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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) --
Service

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FAQs have been organized into the following categories:

bullet Service questions (this page)

Note: See Service & Calibration for additional information.

bullet General instrument questions
bullet General oceanographic questions
bullet Recommended practices
bullet Ordering
bullet Software
bullet Data analysis and processing
bullet Manufacturing

Our Glossary page is another good source of information.

 

How often do I need to have my instrument and/or auxiliary sensors recalibrated? Can I recalibrate them myself?

General recommendations:

Discussion for profiling CTDs:

We often have requests from customers to have some way to know if the CTD is out of calibration. The general character of sensor drift in Sea-Bird conductivity, temperature, and pressure measurements is well known and predictable. However, it is very difficult to know precisely how far a CTD calibration has drifted over time unless you have access to a very sophisticated calibration lab. In our experience, an annual calibration schedule will usually maintain the CTD accuracy to within 0.01 psu in Salinity.

Conductivity drifts as a change in slope as a result of accumulated fouling that coats the inside of the conductivity cell, reducing the area of the cell and causing an under-reporting of conductivity. Fouling consists of both biological growth and accumulated oils and inorganic material (sediment). Approximately 95% of fouling occurs as the cell passes through oil and other contaminants floating on the sea surface. Most conductivity fouling is episodic, as opposed to gradual and steady drift. Most fouling events are small and mostly transitory, but they have a cumulative affect over time. A severe fouling event, such as deployment through an oil spill, could have a dramatic but only partially recoverable effect, causing an immediate jump shift toward lower salinity. As fouling becomes more severe, the fit becomes increasingly non-linear and offsets and slopes no longer produce adequate correction, and return to Sea-Bird for factory calibration is required. Frequently checking conductivity drift is likely to be the most productive data assurance measure you can take. Comparing conductivity from profile to profile (as a routine check) will allow you to detect sudden changes that may indicate a fouling event and the need for cleaning and/or re-calibration.

Temperature generally drifts slowly, at a steady rate and predictably as a simple offset at the rate of about 1-2 millidegrees per year. This is approximately equal to 1-2 parts per million in Salinity error (very small).

Pressure sensor drift is also an offset, and annual comparisons to an accurate barometer to determine offset will generally keep the sensor within specification for several years, particularly as the sensors age over time.

 

I am planning to ship my instrument to Sea-Bird for calibration and minor repairs. What is the typical turn-around time?

Typically, Sea-Bird can calibrate the instrument and perform minor repairs within 3 - 4 weeks, plus shipping time. However, this may vary, depending on current backlog. Before shipping an instrument to us, obtain an RMA number (email seabird@seabird.com or call 425-643-9866) and fill out a Service Request Form, so that we know your instrument is on the way and can schedule appropriately. If time is critical, contact us before shipping to verify that we can meet your schedule.

Note: The typical 3 - 4 week turnaround does not apply to recalibrating / repairing auxiliary sensors produced by other manufacturers. Recalibration / repair of these sensors must be performed by the manufacturers. See My auxiliary sensor needs to be repaired / recalibrated below for details.

 

I am planning to ship my instrument to Sea-Bird for calibration and minor repairs. Should I also send the auxiliary sensors from other manufacturers?

The answer to this question depends on your budget and your level of confidence that the entire system is functioning properly. When Sea-Bird receives CTDs that have integrated auxiliary sensors produced by other manufacturers, we test the functionality of the entire system. For a standard charge, we:

If the auxiliary sensor does not meet our standards*, we recommend to the customer that the sensor be sent to the other manufacturer for service. If the sensor is sent to the other manufacturer, we perform the same tests when it returns to us after servicing. Additionally, we update the configuration (.con or .xmlcon) file with any new calibration coefficients.

*Note: Sea-Bird can fix mounting scheme issues; we do not send the sensor to the other manufacturer for this.

 

My auxiliary sensor (not manufactured by Sea-Bird) needs to be repaired / recalibrated. Where should I send it for servicing?

Sea-Bird does not repair or recalibrate other manufacturers’ instruments that have been integrated with Sea-Bird equipment. If an auxiliary sensor needs to be repaired or recalibrated, we recommend that you send it directly to the manufacturer. If you send it to Sea-Bird, we will have to send it to the manufacturer, resulting in additional shipping (and possibly customs) expenses for you.

Note: Apparent malfunctioning of an auxiliary sensor can be caused by many things, including incorrect configuration (.con or .xmlcon) file, incorrect instrument setup, incorrect or leaky cables, poor mounting scheme, etc.

 

I want to add an auxiliary sensor to my CTD (SBE 9plus, 16, 16plus, 16plus-IM, 16plus V2, 16plus-IM V2, 19, 19plus, 19plus V2, or 25). Assuming the auxiliary sensor is compatible with the instrument, what is the procedure?

