Getting started

This document provides operating instructions for the Smart Chamber and the software used to operate the Smart Chamber and process data, beginning with a summary of the components.

What's what

If you have just taken delivery of your Smart Chamber, check the packing list to verify that you received everything ordered, including the following items.

Smart Chamber

Part number: 8200-01S

The Smart Chamber is a portable, battery powered, GPS and Wi-Fi enabled survey chamber used for making soil gas flux measurements. Featuring embedded flux processing software, internal storage, and soil moisture and temperature probe for ancillary data collection, the Smart Chamber itself manages the flow of sample gas and mixing in the chamber. It can be configured with LI-COR gas analyzers for real-time flux calculations. The Smart Chamber can also be configured and time-matched with a variety of non-LI-COR gas analyzers to measure fluxes of other gases of interest using the file-merging functionality of SoilFluxPro™ Software.

The automated bellows mechanism, patented pressure vent, and air mixing design of the chamber maintain pressure equilibrium between the inside and outside of the chamber and ensure proper mixing without causing turbulence and pressure gradients.

Connection panel

Component Description
Power Button Press and release to turn the chamber on. Press and hold for 3 seconds to turn the chamber off. While powered on, a single press will open or close the chamber.
Status LED A ring around the power button; blinks during startup and shutdown; solid during normal operation
USB Type A (1) For connection to external Wi-Fi adapter
Air Inlet Return line for the subsample loop
Air Outlet Exit line for the subsample loop
USB Type B For connecting to non-LI-COR gas analyzers
USB Type A (2) For connecting to the LI-870 CO2/H2O Analyzer
Power Out to LI-870 For powering the LI-870 CO2/H2O Analyzer
Network (RJ45) For connection to LI-78xx Trace Gas Analyzers
SDI-12 Interface For connection to the Stevens HydraProbe (900-17114).
Thermocouple Port For connection to Type-E thermocouple adapter (9968-162).

Precautions

Caution: The power output is 10-17 VDC with a center-positive pin . The output has a 2 amp maximum and is designed to only power the LI-870 CO2/H2O Analyzer Accessory. Only use the power cable supplied with the LI-870 cable assembly (part number 9982-010), and do not attempt to power any other devices with the Smart Chamber. Drawing a current in excess of 2 amps will trip the self-resetting breaker. If you trip the self-resetting breaker, you will need to wait for a few minutes before attempting to re-power the LI-870.

Caution: Pumping air into or out of the Smart Chamber too quickly can damage the instrument or create large pressure gradients at the soil surface. If you are using a non-LI-COR analyzer with an additional pump, refer to Using with non-LI-COR gas analyzer for plumbing considerations.

Stevens HydraProbe

Part number: 900-19016

The Smart Chamber comes equipped with a Stevens HydraProbe soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity probe with SDI-12 connection cable. This ancillary data is captured alongside soil gas flux data and stored in Smart Chamber data files. A dock is included to hold the probe when not in use. Older HydraProbes had part number 900-17114.

HydraProbe dock

Part number: 9868-604

The Stevens HydraProbe dock attaches to the arm of the chamber chassis directly below the battery door with two 6 mm stainless steel screws (part number 150-14477). The foam insert (part number 6568-606) may need to be replaced if it wears out.

LI-COR Soil Temperature Thermocouple

Part number: 9982-080

The LI-COR Soil Temperature Thermocouple may be included with the Smart Chamber. Use with the thermocouple adapter (part number 9968-162; also included).

Batteries

Part number: 442-11807

Each Smart Chamber includes two rechargable 4S Lithium-ion, 98 Wh, 14.4 V Smart Batteries (with protection). Batteries are shipped in a partially-charged state and should be fully charged prior to the first use. Leaving the batteries discharged long-term can result in battery damage.

Warning: Lithium-ion batteries may cause environmental damage or damage to human health if they are disposed of improperly. Do not dispose of the batteries in unsorted municipal waste or an incinerator. Many localities have battery recycling facilities that will accept lithium ion batteries. Check your local regulations to determine how to safely dispose of the batteries.

Battery charger

Part number: 590-11830

A single-bay Lithium-Ion battery charger is included with the smart chamber.

RJ-45 Ethernet cable

Part number: 616-06116

This unsealed cable is used to connect your Smart Chamber to a computer. Ethernet cables may also be included in the optional cable assemblies, but these cables are sealed and strain relieved for field use, and the sealing may prevent these cables from working with a standard PC.

