Edu-Logger 900-230 User manual

Edu-logger CO2
Logger Sensor Guide
900-230

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Edu-logger CO2logger sensor
900-230
The CO2Sensor can be used for any science
experiment or activity where CO2levels are required.
Some fields of study include Chemistry, Physiology,
Exercise Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Earth
Science, Environmental Science, etc.
This sensor is practical for testing CO2levels both in
laboratories and in the field. An electromechanical
cell in the sensor reacts with carbon dioxide to
produce a voltage which is directly interpreted to give
a CO2 concentration reading.
Hundreds of possible experiments that can be done
with the 900-230 sensor are: Monitoring of ecological
systems, combustion reactions, CO2consumption
rates, studying photosynthesis, testing chemical
solutions, hydrogen peroxide decomposition, and
many more.
The Edu-logger CO2 sensor collects data in the
following units of measurement:
Parts per million (ppm): The total number of
carbon dioxide molecules per million
molecules sampled.

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Sensor offset:
Prior to each use the CO2 needs to warm up for
roughly half an hour. To do this, plug the CO2 sensor
into a USB module or a battery pack and allow the
sensor to sit for half an hour prior to collecting data
for the best results.
Open air mode:
The CO2sensor needs to be calibrated before use.
Calibration of the probe assumes a standard
atmospheric CO2concentration of 20.9% (assuming
stable levels in the Earth‟s atmosphere at sea level).
Materials Needed:
900-230 CO2 sensor
One of the following (depending on experiment
type):
900-213 USB Module (For On-line experiments)
900-215 Battery (For Off-line experiments)
900-272 Viewing Module and 900-215 Battery
(For use with Edu-logger Viewer)
Procedure:
1. The CO2 sensor needs a power supply to
properly calibrate so connect the CO2 sensor to:
For On-line experiments: 900-213 USB Module.
For Off-line experiments: 900-215 Battery
For use with the Edu-logger Viewer: 900-272
Viewing Module and 900-215 Battery.
2. The sensor now needs to be calibrated:
Connect the CO2 sensor to the left side of a 900-
213 Module (which is connected to a computer
via the USB to mini USB cable).

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Open the Edu-logger software.
Once the CO2 sensor is detected click the
“Module setup” button.
Hold the probe vertically so the opening is facing
the ground.
Press and hold the blue “Start/Stop” button the
faceplate of the sensor for 3 seconds.
3. The CO2 Sensor is now calibrated for use.

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Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
900-230 CO2Sensor
900-213 USB Module
A USB to mini USB cable (which comes with the
900-213)
Prior to initial use the Edu-logger CO2sensor needs to
be offset. Please review the “Sensor calibration”
section of this document on beginning on page 2 for
detailed instructions.
Your CO2sensor 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 CO2sensor 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. Follow the „Sensor Offset” guide in this
document.
2. Install the Edu-logger software
3. Connect the 900-213 module to the PC or Mac
4. Connect the CO2 sensor to the 900-213 module
(they directly plug together).
5. Open the Edu-logger software.

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6. Once a CO2 sensor logo appears on the left side
of the screen the probe has been automatically
identified and you can begin experimentation.
7. If the CO2 sensor is not automatically identified
then click the “Search for sensors” icon to find
the sensor.
8. Select the “On-line experiment” button; this will
open a graph below.
9. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the CO2 sensor icon in the module window to
change the sensor settings if need be.
10. Click on the "experiment set up" button to change
the experiment settings if need be (experiment
duration for example).
11. The CO2 sensor will give a live reading in the
box to the left of the screen while plugged in.
12. To run an experiment and collect data click “Run
experiment”.
13. To end data collection early, click “Stop
experiment”.

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Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
900-230 CO2Sensor
900-268 WIFI module
900-215 Battery
Prior to initial use the Edu-logger CO2sensor needs to
be offset. Please review the “Sensor offset” section of
this document on beginning on page 2 for detailed
instructions.
Your CO2sensor 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. Follow the „Sensor Offset” guide in this
document.
2. Connect the CO2sensor directly to the left
side 900-268 (no wires required).
3. Connect a 900-215 module to the right side
of the 900-268 module.
4. 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.
5. 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

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function is only available on 900-268 units
with the USB icon on the cover.
6. For further 900-268 instructions or
the 900-268 quick start guide please visit:
www.edulab.com
7. 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.
8. 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).
9. Give your device about 20 seconds to
connect to the 900-268.
10. 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.
11. You will see a “Control mode” icon in the
browser, click on this icon.
12. 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.)
13. If the browser does not auto detect the
sensor(s), select “Search for sensors”.
14. Once the sensor is found you will see an icon
on the left side of the screen for the CO2
sensor. The icon will display real time data.
15. Click on the “Module setup” button located
on the CO2sensor icon in the module
window to change the CO2probe settings if
need be.
16. Click on the experiment set up button to
change the experiment settings if need be
(Experiment duration for example).
17. To run an experiment and collect data, select
“On-Line” experiment, then select "Run".

