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| DataChart® Paperless Recorders  DC-1200 DC-2000 Compact Data Loggers |
| | DC-1200 | | SW-1 DC1200 Companion for DOS | Q. What does ‘Pointers are corrupt’ error message mean?
A. Some or all the data on the card is no longer valid. If it is an old card, check to see if it is coming apart. | Q. What if my printer is not supported?
A. If your printer is not on our list, look at your printer info for its emulation ability. Set the printer to emulate a printer on our list. | Q. Why does the program hang up?
A. Your PC needs 580K of conventional memory free, Run MemMaker to free up more memory. Remove any TSR programs. | Q. How do I increase the amount of conventional memory (memory under 1 megabyte) available to DOS applications?
A. First check to see how much memory you already have. At the DOS prompt, type "MEM" and press the [ENTER] key. Look at the line that says, "Largest executable program size". It should have number larger than 580K following it. To make that number larger, you need to use a Memory Manager program. DOS 6.0 and above now comes with a built in memory manager. It is very easy to install. If you have another Memory Manager you wish to use, follow its directions to install it instead. | Q. To Install the DOS Memory Manager:
Make sure you are completely out of Windows (if you are running Windows). At the DOS command prompt, type "MEMMAKER" and press the [ENTER] key. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key to continue. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key for express setup. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key for no EMS memory unless you know you need it. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key to reboot your computer. Your computer will reboot now and re-run Memmaker automatically. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key to continue. Your computer will reboot now and re-run Memmaker automatically. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key to answer "yes" your computer is booted up okay. When prompted, Press the [ENTER] key to exit if all is okay or press the [ESC] key to go back to old settings (without the memory manager). Run "MEM" again to see that your available conventional memory has increased. At the DOS prompt, type "MEM" and press the [ENTER] key. Look at the line that says, "Largest executable program size". It should have number larger than 580K following it Look at the line that says, "Largest executable program size". It should have number larger than 580K following it. | Q. Why doesn’t my Mouse work?
A. In Windows 95, and 98, usually the system must be booted into DOS only mode to use the serial port correctly. You also need a DOS mouse driver in the config.sys or Autoexec.bat files for the mouse to work. | Q. Why do I get "Device Driver Not Found" displayed when trying to print?
A. Make sure the *.BGI files are in your DCC directory. Put the DCC directory in your PATH if you want to run DCC from other directories. | Q. I cannot establish communications with my DC1200’s RS232 communications port.
A. 1. Make sure you are using the proper cable. You need a straight through cable NOT a null modem cable, you cannot use the cable that came with your CR-1 card reader.
2. Make sure you have selected the proper comm. port in the communications port setup menu. | Q. I have established communications, but data takes too long to transfer, what do I do?
A. There is nothing you can do to speed up data transfer directly from the recorder. The baud rate is fixed at 9600. A 1Meg file can take up to 25 minutes to transfer at this speed. One alternative is to use the CR-1 card reader to transfer data from PCMCIA cards to the PC. The card reader can transfer data at up to 56K. | Q. I forgot my password. Is there a master password I can use to access the unit?
A. No. You will have to perform a master reset, which will clear the configuration completely. to perform a master reset, power the unit down. Simultaneously push and hold the Left arrow and Down arrow keys while you power the unit back up. You can now re-configure the unit and add a new password. | Q. Why can’t I access the Advanced Menu? The message “Access Denied” Is displayed.
A. The unit is in the record mode. Use the Menu key to access the record mode menu to stop recording. You will then be able to access the advanced menu. |
| DC 1200 Card reader | Q. I get No communication at all, just Timeout errors. What is wrong?
A. Busy light doesn't come on at all. Check for NULL modem cable, correct COM port selected, functioning COM port. Power on the card reader, DIP switches in proper position. Busy light blinks after attempt to communicate: ensure baud rate matches, Ensure valid type of NULL modem cable | Q. Why do I sometimes get Timeout errors?
A. Slow down baud rate, remove any TSR programs, use a 16550 UART. | Q. Can I use other Card Readers?
A. Yes you can use our software with your PCMCIA card reader. Just follow this procedure.
1). The PCMCIA card reader manufacturer will include utility programs. One of the utilities will be to copy the complete binary image of the card into a DOS disk file.
2). Using this utility software, store the contents of the card into a DOS disk file. You may use any filename, but the extension must be '.DCI'. For example: MY_DATA.DCI
3). Now the data can be read by our software (DCC). Follow the directions in the manual for using 'Image files'. Below is a quick example.
4) Run DCC. Choose Disk menu item. Choose Name card image. Enter the name of your file (MY_DATA.DCI in the example above). Choose Disk Menu item again. Choose Data file from image. This will bring up a dialog box showing all the data chart files that were recorded. |
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Q. How do I use a modem the DC1200?
A. Data Chart 1200 Modem needs to be initialized with one of the following strings =Zoom, Rockwell, Boca, Comstar, or Practical Peripherals Modems = AT&D0Q1S0=1S37=9&Y0&W0 US Robotics (3COM) , Cardinal, or Phoebe Modems = AT&D0Q1S0=1&N6Y0&W0 The program modem.exe on the DC1200 Companion disk can be used set up these modems. Temporarily connect the modem to the PC and run the modem.exe program. Now the modem is initialized and can be used with the DC1200. |
| DataChart DC-2000 | Q. I’m having difficulty understanding the menu system. I have referred to the manual and I am now thoroughly confused. What should I do?
