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    Lowell TCM-1 - Water Current Meter

    Manufacturer:
    The TCM-1 tilt current meter is ideal for measuring water velocity from inland to the edge of the continental shelf. The simple design and lower cost of the TCM-1 make it feasible to measure current in many locations simultaneously.
    Part Number: TCM-1
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    $3,173.00 ex GST
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    The TCM-1 tilt current meter is ideal for measuring water velocity from inland to the edge of the continental shelf. The simple design and lower cost of the TCM-1 make it feasible to measure current in many locations simultaneously.

    The core of the TCM-1 is the MAT-1 Data Logger. The MAT-1 data logger was designed for NOAA and is ideally suited as the "brains" of a tilt current meter.

    The TCM-1 is field configurable for either low or high current range by simply adding or removing a calibrated ballast. Housed rugged PVC, with no external sensors, the TCM-1 is easy to deploy and recover. The built-in data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.



    Key Features & Benefits

    • Water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
    • Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
    • Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
    • Seaweed snag-resistant
    • Change range in the field without software
    • Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
    • 8 GB memory card eliminates memory concerns
    • Lithium battery allows continuous 4Hz sampling for more than 1 year
    • USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload


    Operation

    The TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter measures current using the drag-tilt principle. The logger is buoyant and is anchored to the bottom via a short flexible tether. Moving water tilts the logger in the direction of flow. The TCM-1 contains a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer for measuring tilt and bearing. The resulting orientation data is converted to current by applying calibration coefficients.



    Data

    Windows® software is used to configure the TCM-1 for deployment and to process data and saved as text file (.csv).



    Specifications

    See "TCM-1 Data Sheet" for more detailed specifications.


    Package Contents

    • MAT-1 Data Logger
    • 46 cm (18") current meter housing
    • Bronze "low-range" ballast washer and bolt
    • Lithium battery (installed in logger)
    • 8 GB microSD card (installed in data logger)
    • 1 m (3 ft) USB A to micro-B Cable
    • Spare O-ring (pre-lubricated)
    • 30 cm (12") lanyard

    Where are Lowell products used?



    Learn how researchers are using our instruments in the field:


    Inverted TCMs Under Greenland Ice

    Tilt Current Meters were deployed under the sea ice in the Wolstenholme Fjord in Greenland.


    Pregnant Shark Habitats in South Africa

    Sharklife researchers are using Tilt Current Meters to study temperature and current where sharks congregate during their gestation period.


    Cenotes in the Yucatan Penninsula, Mexico

    Cave diving scientists discover methane and other dissolved organic carbon form the foundation of an underwater food web.


    Costa Rica Margin Expedition

    WHOI's Alvin submersible deployed several tilt current meters to aid in the study of methane seeps in the ocean floor.


    Read more application stories here >>

    The above link will take you to Lowell's website to read further details on applications

    Lowell data loggers and current meters require software for communicating with and converting the data from their hardware. There are currently two versions available for download:


    Domino

    Domino, our newest software, is recommended for operation of all TCM and MAT data loggers from Lowell Instruments LLC.

    • Domino is faster and more capable than our legacy software (MAT Logger Commander).
    • Domino is open source so as to maximize transparency and encourage collaboration.
    • Domino is compatible with both Windows 10 and Mac OS (Beta Test).
    • Domino has replaced MAT Logger Commander. Click below to download it.


    GET DOMINO >





    MAT Logger Commander

    MAT Logger Commander is our legacy software and is no longer recommended for use by new users.  We will continue to support it into 2021 for existing users.



    GET MAT LOGGER COMMANDER >

    TCM-1 Current Meter Overview

    This video is a quick look at the new TCM-1 current meter from Lowell Instruments. In this example the TCM-1 is deployed in a tidal stream at the outlet of a salt marsh. The depth is about 1 meter, the tide is fairly low, but continues to fall, and the current is about 50 centimeters per second or 1 knot. The meter is anchored to the bottom by a short flexible tether and a 5 kilogram lead weight. The TCM-1 measures current via the drag-tilt principle. The meter records its orientation using a three-axis accelerometer and three-axis magnetometer up to 64 times per second. The orientation data is stored internally on a SD card. The data is filtered and post processed to determine current speed and bearing. The meter has sufficient battery and memory to record current velocity for months to years depending on recording rates.


    Technical Information

    Range

    Accuracy

    Resolution
    Speed (low Range) 0-40 cm/s 2 cm/s + 3% of reading 0.1 cm/s
    Speed (High Range) 0-80 cm/s 3 cm/s + 3% of reading 0.1 cm/s
    Direction 0-360° 5° (for speed >5 cm/s) 0.1°
    Temperature -5 to 30 °C 0.1 °C <0.005 c="" td="">
    -20 to -5, 30 to 50°C 0.2 °C <0.01 c="" td="">



    Electronics
    Memory 8 GB microSDHC flash card (standard)
    Communications Full speed USB micro-B port
    Battery Type 3.6 V, size “A”, user replaceable lithium (from Lowell Instruments)
    Battery Life 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 Mode Current: 64 Hz to 1 sample per hour
    Temperature: 1 Hz to 1 sample per hour

    Mechanical
    Minimum Depth 76 cm (30”)
    Depth Rating 300 m (1000 ft)
    Dimensions Diameter: 2.7 cm (1.05”)
    Length: 73 cm (28.75”) not including lanyard
    Weight 340 g (12 oz)
    Construction Gray PVC housing with EPDM O-ring

    Software
    User Interface Windows® Compatible Software Download
    USB USB 2.0 compliant MSC and CDC Classes
    Firmware Field upgradable via USB cable

    The TCM-1 tilt current meter is ideal for measuring water velocity from inland to the edge of the continental shelf. The simple design and lower cost of the TCM-1 make it feasible to measure current in many locations simultaneously.

    The core of the TCM-1 is the MAT-1 Data Logger. The MAT-1 data logger was designed for NOAA and is ideally suited as the "brains" of a tilt current meter.

    The TCM-1 is field configurable for either low or high current range by simply adding or removing a calibrated ballast. Housed rugged PVC, with no external sensors, the TCM-1 is easy to deploy and recover. The built-in data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.



    Key Features & Benefits

    • Water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
    • Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
    • Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
    • Seaweed snag-resistant
    • Change range in the field without software
    • Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
    • 8 GB memory card eliminates memory concerns
    • Lithium battery allows continuous 4Hz sampling for more than 1 year
    • USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload


    Operation

    The TCM-1 Tilt Current Meter measures current using the drag-tilt principle. The logger is buoyant and is anchored to the bottom via a short flexible tether. Moving water tilts the logger in the direction of flow. The TCM-1 contains a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer for measuring tilt and bearing. The resulting orientation data is converted to current by applying calibration coefficients.



    Data

    Windows® software is used to configure the TCM-1 for deployment and to process data and saved as text file (.csv).



    Specifications

    See "TCM-1 Data Sheet" for more detailed specifications.


    Package Contents

    • MAT-1 Data Logger
    • 46 cm (18") current meter housing
    • Bronze "low-range" ballast washer and bolt
    • Lithium battery (installed in logger)
    • 8 GB microSD card (installed in data logger)
    • 1 m (3 ft) USB A to micro-B Cable
    • Spare O-ring (pre-lubricated)
    • 30 cm (12") lanyard
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