RETIRED ›
This product is no longer available and has been replaced by: CR300,CR310. Some accessories, replacement parts, or services may still be available.
CR216X Datalogger with 2.4 GHz Spread-Spectrum Radio
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Overview

The CR216X is a small, low-cost datalogger that includes an internal 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum radio for transmitting data to another CR216(X), an RF416 radio, or RF432 radios. The 2.4 GHz frequency can be used worldwide.

The CR216X 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 CR216Xs can be configured as a network, or units can be deployed individually.

NOTE: Due to legal changes in the EU, we are not allowed  to sell this product after January 1, 2015 unless we receive a written declaration that the customer wants to use it outside Europe or as a spare part in an existing network.

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Benefits 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

Technical Description

The CR216X, has the same specification as the non RF version the CR200X. It offers two switch close pulse counts, five single-ended analogue channels, two digital I/O ports, an RS-232 port and two excitation channels.

It can be used to measure a wide variety of sensors and also supports SDI12 devices although it does not support differential measurements, SDM devices, multiplexers or thermocouples.

The maximum scan rate is 1 Hz, there is 512Kb of final storage memory and the logger has a three year warranty.

The integrated RF radio means that the CR216X can be used in a wireless network which in many applications will be more economical than trenching, laying conduit or pulling wire. When used in a wireless network, the CR216X measures the sensors attached to it, then transmits its data via its spread-spectrum radio to a master datalogger. The master datalogger must use the PakBus communication protocol (e.g., CR800,CR850, CR1000, CR3000).

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Specifications

-NOTE- Note: Additional specifications are listed in the CR200X-Series Specifications Sheet.
Internal Spread-Spectrum Radio Operating Frequency Range 2.450 to 2.482 GHz
Transmitter Power Output 50 mW
Maximum Scan Rate 1 Hz
Analog Channels
  • The single-ended analog inputs can also be used as control ports.
  • 5 single-ended (no differential) individually configured
Pulse Count Channels 2
Switched Excitation Channels 2 voltage
Digital Ports
  • Certain digital ports can be used to count switch closures.
  • 2 I/O
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
  • ~0.2 mA (quiescent)
  • ~3 mA (active, no radio)
  • ~36 mA (active, radio receive)
  • ~75 mA (active, radio transmit)
Clock Accuracy
  • 8.2 min./month (@ -40° to +50°C)
  • 1 min./month (@ +25°C)
Protocols Supported PakBus (leaf node only), SDI-12
CE Compliance Standards to which Conformity Is Declared IEC61326:2002
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.

Sensors

Product Compatible Note
014A
03002
034B
05103
05103-45-L (retired)
05106
05305-L
107
108
109
109SS
110PV (retired)
237 (retired)
255-100
27106T
43347
52202-L
A100LK-L
CMP11
CMP21
CMP6 (retired)
CS100
CS106
CS11-L
CS215 (retired)
CS300 (retired)
CS451
CS456
CS475 (retired)
CS475A
CS511
CS526
CS547A-L
CS616
CS625 (retired)
CS650
CS655
CS700
CSAT3 (retired)
CSIM11-L
CSIM11-ORP-L
ENVIROSCAN (retired)
HC2S3 (retired)
HMP155A-L
HMP60
LWS
OBS-3+ (retired)
OBS300 (retired)
OBS500 (retired)
OBS501
SR50A-L
WINDSONIC1
WINDSONIC4
WXT520 (retired)

Software

Product Compatible Note
LoggerNet Version 2.1 or higher
PC200 (retired)
PC400 Version 1.0 or higher
PCONNECT (retired)
PCONNECTCE (retired) Version 2.0 or higher
Short Cut

Additional Compatibility Information

Communications

The CR216X 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 CR216X's internal spread spectrum radio can transmit data to other CR216(X) loggers, RF416 radios, or RF430 radios. Certain CR216X 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.

If the CR216X is in the transparent mode, it can communicate with the retired CR215 loggers or RF415 radios.

Measurement & Control Peripherals

Campbell Scientific’s SDM devices and multiplexers are not supported.

Sensors

The CR216X 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 CR216X-based systems.

Power Supplies

The CR216X 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.

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.

View Revision History

FAQs for

Number of FAQs related to CR216X: 38

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  1. 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.

  2. 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. 

  3. 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.

  4. 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. 
  5. 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.

  6. If small amounts of data are transferred per transmission, it will not be a problem. Larger amounts of data can overrun buffers in the modem, causing lost data. In that situation, lower the baud rate on the data logger to avoid the issue.

  7. A data logger can be programmed to initiate data transfer by using the SendVariables() or ModemCallback() instruction in CRBasic. 

    NOTE: These instructions are not supported in the CR200X operating system.

  8. 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.

  9. Yes, but only with a direct connection, such as an RS-232 cable or a USB-to-serial adapter. While connected to the data logger, press the Send Program button on the Clock\Program tab, and browse to the program file. 

  10. The CR200X-series and the retired CR200-series dataloggers are NOT compatible with SDMs or multiplexers. If more channels are needed or may be needed in the future, consider purchasing a CR800, CR850, or CR1000 instead.


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