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This product is no longer available and has been replaced by: CR310,CR300.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

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.

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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

Images

Technical Description

The CR216X 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 CR216X measures the sensors attached to it, then transmits its data wirelessly via its spread-spectrum radio to a master datalogger. The master datalogger must use 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 (see sidebar).

The CR216X has several input channels for measuring a variety of sensors. Gas discharge tubes provide rugged electrostatic discharge protection for the inputs.

The CR216X does not make differential measurements and is not compatible with SDM devices, multiplexers, or thermocouples (refer to the Compatibility tab for compatible sensors, peripherals, and software). Recalibration services are not offered for the CR216X dataloggers.

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
03002-L
034B-L (retired)
05103-L
109-L
110PV-L (retired)
CMP11-L (retired)
CS100
CS215-L (retired)
CS300-L (retired)
CS451-L
HC2S3-L (retired)
ICEFREE3A (retired)
ICEFREE3V (retired)
TB4-L
TE525-L

Miscellaneous

Product Compatible Note
014A-L
03101-L
05103-45-L (retired)
05106-L (retired)
05305-L
083E-L (retired)
107-L
108-L
109SS-L
237-L (retired)
255-100
27106T-L
43347-L
52202-L
A100LK-L
CMP21-L
CMP3 (retired)
CMP6-L
CS106
CS11-L
CS410-L (retired)
CS456-L
CS460-L (retired)
CS470 (retired)
CS471 (retired)
CS475A-L
CS475-L (retired)
CS511-L
CS526-L (retired)
CS547A-L
CS616-L
CS625-L (retired)
CS650-L
CS655-L
CS700-L
CSAT3 (retired)
CSIM11-L
CSIM11-ORP-L
ENVIROSCAN (retired)
HMP155A-L
HMP60-L
LI190SB-L (retired)
LI200X-L (retired)
LoggerNet Version 2.1 or higher
LWS
OBS-3+ (retired)
OBS300 (retired)
OBS500 (retired)
PC200 (retired)
PC400 Version 1.0 or higher
PCONNECT (retired)
PCONNECTCE (retired) Version 2.0 or higher
SEN12512 (retired)
Short Cut
SR50A-L (retired)
TB4MM-L
TE525MM-L
VISUALWEATHER Version 2 or higher
WINDSONIC1-L
WINDSONIC4-L
WXT520 (retired)

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

Related FAQs

Number of FAQs related to CR216X: 38

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  1. One of the simpler ways to approximate how long it will take for a data table to fill up is to open the LoggerNet Connect screen, click the Station Status button, and view the Table Fill Times tab.

  2. Technically, the SRM-5A is compatible with the CR200X-series dataloggers, but it is more complicated to use it with these dataloggers. 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 datalogger. Contact Campbell Scientific for more information.

  3. The CRBasic Editor Help contains example program code for all instructions in the datalogger. Look for the Example link at the top of each instruction topic. The CRBasic Help Tutorial demonstrates how to access this and other online CRBasic Editor Help files.

    Also, many programming examples can be found in the datalogger and sensor manuals that are available on the Campbell Scientific website.

  4. Not directly. If the CS15-L is connected to a CR200(X) datalogger, the datalogger can take the ac measurement and control a solid-state relay based on some threshold within the datalogger program. The solid-state relay can then control other relays, solenoids, or motor starters. (Use of a solid-state relay is preferred because the datalogger 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.

  5. 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 datalogger to avoid the issue.

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

  7. It is possible to upgrade the OS without downloading each OS version between the existing one on the datalogger and the most current one available. For example, a CR1000 can be upgraded directly from OS 14 to OS 25. However, when a large jump in OS versions is made, the upgrade will likely restructure the Status table and the Setting table, and they will need to be manually reloaded.

    Note that in many instances, an OS update may not be necessary. Before updating, check the OS Revision History to see if a newer version would provide desired benefits.

  8. 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. 
  9. It is not possible to connect two dataloggers to one modem and transmit data from both dataloggers. However, two dataloggers can be networked together so that data is sent from one datalogger to the other, and then the datalogger connected to the modem can transmit the data from both dataloggers.

  10. The internal battery is not rechargeable. In the case of low internal battery voltage, data will only be maintained as long as a power supply is connected. Collect all data from the datalogger before disconnecting the power.

    The battery, a 15598, is not user replaceable. The datalogger should be returned to Campbell Scientific to have the battery replaced. To request a returned material authorization (RMA) number, follow the steps listed on our Repair and Calibration page.


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