Dwyer DL8 User Manual
Bulletin E-90-DL8
Series DL8 Process Data Logger
Specifications - Installation and Operating Instructions
Temperature
Sensor
GENERAL
Eliminate traditional paper chart recorders with the Series
DL8 Process Data Logger. This versatile, mulit-channel data
logger monitors and stores up to 32,768 process readings
for later download to IBM compatible computers. Seven
external input channels easily interface with commom
transducer and transmitter outputs. Internal thermistor
measures ambient temperature conditions. The DL200
Windows
(sold separately) makes programming the data logger simple and easy. The Series DL8 Process Data Logger is ideal
for monitoring temperature, relative humidity, pressure,
wind speed, current, voltage and power.
GENERAL INSTALLATION (for all DL Loggers)
The Trendreader software must be installed on your computer prior to the use of any data logger described in this
reference.
NOTE: For additional information on graph manipulation,
custom equations, modern setup, and sample rate tables,
consult the Trendreader software manual.
™
(Trendreader) software and connecting cable
Input Jack for Interface Cable
PHYSICAL DATA
No. of Channels: Eight; One
for internal thermistor and
seven for external analog
inputs.
Accuracy: ±1% of full scale.
Internal Thermistor Range:
-40 to 158°F (-40 to 70°C).
Memory Size: 32,768 readings.
Sampling Methods:
Continuous (First-in, First-out)
or Stop when full (Fill-thenstop).
Sampling Rates: Selectable
from 8 seconds to once every
5 days.
Resolution: 8 bits (1 in 256).
Power: Built-in 3.6V Lithium
battery.
Power Consumption: 5-10
µA.
Clock Accuracy: ±8 seconds per day plus one sampling interval.
Security
Eyelet
2.95
[75]
0.656
[17]
Input Impedance:
0 to 200 mV: > 20MΩ.
0 to 2.5 V: > 20MΩ
0 to 5.0 V: 20KΩ
0 to 10.0 V: 40.9KΩ
0 to 25 mA: 100Ω
Maximum Input Voltage: All
Voltage channels: ±40 V,
reverse polarity protected. All
Current channels: ±7 V,
reverse polarity protected.
Ambient Operating Temp:
-50 to 160°F (-45 to 70°C), 0
to 95% RH, non-condensing.
Connection: Removable
screw terminal.
Computer Requirements:
IBM compatible 386 or above
and Windows
with 2 mB RAM and 2 mB
hard drive disk space, one serial port.
Housing: Noryl
Weight: 5 oz. (110 g).
3.375
[9.5]
™
3.1 or later
™
Magnetic
Strip
0.45
[12]
Setup
To setup your datalogger you must first have Trendreader
software installed and running on your computer. You can
then configure your logger with various options by plugging
into your computer via the interface cable. From the
Communicate menu, choose Preferred Logger SR+. To
access the logger window, double click on the logger icon
or click Communicate on the menu bar and choose the
highlighted Open COM from the menu.
DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC.
P.O. Box 373 • Michigan City, IN 46361-0373, U.S.A. Fax: 219/872-9057 e-mail: info@dwyer-inst.com
SERIES DL8 PROCESS DATA LOGGER MODELS & EQNS
Model No.
DL8
DL81
Input Type
0 to 2.5 VDC
0 to5 VDC (2 channels)
0 to 10 VDC
0 to 200 mV DC
0 to 25 mA DC (2 channels)
All channels 0 to 25 mA.
Equation #
7
18
17
19
6
6
Table 1
Phone: 219/879-8000 www.dwyer-inst.com
If more than one logger icon appears on the screen or more
than one Open COM is highlighted on the Communicate
menu, this means you have more than one COM port available on your computer. Choose the port that the particular
logger is connected to.
The logger window will display the serial number of the logger Trendreader software is communicating with. See
Figure 1. To contact another logger connected to the compute. 1. Double-click the serial number displayed to highlight it. 2. Type the serial number of the logger you want to
contact. 3. Click the Contact button.
Enabling and Disabling Channels
Enabling a channel activates that channel and it will continually record and store readings in memory. In the channel
ON column, Yes means the channel is active, No means it
is not. Click on the channel being changed to toggle
between yes and no. Disable any channels not required to
conserve memory space.
Equation Numbers
Equations are calculations the software uses to convert raw
logger data to understandable units. Refer to page one
(Table 1) for the appropriate equation number.
To see a list of standard equations available, double click
one of the equation numbers in the Eqn column. The Select
an Equation dialog box will appear, enabling you to scroll
through the standard equations. If you want to choose one
of the equations on the list, click it to highlight, and click
Accept (or Enter). You can also choose an equation by typing the number in the selected Equation Number box and
clicking Accept (or Enter).
