2DI ThermaViewer User manual

ThermaViewer
The BEST way to look at temperature
Installation and Use and Care Guide


22
Congratulations!
Your concerns about temperature are over! ThermaViewer is a high-quality temperature tracking
system that is designed to give you years of reliable service. It can be used to track room temperature
as well as temperatures in appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, salad bars, etc.
Please retain this booklet. It contains valuable installation and operational information.
Should you have any need for parts or service, you may phone or FAX us at one of the following
phone numbers:
For Parts and Accessories:
• Probes
• PC Interface Cables
• Batteries
Factory Service and Returns:
Please call J & S Instruments, Inc. for a return authorization (RA) prior to sending any
instrument for repair.
J & S Instruments, Inc.
3071 State Route 72 South
Springfield, OH 45505-5023
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]

Table of Contents
3
Components and Packing List ..................................................................................... 4
Quick Start .................................................................................................................... 5
Installation ...................................................................................................................... 8
Power, Thermal, and Data Connections ....................................................................... 9
Battery Installation ......................................................................................................... 11
User Controls ................................................................................................................ 13
Features and Operation
Active Mode ............................................................................................................... 19
Sleep Mode ............................................................................................................... 23
Trace Mode ................................................................................................................ 23
Menu Mode
System Parameters ............................................................................................... 25
Probe One and Two Parameters/Setup ............................................................... 27
Downloading Temperature Data ................................................................................... 33
Warranty ........................................................................................................................ 35
3

Components and Packing List
4
ThermaViewer
Power Cord
Plugs into any
120 VAC power
source.
PC Cable
Ten-foot cable for connection of PC to
ThermaViewer
Thermal Probe
A small PCB with a
digital temperature
probe permanently
affixed to it.
Probe Cable
Ten-foot cable for
connection of thermal
probe to ThermaViewer.
Longer cables are
available -- contact Two-
Dimensional Instruments
at (502)-243-0039

Quick Start
5
Your ThermaViewer can be installed and operating in minutes. Factory defaults are set to be used
with a refrigerator (21oF. min., 41oF. ref., 70oF. max.). If you are installing a ThermaViewer on an
appliance other that a refrigerator, additional set up will be required (see page 27).
Important: If your ThermaViewer came equipped with the nine-volt battery pre-installed, you may
skip step one.
Once you have unpacked all ThermaViewer components, follow the simple steps below:
1. Install the nine volt battery.
Slide the battery cover on the top of the ThermaViewer forward.
Retrieve the battery wiring harness and attach the connector to the battery.
Insert the battery into the unit and reinstall the battery cover.
2. Attach the probe.
Insert the probe cable into port one on the right side of the unit (see illustration on page nine).
Attach the thermal probe to the other end of the cable.
3. Position the probe.
Attach probe to appliance wall. For best results, the probe should be positioned away from the
door toward the back of the unit approximately one-third of the way down from the ceiling.
Tape or permanently affix probe cable to the inside wall of the appliance. In larger units, it may
be desirable to install a second probe near the door to monitor temperature spikes due to door
usage.
4. Connect power supply
Attach the power cord and insert the plug into a 120 volt power source.

6
> System Parameters
Probe 1 Parameters/Setup
Probe 2 Parameters/Setup
System Parameters
Time 0:00:00
Date 1/01/01
Auto-sleep after 10:00 (min:sec)
Reset to factory defaults no
Download Data yes
Password 1234 disabled
Illustration One
Illustration Two

Quick Start
7
5. Reset the display
Insert a straighten paper clip into the reset hole to reset the display (see illustration on page
nine).
6. Set date and time.
Press Enter key
The menu pictured in Illustration One (at left) will appear. Using the Up Down arrow
keys, select System Parameters and press the Enter key
The menu pictured in Illustration Two (at left) will appear.
The cursor will be resting on the time of day.
Using the Up Down arrow keys, set the hour (24:00 time) and press the Enter
key
Using the Up Down arrow keys, set the minute and press the Enter key
The cursor is now on the date. Use the Up Down arrow keys to set the month and
press the Enter key
Use the Up Down arrow keys to set the day and press the Enter key
Use the Up Down arrow keys to set the year and press the Enter key
Continually press the Escape key until the temperature graph appears.
(continued)

