Checkline DT-209X User Manual

Thank you for your purchase of this Tachometer Product. This manual explains how
to operate your equipment safely and correctly. The manual covers the various
different features of the DT-209X. Kindly read this manual thoroughly before
operation as it holds important information that will help you fully utilize this unit.

Caution warning holds important safety information

Reminder: holds important key information for the product.

Warning: Laser equipped product. Observe caution

DT-209X Handheld Digital Laser Tachometer

Table of Contents

Section I – Handheld Tachometer

• Description of Parts………………………………………………………………………….………1

• Description LCD Display…………………………………………………………………….………3

• Unit Selector Switch………………………………………………………………………………….4

• Abbreviation of Display Table………………………………………………………………………5

• Power Supply…………………………………………………………………………………………6

• Measurement Modes………………………………………………………………………………...7

• Flow Chart Diagram………………………………………………………………………………….8

o Standard Mode
o Average Mode
o USB Mode

• Measuring Methods ……………………………………………………… ……………………….10

• Mode Operation…………………………………………………………………………………….13

o Display Explanation

• Memory Function…………………………………………………………………………………...17

• Other Function………………………………………………………………………………………20

o Memory Deletion

• Analog Output ………………………………………………………………………………………21

• Replacing Batteries…………………………………………………………………………………22

• Specifications……………………………………………………………………………………….23

• Accessories………………………………………………………………………………………….24

Section II – Software……………………………………………………………………………………...27

• DT-209X API Section

o Software Compatibility
o Advantages of USB
o Different Modes

• DT-209X API-CD Checklist………………………………………………………………………….28

• DT-209X USB Driver Installation……………………………………………………………………29

• Application Software Installation……………………………………………………………….……30

• Main Screen Description ……………………………………………………………………….… …36

• LCD Display………………………………………………………………………………………….39

• Unit Selector Switch………………………………………………………………………………….40

• USB Mode Screen……………………………………………………………………………… ……41

• USB Mode Graph Screen………………………………………………………………………… ….51

• Standard Mode Screen……………………………………………………………………………. …53

• Average Mode Screen…………………………………………………………………………….. …57

• Display Hold…………..…………………………………………………………………………… ..62

• Troubleshooting Section ……………………………………………………………………………..63

DT-209X Parts Description

5. Contact Adapter
(DT-ADP-200L)

7. Display

4. Contact

6. Laser Beam Opening

9. Power Switch

3. Measurement Mode Selector

10. Memory Button

8. Unit Selector Switch

2. Analog Output

1. USB Connector

Model DT-209X casing is similar to standard DT-207/DT-205L with addition of
USB port, analog output, and selector switch.

1

Parts Function

1

USB Connector

Analog Output

2

Connector
Measurement Mode

3

Selector Switch

4 Contact Accessories

5 Contact Adapter

Laser Beam

6

Opening

Mini-USB connector for PC online measurements and data
downloads.
0 to 1-volt analog output connector for pen recorders and other
external devices.
Slide selector switch for different measuring modes. (USB,
Average, STD).
Contact attachments for contact measurements. Types of
attachments: Funnel, Cone, and FPM wheel (length
measurements).
Threaded adapter for contact measurements. It can be
installed easily on top of the laser opening. (DT-ADP-200L).
Output opening for laser diode. (Laser beam Max output: 1
mW. Continuous Wavelength: 670nm).
For Non-contact operation the reflective tape is placed on the
rotating object. When the reflective tape passes the laser a
count is generated.
Effective distance from object to be measured can be from 127
mm to 1.5m (5 inches to 59 inches).
*Measuring Conditions: On reflective surfaces, it may be
necessary to paint the shaft black, to minimize false activation
of the sensor. Reflective tape size and the radius of the
moving object should be considered to get the most accurate
reading from the tachometer.

Warning: Do not look into the laser beam opening while in
operation. Staring at the laser beam directly can cause
eye damage.

7 Display LCD main display 5digits/ Custom Words and Units.

8 Unit Selector Switch

Units of measure are selected from this switch.
Proper contact tip accessory should be used for operation.

Rotation
Speed

RPM

Measurement

Contact

Linear Speed
Measurement

M/min-yd/min-ft/min-in/min

Length
Measurement
(wheel

in /ft/yd/ m

required)

2

Non-

Contact

Non- USB Mode
(No cable
connected)

9 Power Switch

USB Mode

Non -USB Mode

10 Memory Button

USB Mode

Description LCD Display

Rotation Speed
Measurement

ON and OFF switch and block separator.
For standard and average mode the power
switch button is required while taking
readings. Failure to press the power button
will not permit measurements. Pressing the
memory button while holding the power
button, allows sample points to be captured.
Releasing the power button advances the
memory per block. If the tachometer is
idle for 5 minutes, the auto power off feature
will turn on to conserve battery use.
In USB mode this switch is inactive. The
DT-209x is in the ON state while USB cable
is connected. Voltage is supplied from the
host computer.
Use to store data readings to DT-209X on
board memory.
Recalls stored data from the tachometer
Switch is inactive when the tachometer is
connected to the PC via USB port.

