Infrared Receiverand

Celltron inFORM™

Battery ManagementSoftware

Instruction Manual

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Introduction

OverviewThis manual describes how to set up and use the infrared (IR)receiver and Celltron inFORM Battery Management Software.These accessories are for the Celltron series of battery stringanalyzers.

System requirements• CPU running Windows® 95 or higher and

compatible with Windows NT• CD-ROM drive• DB-9 serial communication port

Purpose

IRThe IR allows you to download test results from the analyzerto a PC.

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inFORMThe inFORM software allows you to view and analyze testresults in a user interface. The user interface allows you to:

• Display text with details about the jars and strings.

• Create graphs of battery measurements to identifydeviating cells.

• Store battery, site, test results, and comparisons.

• Export test data to a database file for analysissoftware, such as Excel or Access.

• Print data in text or graphical formats.

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Setting up

Connecting the IR receiver to the PCTo connect the IR receiver to the PC, insert the cable DB-9receptacle into a serial communication port on yourcomputer.

Installing the inFORM softwareTo install the inFORM software on the PC:

1. If you have a previous version of the inFORMsoftware installed on your PC, uninstall that versionbefore you install the new version. Refer to“Uninstalling the inFORM software,” page 18.

2. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive on the PC.

3. Double-click My Computer on the desktop.

4. Double-click the CD-ROM drive.

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5. Double-click the setup.exe file.

A wizard assists you in installing the inFORMsoftware.

6. Write down the location of the directory in which thesystem installs the software. The setup.exe file doesnot create a desktop icon.

Opening the inFORM softwareTo open the inFORM software:

1. Find the directory in which the inFORM software wasinstalled.

2. Double-click the Midtronics folder.

3. Double-click midtronics.exe.

The inFORM user interface displays the Setup tab.

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Setting the languageTo view the user interface in a language other than English:

1. Select the Tools menu, then Set Language.

2. Select a radio button for the interface language.

The software indicates that it will shut down andthat you need to reopen the inFORM software.

3. Click OK.

The inFORM software shuts down.

4. Find the directory in which the inFORM software wasinstalled and double-click midtronics.exe.

The user interface displays text in the language youselected.

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Receiving dataTo download test results and string data into the inFORMsoftware:

1. On the Setup tab, select the port to which youconnected the IR receiver.

2. Power down and remove devices, such as PDAs,and close software that interfaces with the serialcommunication port.

3. Click Receive on the inFORM interface.

The inFORM software gives you about 20seconds to set up the analyzer and IR receiver.

4. If you are using the Micro Celltron:

a. Access the UTILITIES MENU.

b. Set the analyzer to print at FAST–Computerspeed.

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c. Scroll to PRINT DATA SET and pressENTER.

d. Line up the infrared light on top of theanalyzer with the front of the IR receiver andpress YES.

5. If you are using the Celltron Advanced:

a. Access the SET PARAMETERS menu.

b. Scroll to EXPORT DATA and press ENTER.

c. Select the string you want to download datafor and press ENTER.

d. Line up the infrared light on top of theanalyzer with the front of the IR receiver.

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After the inFORM software receives the data from theanalyzer, you can use the tabs and side buttons to:

• view data in charts and graphs• add notes• compare data to previous data• open other files• export files in .txt format• save the data as a file• print the data

Tabs

View (Filename) or Filename tabThe View (Filename) tab sets up the test results and stringdata in a chart. The tab name changes to “Filename” whenyou save the data as a file.

The Specific Gravity and Other text boxes at the bottom ofthe tab allow you to enter data for a jar in the chart.

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To enter Specific Gravity or Other data for a jar:

1. Select the field in the chart that corresponds to thejar number and column.

2. Enter the data in the Specific Gravity or Other textboxes.

3. Press Return.

The Strap uOhm column lists the microhm (uOhm)measurements of the resistance in strap connections.uOhm measurements might vary due to rounding errors.

Notes tabThe Notes tab allows you to record the following data aboutthe string and test site:

• Battery Manufacturer—Common jar manufacturersare in the drop-down menu, or you can enter aname.

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• Battery Type—Common jar types are in the drop-down menu, or you can enter a name.

• Battery Model—Model number of the jar.

• Battery Manufacture Date—Date as stamped onthe jar.

• Amp Hour Rating—Manufacturer rating of jarcapacity.

• Expected Run Time—Common jar run times are inthe drop-down menu, or you can enter a time.

• Jars Per String—Number of jars connected bystraps in the string.

• Cells Per Jar—Number of cells in a jar.

• String Float Current—Charging current for thestring.

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• Other 1, Other 2, Other 3—Additional informationabout the string. You can double-click the textboxes to expand the information.

• Site Location, Site Identity—Testing siteinformation, such as an address.

• Site Current Load-Amps—Amount of amps of theload the string supplies power to.

• Projected Run Time-Hours—Number of hoursexpected or required of the string under normaloperating conditions.