Installation
8
Some advanced preparation, prior to installation, can assure you of many years of reliable and
accurate service. Here are a few installation tips:
1. Planning
To ensure adequate cable length, measure the distance from the desired ThermaViewer location
to the ideal temperature probe location. Be sure to consider the routing of cable around door
jambs and dressing the cable around obstacles. A 120 VAC power source is required at the
desired ThermaViewer location.
2. Temperature Probes and Cables
Probes and cables may be temporarily affixed to the appliance wall with tape or permanently
affixed. For best results, the probe should be positioned away from the door to minimize
temperature spikes. Ideal probe location is in the back of the unit approximately one-third of
the way down from the ceiling. Tape or permanently affix probe cable to the inside wall of the
appliance. In larger units, it may be desirable to install a second probe near the door to
monitor temperature spikes due to door usage.
3. PC interface Cable
The ten-foot cable with nine-pin (D9) connector on one end and a stereo plug on the other
facilitates easy downloading of data to a computer. The nine-pin D9 connector is compatible
with a computer serial port. The stereo plug connector is plugged into the ThermaViewer. If
the cable is too short to reach a computer, the ThermaViewer may be temporarily removed
from the wall and carried to the PC location. Prior to removing the unit from the wall, be sure
the nine-volt battery is in place to back up the power source. To prolong battery life and to
ensure an uninterrupted download, take the ThermaViewer power cord to the PC location with
you and plug it into a nearby 120 VAC power source.

Power, Thermal, and Data Connections
9
1. PC Interface
PC cable output for downloading data.
2. Thermal Probe One
Jack for thermal probe cable number one.
3. Thermal Probe Two
Jack for thermal probe cable number two.
4. Power Receptacle
The power cord (wall transformer) plugs into this 12 VAC/500mA receptacle.
5. Reset Switch
The reset switch may be actuated by using a straightened-out paper clip.
6. Contrast Control
The contrast control for the LCD may be adjusted using a small flat bladed screwdriver.
7. Relay
The plug connects to a 15A/50V AC/DC passive relay. The relay closes and the speaker emits
an alert buzzer whenever the user-defined preset conditions are met. The set criteria can be
established for either probe in the probe menus.
➊
➋➌
➍➎➏➐
Side View

10
Battery Cover
Illustration One Illustration Two

Battery Installation
11
Battery backup
The ThermaViewer has two types of batteries. One is a small “button” type battery that is not user
accessible. Its purpose is to ensure an accurate date and time. It has an estimated ten-year life
span. The second battery is a nine-volt, user-accessible battery requiring periodic replacement. Its
purpose is to supply temporary backup power during a power outage. Frequent power outages will
shorten battery life. After the battery has accumulated four hours of run time, it should be replaced.
1. Access may be gained through a small door on the top of the ThermaViewer (see illustration
one at left). The door may be opened by pressing gently and pushing it forward (see illustration
two at left). The door will separate from the ThermaViewer and the battery can be changed.
2. Gently remove the old battery by pulling out the two wires (red & black) and unsnapping the
connector from the battery. Snap the connector onto a new battery and insert it into the
compartment.
3. Replace the battery door by sliding it back into position.
LL
LL
LOperational Tip:
Battery life may be increased if Sleep Mode option is selected (see page 23). Due to the
potential for losing data, never replace the battery with the power supply disconnected.

