CTD Deck Unit & Power & Data Interface Module 
SBE 36 & PDIM

Print version     Current manual (older manuals)     Configuration options & accessories

SUMMARY

• Surface power and real-time data acquisition for Sea-Bird CTDs; two-way communication over single- or multi-conductor sea cable and ample power for auxiliary sensors
• NMEA and Surface PAR interfaces
• Five-year limited warranty

DESCRIPTION

The SBE 36 Deck Unit provides surface power and real-time data acquisition and control for an SBE 19, 19plus, 19plus V2, 25, 25plus, or 49 CTD, or SBE 50 Pressure Sensor, interfacing with a Power and Data Interface Module (PDIM). The SBE 36 remains at the surface, while the PDIM is installed on or near the CTD (the term CTD refers to the listed CTDs as well as the SBE 50 Pressure Sensor). The system allows for two-way communication for the CTD over a single- or multi-conductor sea cable, and provides ample power for auxiliary sensors that may not otherwise be supportable by a battery-powered CTD.

The rack-mountable SBE 36 supplies DC power for the underwater units, decodes the serial data, and passes the data to a computer. The SBE 36 rear-panel switch permits operation from 120 VAC or 240 VAC 50/60 Hz input power. Other features include:

• NMEA interface for navigational data -- The SBE 36 decodes messages output from navigation devices supporting NMEA 0183 protocol. Decoded Latitude and Longitude are appended to the CTD data stream in the SBE 36, and are passed to the computer for storage and/or display with the CTD data.
• A/D converter for Surface PAR sensor -- The SBE 36 supplies 12 volts to power the sensor. Surface PAR data is appended to the CTD data stream in the SBE 36, and is passed to the computer for storage and/or display with the CTD data.

The PDIM completes the underwater interface to the CTD. The PDIM housing is anodized aluminum rated to 6800 meters (22,300 ft) depth.

Note when using SBE 50: Seasave does not support this system; real-time data can be viewed in Seaterm (terminal program). NMEA and/or Surface PAR data (if applicable) is output as raw data.

POWER SUPPLY AND REGULATION

The SBE 36 presents a constant 250 VDC to the sea cable. The PDIM receives this voltage (minus the seacable I-R drop) and regulates it to a constant 64 VDC. This 64 VDC is the input for a high-efficiency DC/DC converter, which outputs +15 VDC. The +15 VDC is the supply voltage to the CTD; approximately 1 amp, in addition to CTD power, is available at the CTD for support of auxiliary sensors.

SOFTWARE

The SBE 36 is supplied with a powerful Windows software package, Seasoft^© V2, which includes:

• Seaterm^© and SeatermV2 — terminal programs for communication and data retrieval.
• Seasave^© — program for real-time data acquisition and display.
• SBE Data Processing^© — modules for calculation, display, and plotting of temperature, conductivity, pressure, auxiliary sensor data, and derived variables such as salinity and sound velocity.

DATA TELEMETRY

Notes:
1. DPSK = differential phase shift keyed, FSK = frequency shift keyed.
2. Seasave also supports acquisition of data from a NMEA device connected directly to the computer.

SPECIFICATIONS

Power requirements: 120 VAC at 60 Hz and 1.75A or 240 VAC at 50 Hz and 1A (switchable)

Cable compatibility: Single  or multi-core armored cable up to 10 km (32,800 ft) long with inner core resistance of up to 350 ohms and armor used as return

SBE 36 Dimensions & Weight: 89 mm (3.5 inch) high cabinet with standard 48 mm (19 inch) electronics rack mounting brackets.
Detailed information: 89 mm high x 432 mm wide x 381 mm deep (3.5 inches x 17 inches x 15 inches);
Feet add 13 mm (0.5 inches) to height;
Rack mount ears add 51 mm (2 inches) to depth.
Weight: 9.0 kg (20 lbs)

PDIM Weight: 3.6 kg (8 lbs) in air; 1.6 kg (3.6 lbs) in water

 
PDIM

SBE 36 Front Panel

SBE 36 Back Panel

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / LINKS:

Documentation -- manual, photos, technical papers, application notes, etc.

• Current product manual (older manuals)
• Print version of this specification sheet / brochure
• Application Notes:
  - 47: Using Biospherical Surface PAR Light Sensor with SBE 33 or SBE 36 Deck Unit
  - 68: Using USB Ports to Communicate with Sea-Bird Instruments
  - 71: Desiccant Use and Regeneration (drying)

Sales Information -- options, accessories, cables, mount kits, spares, etc.

• Configuration options & accessories:
  - Details for SBE 36 & PDIM
  - Listing for all products
• Cables
• Mount kits
• Spare parts

Software -- components of Seasoft V2

• SeatermV2 -- description, download
• Seaterm -- description, download
• Seasave V7 -- description, download
• SBE Data Processing -- description, download

Links to Other Instruments of Interest

• CTDs compatible with SBE 36:
  - SBE 25plus -- fast sampling CTD, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 19plus V2 -- smaller, economical CTD, can acquire data from auxiliary sensors
  - SBE 49 -- CTD for towed vehicles, ROVs, AUVs, etc.
• SBE 33 Carousel Deck Unit -- surface power, real-time data acquisition, and water sampler control when SBE 19, 19plus, 19plus V2, 25, or 49 CTD used with an SBE 32 Carousel Water Sampler or SBE 55 ECO Water Sampler

Specifications are subject to change without notice. 

Sea-Bird Home     Phone: (+1) 425-643-9866     E-mail: seabird@seabird.com