CB-250 Data Buoy

The CB-250 data buoy strikes a balance between compact and easy to deploy, yet buoyant and powerful enough to be deployed in larger water bodies.

Features

Versatile

The CB-250 is light enough to be deployed from most small boats, yet it offers adequate power and charging for rigorous instrument sampling and data transmission.

Self-Powered

Three integrated 15-watt solar panels are angled and evenly spaced around the buoy to capture sunlight from any direction and provide adequate battery charging.

Data Well

A 10-inch diameter by 19.5-inch tall data well provides a watertight housing for batteries, data loggers, sensors, and other hardware.

Connections

The data well lid provides pass-through connections for sensors, power, venting, and more. When integrated with the optional NexSens X2-CB data logger, the system is truly plug-and-play.

Pass-Through Ports

Three 2-inch pass-through ports allow for sensors to be mounted underwater while securely routing the cable. Instrument deployment pipes and custom sensor mounts attach to 4-inch NPT bottom threads.

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.

Data Logging

The X2-CB data logger replaces the standard pass-through data well lid for turnkey systems. Alternatively, 3rd party data loggers can be integrated by the user inside the data well.

Wireless Communications

Communication options using the X2-CB data logger include Wi-Fi, radio-to-shore, cellular, and Iridium satellite.

Built to Last

Constructed of cross-linked polyethylene foam with a heavy polymer skin and an indestructible stainless steel frame, the CB-250 is designed for years of service.

Documents

Tech Specs

Hull Outer Diameter: 30.0” (76.2cm)
Hull Height: 20.0” (50.8cm)
Data Well Inner Diameter: 10.3” (26.2cm)
Data Well Height: 19.5" (49.5cm)
Pass-Through Hole Diameter: 2.0" (5.1cm)
Tower Height: 20.0” (50.80cm)
Solar Panels: 3x 15-watts
Weight: 115 lb (52kg)
Net Buoyancy: 250 lb (114kg)
Hull Material: Cross-linked polyethylene foam with polyurea coating & stainless steel deck
Hardware Material: 316 stainless steel
Mooring Attachments: 3x 3/4” eyenuts

Case Studies

Sturdy Little Buoy, Tremendous Predictive Power

Two solitary data buoys floating off the storm-tossed Lake Superior shore near Munising and Granite Island were sudden stars in 2017. That October, they captured the largest waves ever measured on the Great Lakes—each 28.8-foot high—during a storm that claimed the lives of two people swept off rocks. This attention-getting event shows how buoy data help managers and the public comprehend the otherwise unimaginable force of a wild Lake Superior […]

Protecting Ohio River Wildlife

A complex series of locks and dams up and down the Ohio River enable interstate commerce, travel, and recreation. But maintaining a usable pathway for watercraft comes at a cost. The inevitable byproducts of disrupting the river’s natural systems are a threat to local wildlife. To combat this, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) uses complex monitoring and response technology designed to minimize the negative impacts of dredging on […]

Submerged Sensors of Sebago Lake

Sebago Lake is the second largest lake in Maine—one of the only lakes in the nation with clean enough water for use by a drinking water facility without filtration requirements. Residents of the Greater Portland area are the beneficiaries, and they are invested in maintaining their lake's health. A joint project between the Portland Water District (PWD) and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC) assisted by the NexSens team submerged […]