In-Situ VuLink CI Remote Telemetry Monitoring User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- In-Situ
Table of Contents
VuLink CI Remote Telemetry Monitoring
Operator’s Manual
VuLink CI
In-Situ, Inc | 221 E. Lincoln Ave | Fort Collins, CO 80524 | USA
2022-07-18 | 0094842
Contents
Symbols…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Safety Information………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6 Required Components………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Cable…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Instrument…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Software …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Accessories……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
How it Works…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Setting Up Vulink
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Attach the
antenna and remove the battery pull-tab. ……………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Troubleshooting Network
Connectivity………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11 Adding
Instruments……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Connect
an Instrument…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..12 Add
another instrument and press the button
(optional)………………………………………………………………………………..12 Understanding the LEDs
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Logging With VuLink
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 VuLink
Logs………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Instrument Logs ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Using HydroVu…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
Using VuLink With
VuSitu…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16 Creating
Alarms…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17 Using
VuLink with an FTP Server………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………19
Connecting a Pulse Instrument to VuLink
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Setting Up a Pulse Instrument
with VuSitu …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….22 Add the instrument to
VuLink. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………22 Configure
it……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….22
Understanding VuLink SIM Cards
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Updating VuLink
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24
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Controls ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25 Specifications ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………26
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1 Topic header
Symbols
Important Symbols in This Manual
The exclamation point calls your attention to a requirement, safety issue, or important action that should not be overlooked.
A check mark highlights a tip or feature.
Important Symbols on the Product
Caution This symbol indicates critical safety information. Ignoring text that
accompanies this symbol could result in injury or death due to improper
handling.
WEEE Directive: Disposing of VuLink at the end of its useful life In
accordance with the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive of
2005 and later Directives, VuLink should not be discarded with regular
household waste. Check local electronic/electrical waste regulations before
disposing of a VuLink device.
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Using VuLink Correctly
Safety Information
Read these instructions carefully before using VuLink. Don’t use VuLink in any
manner not specified in the manual or quickstart guide. Follow all safety
warnings.
Installing and Replacing Batteries
Never mix old and new batteries, or Lithium and alkaline batteries. Make sure all three batteries are installed in the same orientation. Use only In-Situ recommended Lithium batteries for longest battery life.
A blinking red and green battery LED indicates a problem with the batteries.
Do not deploy the VuLink in this condition. Check batteries and reinstall as
necessary.
Installing the Antenna
Use only In-Situ recommended cellular antennas. Maintain a safe distance of at
least 14cm from the antenna and VuLink when the device is in operation.
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1 Cable
Required Components
Rugged Twist-Lock Cable
Connects VuLink to an Aqua TROLL, Baro TROLL, Level TROLL, or Rugged TROLL
instrument. Vented or non-vented.
2 Instrument
Aqua TROLL
Baro TROLL
Level TROLL
Rugged TROLL
3 Software
HydroVu Software
View data, manage instruments, create alarms, and modify VuLink settings in
your browser.
4 Batteries
VuSitu Mobile App
Communicate with VuLink on any Bluetooth-enabled mobile device and the VuSitu
mobile app.
In-Situ recommends Saft LM33600 batteries for your VuLink. Find them at https://bit.ly/2Qmtmwe.
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Accessories
The following accessories are available for VuLink.
Cellular Antenna Part #: 0043630 The cellular antenna permits strong cellular
network connectivity.
Rugged Cable Splitter Part #: 0095500 (vented) Part #: 0085840 (non-vented)
With the Rugged Cable Splitter, you can connect as many as 8 instruments to
VuLink.
Load-Bearing Universal Adapter Part #: 0101000 To attach pulse instruments and
devices that don’t have a Twist-Lock connector, use the Load-Bearing Universal
Adapter.
Mounting Kit Part #: 0095570 The Mounting Kit lets you attach VuLink to a
pole, wall, or other structure.
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1 Topic header
How it Works
Using VuLink in any manner not specified by the manufacturer (In-Situ) may impair the device’s built-in protections.
1 Carabiner
VuLink hangs from the top of a well with the detachable carabiner.
2 VuLink Telemetry Device
VuLink provides power to monitoring instruments, transmits data to the cloud,
and notifies you when maintenance is required.
3 Instrument
An In-Situ instrument measures water quality and/or water level.
