| Services Available | |
|---|---|
| Repair | Yes |
| Calibration | No |
| Free Support | Yes |
Overview
The CR206X is a small, low-cost data logger that includes an internal 900 MHz spread-spectrum radio for transmitting data to another CR206(X), an RF401(A) radio, or an RF430 radio. The 900 MHz frequency is used in the US and Canada.
The CR206X provides stand-alone operation in harsh, remote environments. It reads input from one or two sensors, then transmits its data wirelessly via its internal radio. Multiple CR206Xs can be configured as a network, or units can be deployed individually.
Read MoreBenefits and Features
- Small, low-cost data logger with internal spread spectrum radio for wireless communications
- Integrated radio lets this data logger function like a wireless sensor in a network, transmitting to a master data logger
- Ideal applications include wind energy, rural water, water level/flow, aquaculture, water quality
- Gas Discharge Tube (GDT) protected inputs
- Optimal for measuring one or two simple sensors
- Makes SDI-12, single-ended analog, pulse, switch closure, and bridge measurements
- Battery-backed clock that ensures accurate time is maintained while data logger is disconnected from battery power
- Program with LoggerNet, PC400, or Short Cut to fit your setup
- PakBus, Modbus, and SDI-12 protocols supported
Images
3D/CAD Files:
Detailed Description
The CR206X can be used in a wireless sensor network. Wireless sensor networks are appealing because they are often more economical than trenching, laying conduit, and pulling wire. When used as a wireless sensor, the CR206X measures the sensors attached to it, then transmits its data wirelessly via its spread-spectrum radio to a master data logger. The master data logger must support the PakBus communication protocol (e.g., CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR3000). For more information on how to configure a PakBus system, please read our PakBus Networking Guide.
The CR206X has several input channels for measuring a variety of sensors. Gas discharge tubes provide rugged electrostatic discharge protection for the inputs.
The CR206X does not make differential measurements and is not compatible with SDM devices, multiplexers, or thermocouples (refer to the Compatibility information for compatible sensors, peripherals, and software). Recalibration services are not offered for the CR206X datalogger.
Specifications
| -NOTE- | Note: Additional specifications are listed in the CR200X-Series Specifications Sheet. |
| Internal Spread-Spectrum Radio Operating Frequency Range | 910 to 918 MHz |
| Radio Power |
250 mW Older CR206X dataloggers (serial # < 19122) have 100 mW radios. |
| Antenna Connector Type | RPSMA female |
| Transmitter Power Output | 250 mW |
| Maximum Scan Rate | 1 Hz |
| Analog Channels |
|
| Pulse Count Channels | 2 |
| Switched Excitation Channels | 2 voltage |
| Digital Ports |
|
| Communication Ports | 1 RS-232 |
| Switched Battery Port | 1 |
| Input Voltage Range | 0 to 2500 mV |
| Analog Voltage Accuracy | ±(0.25% of reading + (1.2 mV)x(offset)) at -40° to +50°C |
| Analog Voltage Resolution | 0.6 mV |
| A/D Bits | 12 |
| Operating Temperature | -40° to +50°C |
| Power Requirements | 7 to 16 Vdc |
| Typical Current Drain |
|
| Clock Accuracy |
|
| Protocols Supported | PakBus (leaf node only), SDI-12 |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Dimensions | 14.0 x 7.6 x 4.8 cm (5.5 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.) |
| Weight | 271 g (9.5 oz) |
Memory |
|
| Final Storage | 512 kB of flash memory for approximately 125,000 data points |
| Operating System | 106 kB of flash memory |
| Intermediate Storage | 8 kB of SRAM for communication buffers, calculations, variables, etc. |
Compatibility
Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.