• String Number/ID—Number or ID of the string.

• Number of Strings—Number of strings at the site.

• System Voltage—Aggregate voltage of string.

• Installation Date—Date the string was installed atthe site.

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View Graph tabThe View Graph tab displays conductance values from thecurrent test in a bar graph.

The bar graph displays test results in colored columns.

• Red—Possible jar failure. Test results are < 60% ofthe reference value.

• Yellow—Jar warning. Test results are 60–70% ofthe reference value.

• Green—Good battery. Test results are > or = 70%of the reference value.

Note: If you do not determine a reference value before youtest the string, the bar graph is all green.

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Compare tabThe Compare tab compares test results for four strings in agraph or chart. The test results you are currently viewingare included. To compare other files to these results, clickthe Open...File buttons. To view results in a graph, click theView Graph tab. To view results in a chart, click the ViewChart tab.

Setup tabThe Setup tab allows you to:

• Select the serial communication port to which youconnected the IR receiver.

• Review the data you received from the IR receiverin a list. This tab does not display this data after yousave the data as a file.

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Side buttons

OpenTo open a file:

1. Click Open.

2. Select a directory and enter a file name.

The inFORM software lists .c60 files in the right textbox.

ExportYou can export saved files in text (.txt) or .xls format to use inother software applications, such as Microsoft Excel andAccess. The .xls format (Excel) is the default.

To export a file:

1. Click Export.

2. Select a directory and enter a file name.

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SaveTo save data:

1. Click Save.

2. Select a directory and enter a file name.

The inFORM software saves the file with the .c60suffix, a format unique to the software. The nameyou assign the file is displayed above theinformation in the tabs.

PrintTo print the data from a tab, click Print.

The inFORM software opens the data in the Filename andNotes tabs in a .txt file and allows you to print that file. Itprints the data in the View Graph and Compare tabs as yousee it in the interface.

In Windows NT, printing is independent print display, notscreen replication.

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Troubleshooting and uninstalling

Troubleshooting the inFORM softwareIf the inFORM software is not working or being displayed onthe screen:

• Make sure your desktop display is set to SVGresolution, a minimum of 800 x 600 pixels. A settingless than SVGA does not display all of the inFORMsoftware. However, you can still receive and savedata.

• If you are using the Micro Celltron, check that theanalyzer is set to print at FAST–Computer speed inthe UTILITIES MENU. If the analyzer is set atSLOW–Printer speed, the data does not downloadcorrectly.

• Confirm that the communications port in the Setuptab is the same port the IR receiver connects to onthe PC. Comm. 1–Comm. 4 are the only choices forthe inFORM software.

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• Make sure the connections between the computerport, cable, and IR receiver are secure.

• Make sure you shut down and removed devicesfrom the serial communication port and theirsoftware. Reboot the system to ensure the PCrecognizes that the devices and software areinactive.

Uninstalling the inFORM softwareTo uninstall the inFORM software:

1. Select Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.

2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3. Select inFORM from the list and follow theinstructions on the screen.

CAUTION: Uninstalling the host inFORM software mightremove test results.

Patents, Warranty, and Service

PatentsMade in the U.S.A. by: Midtronics, Inc., protected by one ormore of the following U.S. Patents: 6,456,045. 6,441,585.6,392,414. 6,359,441. 6,323,650 B1. 6,316,914. 6,310,481.6,304,087. 6,172,505 B1. 6,163,156. 6,091,245. 6,051,976.5,914,605. 5,598,098. 5,592,093. 5,572,136. 5,343,380.5,140,269. 4,881,038. 4,816,768. Canadian Patents:2,091,262. 1,280,164. European Patent: 0,548,266. EP:C382.13-0026. WO: C382.13-0040. China Patent:C382.13-0027. Hong Kong Patent: C382.13-0038. JapanPatents: C382.13-0041. 30006800. Other U.S. and ForeignPatents issued and pending. This product may utilizetechnology exclusively licensed to Midtronics, Inc. byJohnson Controls, Inc. and Motorola, Inc.

WarrantyThis battery tester is warranted to be free of defects inmaterials and workmanship for a period of one year fromdate of purchase. Midtronics will, at our option, repair the

unit or replace the unit with a remanufactured tester. Thislimited warranty applies only to Midtronics battery testerand does not cover any other equipment, static damage,water damage, overvoltage, dropping the unit or damageresulting from extraneous causes including owner misuse.Midtronics is not liable for any incidental or consequentialdamages for breach of this warranty. The warranty is void ifowner attempts to disassemble the unit, or to modify thecable assembly.

ServiceTo obtain service, purchaser should contact Midtronics for aReturn Authorization number, and return the unit toMidtronics freight prepaid, Attention: RA# ________.Midtronics will service the tester and reship, the nextscheduled business day following receipt, using the sametype carrier and service as received. If Midtronicsdetermines that the failure was caused by misuse,alteration, accident.

© 2004 Midtronics, Inc.PN 168-815C 03/04