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1 Create a HydroVu account.
VuLink CI 2 Go to the telemetry page.
Visit hydrovu.com and create an account.
3
Scan the QR code on your VuLink.
Click the telemetry page link in the menu on the left side of the page. Then click Add a VuLink.
4
Attach the antenna and connect an instrument.
or click
Open your web camera and scan the QR code on your device, or type the registration code into the provided field.
After connecting the external or on-board antenna and instrument, follow the instructions on the next pages of this quickstart guide.
In-Situ, Inc | 221 E. Lincoln Ave | Fort Collins, CO 80524 | USA
2022-07-18 | 0094842
Setting Up Vulink
VuLink works with Aqua TROLL, Level TROLL, Baro TROLL, and Rugged TROLL
instruments. Follow the steps below to connect an instrument and start
transmitting data.
5 Attach the antenna and remove the battery pull-tab.
Make sure the antenna is properly attached before proceeding.
Remove the battery cover by twisting it counter-clockwise and pulling down.
Remove the yellow tab to allow current to flow through the batteries. Replace the cover.
Press the button. All LEDs turn on. Each LED changes color according to device status.
Never mix old and new batteries, or Lithium and alkaline batteries. Make sure all three batteries are installed in the same orientation.
Troubleshooting Network Connectivity
If VuLink has trouble connecting to a 4G network, switching to 2G may help.
Launch VuSitu and follow the instructions below. Contact your cellular
provider for coverage details.
cclliicckk
Press the All Settings button at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Cellular Network on Tap 2G to change
the Settings screen.
VuLink’s network
settings. Press Save.
VuLink should now connect to a network and sync with HydroVu
Connecting to a cellular network can take up to 10 minutes the first time VuLink powers up or when VuLink hasn’t been powered up in several weeks or months
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Adding Instruments 6 Connect an Instrument
cclliicckk
Align the flat edge of the Twist the cable until it connector with the flat clicks into the secure edge inside the cable. postion.
Connect the cable to your instrument.
7 Add another instrument and press the button (optional)
Add as many as 8 instruments to VuLink, repeating the steps below for each one. When you’re ready to deploy, use one or more Rugged Cable Splitters to connect multiple instruments.
Disconnect instrument. VuLink connects to the
Attach another and press new instrument and the
the button.
data network.
VuLink connects to HydroVu or an FTP site.
Understanding the LEDs
All LEDs indicate current device status. See the section below for details.
All five LEDs illuminate when VuLink is powered on. The color of an LED indicates status.
Battery status 1-970-498-1500
Solid green
Battery power is at least 75%.
Blinking green
Battery power is between 50% and 75%.
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Blinking red
Battery power is between 25% and 50%.
Solid red
Battery power is less than 25%
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Blinking red and green
A blinking red and green LED indicates a problem with the batteries. Do not deploy the VuLink in this condition. Check batteries and reinstall as necessary.
Instrument connection status
Blinking green
Searching for an instrument
Solid green
Connected to instrument
Network connection status
Blinking red
New instrument not found
Solid red
No instruments connected to VuLink
Blinking green
Attempting to connect to network
Solid green
Connected to network
Solid red
Unable to connect to network
Cloud connection status
Blinking green
Connecting and uploading data to HydroVu
Solid green
Upload successful
Bluetooth connection status
Blinking blue
Ready to connect
Solid blue
Bluetooth connected
Blinking red
Unclaimed device
Solid red
Failed to connect to HydroVu.com
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Logging With VuLink
VuLink logs get uploaded to the cloud; instrument logs do not. Be sure to understand the differences between these log types before deploying VuLink.
VuLink Logs
Instrument Logs
1
Program a log into VuLink with the
VuSitu mobile app.
Program a
1 log into the
instrument with VuSitu.
2 See your data in HydroVu.
Download
2 log files with
VuSitu.
Pressing the VuLink button for 5 seconds or longer will stop the active VuLink log. Create a new log in VuSitu to configure custom log settings. If no user- created log is configured, VuLink will automatically create a default log to collect all parameters at 1 hour intervals. Logs on connected instruments are not affected.
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Using HydroVu
Use HydroVu to create logs, configure alarms, and modify VuLink’s settings.
