Program that can log from many multimeters.

[The Soulman]

I had to much fun seeing the data grow on the chart (attached). 
Amazingly this 5 and a halve digit meter sends full 7 digit data (9.999.999 count) at 3.34 readings a second. 
Noise seems pretty good, stability could have been a bit better and seems mostly related to temperature, full span on the graph is still below 2 counts on the dmm display.

Will get to finishing en checking the definition..

[The Soulman]

Another thing appeared.
The setup window doesn't read/show info anymore i.e. the indicators remain empty until a setting is changed with the corresponding button.
It sends out commands just fine except it doesn't track the function and the drop down box default to dc voltage and therefore only can send VOLT:DC:RANGE: commands.

Must have been something I have broken.

[HKJ]

Another thing appeared.
The setup window doesn't read/show info anymore i.e. the indicators remain empty until a setting is changed with the corresponding button.
It sends out commands just fine except it doesn't track the function and the drop down box default to dc voltage and therefore only can send VOLT:DC:RANGE: commands.

Must have been something I have broken.

I do not know if you have broken the definition or got the meter into a stater where it do not answer.
When you open the "Setup" popup it will send commands to get the current statues of the meter. If it do not send the commands you have broken the definition. A broken definition may be because it stops processing before it is finished with the script, try using debug mode and look at the DOS window (It will show error messages).

[The Soulman]

Operator error. 

What I did after my last post:
rebooted the computer,
tried tc again, thread on 7200 would open and close,
removed duplicate definitions from the tc device folder (named differently but must have screwed things up in the first place), no luck (must have moved something else as well),
did a fresh "install" of tc and put 1 definition for this meter back and it is now working again. 

[HKJ]

removed duplicate definitions from the tc device folder (named differently but must have screwed things up in the first place), no luck (must have moved something else as well),

Filenames means little to TC, it organize definitions based on the #name definition and will not accept duplicates.

Generally you are supposed to put your own definitions in ...\documents\TestController\Devices, that way they will not be affected by a reinstall of TC.

[kocki2]

Since the USB type used by the adapter is HID (Human Interface Device),
you are out of luck. Test Controller does not support HID. Virtual COM USB only.
Note there is an RS 232 Adapter for your DMM. This will work with Test Controller.

Now I bought the RS 232 Adapter for my Voltcraft VC870 DMM and it's working perfect with the original software "VC870_GER V4.2.6" but not with testcontoller with the "Voltcraft VC850" settings.
Any idea?
Regards,
Gerd

[HKJ]

Now I bought the RS 232 Adapter for my Voltcraft VC870 DMM and it's working perfect with the original software "VC870_GER V4.2.6" but not with testcontoller with the "Voltcraft VC850" settings.
Any idea?

I would not expect it work with the driver for another model, typically for DMMs each model has its own communication format. This format is often based on the display layout, i.e. the protocol is a binary string that specifies which segments are turned on.

TC has a protocol handler for that: https://lygte-info.dk/project/TestControllerConfigDevice2%20UK.html#Binary_DMM_protocol
It is a bit of work to do a definition, especially if you first have to work the protocol out from the bytes.

[kocki2]

Now I bought the RS 232 Adapter for my Voltcraft VC870 DMM and it's working perfect with the original software "VC870_GER V4.2.6" but not with testcontoller with the "Voltcraft VC850" settings.
Any idea?

I would not expect it work with the driver for another model, typically for DMMs each model has its own communication format. This format is often based on the display layout, i.e. the protocol is a binary string that specifies which segments are turned on.

TC has a protocol handler for that: https://lygte-info.dk/project/TestControllerConfigDevice2%20UK.html#Binary_DMM_protocol
It is a bit of work to do a definition, especially if you first have to work the protocol out from the bytes.

Okay, thanks.
Does anybody have a working configuration for the Voltcraft VC870 DMM?

Regards,
Gerd

[kocki2]

I got a second hand Voltcraft VC850, it's working perfect.

