ThermoWorks RTR-500NWAW User Manual

RTR-500NW/AW Configuration Guide

Before You Start

Ver. 1.01

Take a few moments before you start to make the following simple checks. A few moments spent before you start installing your
system can save a lot of time later by avoiding some of the most common problems that users can encounter.

I) Administrator Rights

For installation of TandD software and drivers it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY that you have complete administrator rights.
Go to Control Panel > User Accounts and confirm that this is the case. If it is not, then stop right here and correct it.

II) Firewall Settings

The RTR-500NW/AW resides on your network independently from any PC, with its own IP address. In order for it to perform its
functions, however, the unit will have to have an unimpeded communication path to the FTP and Email servers that you specify in the
settings. This may also include unimpeded ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. Your network may have firewalls which block this
access so it will be necessary to attend to this early on in the setup process.

III) SPAM Filter Settings

If you are going to be sending warning monitoring emails be sure to set your SPAM filter not to block them.

IV) Other Help Sources

Note that RTR-500W for Windows has both a Help file and an
Operational Guide that contain tips for setup and troubleshooting
suggestions. As unusual as it may seem, TandD’s Help Files actually
are helpful. You can find a lot of useful information in them, so try
looking there if you are having problems.

Starting the RTR-500W Settings Utility

I) Getting Started

1. After installing RTR-500W for Windows on your PC go to the Start Menu and launch the RTR-500W Settings Utility Main
Window. If you have questions about installing the software or the USB Driver refer to the User’s Guide that was packed with
the unit. The Guide has very complete instructions for this.

2. Next connect the RTR-500NW/AW to your PC using the USB cable supplied with the unit. If the USB driver installed
correctly the software should automatically discover the 500W, and the device will appear in the Utility Main Window. If this
doesn’t happen automatically you may have to manually associate the USB Driver with the 500W in your PC’s Device
Manager.

With the RTR-500NW/AW located, the software will also automatically open the Settings Window.

3.

The RTR-500W Settings Window

II) The Settings Process

Making settings to control the operation of the RTR­500NW/AW is a remarkably straightforward process
that is all accomplished through the Settings
Window, shown here. The window is divided
vertically in two, with page selections in the left hand
pane and page contents on the right. Settings are
made by selecting a settings page from the pane on
the left and then filling in the entries in the page on
the right. The process starts with the top page (Base
Unit Settings) and then moving down the page list,
making the settings page by page, until the last page
(Settings for Sending Recorded Data) has been
completed. (We will talk about Transmission Tests
later in Section 12.)

AFTER MAKING SETTINGS BE SURE TO
CLICK ON “APPLY” BEFORE LEAVING
EACH SCREEN

1. Base Unit Settings

There is not much to discuss here. The Base Unit Description field can be used to enter a logical name for the RTR-500W that may
have more meaning to you than the factory assigned serial number. This can be particularly helpful if you have more than one 500W
on your network. The LAN Password will be used to access the 500W later when it is connected to your network, rather than via
USB.

2. Remote Unit Settings

The Remote Unit Settings screen is used to register
loggers to the system. When a logger is placed on the
500W you can set, via optical communication, the
logger recording parameters, assign it to a logical
group and give it a logical name, set the RF
communication channel, enable warning monitoring
and set the upper and lower reading limits which
trigger warnings. Every logger that is to be monitored
or downloaded by the RTR-500NW/AW must be
registered to it using this screen.

3. Repeater Settings

If you intend to use wireless repeaters in your system
to address communication range issues you will use
this screen to register them. If not, you can skip this
section (screen) entirely. The only tricky part here is
that in order to register a repeater to your system you
will need to plug an RTR-500 into a USB port on your
PC with the Repeater Setting screen selected. You can
do this by plugging it into a 2nd USB port on your PC,
or by unplugging the 500W and using its USB
connection for the repeater. Once the RTR-500 is
connected click the “Register” button in the Repeater
Setting screen. Make the appropriate entries in the
pop-up window and click on Register. The repeater
will now be listed in the Repeater Settings screen.
When finished, disconnect the RTR-500 from the
USB port and reconnect the 500W.