Aquapro deployment

Dear Nortek team,

we are preparing the deployment of our Aquapro current meter close to a buoy which hosts other instruments and the
PC which controls the acquisistion of all of them.
We then have the necessity to link with a cable the Aquapro and the PC on the buoy. Approximate lenght of this stretch of cable is 100 m.

We would like to have your suggestions concerning:
- the kind of link (RS 232, RS422, ...) for data transmission
- the kind of cable we should use (twisted ?) to carry data and power
- if we would use a non-twisted cable, could we use some converter (RS232-RS485 two wires)? Which ones (trademark, model)?
- could you provide the cable or indicate a re-seller in Italy?

Many thanks in advance for your support
Best regards

Alessandro Bergamasco, Researcher
CNR-IAMC, Section of Messina

Dear Alessandro,

Before going into details let me just say that cables running from an installation at the bottom to a surface buoy are problematic by nature. The big challenge is that the surface buoy tend to rotate, either due to waves, changing wind directions, or tides, and sooner or later the cable will break due to the twist caused by this rotation.

Having said this, we recommend using RS422 for cables that are longer than 30-50 meters, and Nortek only has experience with using twisted pair cables.

When using RS422 communication you probably have to include a RS422/232 converter to be able to interface to the data logger in the buoy. These can be supplied by Nortek or you can purchase them from other sources.

Nortek can supply a cable for your application but with no guarantees that it will last. Alternatively, you may try to get in touch with the Italian company Orion S.r.l. I believe they have connected bottom-mounted Nortek profilers to their buoys through a cable, and maybe they can share some of their knowledge with you.

If someone else out there has ideas regarding this topic it would be great if you shared them with us.

Best regards,
Ketil Horn

We regularly use Aquadopp Profilers on the sea bed with surface buoys and UHF radio telemetry.
Get in touch and maybe we can help you.

Kelso Riddell - iXSurvey Edinburgh

Another option for it shall be Acoustic modems. How much does this system cost? need to find out. Can anyone recommend any brand & model?

Nortek now offers an acoustic modem kit to communicate with the Nortek equipment.  Please contact your local Nortek office to learn more about the Nortek acoustic modems.

Nortek Acoustic Modem