Talk:GageInstallDeatilsandPlans

05-20-2020

Dean's cable system for the new gage installs and options for securing cable once sensor is raised. Options:

• Combination lock - may not function once it gets wet or filled with silt and grit
• Lock and key - could buy multiples of the same key from Master Lock. May be overkill.
• Metal tie or zip tie that can be cut each time the sensor needs to be taken down - this seemed like the best option. This will at least deter people from taking it down, and can be cut with snippers and easily replaced with new ziptie.

Sensors going offline and TX Retries

• Andy will load the Senix software on the field laptop and bring it to a test site (Wild Canary).
• TX retries will be changed to 10.
• See if readings improve.
• Backlog Blue Heron if there is time to test this there as well.

Keller Dairy problems with sensor being offline for a long period of time

• Andy will take sensor down and systematically test to determine the problem.
• Look at the RSSI online.
• Is there anything different that might be interfering with the RSSI?
• Check antenna
• Check batteries
• Change frequency of readings to every minute
• Reset
• Test sensor once it's taken down by putting it in the open field across from the site.
• If sensor is still not connecting, bring sensor to receiver location and leave inside building to see if it connects.
• If we had an additional sensor we could test this one next to the sensor on site to see if they both are not connecting (get 14' sensor from Dean)
• If it still is not connecting send back to Senix.

Gage locations giving bad readings and going offline.

• Need to operate our gage network as if Floodzilla has been rolled out to the public -
• Sensors will be marked as offline during the growing season since vegetation will be a continuing problem and flooding will not likely occur (may-sept??)

Protocol for sensors with bad readings:

• Gage location is giving bad readings.
• Mark sensor as offline.
• Go to gage location and determine cause of bad readings.

1. 1. if vegetation - make a plan for veg removal
2. 2. if not vegetation - determine if it's an issue with the sensor and proceed from there.

Protocol for sensors that are going offline:

• Go to gage site and take down sensor to change settings.
• test changes to RX retries.
• Any other settings that could be changed to optimize RSSI??
• Is this a seasonal problem due to foliage interference and therefore not something we need to worry about?
• final option is to raise transmitter box or install additional receiver.

Discussed what to do if sensor is giving bad readings AND is going offline due to poor RSSI.

• Mark sensor as offline
• go to site and follow protocol for "sensors with bad readings"
• then follow protocol for "sensors that are going offline"

Andy and Dean will visit sites before June 1 to discuss plan for each site. Plan to install new Wild Canary and the "T" the 1st week of June. Discussed gage location needs.

1. 1. Blue Heron:

• Extend 4x4 post using metal sleeves and flat head screws (4.5' higher).
• Install short cantilever - unistrut
• Install sensor and transmitter at max height and see how the sensor reads.
• If reading the road, lower sensor but leave transmitter high.
• lower sensor until readings are good.
• Determine what is needed to do this install...scaffolding, ladder height, etc

1. 2. 124th St:

• Cantilever over center of ditch
• replace blocks with metal sleeves
• determine if electrical conduit is needed for the cable

1. 3. Wild Canary:

• Start with this site as a first install.
• Change and test the TX retries prior to install
• Raise transmitter up to improve RSSI
• Horizontal axis - need sensor to be at same orientation each time
• Talk to Jim Haack about veg removal
• determine what is needed for install - ladder height?

1. 4. The "T":

• Extend 4x4 post using metal sleeves and flat head screws
• Mount sensor parallel to road on cantilever (either north or south of the post)
• OR move post away from road and install in field.

1. 5. Sno Falls G.C.:

• Install cantilever arm to get sensor out over ditch. This may need to be attached to an angled piece of wood on the 4x4 post.
• Transmitter needs to be higher for best RSSI
• Talk to Jeff about annual veg removal.

1. 6. Keller Dairy:

• Replace 8' arm with 8' Unistrut.
• Take down old pulley system mounted above current install.
• determine what is needed for this install - bucket truck seems necessary due to proximity to river.

will finish going through the list of sites next week.