Data Loggers
Where can I find a manual for Atlas?
The online manual is located within the Atlas account and can be accessed in the Help section of your account.
What data formats does Atlas accept?
Atlas accepts only text files. The most common formats are listed below:
| Campbell Scientific Table Based TA05 Format Description: “yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss”,recno,value1,value2,value3,value4,value n, Example: “2008-01-06 12:00:00”, 3068.8,11.5,3045.5,12.6, Notes: – date stamp is quoted (” “) – date is fixed: yyyy-mm-dd. No variations are allowed. – date separators are hyphens ( – ) – recno is a record number. Atlas does not use the number, but requires at least a blank field. – decimal character is a dot ( . ) – value separators are commas ( , ) – TA05 normally has a header. Atlas ignores the header, if present. |
| Serial Number Format Description: “yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss”, recno ,”serial1″,value1,value2,”serial2″, value1,value2,value3, Example: “2011-10-27 22:00:00”,“33853”,12.86,7.137,“15766”,12.77,0.558,6543, Notes: – Same as Campbell table format, but has embedded serial numbers. – date stamp, decimals, and value separators are same as in Campbell format above. – serial numbers are quoted. Atlas uses serial numbers to assign values to the proper sensor. – each serial number can be followed by an arbitrary number of values (if necessary). |
| Atlas Format Description: dd/mm/yyyy;hh:mm:ss;value1;value2;value3;value4 Example: 01/27/2008;12:00:00;3068.8;11.5;3045.5;12.6 Notes: – date is separated from time by a semi-colon ( ; ). – date order can be: dd/mm/yyyy or mm/dd/yyyy or yyyy/mm/dd, etc. – date separator is a forward slash ( / ) – decimal character is a dot ( . ) – value separator is a semi-colon ( ; ) |
How do I read VW sensors with a CR1000x or CR350 datalogger?
Neither the CR1000X nor the CR350 can read VW sensors directly. A VW module (AVW200) must be used with these loggers.
How do I convert RTD or thermistor readings to degrees C?
Choose a formula from the table below:
| Vibrating Wire Sensors with AVW200: Where Ohms = reading in ohms Coefficients for Thermistor: A = 1.401e-3 B = 2.377e-4 C = 0.00e0 D = 9.730e-8 Formula for Thermistor: Deg C = 1/(A+B*LN(Ohms) + C*LN(Ohms)^2 + D*LN(Ohms^3)-273.2 Coefficients for RTD: J = -23.50833439 K = 227.625007 L = -341.217356417 Formula for RTD: Deg C = (J*((Ohms/1000)^2)) + (K*(Ohms/1000))+(L) |
| Vibrating Wire Sensors with AVW1, AVW100, or AVW4: Where VT = reading in volts Coefficients for Thermistor: A=43.089 B=-240.91 C=544.27 D=-611.59 E=378.11 F=-104.78 Formula for Thermistor: Deg C = A*(VT^5) + B*(VT^4) + C*(VT^3) + D*(VT^2) + E*(VT) + FCoefficients for RTD: A=-435.97 B=1904.4 C=-3442.5 D=2412.6 Formula for RTD: Deg C = A*(VT^3) + B*(VT^2) + C*VT + D |
| MEMS or EL SC Sensors: Where VT = Thermistor reading in volts: Coefficients: A=9.3219 B=-54.3038 C=131.165 D=-161.2568 E=137.7711 F=-37.7705 Formula: Deg C = A*(VT^5) + B*(VT^4) + C*(VT^3) + D*(VT^2) + E*(VT) + F |
| 4-20mA Sensors: Where VT = Thermistor reading in volts: Coefficients: A=43.089 B=-240.91 C=544.27 D=-611.59 E=378.11 F=-104.78 Formula: Deg C = A*(VT^5) + B*(VT^4) + C*(VT^3) + D*(VT^2) + E*(VT) + F |
I want to place my CR1000x and AM1632 multiplexer in different locations. How far apart can I place them?
We usually recommend that the multiplexer be placed close to the CR1000x, but if you must separate them, here are some points to consider:
1. Power: The CR1000x must supply power to drive the relays on the multiplexer, so you must check for a voltage drop caused by the resistance of long cables. See the AM1632 manual for power requirements.
2. Digital Ouput and Pulse: The CR1000x sends a digital signal to reset and clock the relays. The duration and level of this signal can be degraded by long cables. See the AM1632 manual for required voltages.
