Edu-Logger 900-204 User manual

Edu-Logger Light
Logger Sensor Guide
900-204

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Edu-Logger light logger sensor
900-204
The Light Sensor can be used for any science
experiment where light intensity measurements are
required for Chemistry, Physics, Biology,
Environmental Science, etc.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start
experimentation right out of the box using this guide.
This sensor can be used to take light measurements in
low, medium and high light intensity environments
such as in classrooms and in open sunlight. The sensor
can be used to measure both fast light changes such as
those produced by light bulbs connected to an AC
supply, as well as the light intensity of the bulb or near
steady levels outside on a sunny day.
Hundreds of possible experiments that can be
performed with the 900-204 sensor are: Monitoring
daily light levels in ecological systems, studying
photosynthesis, chemical reactions where light is
emitted, studying the effect of changing voltage on a
light source’s intensity and light intensity with varying
distances and mediums.
The measurement unit for all three data collection
ranges (low, medium, high) is the lux
Lux (lx, or lux): The SI unit of light intensity.

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Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
900-204 Light Sensor
900-213 USB Module
USB to mini USB cable (which comes with the
900-213)
Your light sensor needs to be connected to a 900-213
module. The 900-213 module then connects to a
computer via a USB to mini-USB cable. Please note
that you cannot plug the light sensor directly into the
computer.
Resident PC software and browser based application
can be downloaded for free at
www.edulab.com as well as a full software user guide.
Note: Make sure not to download and install both
types of software they will conflict on the computer.
Procedure:
1. Install the Edu-Logger software.
2. Connect the 900-213 module to the PC or Mac.
3. Connect the light sensor to the 900-213 module
(they directly plug together). Please note no
calibration is required for this sensor.
4. Open the Edu-Logger software.
5. Once a light sensor logo appears on the left side
of the screen the probe has been automatically
identified and you can begin experimentation.
6. If the light sensor is not automatically identified,
click the “Search for sensors” icon to find the
sensor.
7. Select the “On-line experiment” button; this will
open a graph below.

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8. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the light sensor icon in the module window to
change the sensor's settings if need be.
9. Click on the experiment set up button to change
the experiment settings if need be (experiment
duration for example).
10. The light sensor will give a live reading in the
box to the left of the screen while plugged in.
11. To run an experiment and collect data either click
“Run experiment”.
12. To end data collection early, click “Stop
experiment”.
Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
900-204 Light Sensor
900-268 WiFi Module
900-215 Battery Module
Your light sensor needs to be connected to a 900-268
module. The 900-268 module will create a closed
Edu-Logger WiFi network which will stream the Edu-
Logger data to the device of your choosing. Once your
device is wirelessly connected to the Edu-Logger
network you can run experiments and collect data
through a browser of your choosing.
Procedure:
1. Connect the light sensor directly to the left side
of a 900-268 module (no wires required).
2. Connect a 900-215 module to the right side of the
900-268 module.
3. Although not required, we recommend plugging
the 900-215 to an outlet using a USB to mini
USB charger (such as a typical cell phone
charger). The 900-268 module will run for 15-75

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minutes (depending on the sensor) without being
plugged in.
4. The 900-268 can be powered directly using a
mini to USB cord and plugging it into your
computer or a wall charger. Please note this
function is only available on 900-268 units with
the USB icon on the cover.
5. For further 900-268 instructions or the 900-268
quick start guide please visit:
www.edulab.com
6. The 900-268 indicator lights will flash; take no
action until the LED to the far left turns blue; this
can take up to one minute.
7. Take your tablet or smart phone, go to the WiFi
settings and select the Edu-Logger network
which matches the 900-268 Module ID found on
the back of the 900-268 device. (Edu-
LoggerXXXX for example).
8. Give your device about 20 seconds to connect to
the 900-268.
9. Once the device is connected, go to your browser
and type the website wifi201.com into the URL
bar, then wait for 30-60 seconds.
10. You will see a “Control mode” icon in the
browser, click on this icon.
11. The browser will then load a new screen and
begin to auto detect the sensor(s); this can take a
minute. (You can stop the search when the sensor
is found.)
12. If the browser does not auto detect the sensor(s),
select “Search for sensors”.
13. Once the sensor is found, you will see an icon on
the left side of the screen for the light sensor. The
icon will display data in real time.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the light sensor icon in the module window to
change the light probe settings if need be.