A. We have put together several step by step visual guides that very clearly illustrate some basic set up examples. This should get you started.
A typical 4-20mA input.  Download a PDF file
A typical 1-5Vdc input. Download a PDF file
A typical Thermocouple input. Download a PDF file | Q. I am having difficulty getting a totalizer channel to operate properly. Am I doing something wrong?
A. Refer to the following step by step visual guide to see that you have configured your totalizer properly. Configuring a Totalizer. (hot link to existing pdf) | Q. How can I measure velocity with my DC-2000?
A.  Download Application Note #7 | Q. The readings on my display seem to be drifting up and down slowly even though the input signal is steady. What is the cause and How do I fix this?
A. Make sure that the “ + “ and “ C “ terminals are shorted together and Make sure that all unused inputs are shorted from “ + “ to “ – “ and “ – “ to “ C “. Please refer to chapter 2 of the DC2000 manual for drawings. | Q. Inputs 3, 4, 5 and 6 don’t seem to function when I hook up a live input. What am I doing wrong?
A. Check the model number on top of the recorder. It may only be a two or four channel recorder. If this is the case the additional “sockets” on the rear of the recorder are “non-functional”, however, you can upgrade your recorder by ordering a p/n 2CH-UK, upgrade kit. You need 1 of these kits to add 2 channels and 2 of these kits to add 4 channels. | Q. I have the error message “Write error 016” on the display. What do I need to do?
A. If you have a 3.5” disk drive, do not continue to use the disk that is in the recorder. Take the recorder out of the record mode and remove the disk. Replace with new media. Perform a format using the recorder before putting the recorder back into record mode. If you have another type of data storage drive you should re-format the media before you continue to record data. MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE ANY DATA ON THE CARD BEFORE FORMATTING! | Q. The manual says to use a 50 ohm 0.1%, resistor for 4-20mA inputs. What watt rating does it need to have?
A. 0.5 Watts or higher. | Q. I don’t have a 50 ohm shunt (resistor) for my 4-20mA input. Can I use another value resistor?
A. Yes, but you will have to configure that channel for a voltage input instead of current input and you will have to set that channels input scale voltage according to Ohm’s law: The DC2000 actually measures voltage, not current so when we measure 4 – 20mA and use a 50 ohm resistor we are actually measuring a 0.2 to 1.0 volt range. The DC2000 automatically sets the proper input range when you select a current input, but this is only applicable when a 50 ohm resistor is used. This voltage range can be easily calculated by applying Ohm’s law: E = IR (Voltage = Current x Resistance) 4mA x 50? or 0.004 x 50 = 0.2 Vdc
20mA x 50? or 0.020 x 50 = 1.0 Vdc If you have a different resistor value, 100 ohms for instance, you would set the channel up to measure a 0.4 to 2.0 voltage range. 4mA x 100? or 0.004 x 100 = 0.4 Vdc
20mA x 100? or 0.020 x 100 = 2.0 Vdc | Q. I have set my Scales and the proper scale does not appear on the screen. Why not?
A. The usual problem is that an improper scale set is in use. Go to “Function” on the Recorder. Select “Scale Set”. Select “ScaleSet = 1 or ScaleSet = 2”. You may find that you are in Scale Set 2 and need to be in 1.
Also you might check under “Program” – “Displays” – “Rotate Scales”. Here you can select to “Auto Rotate” or “Manual Rotate” through the scales.
There are other areas of the program where scaling has to be set. When programming points, there is an opportunity to set the Input Scale if a voltage range is selected. See Appendix A – Step 9 and 10. If a current range is selected, the Input Scale is already done.
When programming points, you can also set the Output Scale. See Appendix A- Step 11-14. and Appendix B – Step 9 – 12. One has the opportunity to Select Chart Scale A through H. This setup is shown in appendix C – Step 13.
Finally under “Programming” – “Charts & Pens” - Scales, one sets the scale that is being displayed on the screen. The selections are 1A-H and 2A-H. Furthermore the scales can be defined with type, ends grid and units. See Appendix C – Step 14-20. The following is a graphic way of looking at Scale Sets. Scale Set 1A may switch to 2A if an alarm situation occurs and you want better resolution during a problem. Notice that Scale Set B has to be copied from Set 1 to 2 if you do not want it to change while switching because of a Scale Set A event.
| | Scale Value | 60-200F | 0-100% | . | . | . | . | . | . | Scale Set 1 | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | Scale Set 2 | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | | | Scale Value | 160-200F | 0-100% | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| read more about scaling...
The following paragraphs in the Paperless Recorder Instruction Manual are good reviews for Scaling questions: 3.5, 3.8.2, 3.8.3, 3.8.5, 4.23.8, 5.5.2, 5.6.5.2, 5.6.5.3, 5.6.5.11 |
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| | Compact Data Loggers | Q: I have an OCT TEMP (or Quad or any multiple channel unit). How do I make the software graph display with different scales for various channels. A: Open the Monarch Data Logger Software. After acquiring data, Left Click (LC) on Graph in the top menu bar. LC Set Graph Scale. LC Vertical Scale tab. Enter the Low and High Values that you want for one of the scales. Enter the Units that you want on the scale. Select the Data Set that you want to use. Pull down the lines under Apply to Channels. Select the specific input channel that you would like this new scale to affect. LC OK. If you want multiple scales, repeat the above procedure. Go back to the graph. It can show two scales at a time – one on the right and one on the left of the graph display. LC on the scales and they will rotate through the different ranges that you have set. The Graph scale color will change to match the data point colors. |
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