OWNER’S MANUAL QUANTUM METER Models MQ-100, MQ-200, and MQ-300 Series APOGEE INSTRUMENTS, INC. | 721 WEST 1800 NORTH, LOGAN, UTAH 84321, USA TEL: (435) 792-4700 | FAX: (435) 787-8268 | WEB: APOGEEINSTRUMENTS.COM Copyright © 2019 Apogee Instruments, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Owner’s Manual ............................................................................................................................................................1 Certificate of Compliance ......................................................................................................................................3 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE EU Declaration of Conformity This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer: Apogee Instruments, Inc.
INTRODUCTION Radiation that drives photosynthesis is called photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and is typically defined as total radiation across a range of 400 to 700 nm. PAR is often expressed as photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD): photon flux in units of micromoles per square meter per second (µmol m-2 s-1, equal to microEinsteins per square meter per second) summed from 400 to 700 nm (total number of photons from 400 to 700 nm).
SENSOR MODELS Apogee MQ series quantum meters covered in this manual are self-contained and come complete with handheld meter and sensor. Line quantum meters, MQ-300 series, provide spatially averaged PPFD measurements. All sensors along the length of the line are connected in parallel, and as a result, Apogee line quantum meters display PPFD values that are averaged from the location of the individual sensors.
SPECIFICATIONS MQ-100 Calibration Uncertainty Measurement Repeatability Long-term Drift (Non-stability) Non-linearity Response Time Field of View Spectral Range Directional (Cosine) Response Temperature Response Operating Environment Meter Dimensions Sensor Dimensions Mass Cable MQ-200 MQ-301 MQ-303/306 ± 5 % (see calibration Traceability below) Less than 1 % Less than 2 % per year Less than 1 % (up to 3000 µmol m-2 s-1) Less than 1 ms 180° 410 to 655 nm (wavelengths where response is greater than 50 %
Spectral Response Mean spectral response of six SQ series quantum sensors (error bars represent two standard deviations above and below mean) compared to PPFD weighting function. Spectral response measurements were made at 10 nm increments across a wavelength range of 300 to 800 nm in a monochromator with an attached electric light source.
Cosine Response Directional, or cosine, response is defined as the measurement error at a specific angle of radiation incidence. Error for Apogee SQ series quantum sensors is approximately ± 2 % and ± 5 % at solar zenith angles of 45° and 75°, respectively. Mean cosine response of twentythree SQ series quantum sensors (error bars represent two standard deviations above and below mean).
DEPLOYMENT AND INSTALLATION Apogee MQ series quantum meters are designed for spot-check measurements, and calculation of daily light integral (DLI; total number of photons incident on a planar surface over the course of a day) through the built-in logging feature. To accurately measure PFFD incident on a horizontal surface, the sensor must be level. For this purpose, each MQ model comes with a different option for mounting the sensor to a horizontal plane.
OPERATION AND MEASUREMENT MQ series quantum meters are designed with a user-friendly interface allowing quick and easy measurements. To power the meter, slide the included battery (CR2320) into the battery holder, after removing the battery door from the meter’s back panel. The positive side (designated by a “+” sign) should be facing out from the meter circuit board. Press the power button to activate the LCD display.
Reset: To reset the meter, in either SMPL or LOG mode, push the mode button three times (RUN should be blinking), then while pressing the down button, press the mode button once. This will erase all of the saved measurements in memory, but only for the selected mode. That is, performing a reset when in SMPL mode will only erase the manual measurements and performing a reset when in LOG mode will only erase the automatic measurements.
Radiation weighting factors for PPFD (defined plant response to radiation), YPFD (measured plant response to radiation), and Apogee quantum sensors (sensor sensitivity to different wavelengths of radiation).
Quantum sensors can be a very practical means of measuring PPFD and YPFD from multiple radiation sources, but spectral errors must be considered. The spectral errors in the table above can be used as correction factors for individual radiation sources. Underwater Measurements and Immersion Effect When a quantum sensor that was calibrated in air is used to make underwater measurements, the sensor reads low. This phenomenon is called the immersion effect and happens because the refractive index of water (1.
MAINTENANCE AND RECALIBRATION Moisture or debris on the diffuser is a common cause of low readings. The sensor has a domed diffuser and housing for improved self-cleaning from rainfall, but materials can accumulate on the diffuser (e.g., dust during periods of low rainfall, salt deposits from evaporation of sea spray or sprinkler irrigation water) and partially block the optical path. Dust or organic deposits are best removed using water or window cleaner and a soft cloth or cotton swab.
Homepage of the Clear Sky Calculator. Two calculators are available: one for quantum sensors (PPFD) and one for pyranometers (total shortwave radiation). Clear Sky Calculator for quantum sensors. Site data are input in blue cells in middle of page and an estimate of PPFD is returned on right-hand side of page.
TROUBLESHOOTING AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT Verify Functionality Pressing the power button should activate the LCD and provide a real-time PPFD reading. Direct the sensor head toward a light source and verify the PPFD reading responds. Increase and decrease the distance from the sensor to the light source to verify that the reading changes proportionally (decreasing PPFD with increasing distance and increasing PPFD with decreasing distance).
Error Codes and Fixes Error codes will appear in place of the real-time reading on the LCD display and will continue to flash until the problem is corrected. Contact Apogee if the following fixes do not rectify the problem. Err 1: battery voltage out of range. Fix: replace CR2320 battery and perform master reset. Err 2: sensor voltage out of range. Fix: perform master reset. Err 3: not calibrated. Fix: perform master reset. Err 4: CPU voltage below minimum.
RETURN AND WARRANTY POLICY RETURN POLICY Apogee Instruments will accept returns within 30 days of purchase as long as the product is in new condition (to be determined by Apogee). Returns are subject to a 10 % restocking fee. WARRANTY POLICY What is Covered All products manufactured by Apogee Instruments are warranted to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship for a period of four (4) years from the date of shipment from our factory.
Authorization (RMA) number from our technical support department by calling (435) 245-8012 or by submitting an online RMA form at www.apogeeinstruments.com/tech-support-recalibration-repairs/. We will use your RMA number for tracking of the service item. 2. Send all RMA sensors and meters back in the following condition: Clean the sensor’s exterior and cord. Do not modify the sensors or wires, including splicing, cutting wire leads, etc.