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18. 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:
900-230 CO2 Sensor
900-272 Viewing Module
900-215 Battery
Procedure:
1. Follow the „Sensor Offset” guide in this
document.
2. Connect the CO2 sensor to the left side of the
viewer.
3. Connect the 900-215 module to the right side of
the viewer.
4. The 900-272 will auto detect the sensor and you
will see it appear on the left side of the screen.
5. Once the sensor appears it will be monitoring
data in real time.
6. To run an experiment and collect data click the
run button (little green person).
Off-line experiments

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(Off-line experiments are for when you do not have a
sensor connected directly to a computer, tablet,
smartphone, or Edu-logger viewer).
Materials needed:
900-230 CO2Sensor
900-215 Battery
Materials needed to configure your offline
experiment:
900-213 Module or 900-268 module or 900-272
Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the 900-
213 module).
Procedure:
1. Follow the „Sensor Offset” guide in this
document.
2. Connect the CO2 sensor directly to the left side
of a charged 900-215 module.
3. When ready to collect data press the “Start/Stop”
button on the CO2 sensor, a red light will turn on
for the duration of the experiment.
4. 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.)
5. 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. (full instructions in each device‟s
quick start procedure section)
6. Open Edu-logger software.
7. Click the “Off-line experiment” button.

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8. Click the “Load data from sensors” button.
9. Select which experimental data to upload. (5
experimental runs can be stored at one time on
the 900-230 CO2 sensor)
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the 900-213 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or
smart device.
2. Connect the CO2 sensor to a 900-213 module
(they directly plug together).
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”
(whichever you are using).
7. Click “Clear experiment results”.
8. Resume from step 4.

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Included with sensor:
Edu-logger CO2sensor probe which is attached to
the sensor body by a durable rubber-coated wire.
Edu-logger 900-230 CO2Sensor Guide (This
Document)
Sensor specifications:
Range and operation modes
350-10,000 ppm
ADC resolution
14 bit
Resolution
1 ppm
Max sample rate (S/sec)
100
Sensor 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)
Attached probe cased in durable plastic
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 for free at any
time using the provided firmware update.
In spite of that, the probe needs to be offset prior to
initial use. Please review the “Sensor offset” guide at
the beginning of this document for detailed
instructions.
The CO2 sensing element consists of a cation
(Na+) solid electrolyte formed between two
electrodes together with a printed heater (RuO2)
substrate.
The cathode (sensing element) consists of lithium
carbonate and gold, while the anode (counter
electrode) is made of gold.

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When the sensor is exposed to CO2 gas , the
following electrochemical reaction occurs:
Cathodic reaction:
2Li+ + CO2 + 1/2O2 + 2e- = Li2CO3
Anodic reaction:
2Na+ + 1/2O2 + 2e- = Na2O
Overall chemical reaction:
Li2CO3 + 2Na+ = Na2O + 2Li+ + CO2
As a result of the electrochemical reaction,
electro-motive force (EMF) would be generated
according to Nernst‟s equation:
EMF = Ec - (R x T) / (2F) ln (P(CO2))
where
P(CO2) : Partial pressure of CO2,
Ec : Constant value R : Gas constant
T : Temperature (K) F : Faraday constant
By monitoring the electromotive force (EMF)
generated between the two electrodes, it is
possible to measure CO2.

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Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the Edu-logger sensor‟s plastic
body in any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into the Edu-logger sensor‟s
plastic body.
After using the probe wipe off all excess material,
liquid or residue from the CO2 probe body.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct
sunlight.
Do not put the plastic case, or cord of the CO2
probe in an acids or bases.
Store the CO2 sensor‟s probe upright with the blue
rubber tip pointing downward.
Do not use the sensor in acid or alkaline solutions
with a molarity greater than 1.0.
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