This document serves as a guide for using the KPSI transducer probe model 500, detailing software installation, circuit construction, probe reading, and script writing for probe function testing. It also includes calibration instructions, care guidelines for the probe, and a reference to using the probe with a Campbell CR205 datalogger. Key instructions are provided with accompanying figures for clarity and troubleshooting advice.

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Using a KPSI Transducer Probe
P/N: 500-1CB-0005
By Don Marek
Lab Manager
Texas A&M University-Kingsville

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Table of Contents
I. Install the software. ................................................................................................................. 3
II. Building the Circuit............................................................................................................... 3
Figure 1: Schematic of the circuit........................................................................................... 3
Figure 2: Completed circuit without cover over 9-pin connection......................................... 4
Figure 3: Completed circuit connected to a laptop serial interface card................................. 5
III. Reading the probe................................................................................................................. 5
Figure 4: Screen for setting the communication parameters. ................................................. 6
Figure 5: Main screen of KITS............................................................................................... 6
IV Writing a Script to Test Probe Functions .............................................................................. 6
Figure 6: Screen for executing a script. .................................................................................. 7
Figure 7: Script to get temperature and change units of reported depth................................. 7
VI. Calibrating the probe to Zero................................................................................................ 8
Figure 8: Script to zero probe. ................................................................................................ 8
Figure 9: Script to retrieve a depth. ........................................................................................ 8
Figure 10: Put the probe in a measured amount of water to determine whether it is reading. 9
VII. Care of probe....................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 11: The desiccant inside the plastic tube must be replaced periodically..................... 9
VIII. Using the probe with a Campbell CR205 datalogger. ..................................................... 10
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 11

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Getting Started Guide for Using the KPSI Probe Model 500
The pressure transducer can be used to measure the depth of water whether in a small tank (12
feet or less depth) or in a gully or tributary of a shallow creek. This guide shows how to connect
the probe to the computer so it can be determined whether the probe is functional. A section will
be added later for using it with a Campbell Scientific CR205 data logger.
I. Install the software.
Download the files kitsins.exe and kitsuman.exe from http://www.pressuresystems.com/. The
first file is the program to contact the probe and should be installed first; in the second file are
the manuals in PDF format that are installed under the same location as the kitsin.exe file.
Follow the onscreen instructions. SDI-12 is a timing dependent protocol and will not function
with a Windows Hyperterminal type communications program.
II. Building the Circuit
Construct the circuit as shown in the following schematic. The diode can be purchased at Radio
Shack and must be that specific part number to function properly. A 9V battery is adequate for
an external supply.
Figure 1: Schematic of the circuit.
Parts required:
1. Diode 1N4148 Radio Shack Catalog #: 276-1620 (No substitution!!!)
2. 25-Position D-Sub Metal Hoods for 9-Pin D-Sub Connectors Catalog #: 276-1510
3. 9-Position Female D-Sub-miniature Crimp Type Connect Catalog#: 276-1428
4. Dual-Row Barrier Strips-4 PositionCatalog #: 274-65
5. 9 Volt Snap Connector Catalog #: 270-324
6. 9 Volt alkaline battery
7. Dual-Row Barrier Strips-4 Position Catalog #: 274-658
8. Short length of multi-conductor cable with at least 2 or more wires.

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Tools required: Needle nose pliers, Philips and a flathead screwdriver, wire strippers,
soldering iron, solder, voltmeter with DC and diode test options.
Construct the circuit so that it looks similar to the one pictured. It may be better to solder
some of the connections, particularly on the 9-pin connection side. If a multi-conductor cable
is available, try to use the same colored wire for each relevant connection. Red for power to
the probe, black for ground/negative connection, white for data so that there is less problems
when trying to use the circuit later. Make sure that the diode is connected in the correct
direction relative to the female connector. The diode’s purpose is to make sure that an
electrical signal is sent in one direction. A voltmeter can be used to check the direction of the
diode.
Figure 2: Completed circuit without cover over 9-pin connection.

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Make sure to wire the ground from serial pin 5 to the battery or power supply’s negative
connection. The RS232 operates on voltage levels, and the grounding to pin 5 provides a
reference voltage to help the port to correctly function.
Wrap some electrical tape around the diode before placing the cover on the 9-pin connection.
A 6-terminal strip was used in the above circuit, but four terminals are enough to wire
everything.
Figure 3: Completed circuit connected to a laptop serial interface card.
III. Reading the probe.
The circuit is constructed and the software installed. Wire the probe as shown to the circuit.
Make sure to connect to a “real” serial port such as a 9-pin port on the back of almost any
desktop PC. If using a laptop, a single serial PC Card should work. The probe was read
successfully with an SIIG, Inc 16550 Serial Port PC Card. An USB to serial interface will
probably not work since SDI-12 is based on timing signals that must be precisely processed
through a serial port connection.
Start the KPSI software. Go to the menu items and select “Configure” and select “Xducer site
network Ctrl-F2”. The following window will appear. Set the Protocol, and Serial Port
Options as shown in Figure 4. The “Port” can be set for Com 1, Com 2, Com 3, or Com 4.
To determine the COM’s available on the computer, go to “Start”->”Settings”->”Control
Panel”->”System”->”Hardware” Tab->”Device Manager”. Under the Device Manager
window, looks for the “+” with “Ports(COM & LPT)” to identify active COM’s.
The COM number can be changed by clicking under “Advanced” and changing the port
number.

