I have recently started working on a project using CR510's and am concerned w/ problematic connection. I use the SC32B adaptor when connecting, but I learned that it has not been used in the past. For years, people have been using a handmade serial cable which connects the pins 2,3,4,5 of the RS232 port to pins 9,4,3,2 of the CS I/O port of the data loggers (in that order). I am concerned that w/o the voltage conversion, the CS I/O ports have been damaged which is responsible for the connection problems. I have already eliminated the cables, laptop & SC32B as the cause. I have talked to a few people who think that the CS I/O port is probably damaged, but would like to make sure that this is the cause.
Could this be responsible for the problematic connections and if so, is there anything I can do?
The SC32B is optically isolated, which helps protect against any A/C power damage from the computer. So it is feasible that the datalogger could be damaged, but the only way to tell would be to return the datalogger for repair.
I would check to make sure the datalogger is properly grounded. Also, go into terminal mode with the datalogger and check *B, location No. 4. *B:04 is the watchdog error counter. Watchdog errors can occur because of hardware problems, grounding issues, something in the program, etc. If you have watchdog errors I would collect all important data, do a full memory reset, load a simple program and see if the problem continues. If not grounding related it could be time to send the datalogger in for maintenance.
The manual should include information on *B mode and performing a full memory reset.
Dana W.