Eddy Flux Tower Mounting
Considerations and Suppliers
Technical Note #132
Diamond Aluminum Company
TECHNICAL NOTE
Mounting Hardware Suppliers
The following suppliers offer fittings and piping
options for mounting a LI-COR analyzer to a tripod
or tower. Any metal pipe from your local hardware
store can be used with these fittings, as long as they
have been properly sized and finished; however, the
sources below offer custom piping options for your
convenience. For instrument mounting projects
LI-COR recommends aluminum fittings and pipes.
The pipe sizes and additional fittings depend on
your sonic anemometer and setup configuration.
The mounting hardware included with the LI-7200,
LI-7500A, and LI-7700, however, is designed to be
used with a 1 inch pipe.
(http://www.diamond-aluminum.com) is a structural
aluminum fittings and pipe company that sells a
variety of fitting configurations (made of highstrength, light-weight aluminum alloy) and piping
(available in 4 different sizes, ordered by the foot
and custom cut to fit your needs). Download
Diamond's product catalog to learn more about
material specifications and unique designs.
Diamond Aluminum Company Crossover fittings
(http://www.diamond-aluminum.com/fittingpages/
200.htm)
1.0 in. × 0.75 in.
crossover fitting - p/n 200 (PA)
Mounting your LI-COR analyzer to a tower (near the
sonic anemometer):
●
●
●
●
0.75 in. diameter × 10 in. long aluminum pipe
1.0 in. × 0.75* in. crossover fitting (2) - connects
directly to the mounting post
1.0 in. × 0.75* in. crossover fitting
0.75 in. diameter × 12 in. long aluminum pipe
LI-7500A
Sensor Head
*This assumes a 0.75 in. diameter pipe; however
you can use any size pipe you would like.
Sonic
Anemometer
Crossover Fittings
You will also need:
● 4 ft. crossarm with bracket
● Mounting brackets for LI-7550 Analyzer Interface
Unit - dimensions 13.8” × 11.8” × 5.9” (35cm ×
30cm × 15cm)
Crossarm
LI-7550
For use with:
• LI-7200 CO2/H2O Analyzer
• LI-7500A CO2/H2O
• LI-7700 CH4 Analyzer
®
LI-7550 Analyzer
Interface Unit
NuRail
(http://www.nurail.com ), of Metropolitan Pipe and
Supply Company, offers everything needed to
mount your LI-COR analyzer to an industrial tripod
or tower. NuRail offers aluminum fittings in a wide
variety of configurations and sizes ranging from 3/4
in. to 2 in. NuRail also has a pipe fabrication
service for custom made integrated fittings and
pipes.
Tripod
NuRail Crossover fittings
®
Crossarm (1”)
1.0 in. × 0.75 in.
crossover fitting - p/n
8783
Mounting
Post (3/4”)
Crossover
Fitting (1” x 3/4”)
1
Typical tripod mounting
configuration (LI-7500A
shown). The mounting
post included with the
LI-7200 and LI-7500A is
3/4” Diameter.
Rohn
Tower and Tripod Suppliers
(http://www.rohnnet.com) provides towers to communications companies; made of galvanized steel, these towers
assure corrosion free use and have the ability to withstand
harsh weather elements. The types and sizes of towers vary,
from self supporting towers, to guyed towers, to bracketed
towers. Sizes range from 10' to 100'.
When setting up your LI-COR instrument, depending on
what your research needs are, you will need a tripod or a
tower to support your equipment. LI-COR does not manufacture these items; however, we do recommend purchasing
something similar to the items shown below. Please keep in
mind that the tripod/tower must be able to support the
weight load of your equipment setup, must be a proper
height, and must be able to withstand variable weather
conditions. Speak with a representative at the companies
listed below to help determine which setup will be right for
you.
Self-Supporting Towers
(http://www.rohnnet.com/rohn-g-series-self-supporting-tower )
● 10 ft. tower (p/n 25SS010)
● Sizes range up to 80 ft.