USB-B to USB-A cable

Part number: 392-13201

This cable is also used to connect your Smart Chamber to a computer for wired use and Wi-Fi configuration in the event that the Ethernet port is being used to connect the chamber to a LI-COR Trace Gas Analyzer. This cable is also unsealed and should not be used in the field. Instead, if your connection requires USB-B to USB-A, only use the sealed cables included in LI-COR cable assemblies.

Soil collars

Part number: 6581-044

Three soil collars are included with the Smart Chamber. These soil collars should be installed at the measurement site at least 6 hours prior to measurements (although 24+ hours is better). Additional collars can be purchased from LI-COR or made in a shop if you have access to suitable materials (see Making your own soil collars).

Spares kit

Part number: 9982-001

This kit includes additional components and spare parts for your chamber.

Description Quantity Part Number
Bev-A-Line IV Plastic Tubing (5 meters) 1 8150-2501
Quick Connect Plug 0.165 with Hose Barb (Male) 2 300-07124
Quick Connect Plug 0.165 with Hose Barb (Female) 2 300-07125
Disposable 10 Micron 1/8" Air Filter with Hose Barb 1 301-08119
Type-E Thermocouple Adapter 1 9968-162

Other parts and accessories

The Smart Chamber also includes the following items, some of which have been described already.

Description Quantity Part Number
Stevens HydraProbe Dock 1 9868-604
Stevens HydraProbe Dock Foam Insert 1 6568-606
Stevens HydraProbe Dock Screws (MS PHL PAN M3X.5 6 MM SS) 4 150-14477
Soil Chamber Gasket Kit 1 9981-198
Screws: MS PHL PAN 10-32 1/4 SS 4 122-08312
Screws: CAP PNL FLT 4-40 3/4 SS 2 158-07847
Hex Cap Nut 10-32 3/8 SS 4 163-02618
#10 Flat Washer 0.438 0.063 4 167-00154
EPDM Seal 3/8" W × 3/16" H 3 224-07606
8" Soil Collar Foam Seal 1 6581-107
8" Soil Collar Gasket 1 6581-108
Manifold Gasket 2 6581-206

Optional cable assemblies and accessories

The Smart Chamber can be configured with a variety of gas analyzers to calculate fluxes for your particular gases of interest.

Smart Chamber-to-LI-870 cable and tubing assembly

Part number: 9982-010

Included with the LI-870 analyzer, this cable assembly includes a 1.2-meter USB-A to USB-B cable (part number 392-17654), a 1.2-meter 2.5× 5.5 mm IP68 power cable (part number 9982-008), and two lengths of Bev-A-Line® tubing. See Connecting an LI-870.

Smart Chamber-to-LI-78xx Trace Gas Analyzer cable and tubing assembly

Part numbers: 9982-009 (1.2 m), 9982-011 (2 m)

Available in 1.2- or 2-meter lengths, this optional cable assembly includes an Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors and Bev-a-Line® tubing for connecting to LI-78xx Trace Gas Analyzers. The tubing in the cable assembly comes pre-assembled with a knurled nut (part number 300-05896), stainless steel inserts (part number 300-18126), and stainless steel ferrules (part number 300-15024) for connecting to the analyzer. See Connecting an LI-7810 or LI-7820 Trace Gas Analyzer.

Note: The 2-meter cable assembly is recommended for use with the Trace Gas Analyzer backpack kit (part number 610-17341). If you are carrying the analyzer by hand, the 1.2-meter assembly should be sufficient.

Trace Gas Sampling Kit

Part number: 8100-664

This kit is available for using the Smart Chamber without a portable gas analyzer for gas chromatography or mass spectroscopy analysis or syringe samples. The Trace Gas Sampling Kit includes a T-shaped compression fitting fixture with rubber septum designed for syringe sampling. For instructions on using the Trace Gas Sampling Kit with your Smart Chamber, see Using the trace gas sampling kit.

Omega Soil Temperature Thermocouple

Part number: 6000-09TC

Now discontinued, the Omega Soil Temperature Thermocouple was available as an optional accessory for use alongside or in place of the Stevens HydraProbe. Use with the thermocouple adapter (part number 9968-162).

SoilFluxPro™ software

SoilFluxPro is a free Windows- and macOS-compatible application for advanced analysis of soil flux data sets. Features include recomputation of datasets with altered parameters, graphs and charts, summary statistics, GPS data visualization with Google Earth, and more. Download SoilFluxPro at the LI-COR support site (licor.com/env/support). Navigate to SoilFluxPro and then to Software to find the installer for your operating system.