Sidebar Menu Options/HydroVu Pages View your data
See Locations
Create and edit dashboards
Configure telemetry devices
Manage alarms
Upload data
Set up notifications
Edit calculated parameters
Manage users
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Using VuLink With VuSitu
After connecting to your VuLink with VuSitu, the app always displays the
Connected Telemetry Device screen at launch. You can access all features of
the app from this screen.
Connected Telemetry Device Screen
Access menu.
Access help information.
View and make changes to instruments connected to a VuLink.
Specifiy a destination for uploads, like HydroVu or an FTP server.
Create and modify logs.
Adjust VuLink and instrument settings.
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VuLink Alarms
Creating Alarms
VuLink alarms send a notification when VuLink batteries run low, a VuLink parameter crosses a specified threshold, or other events occur at a remote monitoring site.
Tap All Settings from the menu.
Tap Real-Time Alarms.
Connected Instrument Alarms
To create an alarm, tap Add a real-time alarm.
Select the parameter that should trigger the alarm and set the limits.
Connected instrument alarms send a notification when a parameter measured by a connected instrument crosses a specified threshold.
Tap Connected Instruments.
Select an instrument to Tap Instrument
Tap Real-Time Alarms.
connect.
Settings from the menu.
To create an alarm, tap Add a real-time alarm.
1-970-498-1500
Select the parameter
Use the menu to
that should trigger the reconnect to VuLink.
alarm and set the limits.
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Managing Alarm Responses
Alarms can send a notification by SMS or through the cloud when an alarm
threshold is crossed. Message and data rates may apply.
Tap All Settings from the menu.
Tap Manage Alarm Responses.
Select cloud notifications or SMS notifications. Enter SMS phone number(s).
Select Apply and Test.
Confirm that the test message was received.
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Using VuLink with an FTP Server
You can configure VuLink to upload data to an FTP server via VuSitu. Have your FTP hostname, path, port, username, and password ready before getting started.
a
b
c
d
Tap All Settings.
e
Select Telemetry Cloud Tap the radio button next
Service.
to FTP.
f
g
Enter your FTP
VuLink tests the
The app displays the test
credentials. Then tap Test connection to the server. results.
& Save.
Connect to VuLink with the VuSitu mobile app.
Recovering Data Via FTP
Use the recovery FTP screen to send data that failed to transmit via a scheduled upload. You need to know the number or date of the last record uploaded before a data gap occurred.
Access the Telemetry Cloud Service screen as shown above.
Tap Upload Missing Data.
Enter a starting date and Tap Start. time, or a starting record number.
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Read the pop-up
If the upload is
message about data
successful, VuSitu
charges. Tap Send Data if displays a confirmation.
you wish to continue.
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Connecting a Pulse Instrument to VuLink
VuLink can upload data from a pulse instrument to HydroVu or an FTP server.
Required Components
· Rugged Twist-Lock Cable with one stripped-and-tinned end · Load-Bearing
Universal Adapter (LBUA) · Cable (from LBUA to pulse instrument) · Pulse
instrument · VuLink
Wiring with the Load-Bearing Universal Adapter (LBUA)
To VuLink
Attach the Twist-Lock end of a Rugged Cable to VuLink.
Connect the brown and black wires at the other end of the Rugged Cable to the Load-Bearing Universal Adapter.
Snip the four unused wires.
To pulse instrument
Run wires from the other end of the LBUA to the pulse instrument.
Refer to the following table when connecting a pulse instrument to VuLink via a Rugged Cable.
Rugged Cable Wire Legend
Wire Color
Signal
Brown
Pulse Output
Black
Ground
Red
Power (optional)
Blue
Unused
Green
Unused
White
Unused
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Setting Up a Pulse Instrument with VuSitu
Add rain gauges and other pulse devices to VuLink with VuSitu pulse
configuration.
1 Add the instrument to VuLink.
Launch VuSitu and connect to VuLink.
Tap the Connected
Tap Add New.
Instruments dropdown.
Select the Pulse Instrument radio button.
Connect the instrument to VuLink with a cable. Press the Add button in VuSitu.
VuSitu displays a confirmation message. Press OK to dismiss it.
2 Configure it.
Tap the Connected
Tap the instrument.
Instruments dropdown.
Select low or high frequency.
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Low frequency: Choose one of the three built-in parameters or create a custom
parameter.
