RBR ODO sensor care and maintenance

The RBR optical dissolved oxygen sensors have an oxygen-sensitive substrate that requires special care. Any damage will permanently affect performance.

Avoid direct sunlight.

Never touch the sensitive element while cleaning or handling.

Use the storage cap when the sensor is not in use.

Storage

Store the RBR optical dissolved oxygen sensor in the dedicated storage cap to protect it from damage.

Storage caps are provided with the instrument. Contact RBR if a replacement is needed.

Short-term storage (three weeks or less)

  1. Fill the storage cap with clean water until about 50% full.

  2. Place the cap on the sensor and gently push it past the locking pin.

  3. Refill the water periodically during storage. The cap is semi-watertight and will leak over time.
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Fig. 17.    The RBRcoda ODO with storage cap: note the red arrow showing the location of the locking pin

Long-term storage (more than three weeks)

For longer storage periods, store your sensor dry. Rehydrate for five days before deployment.

  1. Place an empty cap on the sensor and gently push it past the locking pin.

  2. Before deployment, fill the storage cap with clean water as for short-term storage, place it on the sensor, and rehydrate for five days.

It takes up to five days for a dry ODO sensor to equilibrate after being placed in water. Insufficient hydrating time before deployment may lead to unreliable data.
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Fig. 18.    RBRcoda ODO ready for storage

Storage cap variants

RBR ODO sensors intended for vehicle integration are shipped with a specialised storage cap, designed for a sensor mounted inside the glider. This storage cap has an opening for refilling the water with a syringe. See the quick start guide provided with your sensor for more information.

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Fig. 19.    RBRcoda ODO for vehicle integration

First deployment

RBR ships the RBRcoda ODO instruments with a hydrated storage cap on, so that the instrument is ready for its first deployment.

However, long transportation times and low cabin pressure may result in the loss of water. Verify that the storage cap is still wet. If not, rehydrate the sensor for five days before deployment.

Calibration

Before each deployment, check your sensor calibration in saturated fresh water. If the readings are not within 1% of 100% saturation, recalibrate the instrument using a one-point calibration. Typically, | fast instruments may need recalibration more often than standard or | slow. See Ruskin User Guide: Sensors for user calibration instructions.