NexSens CB-250 Data Buoy
Features
- Integrated 15-watt solar panels for 45-watts of solar charging
- Three 2" diameter sensor holes with female NPT threads for sensor deployment
- Topside plate supports solar marine light, weather stations, and other sensors
- Expedited repair and warranty service
- Lifetime technical support
- More
The NexSens CB-250 Data Buoy is designed for deployment in lakes, rivers, coastal waters, harbors, estuaries and other freshwater or marine environments. The floating platform supports both topside and subsurface environmental monitoring sensors including weather stations, wave sensors, thermistor strings, multi-parameter sondes, Doppler current profilers and other monitoring instruments.
The buoy is constructed of an inner core of cross-linked polyethylene foam with a tough polyurea skin. A topside 20” tall stainless steel tower includes three 15-watt 12VDC semi-flexible solar panels, and a center 10” ID x 19.5” tall instrument well accommodates batteries, data loggers, sensors, and more. Three 2” pass-through holes with female NPT bottom threads allow for quick connection of instrument deployment pipes and custom sensor mounts. The stainless steel frame supports both single point and multi-point moorings.
The CB-250 Data Buoy is optimized for use with NexSens X3 data loggers. Wireless telemetry options include global 4G LTE cellular, Iridium satellite, and global 4G LTE cellular with Iridium satellite fallback. Compatible digital sensor interfaces include RS-232, RS-485 and SDI-12. Each sensor port offers a UW receptacle connector with double O-ring seal for a reliable waterproof connection. For custom integrations, CB-PTL pass through and CB-MCL wet-mate data well lids are available.
- 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
- (1) CB-250 solar tower
- (1) CB-250 buoy hull
- (1) CAGE instrument cage
In The News
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Manages Monitoring Efforts in Morro Bay
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly, SLO), has been monitoring Morro Bay for decades, and while the monitoring program has changed over the years, the dedication to monitoring the bay has remained the same. 
 
The project started in 2006 as a Packard Foundation-funded initiative to monitor water quality flowing in and out of Morro Bay. The goal at the time was to use the data collected to develop and inform an ecosystem-based management plan in collaboration with the Morro Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP). 
 
Since the estuary was the focus at the time, researchers were monitoring water flowing into the estuary from Chorro Creek and Los Osos Creek.
Read MoreGreen Water in Green Bay: Using Data Buoys to Monitor the Southern Bay
While the bay of Green Bay has been referred to as the largest freshwater “estuary” in the world, the watershed hosts intensive agriculture and contributes one-third of Lake Michigan’s total phosphorus load. 
 
 The Fox River flows into the bay, carrying excess nutrients largely the result of non-point source runoff from the watershed. With a history of deterioration extending well into the last century, the bay ecosystem suffered significant declines in water quality. 
 
 This, in turn, stimulated major clean-up and ongoing restoration efforts to improve water quality. Tracking these changes is an important aspect of ecosystem management.
Read MoreCross-Border Sewage Contaminated Flows: Monitoring the Tijuana River
The Tijuana River runs across the US-Mexico boundary, flowing into and throughout southern California, carrying with it nutrients and contaminants throughout the estuary. In recent decades, the flows have been heavily polluted with untreated sewage from the City of Tijuana. 
 
The wastewater enters the greater Tijuana River estuary, impacting coastal communities and disrupting the natural environment. In order to better understand these cross-border flows, researchers out of San Diego University sought to monitor the waterway test the capabilities of in-situ sensors to measure the contaminated water. 
 
Natalie Mladenov and Trent Biggs were two of the researchers involved in the project, deploying a real-time monitoring system in May of 2021.
Read More