Water level telemetry sends readings from a monitoring-well datalogger to your desk without a site visit, and the right system depends on what lies between the well and the desk: cell coverage, radio line of sight, or neither. This guide compares the three Solinst telemetry systems ERE lists: the Model 9500 LevelSender 5 (cellular), the Model 9200 Remote Radio Link (RRL) (900 MHz radio) and the Model 9100 STS (4G LTE).
In this guide
- Why Add Telemetry to a Groundwater Monitoring Well?
- Which Solinst Telemetry System Fits Which Site?
- What Do the ERE Records Say About Each System?
- How Long Can a System Hold Data Between Reports?
- Does Any of This Work Without Cell Coverage?
- How Do You Choose a Telemetry System, Step by Step?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Add Telemetry to a Groundwater Monitoring Well?
Telemetry replaces the field trip to download the logger, so a drop, a spike or a dead battery shows up the same day instead of at the next visit. Public networks already work this way. British Columbia's Provincial Groundwater Observation Well Network has about 240 active observation wells, monitors levels continuously with pressure transducers, and almost two-thirds of the wells transmit by satellite telemetry so levels can be seen in near real time (Province of British Columbia).
The Ontario near real-time groundwater level network follows the same pattern: each well has a hydrostatic pressure transducer and a temperature sensor connected to a data logger, and a second transducer above the water surface corrects for atmospheric pressure (Geo.ca, Government of Canada). A telemetry unit sits on top of that same logger string. For the loggers themselves, see our water level data logger buyer's guide and the Solinst Levelogger 5 guide.
Which Solinst Telemetry System Fits Which Site?
Pick the link first, then the model: cellular for a lone well with signal, radio for a cluster within line of sight, and the STS for remote stations that need their own power. The table is built from each ERE product record.
| Site condition | System | Link and power on the record |
|---|---|---|
| Single well, cell signal, 2-inch casing | Model 9500 LevelSender 5 | Cellular (4G on the SIM-card part), 3 x AA lithium, up to 2 dataloggers |
| Cluster of wells, mine, landfill or golf course, radio path to a base PC | Model 9200 RRL | 900 MHz radio, up to 30 km with an omnidirectional antenna, 6 replaceable lithium batteries, up to 4 loggers |
| Remote station, needs solar or AC power, several parameters | Model 9100 STS | 4G LTE modem, 12 V sealed lead-acid battery with optional solar or AC, up to 4 loggers |
What Do the ERE Records Say About Each System?
Model 9500 LevelSender 5
The record describes a simple, low-cost system that sends data from Solinst dataloggers by cellular communication to multiple email addresses and an SMS recipient. It is sized to fit a standard 2-inch well casing and holds an internal barometer for automatic water level compensation (range 30 kPa to 120 kPa, accuracy ±0.2 kPa, which the record equates to 2 cm). It connects to up to two dataloggers and works with Levelogger 5 Series dataloggers, the LevelVent 5 and earlier Levelogger Edge and LevelVent versions. Features include high and low level alarms, remote battery status with each report, and an FTP option. Size is 2.5 in x 9.375 in with the antenna folded down.
Model 9200 Remote Radio Link (RRL)
The record calls the RRL a very simple and inexpensive method of local telemetry: data goes by short-distance radio to a Home Station PC, which suits small closed-loop networks such as mine sites, golf courses and landfill monitoring networks. RRL stations use a 900 MHz radio module and an omnidirectional antenna, with communication over distances up to 30 km. Up to four Solinst dataloggers connect to one RRL using two splitters. It fits a 4.5-inch well and runs on six replaceable lithium batteries, with an optional backup power source. The record lists IP66 in its description and IP67 in its short spec line, so confirm the rating against the datasheet before you specify it.
