Presents have arrived early!

It took much longer than we expected but after numerous delays we were finally able to acquire all of the components needed to build the electrical components of the CTD's. Of the 6 units we have planned to build, 5 of the microprocessor and sensor assemblies are now completed and have been bench tested! The next steps will be sealing the units with epoxy compounds and sealing into the water proof housings, followed by local field testing and then deployment to our research sites. I will update you with pictures of the units when they are sealed in epoxy and installed into their housings!

 

Completed conductivity and temperature probe assemblies.

 

Soldering the electronic components to the proto boards, the holes are only 2.5mm apart!

 

A completed microprocessor with micro SD, real time clock with backup battery and conductivity control circuit board, the battery that powers the unit isn't shown.

 

The 5 completed units, 3 of conductivity circuits are on hand but were not installed in this shot.

 

The pressure sensor is behind the small white circular component which is a flexible silicone rubber to protect the sensor from saltwater. The pressure underwater deforms the sensor which is converted to a signal in the microprocessor.