User`s manual

Manual revision 016 Section 6: Troubleshooting SBE 49

Problem 4: Scan Length Error in SBE Data Processing

Cause/Solution 1: If the scan length in the data file does not match the

selected .xmlcon or .con configuration file (for example, the configuration file

indicates that NMEA position data was added, but the data file does not

contain NMEA data), SBE Data Processing’s Data Conversion module will

not process the data. If you look in the Diagnostics file, you will see a scan

length error. Check the configuration file against the header in the data file,

and correct the configuration file as required.

Problem 5: Unreasonable Data

The symptom of this problem is data that contains unreasonable values (for

example, values that are outside the expected range of the data).

Cause/Solution 1: Data with unreasonable values may be caused by:

• Incorrect calibration coefficients in the instrument’s EEPROM (if looking

at data output from the FastCAT in converted format). Verify the

calibration coefficients in EEPROM match the instrument Calibration

Certificates, using DCal in Seaterm.

• Incorrect calibration coefficients in the .xmlcon or .con configuration file

(if looking at data in Seasave or SBE Data Processing). Verify the

calibration coefficients in the configuration file match the instrument

Calibration Certificates.

Problem 6: Salinity Lower than Expected

Cause/Solution 1: A fouled conductivity cell will report lower than correct

salinity. Large errors in salinity indicate that the cell is extremely dirty, has

something large lodged in it, or is broken. Proceed as follows:

1. Clean the conductivity cell as described in Conductivity Cell Maintenance

in Section 5: Routine Maintenance and Calibration.

2. Remove larger droplets of water by blowing through the conductivity cell.

Do not use compressed air, which typically contains oil vapor.

3. Running the FastCAT in air, use TCR in Seaterm to look at the raw

conductivity frequency. It should be within 1 Hz of the zero conductivity

value printed on the conductivity cell Calibration Sheet. If it is

significantly different, the cell is probably damaged.

Note:

To view the Diagnostics file, select

Diagnostics in Data Conversion’s

Options menu. In the Diagnostics

dialog box, click on Display Log File.