Model 9100 STS
The STS uses a 4G LTE cellular modem to send water level, temperature, conductivity and rainfall data from the field to a Home Station PC. A remote station can be powered by a sealed lead-acid 12 V battery with optional solar trickle charging or direct AC, connects up to four Solinst dataloggers, and includes a GPS module for location mapping in the telemetry software. The short spec line states a NEMA 4X (IP66) enclosure and an operating range of -30 °C to 50 °C. The North American part (SO-114231) lists LTE bands B2, B4, B5, B12 and B13; an EMEA/APAC part is listed separately.
How Long Can a System Hold Data Between Reports?
The LevelSender 5 record states a memory capacity between reports of up to 40,000 LT logs or 28,000 LTC logs. That is a ceiling, not a promise, and the logging interval sets how long it lasts. Our own arithmetic, not a manufacturer figure:
- 15-minute logging: 96 logs a day, so 40,000 logs is about 416 days of LT readings.
- Hourly logging: 24 logs a day, so 40,000 logs is about 1,666 days.
- LTC (28,000 logs) at 15 minutes: about 291 days.
If the cellular link drops for a week, the readings stay in the logger and the telemetry memory, so the gap is a delay, not a loss. Check how your reporting schedule and your logging interval interact before you set either one. The datalogger side, including barometric compensation, is covered in our Barologger guide.
Does Any of This Work Without Cell Coverage?
Only the RRL works without a cell network, and it needs a radio path to your base PC. The LevelSender 5 and the STS both depend on cellular service, and the ERE records do not list a satellite option for either. The British Columbia network is the reminder that satellite telemetry exists for sites beyond cell range, but it is not what these three products do.
How Do You Choose a Telemetry System, Step by Step?
- Count the wells and map them. One well points to the LevelSender 5, a cluster to the RRL, and spread-out remote stations to the STS.
- Check the link. Test cell signal at the wellhead, or confirm radio line of sight to the base PC.
- Check the casing. The LevelSender 5 fits a 2-inch casing; the RRL record says it fits a 4.5-inch well.
- Plan the power. Lithium batteries (LevelSender 5, RRL) or a 12 V battery with solar or AC (STS).
- Match the loggers. Confirm your Levelogger 5, LevelVent or Edge units are on the compatibility list, and count how many you need per station.
- Set alarms and the report schedule. High and low level alerts, and how often the unit calls in.
Our 4-20 mA pressure transmitter guide covers the alternative where a site already has a PLC or SCADA input. For the full range of Solinst loggers and accessories, see the Levelogger collection, including the Levelogger 5.
Need help choosing water level telemetry?
ERE Inc. has been Canada's environmental equipment specialist for 30+ years. Tell us the number of wells, the casing size and the site conditions, and we will match the system.
→ Request a Quote | 1-888-287-EREC | Browse Levelogger | sales@ereinc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is water level telemetry?
Water level telemetry sends readings from a datalogger in a monitoring well to a remote computer or phone by cellular network or radio, so no one has to visit the well to download data.
Does the Solinst LevelSender 5 use satellite?
No. The ERE record describes cellular communication, with data sent to multiple emails and an SMS recipient, and the SIM-card part is listed as 4G.
How far can the Solinst RRL transmit?
The ERE record states that RRL stations with an omnidirectional antenna can communicate over distances up to 30 km, using a 900 MHz radio module. Terrain and line of sight decide the real range.
How many dataloggers can one telemetry unit connect?
The LevelSender 5 connects up to two dataloggers per device. The RRL and the STS each connect up to four Solinst dataloggers per station.
Can telemetry send alarms?
Yes. The LevelSender 5 and the STS records both list high and low level alarm notifications, and the LevelSender 5 also reports battery status with each report.
Related articles
- Water Level Data Loggers: Buyer's Guide for Canadian Groundwater Monitoring
- Solinst Levelogger 5 Groundwater Monitoring Guide for Canada
- What Is a Barologger? Barometric Compensation Explained
- 4-20 mA Pressure Transmitter Buyer's Guide for Canada
Lire en français : Télémétrie du niveau d'eau : LevelSender, RRL ou STS pour puits éloignés au Canada