Custom equations can be created and assigned to specific
logger channels. For additional information on creating custom equations, please refer to the instruction manual included with the Trendreader software.
Figure 1
Filename
You cannot name the file during setup. Name the file when
you are backing up the logger.
Current Time
Make sure the current time is correct. To change the time,
access the Program manager on your computer and follow
instructions in your computer setup manual.
Stop When Full and Continuous Mode
The logger can be set to stop taking readings when the
memory is full, or to continue to take readings when the
memory is full. To choose the first option, click the box in
front of Stop When Full so that there is an “X” in it. To
choose the continuous mode, click the box in front of Stop
When Full so there is no “X” in it. The logger will continue to
take readings when the memory is full, discarding the oldest reading as it records new readings.
Stopping Realtime
When the logger window is opened, the logger is operating
in realtime mode, which means current readings are being
displayed in the window. Before changing any settings, click
Edit Setup.
Clearing Stored Data
To empty stored data, click Clear Stored Data.
Calibrations
The calibration values displayed in the low, med, high
columns are factory set and match the sensor applied.
Viewing Realtime Readings
The realtime function allows the user to view measurements
as they are being recorded. Viewing current readings can
be useful when monitoring remote loggers by modem. In
realtime mode, the logger reads and displays the variable
every 8 seconds. If the sample rate is greater than 8-seconds, the average value for the sample interval is stored
(based on 8-second readings).
Do not leave realtime running if you want to perform other
tasks in Trendreader or if you want to switch to another
Windows™application. The operation of Trendreader of
other Windows™program will be slowed considerably with
realtime running. To stop or start realtime, click the Edit
Setup button. Stopping realtime has no effect on the logger’s information gathering.
Units of Measure
The units of measure can be changed to fit your particular
needs. To change the units displayed in Realtime and on the
logged data choose the Options menu, highlight the parameter being measured. The units appropriate for that particular parameter will be displayed in the units window.
Select the box corresponding to the desired units of measure and press Enter.
When viewing in realtime, the new units will be displayed at
the next update interval. The standard unit of measure will
be designated with a 1 in the Scale column. When selecting a different unit of measure, make sure the conversion
from the standard is correct.
Choosing a Sample Rate
The sample rate is the frequency that the logger takes readings. The current sample rate is always displayed. to
change the sample rate: 1. Click the current rate. The sample rate dialog box appears. The dialog box displays current
sample rate, the number of active channels, and the length
of time it will take to fill the memory using the number of
active channels and rate. (To determine the loggers capacity, enable the number of channels required before choosing
a sample rate). 2. Click the down arrow to see available
sample rates from 8 seconds to 8 hours in Continuous and
Stop When Full modes. Scroll if necessary, and click on the
desired rate. In Fast Read mode, sample rates less than 8
seconds are available. 3. Click Accept. The new sample
rate will apply to all active channels. If you do not want to
change the sample rate, click cancel.
Delaying Starting Time
Make sure the correct time is displayed in the logger window before using this function. Once the logger has been
setup, click Save Setup, and the logger will start gathering
data. To delay the start time: 1. Double click in the Start
Delay box to open the Select a Time dialog box. 2. Set the
time and/or date for the logger to start taking readings. 3.
Click Accept. The logger can be set for a delayed start time
of up to two years.
Number of Readings
The maximum number of readings the DL8 logger can store
is 32,768. If fewer readings are desired, change the number
(in increments of 500).
Fast Read Mode
Choose Fast Read Mode when:
1. You need a sample rate of less than 8-seconds, and /or
2. You want to delay the logger’s start time but do not want
to specify the start time until after the logger has been
setup.
Fast Read Mode allows you to choose sample rates from
0.04 seconds (25 readings per second) to 2 minutes. The
sample rate must be in increments of 0.04 seconds. NOTE:
A separate power source is required when using Fast Read
Mode. Power can be supplied from the computer the logger is connected to or a separate battery pack (BP-100). If
using the battery pack, the logger will start taking reading as
soon as the battery is connected.
The logger cannot work in continuous Mode when using
Fast Read Mode. The logger will stop taking readings as
soon as the memory is full. The logger will also interrupt
readings when it is connected to Trendreader software.
To delay start in Fast Read Mode:
1. Set the delay time in seconds in the Start Delay box. Use
this method when the logger will remain connected to a
computer or battery pack.
2. If the battery pack will be connected at a later time, follow this procedure before disconnecting the logger from the
computer: Before clicking Save Setup, set that Delay for
long enough that you can save the setup and disconnect
the logger while it is asleep. The logger must be asleep (on
start delay) when it is disconnected to be able to start taking readings when the battery is connected to it. NOTE: You
must set a minimum start delay of 16 seconds before you
disconnect the logger from the computer. the logger must
be disconnected from the computer within 8-seconds of
setting the delay. If these steps are omitted, the logger will
not start when the battery is connected.
