When should I use my Shade Cap?

We recommend use of the shade cap as it provides a fixed distance for sample measurement and minimizes affects from ambient light. The Shade Cap also offers protection for the optics and prevents damage from deploying, recovering, or transporting the instrument, in fast-flowing environments, and/or from bottoming out in shallow environments.

What preventative maintenance or care should always be done before deploying my C3?

To protect your bulkhead connector from damage, a light coat of Silicone spray should be used on the rubber of the male pins of the bulkhead to aid in sealing.
The manufacturer recommends 3M™ Silicone Lubricant Spray or Loctite 8021 spray. Note: You should avoid using silicone grease. DO NOT USE WD-40 - it will destroy the connectors.

Where can I purchase turbidity standards for the C3?

AMCO/GFS has turbidity standards for use with the Cyclops. Standards can be purchased directly from GFS Chemicals utilizing the information below.

Part Number 8506 - 10 NTU Standard for Turner Designs C series
Part Number 8507 - 100 NTU Standard for Turner Designs C series
Part Number 8619 - 20 NTU Standard for Turner Designs C series
Part Number 8620 - 1000 NTU Standard for Turner Designs C series
Part Number 8621 - 3000 NTU Standard for Turner Designs C series

GFS Chemicals, Inc.
3041 Home Road
Powell, OH 43065

Phone: 877-534-0795 (U.S. and Canada)

Why can't I enable ASCII data output from my C3?

Here are some common reasons why ASCII data output will not enable:

1. The firmware version you are using does not support ASCII data output (must be 2.00 or greater).
   
2. Your COM port is not correctly configured or properly working.
   
3. You've established a connection at a baud rate other than 9600 (must be 9600 to enable ASCII data output).
   
4. You have not cycled the unit's power after connecting to HyperTerminal or other Terminal program.
   
5. You have not enabled ASCII data output using C-Soft.

How do I enable ASCII data output from my C3?

There is a specific series of steps that needs to be followed in order to enable ASCII data output from a C3 or C6P instrument:

1. You must begin C-Soft, establish a connection between your instrument and computer.
   
2. Follow instructions in the User’s Manual on how to set up datalogging for your instrument.
   
3. Once datalogging has been set up and enabled, C-Soft will automatically shut down, right after C-Soft closes you must disconnect power from the instrument.
   
4. With the power disconnected and the C-Soft program shut down you must follow instructions on how to set up a HyperTerminal connection.
   
5. Once HyperTerminal is set up and a connection has been established with your computer, connect the power to the instrument and wait at least a minute and a half or the predetermined time that was set during datalog set up for data to begin scrolling at your set sampling interval.

I am having trouble getting C-Soft to initialize when opening it, what should I do?

First make sure that your firmware and C-Soft software are updated. The most current versions of the software and firmware are available from the Turner Designs website. Once you have confirmed and/or installed the most current version, disconnect all connections made thus far, close the C-Soft program if it is open and follow the procedure below:

1. Connect the 8 pin female end of the interface cable to your instrument’s 8 pin male end connector.
   
2. Connect the interface cable’s serial plug to your computer or laptop.
   Note: Make sure you know what COM port you are plugging in to so the correct COM port can be selected in the C-Soft program.
   
3. Begin the C-Soft program and select the COM port you are currently plugged in to using the pull down menu.
   
4. Supply power to the instrument using the 12 volt power supply provided. Approximately 1-2 seconds after supplying power to the instrument, you should see the LED flash on for about 2 seconds and then turn off (NOTE: If you have a turbidity sensor you will not see an LED flash for that sensor and if you have UV sensors you will need to hold a white piece of paper in front of the sensor head to see the blue light on the paper indicating the LED is working. All other sensor LEDs are visible.) If you see LEDs flash as described, go to the next step.
   
5. Wait a minimum of 10 minutes for a blue scrolling bar to appear indicating the initialization of the software.
   Note: The software will take about 13 seconds or less to initialize if there are no data stored in memory. However, the software may take up to 10 minutes to initialize if the memory is full.

I am planning on deploying my C3 with the submersible battery. How many readings will I get?

Use our Battery Life Calculator to estimate the submersible battery life based on the sample interval of the C3.

I purchased a pigtail cable with my C3, how does it need to be wired?

Wiring diagrams for the pigtail cables are available in the Cable Guide.

Where can I find instructions on how to use the Solid Secondary Standard with my C3?

Instructions on how to use the Solid Secondary Standard are available at http://docs.turnerdesigns.com/t2/doc/instructions/998-2311.pdf

Do I need to do anything special to the C3 cables and connectors?

The bulkhead connectors for the C3 require maintenance and lubrication to ensure that they don’t degrade and cause the unit to take on water (leak). Mating surfaces of the connectors need to be lubricated on a regular basis with 3M™ Silicone Lubricant Spray, Loctite 8021 spray or equivalent.
You should avoid using silicone grease.
DO NOT USE WD-40 - it will destroy the connectors.
Other things to remember:

• Avoid nicks and cuts around contacts as these are the sealing surfaces.
  
• Neoprene can be seriously degraded if exposed to direct sunlight or high ozone levels for extended periods of time.
  
• Avoid sharp bends at cable entry to connector.