I have recently started working on a project using CR510's and am concerned w/ problematic connection. I use the SC32B adaptor when connecting, but I learned that it has not been used in the past. For years, people have been using a handmade serial cable which connects the pins 2,3,4,5 of the RS232 port to pins 9,4,3,2 of the CS I/O port of the data loggers (in that order). I am concerned that w/o the voltage conversion, the CS I/O ports have been damaged which is responsible for the connection problems. I have already eliminated the cables, laptop & SC32B as the cause. I have talked to a few people who think that the CS I/O port is probably damaged, but would like to make sure that this is the cause.
Could this be responsible for the problematic connections and if so, is there anything I can do?
The SC32B is optically isolated, which helps protect against any A/C power damage from the computer. So it is feasible that the datalogger could be damaged, but the only way to tell would be to return the datalogger for repair.
I would check to make sure the datalogger is properly grounded. Also, go into terminal mode with the datalogger and check *B, location No. 4. *B:04 is the watchdog error counter. Watchdog errors can occur because of hardware problems, grounding issues, something in the program, etc. If you have watchdog errors I would collect all important data, do a full memory reset, load a simple program and see if the problem continues. If not grounding related it could be time to send the datalogger in for maintenance.
The manual should include information on *B mode and performing a full memory reset.
Dana W.
Also check your 5V supply. You can do this on the datalogger's wiring panel directly. It should be very close to 5V. If it is not then you have a hardware problem and the logger will need to come in for repair.
Janet
Thanks for your replies. I had the serial cable to be verified to have intermittent problems which was replaced by one that works, so hopefully the connection problems will go away. If I still have connection problems, what will I need to do to send the data loggers to be repaired?
You can find information on repairs here:
http://www.campbellsci.com/repair
Regards,
Janet