Edu-Logger 900-209 User manual

Edu-logger Photo Gate
Logger Sensor Guide
900-209
Edu-logger photo gate logger sensor
900-209

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The Edu-logger photo gate sensor can be used for any
science experiment or activity which involves taking
accurate velocity and/or acceleration measurements
especially in the field of Physics.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start
experimentation right out of the box using this guide.
Hundreds of possible experimental subjects that can
be done with the 900-209 sensors are:
velocity/acceleration/distance relationships, impulse,
collisions, conservation of energy, force, momentum,
and many more.
The photo gate sensor uses an infrared beam which
detects if an object is passing through it. Therefore
the sensor actively reads out as “open” or “blocked”.
While collecting data however there are several
parameters to truly customize your experiment:
Velocity with a single gate
Velocity with two gates
Acceleration with a single gate
Acceleration with two gates
Change in time between two gates
Velocities with timing cards.
Experiment customization is explained after the
following quick start guide.
Notes:
The photo gate sensor cannot work together with any
of the other Edu-logger sensors. A special message

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appears when other sensor is connected with the photo
gate sensor.
The photo gate sensor cannot work at off-line mode
because the computer is mandatory for its operation
options. The off-line option is eliminated when the
software finds that the photo gate sensor is connected.
The photo gate sensor cannot work with the monitor
display unit 900-272.

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Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
900-209 Photo Gate Sensor
900-213 USB Module
A USB to mini USB cable (which comes with the
900-213)
Your photo gate 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 photo gate 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 photo gate sensor to the 900-213
module (they directly plug together). Please note
there is no calibration required for this sensor.
4. Open the Edu-logger software.
5. Once a photo gate sensor logo appears on the left
side of the screen the probe has been
automatically identified and you can begin
experimentation.
6. If the photo gate sensor is not automatically
identified then 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 photo gate sensor icon in the module window
to change the sensor 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 photo gate 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 click “Run
experiment”.
12. To end data collection early, click “Stop
experiment”.

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Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
900-209 Photo Gate Sensor
900-268 WiFi module
900-215 Battery
Your photo gate 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 a 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 photo gate sensor directly to the left
side 900-268 (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
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.

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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 photo gate
sensor. The icon will display real time data.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the photo gate sensor icon in the module window
to change the photo gate probe settings if need
be.
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.

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Experiment customization:
The Edu-logger photo gate sensor offers several
different experimental customization options. To
access them; click on the “Experiment Setup” button
after your photo gate sensor has been detected.
Timing cards:
Making timing cards is a unique option to further
customize any experiment with the Edu-logger photo
gate sensor. To make timing cards we recommend
cutting your desired shapes out of black plastic for the
most accurate readings though even plain paper will
work just fine.
For example:

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Velocity with a single gate:
Velocity with a single gate is the very basic velocity
measurement using only one photo gate sensor and
any object with a known width.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” button in the Edu-
logger software and select “Velocity with a single
gate”.
2. The graphic demonstrates the basic idea of what
your experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the object width (in
millimeters) into the text field labeled “X[mm]”
4. Click “Save” and then you are ready to begin
data collection.
Velocity with two gates:
The velocity with two gates option is ideal for
experiments which examine collisions between two
objects of known width and mass.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” button in the Edu-
logger software and select “Velocity with two
gates”.
2. The graphic demonstrates the basic idea of what
your experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the width and mass for both of
the objects passing through the photo gate.
4. Assign each of your photo gate sensors to both
the “Sensor A” and “Sensor B” position.
5. Be sure to space the photo gates far enough apart
to allow for a collision between the two objects
before they rebound back through the photo
gates.
6. Click “Save” and then you are ready to begin
data collection

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Acceleration with a single gate:
Acceleration with a single gate requires an object (or
timing card) with two flags (example shown above)
with known widths.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” button in the Edu-
logger software and select “Acceleration with a
single”.
2. The graphic demonstrates the basic idea of what
your experimental setup and timing card/object
should look like.
3. Measure and input the width for both flags.
4. Click “Save” and then you are ready to begin
data collection.
Acceleration with two gates:
Acceleration with two photo gates requires two Edu-
logger photo gate sensors and an object or timing card
with a known width.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” button in the Edu-
logger software and select “Acceleration with
two gates”.
2. The graphic demonstrates the basic idea of what
your experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the width of your object (in
millimeters) into the text field labeled “X[mm]”.
4. Assign each of your photo gate sensors to both
the “Sensor A” and “Sensor B” position.
5. Click “Save” and then you are ready to begin
data collection.

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Change in time between two gates:
Change in time between two photo gates requires two
Edu-logger photo gate sensors and an object or timing
card with a known width.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” button in the Edu-
logger software and select “Change in time
between two gates”.
2. The graphic demonstrates the basic idea of what
your experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the width of your object (in
millimeters) into the text field labeled “X[mm]”.
4. Assign each of your photo gate sensors to both
the “Sensor A” and “Sensor B” position.
5. Click “Save” and then you are ready to begin
data collection.
Velocities with timing card:
Velocities with timing card experiment requires one
Edu-logger photo gate sensor and an object or timing
card (a multi 'flag' is recommended). A known width
is not required for the time measurements, it is
however required for velocity calculations.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” button in the Edu-
logger software and select “Velocities with
timing card”.
2. The graphic demonstrates the basic idea of what
your experimental setup should look like.
3. Choose the expected experiment. A longer
duration will include less samples. Click “Save”
and then you are ready to begin data collection
(scroll the menu down to see the save button).
4. You will get the time difference in which every
black flag went through the photo gate.
Velocities can be calculated by dividing the flag
width by the time difference.

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Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the 900-213 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or
smart device.
2. Connect the photo gate sensor to a 900-213
module (they directly plug together). Please note
there is no calibration 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 enu.
6. If prompted to clear the graph, click either the
“Off-line experiment” or “On-line experiment”
(whichever you are using).
7. Click “Clear experiment results”.
8. Resume from step 4.

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Included with sensor:
Edu-logger 900-209 Photo Gate Sensor Guide (this
document).
Infrared transmitter and receptor housed in the
photo gate unit.
Threaded rod for easy connection to retort stands
or other labware.
Sensor specifications
ADC resolution
16 bit
Accuracy
100 µs
Resolution
100µs
Max sample rate (S/sec)
10,000
Sensor features:
Fully digital data.
Rugged plastic ergonomic case.
Internally housed infrared transmitter and detector.
Photo gate handle with three threaded holes to
customize your experimental setup.
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.
The Edu-logger photo gate sensor uses an infrared
beam to determine when an object has passed through
the photo gate. Every point that there is a break in the
infrared beam, a 1 is registered in the program.
The Edu-logger sensor firmware calculates velocities
and accelerations based on the record of 1’s and 0’s as
well as the experimental inputs. The computer
program gets processed data from the sensr.

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Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the Edu-logger plastic body in
any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into the photo gate sensor’s
body.
After use, gently wipe away any foreign material
from the photo gate sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct
sunlight.
Warranty:
We promise to deliver our sensor free of defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of 3 years
from the date of purchase. Our warranty does not
cover damage of the product caused by improper use,
abuse, or incorrect storage. Sensors with a shelf life
such as ion selective proves have a warranty of 1 year.
Should you need to act upon the warranty please
contact your distributor. Your sensor will be repaired
or replaced.

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Thank you for using Edu-logger!
Flexible, simple, fast, forward thinking.
W: www.edulab.com
E: [email protected]m
V10012013