| |
|
TerraSpec® Field Spectrometer
Manufactured by: Analytical Spectral Devices, Inc.
Power Supply
It is always prudent to have several back ups for power in the field.
It is inevitable that at least one of them is going to fail or act up in some way.
Lack of power, low power, and fluctuating power are the main sources of problems when
operating the instrument with probe and computer.
Batteries - TSP
If you are operating away from the vehicle, then you will want the battery pack.
The first option battery pack is a lead gel cell. It is rated at 4 hours to power the spectrometer only.
It is recommended that at least two of these be acquired for "normal" field operations. Three to four are
suggested if the field operations are from an exploration camp, which is run from a generator. In this
environment, if there are power fluctuations, it is suggested that the spectrometer be run from the batteries.
They come with built in chargers.
Batteries - Computer
Each computer used will have different battery requirements. Additional computer batteries should be purchased -
enough to run 8 hours. There are also auxiliary computer batteries available that last from 3-5 hours.
APC or Power Stations
In camps, with generators, an APC or power station is recommended to stabilize the power. In 220V countries,
this is also recommended to deal with fluctuations and spikes.
From the Vehicle:
Most vehicles, especially trucks and 4WDs, come equipped with one or two
power points and/or a cigarette lighter. These can be used to plug the instrument and computer(s) directly
into the vehicle battery or an inverter. Remember, the probe is also powered from the instrument and that
draws additional power.
The TSP comes with a long power cord that can be plugged into the power point
or cigarette lighter. This will reach to the back of the vehicle or out onto an outcrop or to a neighboring
vehicle - all options for using this cord.
Inverter
An inverter is a transformer from the 12V vehicle battery to the instrument and/ or computer.
There are some considerations. The inverter needs to be at least 175+ watts. If it is less, it will heat up and
there will be power fluctuations. It requires at least 2 sockets or an adapter that has at least 2 sockets.
With an inverter, both the computer and instrument can be run from the vehicle power points.
Some inverters
will cause spikes. Spikes are usually eliminated by running the vehicle motor.
|