[sm5uiu]

I have a DLB-600 (ATDL24M: ATorch DL24M) and the "on" "off" buttons and commands only works as "off". So setting the unit in "on" mode via popups, script or prompt does not seem to work. Just noted that with the DL24-old "driver" the on/off works but that driver lacks some functions. T

/Sam

[KungFuJosh]

Is there a bug with the popup displays or something? I've done a bunch of similar tests, and SD is never populated in the popup. I downloaded the latest version on the website before posting this.

Thanks,
Josh

[HKJ]

I have a DLB-600 (ATDL24M: ATorch DL24M) and the "on" "off" buttons and commands only works as "off". So setting the unit in "on" mode via popups, script or prompt does not seem to work. Just noted that with the DL24-old "driver" the on/off works but that driver lacks some functions. T

This device is using a couple of different protocols, but I do not know if it is a bug in the actual protocol, change in protocol or no support for on.

[HKJ]

Is there a bug with the popup displays or something? I've done a bunch of similar tests, and SD is never populated in the popup. I downloaded the latest version on the website before posting this.

The issue is to few digits in the readout, you can fix that on the "Current value" page by right-clicking on the value and select format. Use SI format or add more digits.

[KungFuJosh]

The issue is to few digits in the readout, you can fix that on the "Current value" page by right-clicking on the value and select format. Use SI format or add more digits.

Thank you! That does the trick.

Here's a weird request:
I'd like to be able to show both types. For example, D14 and SI8 for the same source. Is there any way to do that now?

[HKJ]

Here's a weird request:
I'd like to be able to show both types. For example, D14 and SI8 for the same source. Is there any way to do that now?

If you uses the "Readout" popup you can select format for each instance. It has its own format setting and do not follow the general setting.
Another possibility I am working on is calculated readouts in the Grid, there you will also be able to select your own format. You can try this line on the command line:
#SinglePanel 1017 302 639 278 MathReadout  "Load voltage" "" "display=IT8512.Voltage" unit:V

IT8512.Voltage is a reference to my load and will have to be switches to your device, you can do that from the right click menu together with other adjustment, before generating a new script line.

[KungFuJosh]

Here's a weird request:
I'd like to be able to show both types. For example, D14 and SI8 for the same source. Is there any way to do that now?

If you uses the "Readout" popup you can select format for each instance. It has its own format setting and do not follow the general setting.
Another possibility I am working on is calculated readouts in the Grid, there you will also be able to select your own format. You can try this line on the command line:
#SinglePanel 1017 302 639 278 MathReadout  "Load voltage" "" "display=IT8512.Voltage" unit:V

IT8512.Voltage is a reference to my load and will have to be switches to your device, you can do that from the right click menu together with other adjustment, before generating a new script line.

I'm looking for more details. I tried #SinglePanel 1017 302 639 278 MathReadout  "Load voltage" "" "display=SDM3065X.VoltageDC" unit:V and it worked, but it's just the basic voltage.

This is what I want it to do:


Can the device be cloned, and then read from both (the same)?

[HKJ]

I'm looking for more details. I tried #SinglePanel 1017 302 639 278 MathReadout  "Load voltage" "" "display=SDM3065X.VoltageDC" unit:V and it worked, but it's just the basic voltage.

This is what I want it to do:

Sorry, that is not directly support currently, but at some time there will be a 5way calculated readout where you can do it.

But you can do it with a small trick:
On the math page create a line with SDM3065X.VoltageDC as the formula, then use that formula as source for one of the readouts (You will have to select display format on the Current values page).


As a note: If you want the calculated panel in the GridPanel you can use:
#GridPanel MathReadout  "Load voltage" "" "display=IT8512.Voltage" unit:V

Can the device be cloned, and then read from both (the same)?

There is no limit to how many readouts can use the same source, but they will in most cases share format (I believe I have listed all exceptions above).

[KungFuJosh]

The math trick works great! That's exactly what I wanted.

I don't know if this matters, but the math box stops working when the grid box is closed (I usually pop them out).

[HKJ]

I don't know if this matters, but the math box stops working when the grid box is closed (I usually pop them out).

You found a bug.

Each Math requires some local data for each window it is used in, I do create it for GridPanel, but not when you convert to SinglePanel.

[KungFuJosh]

You found a bug.

Each Math requires some local data for each window it is used in, I do create it for GridPanel, but not when you convert to SinglePanel.