Adding the sensor(s) is reasonably straightforward:

  1. Mount the sensor (Note: If the new sensor will be part of a pumped system, the existing plumbing must be modified; consult Sea-Bird for details.).
  2. Attach the new cable.
  3. Using the appropriate terminal program ‑ Enable the channel(s) in the CTD, using the appropriate instrument command.
  4. Using Seasave V7, Seasave-Win32, or SBE Data Processing ‑ Modify the CTD configuration (.con or .xmlcon) file to reflect the new sensor, and type in the calibration coefficients.

 

Do I need to remove batteries before shipping my instrument for a deployment or to Sea-Bird?

With the following exceptions, the instrument can be shipped with the batteries installed in the housing.

Exceptions:

Sea-Bird ships these batteries outside of the instrument, not assembled in the battery pack, in a heat-sealed bag placed in bubble wrap and inside strong packaging.

If two or more of these battery sticks are assembled into the instrument’s battery pack (either inside or outside the instrument housing), they are connected in parallel and are classified as Dangerous/Hazardous Goods. The assembled battery pack does not comply with regulations requiring battery packaging test documentation and therefore MUST NOT BE SHIPPED VIA COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING PASSENGER AIRLINES, OR CARGO CARRIERS SUCH AS FEDEX, DHL, UPS, ETC.

See Lithium Batteries Shipped With (along side) Equipment and Lithium Batteries Shipped as Spares in Appendix A of Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines for packaging and labeling requirements.

DO NOT RETURN THESE USED LITHIUM BATTERIES TO SEA-BIRD. Remove the batteries from the instrument prior to shipping to Sea-Bird. If you send the batteries to Sea-Bird, we will package, label, and document them properly and return them to you. The costs for this work are not insignificant, and we will charge you a fee for handling.

Sea-Bird ships these batteries outside of the instrument, not assembled in the battery pack. Each set of 8 batteries is packed in heat-sealed plastic and then placed in bubble wrap and inside strong packaging.

Installing batteries in the battery holder (either inside or outside the instrument housing) forms a larger series/parallel battery pack having a total lithium content that is classified as Dangerous/Hazardous Goods. The assembled battery pack does not comply with regulations requiring battery packaging test documentation and therefore MUST NOT BE SHIPPED VIA COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING PASSENGER AIRLINES, OR CARGO CARRIERS SUCH AS FEDEX, DHL, UPS, ETC.

See Lithium Batteries Shipped With (along side) Equipment and Lithium Batteries Shipped as Spares in Appendix A of Lithium Battery Shipping Guidelines for packaging and labeling requirements.

DO NOT RETURN THESE USED LITHIUM BATTERIES TO SEA-BIRD. Remove the batteries from the instrument prior to shipping to Sea-Bird. If you send the batteries to Sea-Bird, we will package, label, and document them properly and return them to you. The costs for this work are not insignificant, and we will charge you a fee for handling.

As of February 2004, Sea-Bird is no longer shipping assembled Electro Chem lithium battery packs, due to changes in U.S. DOT and IATA regulations. If shipping Electro Chem cells or batteries by commercial carrier, transport them in accordance with DOT and IATA regulations. Sea-Bird cannot advise you on this matter; consult the proper authorities.

If you will be shipping your instrument to Sea-Bird for servicing or calibration, DO NOT RETURN ELECTRO CHEM LITHIUM BATTERIES TO SEA-BIRD. Remove and store the batteries for future use, or dispose of properly. If you send the batteries to Sea-Bird, we will not ship them back to you. If you cannot arrange for pick-up of the batteries at our factory, we will dispose of the batteries for you. The costs for disposal are not insignificant, and we will charge you a fee for handling.

 

Do I need to clean the exterior of my instrument before shipping it to Sea-Bird for calibration?

Remove as much biological material and/or anti-foul coatings as possible before shipping. Sea-Bird cannot place an instrument with a large amount of biological material or anti-foul coating on the housing in our calibration bath; if we need to clean the exterior before calibration, we will charge you for this service.

 

I want to change the pressure sensor on my CTD, swapping it as needed to get the best data for a given deployment depth. Can I do this myself, or do I need to send the instrument to Sea-Bird?

On most of our instruments, replacement of the pressure sensor should be performed at Sea-Bird. We cannot extend warranty coverage if you replace the pressure sensor yourself.

