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--- atmos:instruments:wcm:home [2025/05/23 14:42] – rickbeil
+++ atmos:instruments:wcm:home [2026/03/27 20:53] (current) – [Directions for Setting up the WCM-3000 in the Lab] coleman
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+=======  Multi Element Water Content Meter System (WCM) =======
 ====== Problems and Solutions ======
-====== WCM ======
+===== Problem (Spring 2025) =====
+==== Introduction ====
+During previous field campaigns in which the WCM model 3000 was used it had been noticed that the initial value during no water content present was a non zero value. This is still noticed in the WCM 3000 where on initial start up the probe indicated that there is water content present. This issue was normally resolved with post processing of the data from past campaigns where the non zero data would be adjusted down to zero and then further studied after that correction was applied.
+==== Cause ====
+In the fml.300 table that is present on the m300 computer and is used by the WCM data collection software it was noticed that the code that is supposed to correct for this non zero value wasn't included in the table. There was however correction code in there but it appeared to be from the older WCM model in which it had a compensation term that would remove this non zero value and instead keep the probe at a zero value until water content is present.
+==== Solution ====
+In the manual for the WCM 3000 probe there is a section in which a couple different ways are discussed as to how to get the probe to go to a zero value during the non presence of water. The way that was used in our correction of this issue was as follows; Psensedry = K1 * (Tsense - Tambient)*(Pambient * TAS)^k2. Where Psensedry is the value that is subtracted from Psensetotal which gives us Psensewet, K1 is a constant that is used which can be changed based upon testing of the probe, Tsense is the temperature of the sensor, Tambient is the ambient temperature, Pambient is the ambient pressure, TAS is the true airspeed, and K2 is another constant that can again be found by testing of the probe. This together does appear to work in the laboratory setting but still should be tested in the field as the higher airspeed values might cause the need for changing the constants K1 and K2 as needed.
 ===== Problem (Spring 2025) =====
@@ Line 54: / Line 65: @@
 Now that the long decay was removed from the graphs by removing the averaging function in the fml.300 table the PID controller should now have a more noticeable impact on the data collected. **Another thing to note which was found during the initial PID tuning was that the derivative term will also contribute to a decay since the derivative term is acting as a dampener to stop the probe from immediately going to zero after water content is stopped.** So now taking that into account when tuning the PID board it is known that the derivative term should be set fairly low so as to stop the probe from over dampening itself during data collection. The values that were found that allowed the probe to work fairly well are as follows; **(TWC terms Kp- 2000 Ki- 90 Kd- 20) (LWC terms Kp- 9500 Ki- 95 Kd- 20)**. These values were only tested during no airflow to try and calibrate the probe to be as stead as possible. This was done as a control just to factor out the unpredictability of the airflow that would normally be present over the probe and to make the tuning of the probe more easier.
-These above PID values still need to be tested in lab to validate that they are actually good values that should be used during future field campaigns with this probe.
+==== Solution Two Continued... ====
+Continuing on with the second solution the PID values were now tuned with airflow present over the probe which did result in different values from the zero airflow calibration. The values that were found are as follows **(TWC terms Kp - 1500 Ki - 25 Kd - 200) (LWC terms Kp - 2000 Ki - 25 Kd - 150)**. These values overall did improve the response time in the WCM 3000 but something to still note is that these are not perfect. There is still a 1-2 second delay present in the data which seems to be just a limitation of the probe itself and not necessarily something that can be fixed. **(These values have yet to be tested on an aircraft at higher airspeeds meaning that these are still subject to change since these values were only derived at lower airspeeds, further updates may be needed to these values)**
 ===== Problem (Winter 2024) =====
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 ==== Solution ====
 The leads coming from the WCM power box where squeezed together to help in making better contact with the prongs on the D/C Power supply.
+==== Directions for Setting up the WCM-3000 in the Lab ====
+. Connect the Spade Terminals to the Binding Posts on the DC power distribution panel installed below the table. The cable attached to each spade terminal is labeled with a description, and a +/-. Ensure that the negative spade terminals are attached to the negative (black) binding posts, and that the positive spade terminals are attached to the positive (red) binding posts.
+. Check to make sure that the spade terminals are connected to the SEA box via the cable labeled "WCM-HWB Power Cable"
+.Plug in and turn on the Laboratory DC power supply under the table. There is a series of outlets under the table that you should use to do this.
+. Use a multimeter to check the voltage on the test points. These will be two binding posts which do not sport connected spade terminals. The voltage should be 28 volts, adjust the Laboratory DC power supply gently and as needed to achieve this goal.
+. Once you have confirmed you have the correct voltage, click the red switch on the DC power distribution panel. This will send power to your attached spade terminals, so ensure that you are safe and ready to perform this step.
+. Turn on the computer that is installed on the rack using the black power switch and wait for it to boot up. This can be a time consuming stage, that does not mean you did anything wrong. If you are worried about finding the correct switch, it is beneath a printed label which reads "36 pounds". The weight label is not important for this specific process, but it can help you navigate the machinery!
+. On the m300 box that is on the rack, you will need to flip two metal switches, one for system power and one for element power. Both will be needed to engage the WCM-3000, otherwise it will not work. A good way to troubleshoot this process is to assess the amplitude on the Laboratory DC power supply, and ensure that power is being drawn.
+. When you see /home/operator%, type: ph and hit enter
+. When the system is on, right click and select the option that says: Shell...
+. In the terminal window that pops up, type: m300. Many pop-ups will populate the screen, those pertaining to the WCM-3000 can also help you troubleshoot the process.