CB-50 Data Buoy CB-50 Data Buoy

CB-50 Data Buoy

The CB-50 data buoy is an ultra-portable real-time system for short-term or seasonal monitoring of dredging projects, industrial spills, natural disasters, and other emergency response situations.

Features

Compact Compact

Compact

With an overall 18-inch diameter by 37.5-inch height, the CB-50 can be deployed quickly and easily from a small boat. Fully configured systems typically weigh around 50 lbs.

Compact

With an overall 18-inch diameter by 37.5-inch height, the CB-50 can be deployed quickly and easily from a small boat. Fully configured systems typically weigh around 50 lbs.

Compact Compact
Tower Tower

Tower

A removable topside foam tower protects the electronics, supports solar marine lights, and offers a convenient lifting point via (3) 5/8” eyenuts.

Tower

A removable topside foam tower protects the electronics, supports solar marine lights, and offers a convenient lifting point via (3) 5/8” eyenuts.

Tower Tower
Center Hole Center Hole

Center Hole

The 5.5” ID center hole is designed to securely house X2-SDL data loggers. The X2-SDL features an integrated alkaline battery pack for power.

Center Hole

The 5.5” ID center hole is designed to securely house X2-SDL data loggers. The X2-SDL features an integrated alkaline battery pack for power.

Center Hole Center Hole
Sensor Connections Sensor Connections

Sensor Connections

The X2-SDL is configured with three sensor ports for connection to industry standard communication protocols including SDI-12, RS-485 and RS-232.

Sensor Connections

The X2-SDL is configured with three sensor ports for connection to industry standard communication protocols including SDI-12, RS-485 and RS-232.

Sensor Connections Sensor Connections
Instrument Cage Instrument Cage

Instrument Cage

An optional instrument cage provides a secure mounting location for water quality sensors, multi-parameter sondes, depth sonar and more.

Instrument Cage

An optional instrument cage provides a secure mounting location for water quality sensors, multi-parameter sondes, depth sonar and more.

Instrument Cage Instrument Cage
Solar Beacon Solar Beacon

Solar Beacon

The optional solar marine light has a one to three nautical mile range and securely mounts to the buoy top plate for maximum visibility.

Solar Beacon

The optional solar marine light has a one to three nautical mile range and securely mounts to the buoy top plate for maximum visibility.

Solar Beacon Solar Beacon
Data Logging Data Logging

Data Logging

The CB-50 data buoy is designed to accommodate the X2-SDL submersible data logging system, which includes integrated power supply and optional wireless telemetry.

Data Logging

The CB-50 data buoy is designed to accommodate the X2-SDL submersible data logging system, which includes integrated power supply and optional wireless telemetry.

Data Logging Data Logging
Wireless Communications Wireless Communications

Wireless Communications

The X2-SDL data logger is available with radio-to-shore, cellular and Iridium satellite communications. An integrated antenna mounts securely beneath the tower.

Wireless Communications

The X2-SDL data logger is available with radio-to-shore, cellular and Iridium satellite communications. An integrated antenna mounts securely beneath the tower.

Wireless Communications Wireless Communications
Built to Last Built to Last

Built to Last

Constructed of cross-linked polyethylene foam with a heavy polymer skin and an indestructible stainless steel frame, the CB-50 is designed for years of service.

Built to Last

Constructed of cross-linked polyethylene foam with a heavy polymer skin and an indestructible stainless steel frame, the CB-50 is designed for years of service.

Built to Last Built to Last

Tech Specs

Hull Outer Diameter: 20.0” (50.8cm)
Hull Height: 12.0” (30.48cm)
Center Hole Inner Diameter: 5.5” (13.97cm)
Tower Height: 10.0" (25.4cm)
Weight: 35 lb (16kg)
Net Buoyancy: 50 lb (23kg)
Hull Material: Cross-linked polyethylene foam with polyurea coating & stainless steel deck
Hardware Material: 316 stainless steel
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Mooring Attachments: 1x 3/4” eyenut