However, we recognize that you might decide to go ahead and do it yourself because of scheduling/cost issues. Some guidelines follow:

  1. Perform the swap and carefully store the loose sensor on shore in a laboratory or electronics shop environment, not on a ship. The pressure sensor is fairly sensitive to shock, and a loose sensor needs to be stored carefully. Dropping the sensor will break it.
  2. Some soldering and unsoldering is required. Verify that the pressure sensor is mounted properly in your instrument. Properly re-grease and install the o-rings, or the instrument will flood.
  3. Once the sensor is installed, back-fill it with oil. Sea-Bird uses a vacuum-back filling apparatus that makes this job fairly easy. We can provide a drawing showing the general design of the apparatus, which can be modified and constructed by your engineers.
  4. For the most demanding work, calibrate the sensor on a deadweight tester to ensure proper operation and calibration.
  5. Enter the calibration coefficients for the new sensor in:

Note: This discussion does not apply to the SBE 25, which uses a modular pressure sensor (SBE 29) mounted externally on the CTD. Swap the SBE 29 as desired, use the CC command in Seaterm or SeatermAF to enter the new pressure range and pressure temperature compensation value, and type the calibration coefficients for the new sensor into the CTD configuration (.con or .xmlcon) file in Seasave V7, Seasave, or SBE Data Processing.

 

Can I brush-clean and replatinize the conductivity cell myself? How often should this be done?

Brush-cleaning and replatinizing should be performed at Sea-Bird. We cannot extend warranty coverage if you perform this work yourself.

The brush-cleaning and replatinizing process requires specialized equipment and chemicals, and the disassembly of the sensor. If performed incorrectly, you can damage the cell. Additionally, the sensor must be re-calibrated when the work is complete.

Sea-Bird determines whether brush-cleaning and replatinizing is required based upon how far the calibration has drifted from the original calibration. Typically, a conductivity sensor on a profiling CTD requires brush-cleaning and replatinizing every 5 years.

 

I sent my conductivity sensor to Sea-Bird for calibration, and you also performed a Cleaning and Replatinizing (C &P). You sent the instrument back with 2 sets of calibration data. What does this mean?

The post-cruise calibration contains important information for drift calculations. The post-cruise calibration is performed on the cell as we received it from you, and is an indicator of how much the sensor has drifted in the field. Information from the post-cruise calibration can be used to adjust your data, based on the sensor’s drift over time. See Application Note 31: Computing Temperature and Conductivity Slope and Offset Correction Coefficients from Laboratory Calibrations and Salinity Bottle Samples.

If the sensor has drifted significantly (based on the data from the post-cruise calibration), Sea-Bird performs a C & P to restore the cell to a state similar to the original calibration. After the C & P, the sensor is calibrated again. This calibration serves as the starting point for future data, and for the sensor’s next drift calculation.

The C & P tends to return the cell to its original state. However, there are many subtle factors that may result in the post-C & P calibration not exactly matching the original calibration. Basically, the old platinizing is stripped off and new platinizing is plated on. Anything in this process that alters the cell slightly will result in a difference from the original calibration. We compare the calibration after C & P with the original calibration, not to make any drift analysis, but to make sure we did not drastically alter the cell, or that the cell was not damaged during the C & P process.

 

How can I tell if the conductivity cell on my CTD is broken?

Conductivity cells are made of glass, which is breakable.

Inspect the cell thoroughly and make sure that it isn’t cracked or abused in any way.

 

What are Configuration Sheets, and where can I find them for my instrument?

Configuration Sheets detail instrument communication settings, system configuration (auxiliary sensors, which channels are set up for which sensors), and sensor calibration coefficients.

Configuration Sheet location varies, depending on the type of instrument and when it was shipped:

 

What is Sea-Bird’s policy on upgrading instruments?

It is our policy to update firmware in instruments while they are here for calibration at no cost to the customer, but it is not our policy to routinely upgrade circuit cards. On some very old units that are being upgraded to support more external sensors, new pressure sensors, or other repairs, we sometimes discount the new circuit cards as part of the larger upgrade, as that makes the work easier for us to complete.

 

Should I purchase spare pressure sensors for my SBE 9plus?

Most SBE 9plus users do not purchase spare pressure sensors for the following reasons:

It is much more common to purchase spare conductivity and temperature sensors. These are the sensors more exposed to ocean conditions and therefore more likely to be broken. It is also very easy to change them because they are independent sensors that plug into the SBE 9plus main housing.

 

What do I need to send to Sea-Bird for calibration of my SBE 9plus?

 

What do I need to send to Sea-Bird for calibration of my SBE 25?

For calibration of the temperature, conductivity, and/or pressure sensors, only the sensor modules need to be sent to Sea-Bird. It is not necessary to send the SBE 25 main housing. See Removing Temperature and Conductivity Sensors for Calibration for details.

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Last modified: 23 Feb 2011

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