Data Dolphin Tech Note

D10901

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Retrofitting a Velocity Sensor to the Model 310
Introduction
While the internal harness of the Model 310 enclosure has wires dedicated to carrying the velocity sensor
signal, high-frequency components in the signal may be improperly attenuated if this internal harness is
used. This must be retrofitted so that the velocity sensor’s specially shielded cable will be routed directly
through the base of the enclosure to the Model 310 velocity port. The following tech note details this
procedure for retrofitting a velocity sensor to an existing Model 310 installation.

Figure 1. Velocity sensor with pre-installed strain relief gland

Required Tools
To complete the retrofit, the following tools will be necessary:

• ½” Conduit Unibit (to drill a 7/8” hole)

• An electric hand drill
• A set of large channel lock pliers
• 12” crescent wrench
• A measuring tape Figure 2. 1/2" Conduit Unibit
• A pencil to mark the hole position.
• Electrical tape to mark the maximum depth on the Unibit

As the fiberglass material is subject to tearing if a regular drill bit is used, do not substitute the Unibit with
another type of drill bit.

Optimum Instruments Inc.

#201, 3124 Parsons Road, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6N 1L6 1 of 3
For more info call (780) 450-0591 or FAX (780) 440-2515
Email: optimum@optinst.com 1000IE -09/02
D10901

Installation Procedure

Use the following procedure to route the velocity sensor cable through the bottom of the enclosure with a
water tight cable gland.

1. Open the enclosure and remove the battery and any objects that will interfere with drilling the hole
through the base of the enclosure.
2. Inspect the bottom of the case where the harness panel connectors are routed through the base of
the enclosure. From the right most panel connector (the two-wire wet sensor panel connector),
measure and mark a point approximately 2” on
center to the right. This point should also be inline
with the other three panel connectors.
3. As a helpful guide, mark the outside of the proposed
hole. A hole with a diameter of 7/8” (0.875”) is
required, so mark the edges of the hole at 7/16”
(0.4375”) from the center mark in step 2. 7/8”
4. Next, find and mark-off the maximum depth position
on the Unibit. This is done by marking the size just
above the 7/8” position with a piece of electrical
tape.
2”
5. Move all cables and wires clear and insert the Unibit
into the electrical drill’s chuck. Drill out the 7/8” hole
with the Unibit by drilling down to the position
marked on the Unibit with the electrical tape. Any slight Figure 3. Bored hole for strain gland, inside
tearing around the hole can be cleaned with #200 grit enclosure
sandpaper.
6. Next, remove jam nut from the strain relief gland on the
velocity sensor cable. Do not remove the ½” sealing ring.
7. Route approximately two feet of velocity sensor cable up into the inside of the enclosure through
the hole by loosening the sealing hub on the gland to slide the gland up the velocity sensor cable.
Push the threaded end of the gland up
through the hole. Bottom Top
8. Slide the jam nut over the connector end of (Underneath Enclosure) (Inside Enclosure)
the velocity cable and thread the jam nut
onto the end of the gland protruding into the
inside of the case. Be sure to have the jam nut
facing the correct way, with the securing feet on
the jam nut gripping the material of the
enclosure. Tighten as far as possible by hand.
9. Now tighten down the strain relief gland by
securing the jam nut with the channel lock pliers
on the inside of the case while rotating the throat Figure 4. Installed Gland
of the gland by turning on the nut built into it on
the outside of the case. Use a 12” crescent or 1 1/8” wrench. Tighten this very securely to
compress the sealing ring and make the gland seal against the outside of the enclosure.
10. Tighten down the outside hub with a large crescent or 1 1/8” wrench to compress the rubber seal
around the velocity sensor cable and make the gland watertight. Hold the nut built into the throat
of the gland to prevent it from rotating. Test the seal by tugging on the velocity sensor cable; it
should not slide or pull through the throat of the gland.
11. Unplug the harness connector from the velocity sensor port on the Model 310.

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12. Finally, plug the velocity sensor connector into the velocity sensor port on the Model 310 and close
the enclosure to complete the installation.

Figure 5. Installed velocity sensor

Optimum Instruments Inc. makes no warranty for the use of its products, other than those expressly contained in the Company’s standard
warranty. The Company assumes no responsibility for any errors which may appear in this document, reserves the right to change devices or
specifications detailed herein at any time without notice, and does not make any commitment to update the information contained herein. No
licenses to patents or other intellectual property of Optimum are granted by the Company in connection with the sale of Optimum products,
expressly or by implication. Optimum’s products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems.

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