● Download the Self Supporting G-Series Brochure for
more information
Rickly Hydrological Company
(http://www.rickly.com) manufactures and distributes
instrumentation equipment such as industrial strength
tripods and towers for outdoor use. Their durable and
weatherproof designs are accurate and affordable, as well as
lightweight for easy handling and quick assembly.
Guyed Towers
(http://www.rohnnet.com/guyed-towers )
● Best for larger towers
Bracketed Towers
(http://www.rohnnet.com/bracketed )
● Best for larger towers
Model 3574 - 20 ft. portable tripod (p/n 1002-155)
● Weight= 66 lbs. (30 kg)
● Set-up time = 45 minutes
● Adjustable base legs for uneven terrain
Climatronics Corporation
(http://www.climatronics.com) offers a variety of weather
monitoring instruments and towers. These aluminum towers
feature a triangular design, are lightweight and transportable, wind resistant (up to 110 mph), and require minimal
set-up time. Towers range in sizes from 10 ft. up to 80 ft.
and weigh 13 lbs. up to 247 lbs. (5.9 - 112.3 kg).
Model 3576 - 10 ft. portable tripod (p/n 1002-168)
● Weight= 18 lbs. (8.2 kg)
● Set-up time = 10 minutes
● 6 ft., 15 lb. (6.8 kg) option also available
● Each leg can be staked to the ground for added stability
● Best for temporary or quick deployment applications
Model # C-10: 10 ft. tower, 13 lbs. (5.9 kg)
Model # C-20: 20 ft. tower, 26 lbs. (11.8 kg)
Model # C-30: 30 ft. tower, 38 lbs. (17.3 kg)
Larger model #'s can be found by downloading the Freestanding Aluminum Towers brochure:
(http://www.climatronics.com/Products/Accessories/
meteorological_towers.php )
Model 3578 - 10 ft. Standpipe aluminum tower (p/n 1002175)
● Weight= 65 lbs. (29.5 kg)
● 12 in. diameter pipe offers little wind resistance
● Standpipe serves as protection to electrically sensitive
equipment
● Best for long term applications
●
LUKSA Industries Inc.
(http://www.luksa.com) designs and manufactures mechanically operated aluminum tripods. Tripods are rugged and
portable for quick and easy deployments, free-standing with
adjustable legs for uneven terrain, weatherproof, and
provide excellent stability. Tripods feature a crank-up, fully
locking extension system suited to fit your needed height
specifications. Options include a 6 ft. tripod which can be
extended to a height of 30 ft. (weight is 30 pounds) or a 7 ft.
tripod which can be extended to a height of 40 ft. (weight is
35 pounds).
For mounting in areas of high wind conditions, the Guy
Kit (p/n 101004) provides further tower stability
GlenMartin
(http://www.glenmartin.com) produces towers and accessories in a variety of sizes from 30 feet to 70+ feet. These
towers feature strong diagonal construction to withstand
high wind speeds and are durable and maintenance free.
Added bonuses: A hinged base system allows for easy
installation, a pulley system works as a functioning elevator
to raise and lower equipment with no need for tower
climbing, and Glen Martin also offers lightning rod tower
solutions.
HI-VIEW30 Tripod (http://www.luksa.com/hiview.html)
HI-VIEW40 Tripod (http://www.luksa.com/hiview.html)
2
M-13 Hazer Towers (SKU M-1330A)
30' Hazer Tower Package
● Preassembled
● Weight= 370 lbs. (168 kg)
40' Hazer Tower Package (SKU M-1340A)
● Preassembled
● Weight= 415 lbs. (188.6 kg)
50' Hazer Tower Package (SKU M-1350A)
● Preassembled
● Weight= 450 pounds (204.5 kg)
Tripod/Tower Lightning Protection
Eddy covariance flux tower systems are typically exposed to
variable environmental conditions. Thus, it is very important
to have proper lightning protection. There are four main
parts to any grounding system: 1) lightning rod; 2) grounding plane; 3) grounding wire, and 4) the bond between
them. Further details, guidelines, and suggested lightning
protection providers are listed below.
