Congratulations on your purchase of the Triplett Model VBDL100. The
model VBDL100 can measure and record shock and vibration
(acceleration) readings over its ± 18g measurement range. This device
will record 3‐axis g‐force and related peaks to provide a history of shock
and vibration conditions. The real time clock provides time stamps for all
data.
The user can easily configure the logging rate, high/low alarm and start‐
mode, and download the stored data by plugging the VBDL100 into a
PC's USB port and running the supplied PC software. Measurement
data can be plotted, printed and exported for use with other applications
such as word processors and spreadsheets. The data logger is supplied
with a long‐life 1000 hour lithium battery.
The VBDL100 memory uses a 4MB Flash device that can hold 168042
Normal recordings or 112028 Motion Detection recordings per axis
Description
Meter Description
1. USB connector
2. RECORD LED
3. ALARM LED
4. Datalogger Start / Stop Button
5. Axis reference diagram
Note: Battery compartment access screws (2) located on rear of unit.
Refer to the battery installation section for further details.
Page 3
Pedestal Mount Description
1. Mounting screw
holes
2. Swivel latch
3. Swivel latch lock
4. Mounting magnets
Mounting the VBDL100
The VBDL100 fits securely in the supplied mounting pedestal. Unscrew the
pedestal latch and snap the VBDL100 into the pedestal. Secure the latch and
follow one of the mounting methods below. There are three mounting
methods for affixing the pedestal to the area under test:
1. Magnetically: Powerful magnets are built into the rear of the
pedestal
2. Adhesive: Use glue (not supplied) to affix the pedestal to the area
under test
3. Screws: Three mounting holes are provided on the pedestal for
screw mounting (screws not supplied)
Page 4
LED Status Indication
*To save power, the VBDL100’s LED flashing cycle can be changed via the supplied
software.
**To save power, alarm LEDs for temperature can be disabled via the
supplied software. NOTE: When the battery is low, all operations will be
disabled automatically.
NOTE: Logging automatically stops when the battery weakens (logged data will be
retained).
Page 5
Datalogging Software Program
INSTALLING THE DATALOGGER SOFTWARE
Install the supplied WindowsTM PC Datalogger Software by placing the supplied program
disk in the PC’s CD‐ROM drive. If the installation program does not automatically open
and provide on‐screen prompts (as shown in diagram below), open and browse the CD‐
ROM drive, then find and double‐click on the SETUP.EXE file included on the program
disk. Follow the on‐screen prompts as shown below to complete the installation.
Before running the datalogger software, please connect the VBDL100 to the PC and
install the USB Driver software as described in the next section.
Page 6
INSTALLING THE USB DRIVER
The PC will prompt for the USB Driver installation immediately after the main software
program is installed. A window similar to the one shown below will appear to prompt for
the installation. Simply click INSTALL to continue.
To install the driver manually, plug the VBDL100 into an available USB port on the PC. If
this is the first time that the VBDL100 is connected to the particular port on the PC, the
following screen will appear:
Make sure the program disk is still in the PC CD‐ROM drive. Select the ‘recommended’
installation and follow the on‐screen prompts to complete the driver installation. If this is
a repeat connection of the VBDL100 to the USB port, the driver installation process will
be automatically skipped.
Page 7
RUNNING THE DATALOGGER SOFTWARE
With the VBDL100 inserted in the PC’s USB port, double‐click the program icon (located
on the desktop) to launch the program. The main software screen will appear.
Instructions for using the Datalogger Software are contained in the HELP Utility available
from the HELP menu in the software program. Please read the HELP Utility thoroughly in
order to fully understand the software and the related functionality of the VBDL100.
Note: When the VBDL100 is connected to the USB port, its battery discharges at a
higher rate than normal. To conserve battery life, do not leave the VBDL100
connected to the USB port for a prolonged period of time.
Basic Datalogger Operation
This section covers only the starting and stopping of the Datalogger’s recording
functions. All other information is provided in the HELP utility within the software
program.
1. Configure the Datalogger’s sample rate, motion detection threshold, record
mode, LED flash cycle and more using the supplied software program. Refer to
the instructions included in the software program’s HELP utility to configure the
datalogger and to otherwise use the software.
2. If AUTO start is selected in the software, the datalogger will begin logging data
the moment the software window is closed. If MANUAL is selected, press and
hold the datalogger start/stop button until the green LED flashes; the
datalogger LED flashes periodically (flash interval time selectable in software)
indicating that the datalogger is recording.
3. To stop datalogging, press and hold the start/stop button while the unit is
datalogging. The red LED will quickly flash indicating that datalogging has
stopped. Refer to the LED status table earlier in this manual for interpreting the
LED flash information.
4. Refer to the software HELP utility for transferring the data from the logger to
the PC.
Page 8
1g OFFSET
The axis (or combination of axis) parallel to the earth surface will indicate the 1g
force related to gravitational force.
Battery Replacement
The VBDL100 does not lose its stored readings when the battery expires or when the
battery is replaced. The data logging process will however be stopped and cannot be
re‐started until the battery has been replaced and the logged data has been
downloaded to PC.
The battery life is rated for approx. 1000 hours. If in doubt, replace the battery before
logging critical data. Use only 3.6V lithium batteries. Before replacing the battery,
remove the datalogger from the PC.
Note: When the VBDL100 is connected to the USB port, its battery discharges at
a higher rate than normal. To conserve battery life, do not leave the
VBDL100 connected to the USB port for a prolonged period of time.
Remove the two Phillips screws identified with the two smaller arrows in the
diagram below.
Slide the battery compartment
cover in the direction of the
larger arrow.
Replace the battery with one of
the same type (3.6V lithium, ½ AA 1.0Ah, Saft LS‐14250 or equiv).
Close the battery compartment and tighten with the two screws.
WARNING: Handle lithium batteries carefully, observe warnings on battery
casing.
Dispose of in accordance with local regulations.
Page 9
Specifications
Acceleration
Range: ± 18g
Resolution: 0.00625g
Accuracy
± 0.5g
Frequency Range
0 to 60Hz
Datalog Memory
4MB Flash stores 168042 Normal recording records
or
112028 Motion Detection records per axis.
Logging rate
Selectable sampling interval: From 50ms up to 24
hours
Data format
Time stamped peak acceleration and freefall;
Average and
Peak Vector sums
Computer PC interface
USB
Hardware requirements
8MB RAM; 2MB Hard Drive space for software
program;
USB jack
System requirements
WindowsTM XP, VISTA, WindowsTM 7 (32 and 64
bit) Windows 10TM
Page 10
Operating temperature
32 to 104oF (0 to 40oC)
Storage temperature
0 to 140oF (‐10 to 60oC)
Battery type
3.6V Lithium (1/2 AA) 1.0Ah (Saft LS‐14250 or equiv)
Power consumption
1mA (typical, while recording); < 15µA while idling
Battery life
1000 hours approx.
Dimensions/Weight
3.7 x 1.1 x 0.8” (95 x 28 x 21mm) / 6oz (172g)
Warranty
Triplett / Jewell Instruments extends the following warranty to the original purchaser of
these goods for use. Triplett warrants to the original purchaser for use that the products
sold by it will be free from defects in workmanship and material for a period of (1) one
year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to any of our products
which have been repaired or altered by unauthorized persons in any way or purchased
from unauthorized distributors so as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or
reliability, or which have been subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence,
accident or which have had the serial numbers altered, defaced, or removed.
Accessories, including batteries are not covered by this warranty