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Figure 4: Screen for setting the communication parameters.
Initially, a list of 15 transducers will appear; you might reduce this list to only 1 transducer. This
can be done by highlighting the columns, pressing right click, and select the option to delete the
additional transducers. The software will offer a prompt to make sure you want the additional
probe deleted. The new “network” can be saved under a different file name.
After setting up for only one transducer and connecting the circuit, press the “QUERY” button.
If successful, you should see a number under the ‘ID Response’ and ‘Ser#’ column. A string of
digits should match the serial number on the probe. Here is an example:
Figure 5: Main screen of KITS.
The digits “304558” will match the serial number print on the connected probe set to address ‘0’.
IV Writing a Script to Test Probe Functions
Scripts can be written to identify the probe, read temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, and test
which units are best to measure the depth of water for an application. To write a script, go to
“Test Execute Script”.

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Figure 6: Screen for executing a script.
Use the “Browse” button to select a file. Pressing the “View/Edit” button will automatically
enter the Windows Notepad editor. Enter the following script with no Tabs and no empty lines
between commands. No exclamation (!) is required at the end of each command.
This a good script to try first after connecting the probe. The program below executes commands
to identify the probe, get the temperature Celsius, change the output temperature to Fahrenheit,
output the depth to millimeters and return a value. The probe must be set to address 0 (zero) for
the script in Figure 7 to work.
0I 'Identify
0M2 'Get temp
WaitSR 'Service request
0D0 'Get measurement
0XUT+1 'Change temp F
0M2 'Get temp again
WaitSR
0D0
0XUP+5+2 'Set output mm to decimal places
0M
WaitSR
0D0
Figure 7: Script to get temperature and change units of reported depth.

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After entering in Notepad, save the file with a name such as “test.cmd” and press the “Execute”
button. As the script runs, alternating yellow to green should appear. If a red flashes as the
messages are displayed, recheck the script and try again.
Once the commands above have been executed, the probe will now be set to read temperature in
Fahrenheit and retrieve the depth in units of mm (millimeters). The probe has an EEROM
(Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory) that can hold its settings even after the power has
been disconnected.
To test this, edit the script in notepad and put “ ‘ “ in front of the line with the remark “Change
temp F”, “Get temp”, the next two lines, and at the beginning of the “Set output to mm to
decimal places.” Run the script to see the results.
VI. Calibrating the probe to Zero
Execute the XS! command to vent the probe to the atmosphere and change the units. After
running, the value read should be less than 1 mm. Make sure to remove the black cap at the
bottom of the desiccant container so that it is open to the atmosphere. Here is a script:
0I ‘Identify the probe
0XS ‘Vent probe
Wait PrvRspSec ‘Wait command to finish
0M ‘Measure depth
WaitSR
0XUP+5+2 'Set output mm to decimal places
0M
WaitSR
0D0
Figure 8: Script to zero probe.
Here is a script to read the depth of water. Put the probe into a measured amount of water and
execute a script to measure to see if the value returned is reasonable.
0I ‘Identify the probe
0M ‘Take measurement
WaitSR
0D0 ‘Read measurement
Figure 9: Script to retrieve a depth.

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Figure 10: Put the probe in a measured amount of water to determine whether it is
reading.
VII. Care of probe.
Figure 11: The desiccant inside the plastic tube must be replaced periodically. Don’t forget
to remove the cap from the bottom before calibrating or using in the field.
The desiccant must be replaced periodically depending upon local conditions of humidity.
Replace with a Drierite, Indicating (4 Mesh) that can be purchased from VWR or other lab

10. 10
products vendor. If installing the probe outdoors, it is a good idea to house the desiccant
container inside a PVC pipe with some electrical duct seal on top where the thin tube goes to the
probe to keep water and sun off of it. Leave the bottom of the PVC pipe open and mount it in an
upright position. Don’t forget to remove the cap when calibrating or actively using the
probe.
VIII. Using the probe with a Campbell CR205 datalogger.
(To be continued).

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REFERENCES
Documents:
Series 500 SDI-12 Transducers, User’s Manual, February, 2002, Pressure Systems, Inc., 24
pages, c2002.
KPSI Integrated Transducer Software, Configuring and Querying a Site, Chapter 3, Pressure
Systems, Inc., 28 pages, c2002.
KPSI Integrated Transducer Software, Appendix S, Script File Formats, Pressure Systems, Inc.,
19 pages, c2002.
SDI-12 A Serial-Digital Interface Standard for Microprocessor-Based Sensors Version 1.3, 45
pages, SDI-12 Support Group, c2002.
Websites:
SDI-12: http://www.sdi-12.org/
Pressure Systems: http://www.pressuresystems.com/
RadioShack: http://www.radioshack.com/