Custom software for TC-08 and Watlow controller

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arleyl
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Custom software for TC-08 and Watlow controller

Post by arleyl »

I would like to see how complex it would be to write a piece of software that will work on my application:

Application: Temperature testing of UUT (Unit under test) (embedded computing electronics) (-45C -> 85C cycles).

Hardware:
Temp Chamber: Test Equity 115
Temperature Controller (integrated with the 115): Watlow F4
Data Logger: Pico TC-08

What I would like to do is adjust the temperature on the Watlow controller based on what the computer is reading from the TC-08 . The controller is programmable (via serial interface) with sostware that uses Modbus RTU protocol. It comes with preprogrammed settings, but I always have to adjust the temperature since heat is dissipated by the UUT after power is applied. The key is to keep the UUT close to a certain temperature while it is operating. My view is to have the software adjust the temperature on the controller if the temperature it's reading from the TC-08 falls out of its range. Then setting at that temperature as longs as the temp reading from the TC-08 is within range.

Any comments or suggestions on how to get this started would be appreciated.

ziko
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Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:03 am
Location: St Neots

Post by ziko »

Hi and thank you for your post.

We provide drivers and programming examples in various languages for the TC08. I would recommend to install the software and do a custom installation, you will find installed in the examples folder under your pico directory the code for the TC08 (USB and serial). The documentation also gives a description of the function calls, please have a look at the link below for the manual:

http://www.picotech.com/document/document.html

Hope this helps.

Kind regards
Ziko

Technical Specialist

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