The Grounding Plane
The best grounding planes are:
● Copper or copper- clad ground rods driven into the earth
● Copper water pipes or building grounds with metal
structural frames
● Metal enclosures and casings (which should be grounded
to earth ground)
Download the product catalog for more information about
these towers, accessories, and options at:
(http://www.glenmartin.com/amateur.html).
Tower/Tripod Guying and Anchoring Equipment
Freestanding towers and tripods are exposed to a variety of
environmental conditions, one of which is the potential for
high wind speeds. To ensure that your tower remains
upright, guying cables and anchors should be used. The
companies listed below offer anchoring solutions for
securing flux towers.
Grounding rods should be either copper or galvanized steel
● Minimum diameter of 5/8 in.
Note: Aluminum should not be used as a grounding rod, as
the alkalinity of the soil will etch the metal, causing disconnection and in increase in impendence between the grounding system and earth ground.
Foresight Products, LLC
(http://foresightproducts.com/duckmain.html) is a manufacturer of earth anchors for all types of applications. Duckbill
earth anchors require no digging, concrete, or holes, making
them a reliable and time saving device for safely anchoring
your tripod to the study site. This company offers effective,
lightweight, and economical anchoring solutions with
excellent holding capacities.
The Grounding Wire
●
●
Use heavy wire gauges (10 AWG or larger) for running
the grounding wire
The cable can be solid or stranded, the wire can be either
bare or insulated
The Bond between them
Multi-purpose: Model 88-DB1
● 3,000 lb. (1364 kg) anchor holding power in normal soil
● Cabled with 3.5 feet of 1/4 inch galvanized aircraft cable
* You will need the DS-88 Drive Steel to install the anchor
●
●
●
GlenMartin
(http://glenmartin.com/catalog/page17.html) is a tower
infrastructure solutions provider that sells commercial selfsupporting and fold-over tower systems, amateur radio
towers, guying accessories and lightning protection. In
addition, GlenMartin offers complete manufacturing,
engineering, warehousing, transportation, and construction
services.
The use of dissimilar metals between the surge protection
device and the grounding plane should be avoided
Ground clamps should be used to bond the grounding
wires to the grounding plane
Both copper and aluminum are approved for use in
grounding protection systems; however, copper is a
better conductor of electricity and can be used in smaller
gauges
Proper Installation Guidelines
●
●
Item # ES-40
● 2,500 lb. (1136 kg) anchor holding power in normal soil
● 30" anchor length
* You will need to purchase guying cable separately
* Item # WRS-250: 1/4 inch cable with 1280 lb. (582 kg)
working load
●
●
Do NOT sharply bend the surge protection wires during
termination; offer a straight path to the ground
Keep the surge protection wires as short as possible to
improve effectiveness and response time
Keep the surge protection device a few feet away from
the equipment to allow proper response time for the
transient voltage to be suppressed
Ensure all systems connect to the same grounding point
only ONCE
Reference: http://www.ul.com/global/documents/corporate/
aboutul/publications/newsletters/electricalconnections/
july09.pdf
3
Suggested Sources:
1. Glen Martin Lightning Protection Package
(http://www.glenmartin.com/catalog/lightning.htm)
● A complete kit which provides everything needed to
protect your tower and instrumentation against
damaging lightning
● p/n LR-8400
2. Radio Shack (http://www.radioshack.com )
3. Thompson Lightning Protection
(http://www.tlpinc.com/TLPProfile/products.htm )
● Best for commercial use
4. Local electronic supply company
®
4647 Superior Street • P.O. Box 4425 • Lincoln, Nebraska 68504 USA
North America: 800-447-3576 • International: 402-467-3576 • FAX: 402-467-2819 • envsales@licor.com • envsupport@licor.com • www.licor.com
In Germany and Norway – LI-COR Biosciences GmbH: +49 (0) 6172 17 17 771 • envsales-gmbh@licor.com • envsupport-gmbh@licor.com
In UK and Ireland – LI-COR Biosciences UK Ltd.: +44 (0) 1223 422102 • envsales-UK@licor.com • envsupport-UK@licor.com
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