RPM

3

Unit Selector Switch

Multi-mode capability measures RPM, mPM, YPM, FPM, IPM and total meters,
yards, feet and inches.

NOTE: Selector switch not available in USB mode; all controls are
transferred to the software through the USB cable.

Measurement

method

Explanation of Operation

Contact measurement requires the contact adapter
(DT-ADP-200L) and the proper attachments.
NOTE: Make sure that proper position of the knob is
selected. For length and linear rate measurements
wheel is required to get right ratio. (FPM-6, FPM-12).

Contact Type

For rotational
speed
measurements

For speed
measurements
For length
measurements

RPM (rev/MIN) –Cone tip, Funnel tip

m/MIN - yd/MIN - ft/MIN - in/MIN
(6” or 12” circumference wheel).
in / ft / yd / m (6” or 12”
circumference wheel)

Non-contact measurement requires the use of the
laser and a reflective tape. Choose the correct

Non-Contact Type

settings with the Unit Selector Switch.

CAUTION: Laser Beam Radiation. Do not stare

into beam.

rotational
speed
measurement

RPM (rev/MIN)

4

Operation

• The switch selector can be turned clockwise or counter-clockwise
depending on which unit of measure is required.

• The unit of measure selected on the dial is indicated in the digital display.

• Conversion of units –measured values can be automatically converted to

the unit selector switch.
Limitation: Conversion is limited to the same group of values (example
RPM cannot be converted to inches).

• Dashes will show on the display when invalid selection is made.

Abbreviation Display Table

Setting Display Meaning

RPM RPM-Revolutions per minute
m/M Meters per minute
Y/M Yards per minute
f/m Feet per minute

Unit

I/M Inches per minute
IN Inches
fT Feet
YR Yards
m Meters
Usb USB mode
STd Standard mode

Average mode or average data
display

Mode

AVE

LST Last measurement recorded
M1~M10 Memory number in Standard Mode

Block number (Average:30 memory

NOO~N30

blocks max, Standard: 24 memory
blocks max)

Additional Displays

Setting Display Meaning

Depending on which mode is
selected, and the range of

Measurement 5 figure digits

measurements the decimal point may
not be available. For better resolution
use USB mode and DT-209X

software.
LoAd Storing data reading State
rEAdy Tachometer ready to accept readings

5

Power Supply

Each tachometer requires 2 AA batteries to operate.
Smart switching feature of the tachometer is active when USB cable is
connected. Each tachometer can be bus powered from the USB cable.

Note: Without the batteries the tachometer can work powered by the host
computer.

How does measurement starts?

• In USB Mode measurements starts after the start button in the software is
activated (See API section of this manual).

• In Average and Standard Modes, the tachometer starts to record data
after the power button is pressed.

When the DT-209X tachometer is turned on the following displays are shown.

This is then followed by

rEAdy

FULL

CCCCC

RPM

LoAd

STd

Full memory indicator (the unit cannot
store additional data)
Clear data from memory. Holding
memory button for 5 seconds will
clear stored data per block in
Standard and Average modes. For
USB operation, CCCCC indicates
deletion of all stored data in the
selected measurement mode.

Load message from the LCD
indicates program is initializing.
Preparing previously stored data
before it went to auto shut off

When rEAdy message is shown
on the display, it indicates
initialization of the program is
complete.

6

NOTE: In USB mode recorded data is downloaded directly to the computer.
Auto power off feature of the tachometer is disabled; the supply of power for
the unit is coming from the host computer.

Measurement Mode

The Measurement Mode is changed with the Measurement Mode Selector
switch. There are three basic settings USB, Standard and Average.
The switch is located on the side of the tachometer (See Description of Parts
Section).

Average USB Standard

Measurement

mode

Explanation

Features:

• DT-209X takes online measurements via USB cable.

USB Mode

• Downloads data from Standard and Average Mode.

Please refer to the API manual for additional information.

• DT-209X takes measurements while the power button is
pressed.

• There are 24 memory blocks that can be stored; each
block contains 10 data points. To store data in memory,
the power button is held and the memory button is
pressed once. This routine is repeated for every
measurement that needs to be captured. After all the 10
data points are used a “FULL” indicator is displayed on
the LCD screen. Arbitrarily less than 10 data points can

Standard mode

be stored in memory.