3. Signal Degradation: The signal from the sensor doesn’t stop at the multiplexer. It continues, unamplified and unfiltered, through the multiplexer all the way to the CR1000x. Long cable lengths are subject to RF noise from the environment and resistance from the cable.
Is there a way to connect a CR1000x to my SCADA system?
There are two ways to interface a CR1000x to a SCADA system.
- Make a hardware link via RS232 using the Modbus protocol to interface to HMI (Human Machine Interface) of the SCADA system.
- Make a software Link using PC-OPC from Campbell. SCADA system has to be compatible with OPC (Ole for Processing Control). Use Loggernet and prefered telemetry option. Loggernet acts as server, with data in Cache. PC-OPC resides on PC and acts a client. PC-OPC goes to server cache, retreives data, then makes it available to HMI, essentiall providing a software ‘bridge’ to HMI.
Can I use a terminal program to communicate with the VW MiniLogger?
Yes. There is also a terminal emulator built into the MiniLogger Manager program. Please note that the MiniLogger’s terminal mode is simply for checking the functions of the logger and not intended to support access by other automated means. More about Terminal Mode
Should I set up the GTecLink nodes or Gateway first?
If you are using a Gateway, you should set up the Gateway first. Once the Gateway is operational, each node should be commissioned near to its final installation location. This will allow you to test the radio signal strength between the node and the Gateway to verify you will have successful communication.
Do I need to have the Gateway connected to the internet when I set it up?
It is not required, but it is helpful. When the Gateway is first powered up, it first checks for a hardwired LAN connection and if it doesn’t find one, then looks for a SIM card. If it does not find either, it goes into standalone mode. This setting can be changed by hard-wiring your PC into the Gateway and changing it or by powering the Gateway off and back on, but it is simpler if it is connected to the network during its initial commissioning.
You mentioned connecting to the Gateway with a PC. Can I use the GTecLink app to commission the Gateway?
No. The GTecLink app is used only to connect with the nodes to commission them or to download data from them. The initial commissioning of the Gateway requires that a PC be connected to the Gateway via the USB port on the Gateway.
You will need a standard CAT 5 or CAT 6 ethernet cable and will connect one end to your PC and the other to the Ethernet to USB adapter that was included in the Gateway package. If your PC does not have an ethernet port, you will need to order an additional Ethernet to USB adapter (DGSI p/n 58820530) and will have an adapter on both ends of the ethernet cable. Once you are connected to the Gateway and it is powered on, you will open an internet browser and type http://169.254.0.1 in the address bar.
The user name will be admin and the password will be VMjG6z. This address, user name and password will be the same for any wired connection to any Gateway. Please note that this is NOT the address, user name or password to access the Gateway remotely.
That information is provided on the Gateway Information sheet that was included with your Gateway and is unique to each Gateway.
What kind of battery does the V-Logger use, and how do I replace it?
The standard battery is a size D lithium battery, and should be replaced using the information detailed here. It is a 3.6v lithium battery. The preferred manufacturer is Xeno Energy. They sell the battery under part number #XL-205F (a secondary manufacturer also makes them: Tadiran, under part number #TL-5930 (TL-5930/S)). They can be purchased from several online retailers, including Amazon and Sears, as well as at battery specialist stores.
How do I update the firmware for my V-Logger?
Updating the firmware for a V-Logger is a simple process.
1. Download and save the V-Logger firmware update here.
2. Connect the logger to your PC via USB and run Logger Manager.
3. Select device type “V Logger” and verify that you have the correct Comm Port selected.
4. If needed, save all data and settings before updating the firmware.
5. Click “Options > Firmware Update”. You should see the following warning:
6. Click “Upload Firmware” and navigate to the firmware update file you saved in Step 1. Select the *.bin file and press OK.
7. The Update window will open, showing the progress of the firmware update.
8. When complete, the “Set Clock” window will open; it may or may not be necessary to update the clock.
9. Confirm the firmware version by clicking “Set Up” on the Logger Manager home page. Click “Retrieve Setup”. Check the Version shown in the general settings. The current version is 2.5 A1.
NOTES:
– Always update with a USB connection. Do not update firmware via a radio link.
– The firmware update will fail if the logger starts to log a reading during the upload. If necessary, change the logging interval so that it will not interfere with the firmware update.