General Tools VM8205SD User Manual

VM8205SD

USER’S MANUAL

VIBRATION METER

WITH DATALOGGING SD CARD

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 – 10

What’s in the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –6

Normal Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 –8

Holding and Storing Measurements

(RMS values only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Automatic vs. Manual Datalogging . . . . . . . . . . 9

Transferring Data from the SD Card

to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Maintenance & Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Optional Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’ VM8205SD Vibration Meter with
Datalogging SD Card. Please read this user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using
the meter.

The VM8205SD is a general-purpose handheld instrument that can measure the
acceleration or velocity of a machine as an indicator of its vibration level. All industrial
machinery vibrates, and a machine’s vibration level can serve as a proxy for its condition.
Imbalance, misalignment or loose bolts will cause the vibration level to increase, indicating
the need for maintenance.

The meter is a professional-quality instrument that comes with a vibration probe as well as
a magnetic base for attaching the probe to any metal part of a machine or its housing. The
meter’s sensitivity and frequency spectrum of 10 Hz to 1 kHz comply with ISO 2954, the
standard for measuring mechanical vibration of rotating and reciprocating machinery.

Measurements made by the probe can be displayed in either of two metric units or one
English unit. Vibration inputs can be displayed in the preferred way: as root mean square
(RMS) values. The meter also can measure, hold and update the RMS peak value in a series
of measurements.

Because it is microprocessor-based, the VM8205SD can make full use of the portability,
reliability and large storage capacities that SD memory cards offer. Measurements can be
made automatically at any sampling rate between one second and one hour. After time­stamping and storing the measurements on an SD card plugged into the meter (a process
called datalogging), the user can remove the card and plug it into to a laptop or desktop
computer either directly or via a USB card reader. The data logs are stored on the card as
files with the .xls extension, which can be opened by Microsoft’s Excel application.

The VM8205SD has a backlit 2-1/2 in. diagonal display and is powered by six “AA” Alkaline
batteries or an optional 9-VDC AC adapter.

KEY FEATURES

• Vibration probe measures acceleration or velocity

• Included magnetic base facilitates attachment of probe to metal parts or
machine housing

• Big (2.5 in. diagonal) front-panel green backlit LCD is easy to read

• Displays maximum and minimum readings and holds any RMS reading

• Automatically logs measurements at sampling time settable from one second
to one hour

• Also supports manual datalogging and changing of SD card storage location

• Outputs Excel-compatible data logs

• Accepts SD memory cards of up to 16 GB capacity

• Powered by six “AA” batteries or optional 9V AC/DC adapter

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT’S IN THE CASE

The VM8205SD comes fully assembled in a carrying case along with a vibration sensing
probe, a magnetic base, a 2 GB SD memory card and this user’s manual.

Figure 1 shows all of the controls and indicators on the front, right side, back, top and
bottom of the VM8205SD. The drawing also shows the components of the included
vibration probe. Familiarize yourself with the positions and functions of these controls,
indicators and connectors before moving on to the setup procedure.

TOP

FRONT

BOTTOM

RIGHT

SIDE

BACK

VIBRATION

PROBE

1. The VM8205SD’s controls and indicators and other physical features

1-1 Liquid-crystal display
1-2 POWER/ESC button
1-3 FUNC./HOLD/NEXT

button
1-4 REC/ENTER button
1-5 SET ▼ button
1-6 LOGGER ▲ button
1-7 Socket for vibration

probe BNC plug
1-8 SD card socket

4

1-9 RS-232 output jack
1-10 RESET button
1-11 Socket for 9VDC AC

adapter

1-12 Battery compartment

cover

1-13 Battery compartment

cover screws
1-14 Kickstand
1-15 Tripod attachment nut

1-16 Magnetic base
1-17 Vibration sensor
1-18 Vibration sensor input

socket

1-19 Vibration probe mini-

plug
1-20 Vibration probe cable
1-21 Vibration probe BNC

plug

SETUP

1. Choose the power source. Before using the VM8205SD, make sure it is powered by
fresh batteries or an optional 9VDC AC adapter plugged into the bottom jack on its right
side (callout 1-12).

To remove the battery compartment cover (callout 1-13), remove the two screws holding
it in place (callout 1-14). Then install six “AA” batteries in the correct orientation, using the
polarity marks on the inside of the compartment as a guide. Replace the cover by replacing
the two screws.

2. Install an SD card. To prepare for setup, also install the supplied 2 GB SD memory card
or another card with a capacity from 1 GB to 16 GB in the socket on the bottom of the
meter (callout 1-9). When installing the card, make sure its gold contacts are facing front
and push the card into the socket until you hear a click. To remove the card, push it in
until you hear a click and the card pops out.

Now power on the instrument by pressing the POWER/ESC button (callout 1-2) to generate
a short beep. (To power off the VM8205SD, press the POWER/ESC button and hold it until
the instrument responds with a long beep.)

When the meter powers on, a series of transient startup screens will briefly appear. Once
the display has stabilized, perform the following six setup steps in the order presented.

3. Set the date and time. Press the SET ▼ button (callout 1-5) and hold it for at least five
seconds, until the word “dAtE” appears in the center of the display, along with the
flashing value “00.00.00” at the lower left, above “yy.mm.dd”.

Set the current year by pressing the SET ▼ or LOGGER ▲ button repeatedly until the
correct value appears above “yy”. Quickly (within three seconds), press the REC/ENTER
button to store the setting. The next screen that appears will have the value above “mm”
flashing. Use the SET ▼ or LOGGER ▲ button to navigate to the current month and press
the REC/ENTER button to store the setting. When the next screen flashes the value above
“dd”, again use the SET ▼ or LOGGER ▲ button to navigate to the current day and press
the REC/ENTER button to store the setting.

(If you press buttons too slowly in setup mode, the screen will revert to the normal display.
To return to the setup sequence, press and hold the SET ▼ button again. To move ahead to
the next field in the sequence or to the next parameter, press the FUNC./HOLD/NEXT
button.)

Once you have set the date, the display will prompt you to set the hour, minute and second
of the current time. Again use the SET ▼ or LOGGER ▲ buttons to navigate to the correct
values, and the REC/ENTER button to store the settings.

4. Choose a decimal point or comma to represent the decimal division between integers
and fractions (for example, American-style 20.88 vs. European-style 20,88). Once you
have set the date and time, the display will show the word “bASIC” above the phrase
“dEC”. Press the SET ▼ button to make “bASIC” (American style) or “Euro” appear in
the upper display, as desired. Press the REC/ENTER button to store the selection as
the default.

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