• Moving from one data block to the next requires the
release of the power button. When recording is resumed
the display will show “n” followed by a number indicating
the existing memory block location, where data will be
stored.

• Holding the memory button for 5 seconds clears the
stored memory per block.

• If the memory button is not pressed while the power
button is activated, the data will not be stored for that
period of time.

7

• The max, min, average, last and time of measurement
can be stored in memory via power button.

• The unit can store a maximum of 30 blocks

• Each block of data is based from the time the power

Average

mode

button was first pressed and then released. Within that
time average values are calculated and stored in memory
together with the time of measurement.

• Only the final set of values are displayed from the
tachometer in this mode. To review other blocks of
memory, the DT-209X has to download data using the
software and a computer.

Flowchart Diagram

Standard Mode

Standard Mode Memory Block 1 “n01”

• There are 24 blocks in
Standard mode.

• Each block contains 10
memory points

• Total of 240 memories can
be stored.

Memory Block 2 “n02”

Memory Block 24 “n24”

Pressing the Memory buttonPressing the Power button

Memory 1 “M1”

Memory 2 “M2”

Memory 3 “M3”

Memory 4 “M4”

Memory 10 “M10”

8

Average Mode

Press and release the Power button

Average Mode Memory Block 1 “n01”

Memory Block 2 “n02”

Average values are calculated
based from the activation of
the power button. (Only
average values are available).

Memory Block 3 “n03”

Memory Block 30 “n30”

NOTE: In both Standard and Average Mode, the memory button is pressed to recall
memory. It can only give information on the last memory block stored. To examine
other memory blocks the data should be downloaded using the USB Mode and DT­209X Software.

USB Mode

Online measurements, software controlled programs can run and take
measurements while the host computer is active. The host computer provides
power in this mode conserving battery life.

(Additional information is provided in the API section.)

9

Measuring Methods

Rotational speed measurement (Contact RPM)
Example: RPM measurement using the cone tip for motor rotation.

The contact adapter (DT-ADP-200L) is attached to the tachometer
laser opening.
There are threads on the adapter assembly for easy installation.

Install the contact adapter securely until all the
threads are used. To prevent damage do not over
tighten.

Use the cone tip adapter to read shaft measurements. Slide the tip
on the shaft of the tachometer. Make sure that the notch and the pin

from the tachometer shaft is aligned to prevent slippage.

The Unit Selector Switch is turned to contact RPM.
For additional information on other settings check the Unit Selector
Switch section of this manual (Refer to page 4).

In USB Mode the Unit Selector Switch is not available.
All the controls are transferred to the host computer.

The cone adapter is slowly pressed to the rotating shaft. Make sure
that the line of contact is straight. (Most motors provide a pilot hole on their
shaft).

The power switch is pressed while taking readings.
Releasing the power button will stop measurements and
activate the 5-minute auto power off feature. (Not
applicable in USB Mode.)

When the display continues to show “0.00” no
measurements are being taken. If this happens check the power button if it is
pressed firmly or if the contact tip is making good contact with the rotating shaft.

Measured data is displayed every 1 second. (Using the software the update time
can be adjusted as fast as 0.5 second.)

10

Three decimal points will flash on the center of the display
when the tachometer is out of range.

Speed and Length Measurements

Example: Length measurement for amount of materials used.

The contact adapter (DT-ADP-200L) is installed on the laser opening.
There are threads on the adapter for easy installation.

Install the contact adapter securely until all the

threads are used. To prevent damage do not over
tighten.

Length measurement is performed using the 6-inch circumference
wheel (Standard units, FPM-6) or the 12-inch circumference wheel
(DT-209X-S12, FPM-12)

When attaching the wheel adapter, make sure
that the pin from the tachometer shaft is aligned
with the notch on the wheel.

Using the Unit Selector Switch set the knob to the suitable unit of
measure needed for the application.

For additional information refer to the Unit Selector Switch section
of this manual. (Refer to page 4.)

The Unit Selector Switch is inactive when connected
to a computer via USB cable. All changes and
controls are transferred to the software.

After the unit is selected the wheel is slowly applied to the belt to be measured.

Measurement begins after the power switch is pressed. When the power switch
is released the measurement stops and the 5-minute auto power off feature of
the tachometer is activated.

If display continuously shows “0.00” no measurement is taken, check the power
switch if it is pressed firmly.

11

Typical measurement update is 1 second. (Using the software the update time
can be adjusted as fast as 0.5 second).

