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Lowell TCM-4 - Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter

Manufacturer:
The TCM-4 is a new current meter that is ideal for measuring water velocity in shallow coastal ponds, bays, rivers and tidal flats .
Part Number: TCM-4
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$3,369.00 ex GST
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Delivery date: 2-3 weeks

The TCM-4 is a new current meter that is ideal for measuring water velocity in shallow coastal ponds, bays, rivers and tidal flats and other locations where the depth is too shallow for the TCM-1 current meter. The TCM-4 is only 10 inches (25 cm) long and is able to operate in less than one foot of water.

The TCM-4 Shallow Water 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-4 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.

Windows® software is used to configure the TCM-4 for deployment and to convert binary data to text files. The built-in MAT-1 data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.



Key Features & Benefits

  • Measures water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
  • Operates in as little as 28 cm (11 inches) of water
  • Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
  • Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
  • User replaceable lithium battery allows continuous 1-minute current measurements for more than a year
  • 8 GB memory card virtually eliminates memory concerns
  • Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
  • USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload


Specifications

See "TCM-4 Product Data Sheet" for more detailed specifications.


Package ContentsTCM-4 Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter

  • TCM-4 Shallow Water Current Meter
  • MAT-1 Data Logger (installed in meter)
  • Lithium Battery (installed in logger)
  • microSD Card (installed in logger)
  • microSD-to-SD card Adaptor
  • USB A to micro-B cable (3ft)
  • Spare Endcap 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 >

Technical Information

Range

Accuracy

Resolution

Speed (Recommended Range) 0-50 cm/s 3 cm/s + 3% of reading 0.1 cm/s
Speed (Maximum Range) 0-75 cm/s Not Specified 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 Rate Current: 64 Hz to 1 sample per hour with typical settings of one 20 second burst @ 8 Hz per minute (12-month battery life)
Temperature: 1 Hz to 1 sample per hour

Mechanical

Depth Rating 30 m (100 ft)
Dimensions Diameter: 2.54 cm (1.00”)
Length: 25.4 cm (10.0”)
Weight 98 g (3.5 oz)
Construction Housing: Carbon Fiber and Epoxy Laminate with PVC & PETG fittings, 316 Stainless Steel Screw and Buna and EPDM O-rings.

Software

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

The TCM-4 is a new current meter that is ideal for measuring water velocity in shallow coastal ponds, bays, rivers and tidal flats and other locations where the depth is too shallow for the TCM-1 current meter. The TCM-4 is only 10 inches (25 cm) long and is able to operate in less than one foot of water.

The TCM-4 Shallow Water 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-4 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.

Windows® software is used to configure the TCM-4 for deployment and to convert binary data to text files. The built-in MAT-1 data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.



Key Features & Benefits

  • Measures water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
  • Operates in as little as 28 cm (11 inches) of water
  • Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
  • Simple, rugged, low maintenance design
  • User replaceable lithium battery allows continuous 1-minute current measurements for more than a year
  • 8 GB memory card virtually eliminates memory concerns
  • Temperature sensor accurate to +/-0.1C
  • USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload


Specifications

See "TCM-4 Product Data Sheet" for more detailed specifications.


Package ContentsTCM-4 Shallow Water Tilt Current Meter

  • TCM-4 Shallow Water Current Meter
  • MAT-1 Data Logger (installed in meter)
  • Lithium Battery (installed in logger)
  • microSD Card (installed in logger)
  • microSD-to-SD card Adaptor
  • USB A to micro-B cable (3ft)
  • Spare Endcap O-ring (pre-lubricated)
  • 30 cm (12”) Lanyard