Edu-Logger 900-238 User manual

Edu-Logger Salinity
Logger Sensor Guide
900-238

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Edu-Logger salinity logger sensor
900-238
The Edu-Logger salinity sensor can be used for any
science experiment or activity which utilizes solutions
that have a saline (salt) component such as in the
fields of Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science,
Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Physics, etc.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start
experimentation right out of the box using this guide.
Hundreds of possible experiments that can be done
with the 900-238 sensors are: Monitoring of
ecological systems, chemical analysis and
identification, environmental health testing, water
quality testing, chemical properties, properties of
electricity, etc.
The Edu-Logger salinity sensor can use any of the
following units of measure:
Percentages (%): The total saline percentage
out of the whole sample.
Parts per million (ppm): The number of salt
molecules per million molecules.
Milligrams per liter (mg/L): The total mass of
dissolved salts per liter of volume.

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Probe usage and care:
The probe has two flat electrodes with known surface
areas and distance between them. A signal is supplied
to the electrodes and by testing the signal behavior,
the salinity of the solution is calculated.
General care:
Avoid touching the probes flat green surface if
possible.
Never submerge the probe’s or sensor’s plastic
body in any liquid.
Gently rinse the electrodes off with distilled water
after each use and between samples to avoid
damage and contamination.
Handle and store with care to avoid damaging or
chipping the electrodes.
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
900-238 Salinity Sensor
900-213 USB Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the 900-
213 module)
Your salinity 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 salinity sensor directly into
the computer.

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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 salinity 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 salinity sensor logo appears on the left
side of the screen the probe has been
automatically identified and you can begin
experimentation.
6. If the salinity sensor is not automatically
identified, click on the “Search for sensors” icon
to find the sensor.
7. Select the “On-line experiment” button; this will
open a graph below.
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the salinity 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 salinity 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”.
Tablet, smart phone device

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Materials needed:
900-238 Salinity Sensor
900-268 WIFI module
900-215 Battery
Your salinity 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 salinity 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 salinity sensor.
The icon will display real time data.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located on
the salinity sensor icon in the module window to
change the salinity 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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Operation with Edu-Logger viewer
Materials needed:
900-238 Salinity Sensor
900-272 Viewing Module
900-215 Battery
Procedure:
1. Connect the salinity 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).
Off-line experiments
(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:
900-238 Salinity Sensor
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. Connect the salinity sensor directly to the left
side of a charged 900-215 module.

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2. When ready to collect data press the “Start/Stop”
button on the salinity 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. (full instructions in each device’s
quick start procedure section)
5. Open Edu-Logger software.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” button.
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 900-238 salinity sensor)
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the 900-213 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or
smart device.
2. Connect the salinity 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 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 900-238 salinity sensor guide
(this document).
Salinity probe which is directly attached to the
sensor’s plastic body.
Sensor specifications:
Range and
operation
modes
ADC
resolution
Resolution
Max
sample
rate
(S/sec)
0 to 6.4%
16 bit
0.0064%
100
0 to 64,000
mg/L
64 mg/L
0 to 64,000
ppm
64 ppm
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).
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment.
Salinity sensing electrodes located on the probe
which is attached directly to the sensor’s plastic
body.
Note: Edu-Logger products are intended for
educational use.

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Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be
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.
On the salinity probe there are two electrodes of
known surface area with a known distance between
them which allows for the sensor to determine the
salinity of solutions.
The electrodes located on the salinity probe have an
electrical potential difference applied to them to
generate a current through the solution. If ions are
present, the current will flow between the electrodes.
Current flows through solutions via ion transport,
therefore the higher number of ions present in a
solution the easier an electrical current can flow and a
higher salinity value will be measured.
The electrodes alternate polarities to prevent a total
ion migration to either pole which could cause
polarization and electrolysis.

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Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the Edu-Logger plastic body in
any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into either the sensor’s or
probe’s plastic body.
After using the probe rinse with distilled water and
then blot or let air dry.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct
sunlight.
Temperature storage range is 0oC - 80oC.
Operating temperature range is 0 oC - 50oC.
Never place the probe in viscous heavy oils,
glycerin, ethylene glycol, acetone or organic
solvents, such as pentane or hexane.
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!
W: www.edulab.com
E: [email protected]m
V10012013