Software
| Compatible | Note | |
|---|---|---|
| LoggerNet | Version 2.1 or higher | |
| PC200W (retired) | ||
| PC400 | Version 1.0 or higher | |
| PCONNECT (retired) | Version 3.0 or higher | |
| PCONNECTCE (retired) | Version 2.0 or higher | |
| Short Cut | ||
| VISUALWEATHER | Version 2 or higher |
Miscellaneous
| Compatible | Note | |
|---|---|---|
| 014A-L | ||
| 03002-L | ||
| 03101-L | ||
| 034B-L | ||
| 05103AP-L (retired) | ||
| 05103-L | ||
| 05106-10 (retired) | ||
| 05305-L | ||
| 083E-L (retired) | ||
| 092-L (retired) | ||
| 107 | ||
| 109 | ||
| 109SS-L | ||
| 110PV (retired) | ||
| 237-L (retired) | ||
| 255-100 | ||
| 27106T-L | ||
| 52202-L | ||
| CMP11-L (retired) | ||
| CMP21-L | ||
| CMP3-L | ||
| CMP6-L (retired) | ||
| CS100 (retired) | ||
| CS106 | ||
| CS11-L | ||
| CS215-L (retired) | ||
| CS300-L (retired) | ||
| CS410-L (retired) | ||
| CS451 | ||
| CS456 | ||
| CS475A-L | ||
| CS511-L | ||
| CS526 (retired) | ||
| CS547A-L | ||
| CS616 | ||
| CS625 (retired) | ||
| CS650 | ||
| CS655 | ||
| CS700-L | ||
| CSAT3 (retired) | ||
| CSIM11-ORP-L | ||
| ENVIROSCAN (retired) | ||
| HC2-S3-L (retired) | ||
| HMP155A | ||
| HMP60-L | ||
| LI190SB-L (retired) | ||
| LI200X-L (retired) | ||
| LWS | ||
| OBS-3+ (retired) | ||
| OBS300 (retired) | ||
| OBS500 (retired) | ||
| OBS501 (retired) | ||
| P2546A-L | ||
| SEN12512 (retired) | ||
| SR50A (retired) | ||
| TB4MM-L | ||
| TE525-L | ||
| TE525M-L | ||
| TE525WS-L | ||
| WINDSONIC1-L | ||
| WINDSONIC4-L | ||
| WXT520 (retired) |
Additional Compatibility Information
Communications
The CR206X can communicate with a PC via direct connect, NL201 Network Link Interface, NL240 Wi-Fi Network Link, MD485 multidrop modem, and digital cellular modems. Data can be viewed on an iOS device, an Android device, CD295 DataView II Display, or a user-supplied PDA. To use an iOS or Android device, go to the Apple Store or Google Play and download our LoggerLink Mobile Apps free of charge. User-supplied PDAs require either PConnect or PConnectCE software.
The CR206X's internal spread spectrum radio can transmit data to other CR206(X) loggers, RF401A radios, RF401 radios, or RF430 radios. Certain CR206X settings must match the radio's settings for communications between the data logger and radio to be successful. The factory default settings of these devices might not match; therefore, they may need to be reconfigured before communications can take place. Refer to the Quick Reference Guide for Setting Up RF401-to-CR206(X) Communications application note for more information.
If the CR206X is in the transparent mode, it can communicate with the retired CR205 loggers or RF400 radios.
Measurement & Control Peripherals
The CR206X is not compatible with SDM devices and multiplexers.
Sensors
The CR206X can measure a variety of sensors including SDI-12 sensors and 4 to 20 mA sensors. It cannot make differential measurements and is not compatible with the freezing-rain/ice, fuel moisture/temperature, geographic position, present weather, soil heat flux, soil matric water potential, and strain sensors listed on our price lists.
Enclosures
Applications with minimal power requirements can use the ENC200 enclosure to house the data logger and the #16869 sealed rechargeable battery. The ENC200 cannot house a barometer or a battery that is larger than the #16869. However, an ENC10/12 or ENC12/14 enclosure is adequate for most CR206X-based systems.
Power Supplies
The CR206X uses an external power supply and has a built-in regulator. When connected to the on-board charging circuit, the sealed rechargeable battery should be 7 A h or smaller. Using larger batteries with the data logger's built-in charger may result in excessive PC board heating. This is especially a concern when the battery is deeply discharged or failing with a shorted cell. Campbell Scientific also recommends that solar panels be 10 W or less and wall chargers be 1 A or smaller.
