Decagon Devices ProCheck User manual
Operator’s Manual
Decagon Devices, Inc.
Version: July 30, 2014 — 11:39:36
ProCheck
Decagon Devices, Inc.
2365 NE Hopkins Court
Pullman WA 99163
Phone: 509-332-5600
Fax: 509-332-5158
Website: www.decagon.com
Trademarks:
ProCheck is a registered trademark of Decagon Devices, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
c
2007-2014 Decagon Devices, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ii
ProCheck CONTENTS
Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Warranty ......................... 2
1.4 Seller’s Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 About the ProCheck 3
2.1 Specifications ....................... 3
2.2 TheButtons ....................... 4
3 The Menus 5
3.1 TheMainMenu...................... 5
3.2 The Configuration Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2.1 Custom Calibrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 SDI-12 Address Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.4 TheDataMenu...................... 15
3.4.1 Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.5 Erasing Data Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4 ECH2O Utility Software 20
4.1 Installation ........................ 20
4.2 Connecting to your ProCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.3 Saved Data File Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.4 Data File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.5 More ECH2O Utility Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.6 Test Device Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.7 Check for Device Firmware Updates . . . . . . . . . . 24
5 Troubleshooting and Repair 25
5.1 Repair........................... 29
6 Appendix A 31
6.1 Compatible Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7 Appendix B 33
7.1 Sending Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
8 Declaration of Conformity 35
iii
ProCheck 1 INTRODUCTION
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the ProCheck by Decagon Devices. The
ProCheck interfaces with your analog and digital soil moisture sen-
sors to obtain instantaneous results. This manual covers all ProCheck
functions and capabilities.
1.1 Customer Support
There are several ways to contact Decagon if you ever need assis-
tance with your product, have any questions, or feedback. Decagon
has Customer Service Representatives available to speak with you
Monday through Friday, between 7am and 5pm Pacific time.
Note: If you purchased your logger through a distributor, please con-
tact them for assistance.
Email:
Phone:
509-332-5600
Fax:
509-332-5158
If contacting us by email or fax, please include as part of your mes-
sage the instrument serial number, your name, address, phone, fax
number, and a description of the problem or question.
1.2 About This Manual
Please read this manual before operating your logger to ensure that
it performs to its full potential.
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1 INTRODUCTION ProCheck
1.3 Warranty
The ProCheck has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a one-year
warranty on parts and labor. Your warranty is automatically vali-
dated upon receipt of the instrument.
Note: The one year service plan activates when Decagon ships the
instrument and not at the time of software installation.
1.4 Seller’s Liability
Seller warrants new equipment of its own manufacture against de-
fective workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the
date of receipt of equipment.
Note: We do not consider the results of ordinary wear and tear,
neglect, misuse, or accident as defects.
The Seller’s liability for defective parts shall in no event exceed the
furnishing of replacement parts “freight on board” the factory where
originally manufactured. Material and equipment covered hereby
which is not manufactured by Seller shall be covered only by the
warranty of its manufacturer. Seller shall not be liable to Buyer for
loss, damage or injuries to persons (including death), or to property
or things of whatsoever kind (including, but not without limitation,
loss of anticipated profits), occasioned by or arising out of the instal-
lation, operation, use, misuse, nonuse, repair, or replacement of said
material and equipment, or out of the use of any method or process
for which the same may be employed. The use of this equipment con-
stitutes Buyer’s acceptance of the terms set forth in this warranty.
There are no understandings, representations, or warranties of any
kind, express, implied, statutory or otherwise (including, but with-
out limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose), not expressly set forth herein.
2
ProCheck 2 ABOUT THE PROCHECK
2 About the ProCheck
The ProCheck is a handheld readout device for use with all soil
moisture sensors and environmental monitoring sensors made or sold
by Decagon.
2.1 Specifications
Battery Type: 4 AA Batteries
Battery Life: 500-1000 Hours Expected
Connector Type: Stereo Plug (3.5mm)
Memory: 5000 individual readings
Components
ProCheck Handheld Reader
Serial (RS-232) to USB Cable
Operator’s Manual
Optional - Pigtail Adapter
3
2 ABOUT THE PROCHECK ProCheck
2.2 The Buttons
Menu: Menu turns on the ProCheck and cy-
cles through the menus at the top of the screen.
Holding Menu down for 3 seconds powers off the
ProCheck. Pressing Menu in an annotation/edit
screen returns you to the previous screen.
Arrow Keys: These scroll through sensors,
menu options, and change characters or num-
bers in the annotate/edit menus.
Escape: cancels setting changes, cancel read-
ings, and scroll to the left in an annotation/edit
menu.
EnterAllows you to choose options within
menus, start readings, and scroll to the right
in an annotation or edit menu.
Save Saves Instrument and Annotation set-
tings.
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
3 The Menus
3.1 The Main Menu
The ProCheck features three main menus designed for ease of use.