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15. Click on the experiment set up button to change
the experiment settings if need be (Experiment
duration for example).
16. To run an experiment and collect data, select
“On-Line” experiment, then select "Run".
17. If you have a newer generation 900-268 (with the
USB icon on the cover) this can be used as a 900-
213, meaning you can tether the probes directly
to the computer using the 900-268. To engage
operation in this fashion, press 3 times on the
panel key. Repeating this operation will return
the unit to WiFi mode.
Operation with Edu-Logger viewer
Materials needed:
900-204 Light Sensor
900-272 Graphic Display Module
900-215 Battery Module
Procedure:
1. Connect the light sensor to the left side of the
viewer.
2. Connect the 900-215 module to the right side of
the viewer.
3. The 900-272 will auto detect the sensor and you
will see it appear on the left side of the screen.
4. Once the sensor appears, it will be monitoring
data in real time.
5. To run an experiment and collect data, click the
run button (little green person).

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Off-line experiments
(Off-line experiments are when you do not have a
sensor connected directly to a computer, tablet,
smartphone, or Edu-Logger viewer).
Materials needed:
900-204 Light Sensor
900-215 Battery Module
Materials needed to configure your offline
experiment:
900-213 Module, 900-268 module or 900-272
Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the 900-
213 module)
Procedure:
1. Connect the light sensor directly to the left side
of a charged 900-215 module.
2. When ready to collect data, press the “Start/Stop”
button on the light sensor; a red light will turn on
for the duration of the experiment.
3. To change the experiment settings, first connect
to your chosen device (PC, Mac, tablet, smart
device) and select the “Module setup” button.
(For more information on how to change the
experiment settings view quick start procedure
section for your chosen device in this document.)
4. After the experiment has concluded (when the
“Start/Stop” button is pressed again or the data
collection period ends) connect the sensor to your
chosen device (you can find full instructions in
each device’s quick start procedure section).
5. Open the Edu-Logger software.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” button.

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7. Click the “Load data from sensors” button.
8. Select which experimental data to upload (5
experimental runs can be stored at one time on
the 900-204 light sensor).
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the 900-213 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or
smart device.
2. Connect the light sensor to a 900-213 module
(they directly plug together). Please note no
calibration is required for this sensor.
3. Open the Edu-Logger software.
4. Click the “Tools” icon.
5. Click the “Restore sensor’s factory defaults” on
the menu.
6. If prompted to clear the graph, click either the
“Off-line experiment” or “On-line experiment”
button (whichever you are using).
7. Click “Clear experiment results”.
8. Resume from step 4.

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Included with sensor:
Edu-Logger 900-204 Light Sensor Guide (this
document).
Sensor specifications:
Range and
operation
modes
(in lx)
ADC
resolution
Resolution
Max
sample
rate
(S/sec)
Illumination:
0 to 1,000
12 bit
1 lx
3000
Illumination:
0 to 6,000
6 lx
Illumination:
0 to 150,000
150 lx
Sensor's features:
Fully digital data.
Rugged plastic ergonomic case.
Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in
off line mode.
LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while
collecting data).
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment.
Note: Edu-Logger products are intended for
educational use.

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Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found
at www.edulab.com
Technical background:
The philosophy behind Edu-Logger’s plug and play
technology is based on each sensor’s ability to store
its own data due to an internal flash memory chip and
micro-controller in each plastic Edu-Logger body.
This technology allows the sensor to collect and then
store the digital data in the correct scientific units (oC,
oF, Lux, %, ppm, for example).
The sensor is pre-calibrated at the factory. The built-in
software in the logger can be upgraded at any time
using software.
Inside the hard plastic casing lies a photodiode which
reacts with photons to release free electrons
(photoelectrons). The amount of light striking the
sensor is directly proportional to the voltage generated
by the photoelectrons released. The sensor measures
the general voltage released and thus calculates the
light intensity.
If the light readout is very low try changing the
sensor's mode to a higher sensitivity. This is done by
selecting the “Module setup” button on the Light
Sensor icon in the Edu-Logger application package
when connected.
The 900-204 is able to adjust to 3 different sensitivity
settings for ambient light because of its ability to