It's cool that it still works as singlepanel as long as the gridpanel exists. I can minimize that and still use the singlepanels.

[HKJ]

You found a bug.

Each Math requires some local data for each window it is used in, I do create it for GridPanel, but not when you convert to SinglePanel.

It's cool that it still works as singlepanel as long as the gridpanel exists. I can minimize that and still use the singlepanels.

It also looks like it creates the needed data when you start it from script. You generate script by right clicking in the log window and selecting: Generate scripts, Grid panel, In log window
The you can copy the lines and always run them to open and configure the Single panels.

You can also directly save it as a menu.

[sm5uiu]

Hello again.

Tested one of the Atorch softwares that actually allow Start / Stop via computer.
Im very new to TC and just curious to do some battery testing. I have to say that I'm very impressed so far.
If just the "on" function would work with this version of the Atorch electronic load - a "fully automated" testing" could be performed with this version of the atorch electronic load.
I have no idea if this may give any clues but here goes (extract wireshark).
/Sam

_ws.col.info == "Sent UIH Channel=1 UID "
SPP (Streaming Parallel Port)
b1 b2 22 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 21 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 14 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 12 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 11 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 17 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 15 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 10 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 13 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 19 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 18 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 20 00 00 00 00 00 b6
b1 b2 16 00 00 00 00 00 b6

When pressing clear data
b1 b2 05 00 00 00 00 00 b6

When pressing stop?
b1 b2 01 00 00 00 00 00 b6

When pressing start?
b1 b2 01 01 00 00 00 00 b6


and below is some data from TC debug when pressing on/off buttons.
Pressing off:
;; ATDL24M: Tx <on 0>
;; ATDL24M: Tx <tx 1 0 *dd>
;; COM4: Tx: B1 B2 01 00 00 00 00 00 B6
;; COM4: Rx: FF
;; ATDL24M: Tx <on?>
;; ATDL24M: Tx <rx? 0x10>
;; COM4: Tx: B1 B2 10 00 00 00 00 00 B6
;; COM4: Rx: CA CB 10 00 00 00 00 00 CE CF
;; ATDL24M: Rx <0>
;; ATDL24M: Rx as number <0.0>

Pressing on:
;; ATDL24M: Tx <on 1>
;; ATDL24M: Tx <tx 1 1 *dd>
;; COM4: Tx: B1 B2 01 00 01 00 00 00 B6
;; COM4: Rx: FF
;; ATDL24M: Tx <on?>
;; ATDL24M: Tx <rx? 0x10>
;; COM4: Tx: B1 B2 10 00 00 00 00 00 B6
;; COM4: Rx: CA CB 10 00 00 00 00 00 CE CF
;; ATDL24M: Rx <0>
;; ATDL24M: Rx as number <0.0>


Ok here goes...

AtorchPX100Devices.txt

Protocol3
;#scpiCmd on tx 1 (value)
#scpiCmd on tx 1 (value?0x010000:0)

Now the ON function works via popups but how do I send this inside a script or via the command line?
The command line "on" does nothing, previously it turned off the device.

Solved in command line.
on 1 (Turn on)
on 0 (Turn off)

Tested also in script
ATDL24M:on 1

Problem hopefully solved
/Sam

[HKJ]

Now the ON function works via popups but how do I send this inside a script or via the command line?
The command line "on" does nothing, previously it turned off the device.

Next time you wonder what commands TC uses from the "Setup" popup, try using this "command":



It last all commands you have send from the "Setup" popup's and is very handy if you want to generate a setup script.
The "Optimize" option is used when you have multiple devices connected and want to parallelize the configuration.

[Gertjan]

Hi HKJ,

Please find attached updated definitions for the Racal-Dana counters.

A user asked me why there was no measurement unit, like (Hz), behind the Y-axis name in the graph when using a Racal-Dana counter.
I found an inconsistency between names used in #value, #cmdMode, and #askMode.

Racal1991-1992 v1.03: Racal1991-1992.zip
Racal1998-1999 v1.03: Racal1998-1999.zip

Best regards, Gertjan.

[HKJ]

Please find attached updated definitions for the Racal-Dana counters.

Thanks, they will be included in the next update.