PicoLog Problems/Questions

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peplow
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PicoLog Problems/Questions

Post by peplow »

Evening all

Got a few questions/problems regarding my Pico software

1) why does PicoRecord load ok from a cold PC start but if I run PicoRecord, close it down then try and open it again, all that loads up is PicoPlayer and nothing I do seems to load PicoRecord, even if I do it from Start-Programmes-PicoRecord?

However sometimes it will load PicoRecord after i've closed it down or when I select File-Exit from PicoPlayer?

I've looked on Task manager and even when I manually end the process, it does not actually end, like its running in background memory which I know many programmes do not like which is why when I ask PicoRecord to open, im thinking its already seeing it as open so does not act?

2) Why does my input value flicker around so much? I'm talking around 3°C, even though my input channel voltage is rock steady.

Is this down to the PicoLogger in the way it samples or the sampling time options etc?

Exactly what values should I put in for my sampling options or should I leave them as default?

Im going from 0-10VDC ranged down to 0-2.5VDC then I have ranged the inputs manually for temperatures (0-400°C) and Torque (0-100Nm)

Could it be the resolution factor as ive gone from 0-10 down to 0-2.5V although I dont believe this is true as the voltage into the ADC11 is steady, plus the fact I have the 12bit logger, although I dont know the resolution of the DC-DC voltage converter

3) Why does PicoLog freeze and lock up so often, its happening very frequently?

It's also slowing my PC down extremely badly using 99% of my CPU most of the time. I've tried ending it in task manager-processes but as previously mentioned, it does not end

4) The graph view, very annoying. Got a few questions with this one

Iv'e set the graph to show temp and torque on separate graphs with max values of 200°C and 150Nm respectively, however when I select the graph, I have to manually scroll to make the axis the maximum value, is there no way to make it so when I select the graph view, the Y axis shows the min and max values, not say 0-16°C every time which is pointless?

Why when I make the graph scroll in 1 second intervals that after a certain time, I can no longer see any markers/lines on the screen? Is this because it sets the maximum X axis to the maximum number of samples so until it reaches a certain number or samples , I cant see the value? If that's true, that's stupid, is there no way to just keep it scrolling across the screen in 1 sec intervals up to the maximum but not compress the graph?

Why does it take a fair bit of time to make the current value on the graph change state to the new value. For instance if I input 10°C then change to 100°C, instead of changing from 10-100 over 1 second which is the sampling time, it takes about 2 minutes, like the value is ramping up?

With regards to the comment above, it seems to help if I select scroll graph, but why as a change from 10-100, because im using a voltage injection machine is instant so even if the sampling time is 1sec, after 1sec should show 100°C but instead ramps?


Firstly thanks for reading all that, I know its alot to take in but im a novice and I could really do with wrapping this up

Thanks in advance for any help/tips, anything is appreciated

Many thanks

Mitch

peplow
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Post by peplow »

Right, got my head around a few things so thought id update my situation

Ive updated from PicoLog V5.20.1 to 5.20.3 which seems to have helped not only the freezing problems but the loading of PicoRecorder

I also installed more PC memory which seems to have helped, may be coincidence as I did it when I updated the software (anybody know the minimum PC spec?)

Ive got all the graph options down to a tee now although there are some very annoying features on it, like having to have markers enabled when first starting a recording and how it changed scroll to manual etc, very annoying

My only problem now is the oscillating/flickering values

Ive now got purely a 0-2.5V input from a Temperature Transmitter which ive ranged 0-100°C

Got rid of the DC-DC converter to eliminate that, even tried the original 0-10V with a potential divider, still the same

With the 0-2.5V signal ranged from 0-100°C, it seems a little steadier but not greatly different. Im still getting flicker of at least 1°C with the input voltage rock steady

Now 2.5/100 = 0.025 = 25mV/°C so if the output from the transmitter was ocillating, I could understand the flickering but according to my 6 digit calibrated digital volt meter, its rock steady for whatever temperature I inject into the transmitter

Am I doing something wrong in the way im ranging or injecting or are the sampling setting incorrect, even though there's only a couple of parameters to choose from?

Or Is this normal for PicoLog when creating a big range (0-100°C) from a small input range (0-2.5V), even though 2.5/4096 (bit count for the 12bit) = 610 micro volt per bit?

Many thanks in advance

Mitch

ziko
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Post by ziko »

Hi Mitch,

Bit of a long forum post! In any case I will attempt to answer all your questions.

1)You ask why Picoplayer loads up, this is because PicoLog recorder is already open, if you try to open PicoRecorder when it is already open Picoplayer loads up. PicoLog recorder will be in the system tray on the bottom right hand corner.

2) Can you email me a settings or data file so I can look at your exact settings.


3) The ADC11 will use a lot of CPU time since it has to poll to get the readings. There really isnt an exact minimum spec it will run on any computer that can run windows XP and even older operating systems.

4) The software interface has not changed much over the last few years, however any suggestions from customers are welcome and we will consider them, or if there are any bugs we will look to fixing them

Let me know if I haven't answered all your points.

Kind regards
Ziko

Technical Specialist

peplow
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Post by peplow »

Hi there Ziko

Sorry my reply is so late, ive been on paternity leave

Had the problem on just PicoPlayer loading up when Recorder is shut down and there is no icon in the task bar and its not been hidden?

Ive attached a copy of the setting file for you to have a look at regarding the value flicker

We still get the annoyance of the input values flickering around for no reason but we are averaging over 1 minute so the final value is 'OK' but if you have any ideas as to why this is so, it would be much appreciated

We have also been experiencing spikes in the graph which we first thought may be due to the inputs being noisy but they are all ok. The data was then exported to Excel to see if it was actually logged as having spikes or if there was a graphical display error on Pico’s side but the spikes were still present

However this error had been resolved by changing the PC

I thought this may have been a coincidence so I tried the software on a laptop and again it was fine. Put the old machine on and the spikes appear?

The two desktops are identical yet one is fine, the other causes problems

We also encountered a serious error today whereby Pico causes a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library error which when accepted, completely shut down Pico, I did however manage to copy the spreadsheet data to Excel before doing this

It stopped responding at 2:30am this morning and froze everything on screen

I have included a photo of the screen with the error shown for you to have a look at and hopefully help with.


Regards

Mitchell Peplow
Attachments
Pico Error 1.jpg
(167.65 KiB) Downloaded 64 times
FAG TS27.plw
Ive had to change the setting file from .pls to .plw to allow the attachment to be sent so please change back to .pls to view my settings
(4.63 KiB) Downloaded 608 times

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

Post by ziko »

Hi peplow,

I only just realised that you have been on contact with us on the helpdesk. Could you in future just send on one of these, preferably the helpdesk.

Kind regards
Ziko

Technical Specialist

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