Operating System Considerations
Newer data loggers with 250 mW radios must use OS 3 or higher for their data logger operating system.
Related Documents
Product Brochures
Technical Papers
- RF401-to-CR206 Communications: Quick Reference Guide
- Benefits of Input Reversal and Excitation Reversal for Voltage Measurements
- Preventing and Attacking Measurement Noise Problems
- Voltage Measurement Accuracy, Self-Calibration, and Ratiometric Measurements
- The Link Budget and Fade Margin
- Line of Sight Obstruction
- Weatherproofing Exterior Antenna Connections
Miscellaneous
Videos & Tutorials
Downloads
CR200X Series OS v.04 (1.29 MB) 22-09-2015
Execution of this download installs the Operating System and Compiler on your computer for the following dataloggers:CR200X, CR206X, CR211X, CR216X and CR295X. It also updates the support files for the CRBasic Editor.
Note: Newer CR206X dataloggers (serial # ≥ 19122) and newer CR211X dataloggers (serial # ≥ 19143) have 250 mW radios that must use OS 3 or higher for their datalogger operating system.
Articles and Press Releases
FAQs for
Number of FAQs related to CR206X: 41
Expand AllCollapse All
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In theory, a single RF430 can communicate with 4,000 CR206X dataloggers, as this is the maximum number of unique PakBus addresses available for use in a single RF network. The practical limit depends on how frequently data is retrieved from all the remote sites.
-
Not directly. If the CS15-L is connected to a CR200(X) datalogger, the data logger can take the ac measurement and control a solid-state relay based on some threshold within the data logger program. The solid-state relay can then control other relays, solenoids, or motor starters. (Use of a solid-state relay is preferred because the data logger can trigger it with a small 5 Vdc mA signal.) For more information, see the “Measurement and Control Peripherals” section of the operator’s manual.
-
Yes. The BMP5 Direct SDK can communicate with the data logger as long as two conditions are met:
- The communications link between the data logger and the computer is transparent.
- There are no excessive delays.
-
Yes. The simplest method is to use conditional program statements that execute most of the code based on time. For example, the data could be scheduled to log at 6 a.m. and finish at 8 p.m. using CRBasic instructions such as IfTime(). Another option is to use an IfThen/EndIf construction that does a logical test of light-level measurements based on a light sensor. An additional option is to use calculated sunrise and sunset times along with a combination of RealTime() and Case instructions.
For more information, see the “Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…” article.
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No. In this scenario, the base RF401A can only communicate with the RF400 devices via the transparent communications protocol, or with the CR206X dataloggers via the PakBus protocol.
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Current data loggers compatible with the BMP5 Direct SDK are the CR200X-series, CR1000, CR3000, CR800, and CR850.
Retired compatible data loggers include the CR10X-PB, CR23X-PB, and CR510-PB. These data loggers must have the optional PakBus operating system installed, which is available on the Downloads page of our website.
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The maximum cable length depends on the interface being used.
- RS-232 connections will reach 15 m (50 ft).
- RS-485 connections go beyond 610 m (2,000 ft).
- IP connections can be routed worldwide.
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Technically, the SRM-5A is compatible with the CR200X-series dataloggers, but it is more complicated to use it with these data loggers. To use a SRM-5A with a CR200X-series datalogger, the SRM-5A must be in the DTE position on the station modem. In addition, user-supplied adapters and gender changers are needed to complete the connections between the SRM-5A and the RS-232 port of the data logger. Contact Campbell Scientific for more information.
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No, because it would not work. The SC32B is used to do the following:
- Convert data logger logic levels (on the CS I/O port) to RS-232 levels
- Optically isolate the data logger from the RS-232 peripheral
-
Some Campbell Scientific sensors with an RS-232 output are supported in Short Cut. Because of the large variety of serial data formats, other sensors require creating a program in the CRBasic Editor. CRBasic Editor is included in several of the purchased software packages, such as LoggerNet. For more information, see the “Interfacing Serial Sensors with Campbell Scientific Dataloggers” application note.
Note: The CR200X-series dataloggers have very limited serial capabilities.