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Tap the gear icon next to Enter the value of one
the unit field to select a pulse in the selected
unit.
units.
Tap Save. VuSitu displays a “Saving” message.
High frequency: Select High Frequency and choose a parameter and unit.
Enter a minimum and maximum value.
Enter a minimum and maximum frequency in hertz.
Tap Save to confirm the pulse instrument configuration.
VuSitu displays a “Saving” message.
A custom parameter can be anything you want (for example, snow or precipitation), but you must select one of VuSitu’s built-in unit types.
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Understanding VuLink SIM Cards
External SIM Card
VuLink attempts to use an external SIM card for all communications if one is
present. If communication via the external SIM fails, VuLink uses the built-in
SIM instead.
Built-in SIM
If an external SIM card isn’t present, VuLink uses its built-in SIM for all
communication.
Updating VuLink
The automatic update option ensures that VuLink always has the current
firmware.
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Controls
LEDs on VuLink’s control panel indicate the device’s status.
8 1
2
3
1 Carabiner 2 Bluetooth status 3 Battery status 4 Connection status 5 Network
connection status 6 Cloud connection status 7 Antenna 8 Power
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Battery Operation Time (24 hour reporting, Li-
MnO2) Operation Time (24 hour reporting,
Alkaline) Clock Accuracy
Network Type
Bands
Protocols
Data Provider
Antenna
GPS File Format (non-
HydroVu) Remote Setup
Overall Length
Diameter
Weight
Materials
1-970-498-1500
Specifications
3 x D cell (1.5V – 3.6V) Alkaline / Li-SOCl2 [Lithium Thionyl Chloride] /
LiMnO2 [Lithium Manganese Dioxide] supported
Up to 12 years*
Up to 3 years*
Less than 1 minute drift per year with ability to synchronize to network
provided time for accuracy +/- 1 second
4G LTE Category M1 (LTE-M) / NB-IoT (Narrow Band) with 2G fallback
LTE Global – B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS1700), B5(850), B8(900),
B12(700), B13(700), B18(800), B19(800), B20(800), B28(700)
HTTPS (HydroVu), SMS (alarms)
Built-in free** global roaming (see Network List Addendum for details: in-
situ.com/VuLinkNetworks), additional single 4FF slot for 3rd party SIM support
SMA-M connector
Up to 3m accuracy, built-in antenna
CSV
Supported
19.1″
1.85″
2.2 pounds/1.0 kg (with included alkaline batteries and carabiner, excluding
antenna)
Ryton (housing), PVC (battery cover), Titanium (Twistlock connector, eyebolt),
316 Stainless Steel (carabiner), Silicone (keypad cover), Brass (SMA antenna
connector), Polycarbonate (label), Viton (O-rings)
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Storage Temperature Operating
Temperature Ingress Protection
Protocols
Connectors Simultaneous Connections
Venting Barometric Compensation Barometer Accuracy
Alarms
Power
Wireless Setup
Logging Rate
Transmission Rate
Memory
Maximum Transmitter Output Power
-20°C to 60°C
-20°C to 50°C (Li-SOCl2/Li-MnO2), 5°C – 40°C (Alkaline)
Device: IP68 System: Up to IP68 per antenna specification
Modbus over RS-485, SDI-12, Pulse low/high frequencies (max 40 khz) 1 In-Situ
Twistlock (supports multiple instruments via Rugged Cable Splitter, TROLL Net
Hub, or Load-Bearing Universal Adapter) Up to 8 instruments (total maximum of
75mA provided to connected instruments at 16V) Built-in on all models, no
desiccant required
Built-in on all models for automatic compensation of level readings
+/- 1 hPa
Configurable based on instrument readings and device parameters Total maximum
of 75mA provided to connected instruments at 16V (intended typically to power
a single instrument) Supported via Bluetooth Low Energy
1 minute to 7 days
5 minutes to 7 days
512 MB (soldered to circuit board) All LTE FDD bands: +23 dBm +/- 1dB
(conducted) GSM900: +32.5 dBm +/- 1dB GSM1800: +29.5 dBm +/- 1dB (conducted)
EGPRS900: +27.0 dBm +/- 1dB EDGE1800: +26.0 dBm +/- 1dB (conducted) Bluetooth:
+5.5 dBm +/- 0.35 dB (EIRP)
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