Things to Remember

The rubber portion of the tip accessories (cone tip, funnel tip, FPM wheel)
may become hot and may wear out prematurely at high speeds.

Press the tachometer firmly on the moving material when using the wheel.
Do not go beyond 300mm /min.

Non-Contact Measurements

Example: Measuring the RPM of a motor shaft.

Using a piece of reflective tape to measure the rotation of the motor shaft.

• Do not use this method for shafts smaller
than the reflective tape. The tape should
be at least the same size as the laser
beam.

• Do not use this method for shafts that are
shiny. This may trigger the tachometer to

have false readings.

• Remove water and oil from the shaft prior
to attaching the reflective tape.

• The unit selector switch is turned to
Non-contact RPM.

The Unit Selector Switch becomes
inactive when the USB cable is
attached from a computer.

The laser beam opening is pointed towards the
position of the reflective tape.

Effective distance is 50mm -1.5m (2 inches - 14 ft)
from the laser beam outlet.

12

Three decimal points at the center of the LCD display will flash
when the range of the measurement is exceeded.

The Power Switch becomes inactive when the USB cable is
connected to a host computer. The selection and control is
transferred to the host computer.

Mode Operation

1. Standard Mode

CAUTION: Do not look into the laser beam

opening while in operation. Staring into the
laser beam can result to eye damage.

The power switch is pressed while taking
readings. The Mode Selection Switch is set to
either Average or Standard Mode.

The display will show “ 0 “ when measurements
stop.

Measured data is displayed every second (On
slower readings less than 60 RPM the display will
update approximately every 1- 10 seconds).

Do not look into the laser beam opening while in operation.

The Measurement Mode Selector Switch is set to STD
(standard mode).

Standard Mode is displayed.

13

Pressing the Power Switch it will show the memory
block number where readings will be stored.

The block number will flash for a few seconds.
(Memory block location is identified by “n” followed
by the block number on the LCD display).

Standard mode allows 24 blocks; each block

can store 10 readings.

Note:

It is not required to use all the memory
blocks; it depends on the application and the
usage of this tachometer.

The Memory Block Indicator will change to Units of Measure
depending if the readings are taken within a certain block.

Unit of Measurement is displayed on the
LCD screen. The upper display indicator
will flash while taking measurements.

The display updates every1 second.

Push the memory button once while holding

the Power Switch to store data in memory.

Caution: Do not hold the memory
button continuously (5 seconds);
this will erase stored readings per
block.

14

Display Explanation

The memory location where the measurement will be
stored is shown on the Unit and Measurement
section of the LCD display. (“M” followed by the

number indicates memory location inside the
current block).

The memory number will advance automatically as
the memory button is pressed each time.

The tachometer will stop advancing once 10 memory
values are stored (10 memory values per block). To
store additional readings the Power Switch is released
then pressed again until the number behind “M”
changes. It will show a FULL indicator on the LCD
display once 10 readings are stored.

When the memory, mode and units of measure
display indicator is not flashing, the tachometer stops
taking readings. Make sure that the Measurement
Power button is pressed while measuring.

15

2. Average Mode

Average mode is displayed on the LCD screen

Pushing the Power Switch will show the memory
block number where readings are to be stored.
The block number will flash for a few seconds.
Average mode allows 30 blocks total, each block is
dependent on the time the power switch is first
pressed and then released.

It is not requried to use all the 30 memory blocks to
avail of this mode. It is dependent on the usage of
the tachometer.
When N30 is displayed on the screen, the unit has
reached the maximum allowed memory block number.
When the “FULL” indicator is displayed on the LCD
screen, no additional readings will be stored.

Unit of Measure Indicator (RPM) will flash
continuously while taking measurements. Once
the Unit of Measure stops flashing, the
tachometer will stop updating and no additional
measurements will be read. Pressing the Power
Switch will advance the memory block location
and resume measurements.

The display updates every 1 second.

16

Releasing the Power Switch will trigger the auto shut off
feature to activate.

3. USB Mode

The Measurement Mode Selector Switch is set to USB mode (USB mode).

The USB mode is displayed on the LCD
screen.
Please refer to the DT-209X API Section of this
manual under USB Mode for additional
information.

The Power switch and Unit
Selector Switch becomes
inactive from the DT-209X. All
controls are transferred to the
host PC.

The auto power off feature will
not work in USB mode. Power
for DT-209X is switched from
battery to USB.

Memory Function

The DT-209X can store measured data on the tachometer. Memory recall after
the auto power off is activated is possible.

1. Standard mode

RPM

1234

The figure on the left indicates that the
tachometer stops measuring. The unit of
measure stops flashing when the power
button is released.

17