To calculate the number of readings a particular time span
will need, divide the time span by the sample rate (making
sure both are in seconds or minutes). If you are taking readings at 8-second intervals for 24-hours, and need to know
the number of readings, convert 24-hours to seconds
(86400) and divide by the sample rate of 8-seconds to get
10,800 readings. When backing up the logger, it will stop at
the specified number of readings.
Saving Changes
When you have finished setting up your logger, click Save
Setup. A dialog box will appear asking to clear the logger
and save setup. (Setting up a logger erases all the previously gathered data). Click OK.
Do not contact a logger in Fast Read Mode until you are
going to back it up. Contacting the logger will stop it from
taking readings. You can contact a logger by clicking
Contact or by opening the window once it has been closed.
BACKING UP A LOGGER
Copying data from a logger to your computer requires an
IC-100 or IC-200 Interface cable. to backup a single logger
use the IC-100 Interface Module. The IC-200 Interface
Module can be used to backup several loggers. Backing up
a logger can take a number of minutes depending on the
speed of your computer and the amount of data being
transferred.
The process can be speed up by selecting the Set Baud
rate, Fastest Available from the Communicate menu. (If you
have problems backing up a logger, try a slower baud rate.
On some computers, choosing the fastest available baud
rate causes timing conflicts. NOTE: The IC-200 module
automatically transmits at 1200 baud and cannot be adjusted.
Backing Up a Logger
From the Communicate menu, choose Preferred Logger
SR+. To access the logger window, double click on the logger icon or click Communicate on the menu bar and choose
the highlighted Open COM from the menu. To backup a logger, click Backup in the logger window. A dialog box
appears showing the baud rate, the serial number of the
logger, and the progress of the backup. (You may cancel
the backup procedure by clicking Cancel).
Figure 2
Opening a Graph after Backup
If you want to view the transferred information as a graph
immediately after backup, open the Options menu in the
main window and make sure a check mark is in front of
Open Graph after Backup. NOTE: See the Trendreader software manual for details on manipulating graphs.
Naming a File
When backup is completed, the Save As dialog box
appears to enable you to name the file. The default name is
always the serial number of the logger. If you want to keep
the logger’s serial number as the filename, click OK. If you
want to give the file a different name, type the new name
and click OK. NOTE: You cannot type anything after the dot
in the Trendreader filename. The three letter extension, is
automatically assigned.
Backing Up Additional Loggers
You can daisy-chain the DL8 loggers together and back
them up one by one. You may want to disable the opening
a graph after backup function when you are backing up
several loggers. If this function is not disabled, a graph will
be opened after backing up each logger, increasing the total
backup time. To disable this function, open the Options
menu and make sure there is no check mark in front of
Open Graph After Backup.
Alarm Dialout is enabled by setting high and low alarm
thresholds, entering the number that is to receive the alarm
call, and sending the setup to the logger. When an alarm
condition occurs, the logger will dial out and leave the
remote site number on the receiver’s telephone caller ID or
on the pager’s display. (Alarm Dialout does not leave a verbal message). To activate Alarm dialout, click Alarm Dialout
in the logger window so that there is a check in the Alarm
Dialout box. A dialog box will appear at the bottom of the
window. See Figure 2.
Setting High and Low Alarm Thresholds
Set high and low alarm thresholds for each active channel
on the logger. Any reading lower than the low alarm threshold or higher than the high alarm threshold will cause the
logger to dial out from the remote site. Set the high alarm to
the highest possible value and low alarm to the lowest possible value if you do not want the alarm activated on that
channel.
Choosing a Baud Rate
Baud rate is a measure of the transmission speed of the dial
commands that the logger sends to the modem. The
default baud rate is 1200, which is reliable and accurate for
most situations. Higher baud rates are available in the baud
rate box.
ALARM DIALOUT
Alarm Dialout enables you to setup the logger at a remote
site so that it will dial a phone number when readings have
exceeded preset alarm thresholds. It can be setup to dial a
telephone or pager. The receiving telephone requires caller
ID to use this feature.
If sending the alarm to a pager, the pager system must
accept touch-tone codes that can be displayed on the
pager.
Entering the Number to Dial
A. Calling a telephone: Remember the telephone must
have caller ID to receive the alarm.
1. Type a dial command in the Number to Dial box.
If the phone line at the remote site has tone dial, type ATDT.
If pulse dial, type ATDP.
2. After the dial command, type the number of the
telephone that is to receive the alarm call.
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