The Main Menu appears when you power up the ProCheck and allows
you to take measurements with Decagon sensors.
Changing Your Sensor
Change the sensor type by pressing the up and down arrow keys
if the sensor list spinner is available.
Note: You can customize the sensor units and calibrations in the
Configuration Menu. The sensor version is only shown if the ProCheck
was able to retrieve sensor information directly from the sensor. A
soil calibration type displays only if it is available for that sensor type.
Taking a Reading
To take a reading, scroll through the sensor list until you find the
sensor type you want to read. Plug the sensor into the stereo jack
on the top of the ProCheck.
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3 THE MENUS ProCheck
Press Enter to engage the live update mode. In live update mode, a
live updating icon displays in the lower right corner during updates.
The ProCheck continuously updates the screen with the latest sensor
reading. Press Enter again to restart the sensor. Press Esc to exit
the live update mode. Press Save to save the current reading on the
display and annotate your readings.
Annotating a Reading
Once you have taken a reading, press Save to show the Annotate
screen. The left side of the screen shows a reading summary and the
right side of the screen shows the annotation field as well as the date
and time of the reading.
Use the up and down arrow keys to change the current character and
use the left and right arrows to change the cursor position. Press Save
to save the annotation and Menu to return to the Main screen with-
out saving the record.
Note: The ProCheck remembers the last annotation stored into mem-
ory, use the arrows to clear all or part of any old annotations. This
clears all the characters to the right of the current cursor position.
3.2 The Configuration Menu
Navigate to the Configuration Menu, press Menu until highlighting
the Configuration tab. Several different options are available for
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
customizing the instrument.
Units Sub Menu
From this menu you can configure your unit preferences for various
unit types.
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3 THE MENUS ProCheck
Use the arrows to navigate to the correct unit and press Enter to
cycle through the unit options.
The “Show Unprocessed Data” option allows you to view any for-
matted data in its raw analog to digital count (ADC) state. When
you check this option, all data readings on the main and data screens
displays in an unprocessed format as seen on the following screen.
This is helpful when troubleshooting sensors or when creating your
own custom calibration. To save your changes, press Save. To cancel
without saving, press Esc.
Calibration Type Sub Menu
Some sensors support a calibration adjustment for different media
types (soil, rockwool, etc.). The first screen shows a summary of the
selected soil calibrations for each configurable sensor.
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
To modify the sensor calibration type, press Enter. You can choose a
preset soil calibration type or create your own (See creating a Custom
Calibration). To change the soil calibration type, select the medium
option and press Enter. You can view the calibration coefficients by
pressing Enter when the coefficients option is highlighted.
Press Save to save your calibration preference or press Esc to exit
without saving changes.
The following sensors support soil calibrations.
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3 THE MENUS ProCheck
Table 1: Sensors Supporting Soil Calibration
Sensor Name Supported Medium
Calibrations
EC-5 Soil Moisture Mineral, Potting/Peat,
Rockwool and Custom
EC-10 Soil Moisture Mineral and Custom
10HS Soil Moisture Mineral and Custom
ECH2O-TE Moisture, Temp,
& EC
Mineral, Potting/Peat,
Rockwool, Perlite, and
Custom
EC-TM Moisture & Temp
Mineral, Potting/Peat,
Rockwool, Perlite and
Custom
5TE Moisture, Temp & EC
Mineral, Potting/Peat,
Rockwool, Perlite, and
Custom
5TM Moisture & Temp
Mineral, Potting/Peat,
Rockwool, Perlite, and
Custom
GS1 Soil Moisture Mineral, Potting/Peat,
Perlite, Custom
GS3 Moisture, Temp & EC Mineral and Soilless
Substrate
RS3 Moisture, Temp & EC Mineral and Soilless
Substrate
Note: With the 5TE and 5TM sensors (only), custom calibration
equations must be constructed with εa(dielectric permittivity) as the
‘x’ variable. With the ProCheck and other Decagon data acquisition
equipment, εa=Raw/50. With other data acquisition equipment, if
read in SDI-12 mode, εa=Raw/100.
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
3.2.1 Custom Calibrations
Creating a Custom Calibration
You can create your own custom calibration for certain sensor types.
Custom calibrations apply directly to the raw analog to digital count
(ADC) in the form of a fifth order polynomial. For more information
on creating a custom calibration, please refer to the literature sec-
tion of our website at www.decagon.com for the Custom Calibration
Application Note.
Note: Custom calibrations are in terms of m3/m3. ProCheck ap-
plies unit conversions after the custom calibration.
Entering a Custom Calibration
To enter your custom calibration into the ProCheck, navigate to the
Calibration Type Sub Menu (in the Configuration Menu) and select
a sensor. Press Enter until the medium type says Custom. Then
press Enter on the coefficient option to get to a summary screen like
the one below.
