is in the closed position.

Campbell Scientific offers a disposable, plastic sleeve that can make cleanup a snap, as well as a copper sleeve that can provide additional protection, especially in sea water.

(OBS® is a registered trademark of Campbell Scientific.)

Specifications

Dual Probe 90° sidescatter and backscatter
Range 0 to 4000 NTU
Active and Passive Antifouling Shutter, wiper, biocide, copper, optional removable sleeve
Concentration Accuracy ±2% of reading or 0.5 NTU (whichever is greater)
Operating Temperature Range 0° to 40°C
Temperature Accuracy ±0.3°C
Emitter Wavelength 850 nm
Power Requirements 9.6 to 18 Vdc
Measurement Time < 10 s
Maximum Submersion Depth 100 m (330 ft)
Diameter 4.8 cm (1.88 in.)
Maximum Cable Length > 500 m (1640 ft)
Length 27 cm (10.63 in.)
Weight 0.59 kg (1.3 lb)

Power Consumption
Quiescent < 200 µA
Measurement < 40 mA
Communication < 40 mA
Maximum Peak Current 200 mA for 50 ms when shutter motor starts
Active Shutter Motor < 120 mA

Outputs
SDI-12 Version 1.3, 1200 bps
RS-232 9600 bps
Analog 0 to 5 Vdc

Compatibility

Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.

Data Loggers

Product Compatible Note
21X (retired)
CR10 (retired)
CR1000 (retired)
CR10X (retired)
CR200X (retired)
CR206X (retired)
CR211X (retired)
CR216X (retired)
CR23X (retired)
CR295X (retired)
CR3000 (retired)
CR500 (retired)
CR5000 (retired)
CR510 (retired)
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR9000 (retired)
CR9000X (retired)

Downloads

OBS500 Firmware v.03 (441 KB) 04-24-2017

Latest firmware for the OBS500.

View Update History

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