12
➊ ➋➌

User Controls
13
ThermaViewer has four modes of operation, Active, Menu, Sleep, and Trace. Detailed descriptions
begin on page 19.
The Buttons
1. The ESC key is used two different ways, depending upon the mode of the ThermaViewer:
• In the Active Mode the ESC key toggles the choice of probes (one or two).
• In the Menu Mode the ESC key moves the cursor back one field and the original entry for that
field is retained.
• Pressing the ESC key in the Trace Mode exits the Trace Mode.
2. The ENT key performs several functions depending on the ThermaViewer’s mode of operation.
• In the Sleep Mode pressing the ENT key awakens the display.
• Pressing the ENT key in the Active Mode causes the unit to enter the Menu Mode.
• In Menu Mode, pressing the ENT key causes the data in the current field to be saved and
advances the cursor to the next field.
3. The Trace key is used as follows:
• In the Active Mode pressing the Trace key causes the ThermaViewer to enter the Trace
Mode.

14
➍
➎

User Controls
15
4. Up arrow key
• In the Active or Trace Modes, pressing this key causes the display to zoom in. The zoom-in
effect causes the time frame of the graph to change. For example, if the current graph is set
to show four temperatures in each column, pushing the Up arrow key causes the parameters
to change so that each column only shows two temperatures, etc.
• In the Menu Selection display, pushing the Up or Down arrow keys allows selection of one of
three menus.
• Within the Parameters Menu, pushing the up arrow key scrolls upward through the possible
choices in the highlighted field.
5. Down arrow key
• Pushing the Down arrow key, also called the Zoom Out key, has the opposite effect as the Up
arrow key. As expected, it also causes the time frame of the graph to change. For example,
if the graph is showing four temperatures on each vertical line, pushing the Down arrow
causes the scale to change so that each line now shows eight temperatures, etc.
(continued)

16
➏➐

User Controls
17
6. Left arrow key.
• In the Active Mode, pushing the Left arrow causes the displayed data to scroll left one screen
at a time.
• In the Trace Mode pushing the Left arrow key causes the double headed arrow on the bottom
data display line to move left. If the arrow scrolls past the left edge of the display, the data is
shifted one screen to the left
• Left arrow key is disabled in Menu Mode.
7. Right arrow key.
• Pushing the right arrow in the Active Mode causes the displayed data to scroll right one
screen at a time.
• In the Trace Mode pushing the Right arrow key causes the double headed arrow on the
bottom data display line to move right. If the arrow scrolls past the right edge of the display,
the data is shifted one screen to the right.
• Right arrow key is disabled in Menu Mode.
(continued)

18
01/01 01/01 01/01 2
08:00 08:30 09:00
70.0
oF
41.0
21.0
Ea Row= 1.0 OF 55.9 oF 9:00:00
Ea Col= 30 Seconds 1/01/02
➊ ➋ ➌ ➍
➎

Features and Operation
19
Active Mode
1. The probe is sampling data and a graphic is displayed on the LCD. Past and present data may
be viewed. Also called the Awake Mode, it is the most-frequently viewed display.
2. The left side of the display shows the user-defined temperature criteria for the probe being
monitored.
3. The time period is displayed across the top of the LCD and can range from 45 minutes to three
years. Collected data can be displayed in two different ways:
• The one-to-one display data appear as a filled-in line graph. Each collected temperature
appears as a spot on the graph and the space between that point and the “reference” line is
filled in. Example: If data is being saved once a minute on the one-to-one graph, each
collected temperature data point will appear either above, below, or exactly on the “reference”
line and each pixel between the temperature and the “reference” line will be painted black
(see illustration at left).
• Using the Zoom-Out key offers several variations for displaying data (see number six on next
page).
4. The probe currently being monitored (one or two) is displayed in the top right corner of the
display. If the number three appears, no probe is plugged into the unit.
5. The bottom two rows display the graph legend, the current temperature, and the date and time.

20
01/01 01/01 01/01 2
08:00 10:00 12:00
70.0
oF
41.0
21.0
Ea Row= 1.0 OF 55.9 oF 9:00:00
Ea Col= 2 Minutes 1/01/02