DB 950 Data Buoy

The YSI DB 950 data buoy is a self-powered environmental monitoring platform designed for increased power capacity and payload space for long-term monitoring deployments.

• Overview

  Powerful performance
  High-efficiency solar arrays deliver continuous power, with three 46-watt panels and room for up to three 28 Ah batteries to support energy-demanding sensors and extended deployments.

  Rugged, field-ready design
  A durable polymer‑coated hull and stainless-steel tower deliver long‑lasting performance in harsh environments while providing a stable mounting platform for lights, sensors, cameras, and other topside instruments.

  Watertight data well
  The 10-inch-diameter, 26-inch-tall data well offers a fully sealed, spacious enclosure that protects batteries, loggers, and communications hardware from moisture and harsh weather.

  Easy Sensor Integration
  Plug‑and‑play connections make it simple to deploy underwater instruments and integrate new sensors.

  Pass-Through Ports
  Three 6-inch pass-through ports allow easy deployment of underwater sensors while securely routing cables. Each port features 6inch NPT bottom threads for attaching instrument pipes and custom mounts.

  Flexible Data Logging Options
  Integrate a HydroRIG intelligent gateway for easy system setup or connect a third‑party data logger for custom system configurations.

  Reliable Wireless Communications
  Cellular telemetry for real‑time data access from anywhere in the world.

  Solar Beacon
  Add a solar marine light for enhanced safety and visibility in active waterways.

  The DB-950 is a floating monitoring platform for use with

  • EXO Multiparameter Sondes
  • ADCPs
  • Wave sensors
  • Weather stations
  • Thermistor strings

  *The actual number of sensors depends on power constraints

  Use data buoys in a variety of environments

  • Surface water: rivers, lakes, reservoirs
  • Ocean, coastal, estuaries
  • Source & drinking water

  Other data buoy options

  • CB-75 data buoy
  • CB-450 data buoy

• Specifications

  DB-950 Specifications
  Hull outer diameter	106.7 cm (42.0 in)
  Hull height	66.0 cm (26.0 in)
  Data well inner diameter	26.2 cm (10.3 in)
  Data well height	64.8 cm (25.5 in)
  Pass-through hole diameter	15.2 cm (6.0 in)
  Tower height	104.1 cm (41.0 in)
  Solar panels	46-Watts x3 (138 Watts of charging power)
  Power	56 Ahr AGM
  Weight	99 kg (219 lbs)
  Gross buoyancy	430 kg (947 lbs)
  Net buoyancy	330 kg (728 lbs)
  Hull material	Cross-linked polyethylene foam with polyurea coating & stainless steel deck
  Hardware material	316 stainless steel
  Mooring attachments	⅜ in. eyenuts x3

• FAQs
  1. Are there alternatives to placing sensors in deployment pipes and within cages?
     Yes, instruments can be mounted along stainless steel mooring lines via a mooring cable clamp when measuring at multiple depths within the water column. A 2-point mooring design is recommended in these situations to prevent the sensor line from tangling with the anchor lines.
     
     
  2. Are there any aspects of this platform that are not waterproof?
     The data well lid includes a passive Gore-Tex vent to allow for battery outgassing. If the buoy will be deployed in high-energy environments where there is a potential for submersion, we recommend upgrading this vent to the UW-PRV pressure relief valve for added protection from water ingress.
     
     
  3. How are water quality sondes mounted to moorings?
     When measuring near the surface, water-quality sondes can be housed in a slotted deployment pipe that is threaded directly to the bottom instrument well on the buoy hull. This allows instrument access for periodic cleaning and calibration without having to pull the buoy out of the water. If the project requires measurements at depth or at multiple depths, YSI offers instrument clamps and mooring cages for mooring lines, as well as bottom platforms when sondes need to be bottom-referenced rather than surface-referenced.
     
     
  4. How do I connect sensor cables to the data buoy?
     YSI can supply a waterproof bulkhead connector with a mating pigtail for splicing with user-supplied sensor cables. This allows for a quick disconnect of the cable at the lid. When using a HydroRIG or 3^rd party data logger on a YSI integrated system, all supplied sensor cables are terminated with mating connectors
     
     
  5. How do I mount a Doppler current profiler to the data buoy?
     The mounting for an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is instrument-dependent. YSI offers several ADCP mounts for AADI single-point and profiler ADCPs. The mounts must be designed in such a way that the acoustic beams are unobstructed by the buoy and mooring. Custom mounts are also available based on project-specific needs.
     
     
  6. Can the solar panels be individually replaced in the field?
     The solar panels feature a waterproof 2-pin connector that plugs into a 3-way splitter on the solar tower. In the event of a failure, the solar panel can be swapped out in the field.
     
     
  7. How often should the buoy batteries be replaced?
     Batteries should be replaced every 3-5 years, if the charge ever falls below 10.5V, or as needed due to performance.
     
     
  8. Is it safe to lift the buoy from a single eye nut?
     Yes, a single topside eye nut can support the weight of a buoy without a load attached. Care should always be taken to avoid damaging the solar panels, topside sensor mounts, and sensors connected to the instrument cage when lifting and moving a buoy.
     
     
  9. What are the data buoy storage requirements?
     Data loggers and all accessories (beacons, sensors, etc.) should be powered off, sensor connection ports should be covered, and the buoy should be placed in a dry environment kept above freezing at a minimum. Buoy batteries should be periodically charged during long-term storage.
     
     
  10. What are the common tools required for buoy deployment and maintenance?
      During a buoy deployment or maintenance, the tools required will vary based on the buoy accessories purchased with the order, including beacons, sensors, and sensor mounts. Any technician responsible for a buoy deployment or maintenance should bring the following tools to the field.
      
      
  11. How do I safely remove a battery well lid?
      Pressure build-up in DB-Series buoy data wells can be caused by temperature and barometric pressure changes, or, in some cases, battery off-gassing. YSI recommends the following safety precautions when opening battery well lids on DB-Series buoys.
      
      
  12. What are the battery capacities in DB-Series Data Buoys?
      YSI DB-Series data buoys will have varying battery capacities depending on buoy size and the integrated battery harness. Multiple batteries can be wired in parallel to maintain the 12VDC nominal voltage while adding more amp-hour capacity for systems with higher overall current draw.
      
      
  13. What are the YSI solar panel specifications?
      YSI offers multiple solar power options for land- and buoy-based environmental monitoring systems. Learn more about the single-panel manufacturer specifications to accommodate your system.