Each coefficient corresponds to a letter in the polynomial above. Be-
low the polynomial resides the value of each coefficient in scientific
notation. To edit a coefficient, press Enter while highlighting the
coefficient. The Edit Screen appears to allow you to edit the coeffi-
cient.
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3 THE MENUS ProCheck
Use the arrow keys to change the current value, use the left and right
arrow keys to change the cursor position.
Press Save to save the coefficient and Menu to return to the co-
efficient list without changing the coefficient.
Once you have changed all of the coefficients, press Save again to
save the custom calibration or Esc to return to the Calibration Type
Sub Menu without saving the calibration.
Sensor List Sub Menu
You can customize which sensors you would like available on your
Main screen.
Navigate through the sensor list using‘’ arrows. To change the status
of a sensor, highlight it and press Enter. Each sensor name you check
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
appears in the list on the Main screen. If it is unchecked it will
excluded. You can use the “Check All” or “Un-check All” options
to enable/disable all the sensors at once. Press Save to save your
changes or press Esc to exit without saving.
3.3 SDI-12 Address Menu
Intro to SDI-12
SDI-12 stands for serial data interface at 1200 baud. This stan-
dard interfaces battery powered data recorders (loggers) with micro-
processor based (intelligent) environmental data acquisition (EDA)
sensors. Please see www.sdi-12.org for more information on using
SDI-12.
Decagon’s digital soil moisture sensors communicate using both the
SDI-12 standard and Decagons proprietary protocol. This SDI-12
feature is not necessary when using Decagon sensors with Decagon
data loggers. But, SDI-12 may be useful if you are using the sensors
with other third party data acquisition systems such as Campbell
Scientific data loggers.
For more information, refer to the sensor Integrator’s Guide. One
feature of the SDI-12 protocol is the use of a single character sensor
address. This character may consist of “0” (default) to 1-9, a-z, or
A-Z. This address is necessary when multiple sensors are installed at
a single site. This is important because you will need to assign each
sensor a different address to allow you to keep their data separate.
Setting SDI-12 addresses
You may use the ProCheck to conveniently assign SDI-12 addresses
to the Decagon digital sensor. To assign the addresses, follow steps
1 through 5.
1. Use the pigtail adaptor to connect a SDI-12 compatible sensor
to the ProCheck’s stereo jack.
2. In the Configuration menu, select SDI-12 Address to refresh
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3 THE MENUS ProCheck
the screen with the current sensor configuration.
3. Press the up and down arrows to select the new address from
“0” (default) to 1-9, a-z, or A-Z.
4. Press Enter or Save to accept the new address. The screen
refreshes to show the new address setting.
5. Press Esc or Menu to exit the SDI-12 Address Sub Menu.
Note: If you plan on setting addresses on multiple sensors, repeat the
steps 1 through 4 before proceeding to step 5.
Date and Time Sub Menu
To set the date/time on the instrument you can connect to ECH2O
Utility and select the “Set Date/Time” option under the Actions
menu, or you can follow the instructions below to manually update
the date and time.
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
1. Scroll to the Date Option in the Configuration Menu and press
Enter. You should see a screen similar to the one above. A
pair of arrows is present above and below the first value.
2. Use the up and down arrow keys to change the current value.
Press Enter to move to the next value or press Esc to return to
the previous value. (Hold down the up/down arrows to scroll
quickly).
3. Press Save to save your changes.
Contrast Sub Menu
The Contrast Sub Menu allows you to alter the screen lighting con-
trast settings. Scroll to the contrast option in the Configuration
Menu press Enter. Use the arrows to change the contrast. Press Save
to save the contrast or press Esc to exit without saving changes.
About Sub Menu
This menu displays the ProCheck serial number, device name, and
firmware version.
3.4 The Data Menu
To navigate to the Data Menu, press Menu until the Data Tab is
highlighted. Several different options are available within this menu.
The ProCheck can store up to 5,000 individual readings.
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3 THE MENUS ProCheck
View Sub Menu
You can view a summary of your saved data or view detailed in-
formation about any data record. The first screen is a summary
screen and looks similar to the picture below.
This page shows a data record list that includes the date and the
time that the reading was taken and the annotation (if any). To
view more information about an individual record, press Enter while
highlighting the record.
The left side of the screen shows a reading summary and the right
side shows the annotation, date, and time of the reading. From this
screen you can press Esc to return to the previous view screen or use
the up and down arrow keys to view more records in detail.
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ProCheck 3 THE MENUS
3.4.1 Statistics
You can collect summary statistics, including average and standard
deviation, from measurements taken with the ProCheck. To collect
summary statistics on a series of measurements, go to the Statistic
menu.
Use the arrows to select the correct sensor. When you press Enter,
the connected sensor will show you the current reading on the left
hand side of the screen.
Each subsequent Enter keypress adds the current measurement to
the summary statistics. The “n” value represents the number of
measurements taken as part of the summary statistics. Press Esc
once to stop live updating and press Esc a second time to reset the
statistical information.
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