The intent of this Technical Note is to provide an abbreviated set of commands and procedures to initially check out the functionality of a Lily Borehole Tiltmeter, and configure it for storing data to the non-volatile memory. Refer to the LILY Self-Leveling Borehole Tiltmeter Manual for complete detailed information.
Initial Check-Out Procedures
Before installing your Lily, verify that it is functioning properly by following the steps below. Refer to the firmware command summary in Section 8.3 of the manual. The following instructions assume that the operator is using HyperTerminal (Windows 95 and later) or any other suitable program to communicate with the Tiltmeter:
- On your computer open HyperTerminal. Select the proper COM port and baud rate. The default baud rate for your Tiltmeter is 19200 and the default output is on the RS-232 port. NOTE: double-check your RS-232 or RS-485 converter’s DB9 pinout against the pinout for the Lily’s DB9s. See tables A1-A3 in the manual.
- Plug in the power supply, then attach the barrel connector to the Lily cable.
- Back in HyperTerminal, you should notice the power-up screen.
- Type the command *9900XYC2. If properly attached, the Tiltmeter will now start outputting data through the serial port at a rate of 1 reading per second, and the data will be displayed in HyperTerminal. NOTE: The Tiltmeter firmware commands are case sensitive.
- Tilt the unit in the +X and then the +Y direction (Figure 6 in manual). Next, tilt it in the –X and –Y directions. Verify that the tilt values move through the full measurement range (Section 3) and that the sign (polarity) of the output changes on opposite sides of null.
- While holding the unit more or less vertical, rotate the unit and observe that the compass reading is changing.
- Type the command *9900XYC-OFF to stop the output.
- Your LILY Tiltmeter is now ready for installation.
After Installation Procedures
Standard Memory Mode:
Minimal Parameter Data Storage, and Longest Duration
Use the following commands in the order shown below to initiate storing data to the Lily’s non-volatile memory with the longest possible duration. In this example, X tilt, Y tilt, temperature data samples as well as the timestamp will be saved. In the example below, 49124 total samples can be stored. At a sample rate of 1 sample per 24 hours (*9900XYC7), the memory will fill up in approximately 49124 days (135 years!).
Upon power-up, type the commands in the order provided in the table below.
Advanced Memory Mode:
Medium Duration
Use the following commands in the order shown below to initiate storing data to the Lily’s non-volatile memory. In this example, X tilt, Y tilt, temperature data, and all parameters are saved. In the example below, 36854 total samples can be stored. At a sample rate of 1 sample per minute (*9900XYC4), the memory will fill up in approximately 26 days.
Upon power-up, type the commands in the order proved in the table below.
Retrieving the Stored Data and Restarting Data Logging
Use the following commands in the order provided to retrieve the stored data from the Lily. When the Lily provides the data, the user must have a method of capturing it. Most often a terminal program, like HyperTerminal or RealTerm, will have the capability to store the data printed by the Lily to the Terminal into a text file. Assuming the user has not changed the default output data format (not covered in this Technical Note) then the format of the data will be comma-separated-variable (CSV).
From the terminal, type the commands in the order proved in the table below.
Helpful Field Diagrams


Lily External Connections Table
LILY FUNCTION | BULKHEAD CONNECTOR (MCBH8M) PIN NUMBER | RS-232 CONNECTOR (DB9) PIN NUMBER/FUNCTION | RS-485 CONNECTOR (DB9) PIN NUMBER/FUNCTION |
Power (7V to 28V) | 3 | ||
Ground | 1 | 5 (Ground) | |
Tx (RS-232) | 6 | 2 (Rx) | |
Rx (RS-232) | 4 | 3 (Tx) | |
Tx+ (RS-485) | 5 | 4 (Rx+) | |
Tx- (RS-485) | 2 | 5 (Rx-) | |
Rx- (RS-485) | 7 | 9 (Tx-) | |
Rx+ (RS-485) | 8 | 8 (Tx+) |