Q&A

Why is the CB-50 buoy best suited for short-term applications?
The CB-50 is light enough to ship in a box rather than on a pallet, which significantly reduces freight costs. It also deploys easily, as no large boat or crew is necessary. Once deployed, relocating the system is as easy as lifting the anchor, moving to the appropriate location, and dropping the anchor. Instead of using solar charging, the CB-50 buoy supports the X2-SDL Submersible Data Logger that is powered by sixteen user-replaceable D-cell alkaline batteries. When outfitted with wireless telemetry, the data logger transmits battery voltage as a diagnostic parameter to take the guesswork out of battery replacement frequcency (typically necessary every several months). The integrated X2-SDL submersible data logger is compatible with most water sensors on the market, making it a very flexible platform for short-term, portable, and even seasonal projects.
What important considerations are necessary for ballast weight?
An instrument cage is an optional addition to the CB-50 buoy. No extra weight is needed if the system includes any instrument cage model (CAGE, CAGE-EXO, etc.). If the system does not include an instrument cage, at least 20-25 pounds of extra weight should be added to the buoy frame. NexSens offers an optional 25 lb. ballast weight (PN# BAL25) that can be integrated between the buoy frame and mooring eye.
Can I integrate my own electronics on this platform?
While the CB-50 is designed for use with the X2-SDL Submersible Data Logger, the buoy has a 5.5" diameter hole in the center of the hull for user-integrated waterproof hardware.

Get Started

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Case Studies

Cellular Data Buoys Predict E. Coli Cellular Data Buoys Predict E. Coli

Cellular Data Buoys Predict E. Coli

The Chicago Park District is one of the largest municipal park managers in the nation with 8,100 acres of green space spread across 580 different parks. It also manages many indoor facilities, historical landmarks and beaches. At eight of its most popular beaches, the District has used cellular data buoys, for four years, in an effort to more quickly predict E. Coli levels that could necessitate beach closures. Chicago Park District has worked with NexSens Technology to source the equipment needed for the monitoring program, including buoys, data loggers, various water quality sensors and web datacenter services. The network of cellular data buoys began operating in the early 2010s as a pilot program and has since grown into a large-scale operation for city managers each summer. Along with its expansion, various research efforts have sampled its data for use in scientific studies to affirm the effectiveness of its E. Coli prediction modeling approach.

Understanding Lake Erie Walleye Hatches Understanding Lake Erie Walleye Hatches

Understanding Lake Erie Walleye Hatches

Lake Erie is described by many as the "walleye capital of the world," but dwindling populations of the fish pose a concern for Great Lakes fishermen. The region's multi-billion-dollar commercial and recreational fishing industry relies heavily on walleye, and the last major walleye hatch in Lake Erie occurred in 2003. Hatch sizes since then have been, at best, below average. A six-year period of substandard spawning is unprecedented; worse yet, many worry that the lake’s walleye population has been on the decline since long before 2003. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife Sandusky Fish Research Unit is exploring whether walleye spawns are affected by lake currents. Aiding in the study are two current-tracking data buoys, positioned proximate to reefs in the lake where walleye breed. The investigation, part of a multi-agency project, will further examine findings from research by Michael Jones at Michigan State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Jones' research, which uses wind velocities over the lake to approximate lake currents, indicates that the success of a hatch seems to correspond with whether current is pushing toward or away from shore. This is largely because distance to shore dictates how warm the waters are, and temperature affects incubation and larvae growth, explains Fisheries Biologist Travis Hartman from the Sandusky Fish Research Unit.

Predictive E.coli Modeling Predictive E.coli Modeling

Predictive E.coli Modeling

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is located at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Penn. TREC is open year-round, offering visitors insight to what they can expect at Presque Isle State Park and the surrounding Great Lakes Region. TREC also serves as a center for research, contributing to conservation efforts, promoting environmental awareness, and helping to preserve the unparalleled beauty of Presque Isle. The Regional Science Consortium is one of the many educational and research organizations establishing itself at the center. The collaborative, non-profit consortium coordinates educational and research projects for Lake Erie and the upper Ohio River Basin. The consortium's objective is to have all branches of science working in collaboration to exchange expertise, equipment, and ideas while sharing researchers and students as well. One of the consortium's most recent research tools is a multi-parameter weather network that utilizes NexSens data loggers.