SQ-420X Reprogramming
It was recently discovered that a small batch of SQ-420X USB Quantum PAR sensors were incorrectly programmed to be recognized as pyranometers by the Apogee Connect software program. Pyranometers are a different type of light sensor used in the solar power industry. If your sensor is being read as a pyranometer, and not a quantum sensor, when connected to your computer (see images below), your sensor will need to be sent in for reprogramming. We sincerely apologize that this happened and want to make this right for you as quickly as possible. Please contact the Apogee Instruments' technical support department at (435) 245-8012 during business hours (M-F 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM MST) or by email at techsupport@apogeeinstruments.com to receive instructions on how send your sensor in for reprogramming.
If you need to use the sensor before sending it in for repair, these units were built and calibrated correctly as quantum sensors, only the software is showing the features for a pyranometer. The measurement displayed is an accurate number of your PAR level when measuring above water, the units are just incorrect. The units will show w/m2 on the screen, but in reality the measurement is actually in micromoles/m2s.
The sensors will read slightly lower when measuring underwater because the pyranometer mode cannot select the software for the underwater setting to correct for the immersion effect. You can manually correct for water submersion by multiplying the sensor reading by 1.15. When the sensors are sent to us, we will update the firmware so they are recognized as quantum sensors by the software.
