Geokon LC-2 User manual

*Waterproof Single-Channel Dataloggers Models 8002-WP-1 and 8002-WP-2 are not CE Approved.
Instruction Manual
Model LC-2
Single Channel Datalogger
No part of this instruction manual may be reproduced, by any means, without the written consent of Geokon®.
The information contained herein is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Geokon®assumes no responsibility for
errors, omissions or misinterpretation. The information herein is subject to change without notification.
Copyright © 2007-2019 by Geokon®
(Doc Rev FF, 02/19/2019)

Warranty Statement
Geokon warrants its products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship, under normal
use and service for a period of 13 months from date of purchase. If the unit should malfunction,
it must be returned to the factory for evaluation, freight prepaid. Upon examination by Geokon,
if the unit is found to be defective, it will be repaired or replaced at no charge. However, the
WARRANTY is VOID if the unit shows evidence of having been tampered with or shows
evidence of being damaged as a result of excessive corrosion or current, heat, moisture or
vibration, improper specification, misapplication, misuse or other operating conditions outside of
Geokon's control. Components which wear or which are damaged by misuse are not warranted.
This includes fuses and batteries.
Geokon manufactures scientific instruments whose misuse is potentially dangerous. The
instruments are intended to be installed and used only by qualified personnel. There are no
warranties except as stated herein. There are no other warranties, expressed or implied, including
but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and of fitness for a particular
purpose. Geokon is not responsible for any damages or losses caused to other equipment,
whether direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential which the purchaser may experience
as a result of the installation or use of the product. The buyer's sole remedy for any breach of this
agreement by Geokon or any breach of any warranty by Geokon shall not exceed the purchase
price paid by the purchaser to Geokon for the unit or units, or equipment directly affected by
such breach. Under no circumstances will Geokon reimburse the claimant for loss incurred in
removing and/or reinstalling equipment.
Every precaution for accuracy has been taken in the preparation of manuals and/or software,
however, Geokon neither assumes responsibility for any omissions or errors that may appear nor
assumes liability for any damages or losses that result from the use of the products in accordance
with the information contained in the manual or software.

TABLE of CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................1
2. LC-2 MODEL TYPES ............................................................................................................................................1
2.1 RS-232 INTERFACE (8002-1-1, 8002-1A-1) ........................................................................................................1
2.2 USB INTERFACE (8002-1-2, 8002-1A-2).............................................................................................................1
2.3 RS-485 INTERFACE (8002-1-3, 8002-1A-3) ........................................................................................................2
2.4 WATERPROOF (8002-WP-1, 8002-WP-2)............................................................................................................2
3. GETTING STARTED.............................................................................................................................................3
3.1 TRANSDUCER INSTALLATION ..............................................................................................................................3
3.1.1 Cable Gland Models (8002-1-1, 8002-1-2, 8002-1-3)................................................................................3
3.1.2 10-pin Bulkhead Models (8002-1A-1, 8002-1A-2, 8002-1A-3)...................................................................4
3.2 BATTERY INSTALLATION .....................................................................................................................................4
3.3 ACCESSORIES.......................................................................................................................................................4
3.4 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND SETUP ................................................................................................................5
3.4.1 LogView Installation...................................................................................................................................5
3.4.2 Launching LogView ....................................................................................................................................5
3.4.3 LogView Workspaces ..................................................................................................................................6
3.4.4 Adding Projects to LogView Workspaces ...................................................................................................7
3.4.5 Adding Dataloggers to LogView Projects...................................................................................................8
3.4.6 LC-2 Connection (8002-1-1, 8002-1A-1)....................................................................................................9
3.4.7 LC-2 Connection (8002-1-2, 8002-1A-2)....................................................................................................9
3.4.8 Connecting to a Datalogger using LogView.............................................................................................10
3.4.9 Determining COM Port Numbers .............................................................................................................11
3.5 EXAMPLE SETUP USING TEXT COMMANDS .......................................................................................................12
4. COMMAND LIST.................................................................................................................................................18
4.1 “BRNNN”-SET OR DISPLAY THE CURRENT BAUD RATE...................................................................................19
4.2 “C” -DISPLAY CURRENT CLOCK SETTINGS.......................................................................................................19
4.3 “CSMM/DD/YY/HH:MM:SS”-SET THE INTERNAL CLOCK ...................................................................................19
4.4 “DEFAULT” -LOAD FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS ........................................................................................20
4.5 “DF” -DISPLAY OR SET DATE FORMAT ............................................................................................................21
4.6 “DNNNN”-DISPLAY ARRAYS FORWARD FROM USER POSITION........................................................................21
4.7 “E” -LOW POWER SLEEP MODE ........................................................................................................................23
4.8 “GNN/SZZZZ/SMMMM/SOOOO OR GNN/SAAAA/SBBBB/SCCCC”-GAUGE SETTINGS............................................23
4.9 “IDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD”-DISPLAY OR SET DATALOGGER ID.....................................................................26
4.10 “LC” -LINEAR CONVERSION ...........................................................................................................................27
4.11 “L” -DISPLAY LOG INTERVALS .......................................................................................................................27
4.12 “LN/LLLLL/III”-DEFINE LENGTH AND ITERATION OF INTERVAL .....................................................................28
4.13 “LD” -DISABLE LOG INTERVALS ....................................................................................................................28
4.14 “LE” -ENABLE LOG INTERVALS......................................................................................................................29
4.15 “M” -DISPLAY CURRENT MONITOR MODE SETTING.......................................................................................29
4.16 “MD” -DISABLE MONITOR MODE ..................................................................................................................29
4.17 “ME” -ENABLE MONITOR MODE....................................................................................................................29
4.18 “MS” –DISPLAY CURRENT MEMORY STATUS ................................................................................................29
4.19 “N” -DISPLAY NEXT MEASUREMENT CYCLE ..................................................................................................30
4.20 “NA” -DISPLAY NETWORK ADDRESS .............................................................................................................30
4.21 “NADDD”-SET NETWORK ADDRESS ..............................................................................................................30
4.22 “ND” -NETWORK DISABLE .............................................................................................................................31
4.23 “NE” -NETWORK ENABLE ..............................................................................................................................31
4.24 “NS” -DISPLAY NETWORK STATUS ................................................................................................................32
4.25 “PC” -POLYNOMIAL CONVERSION..................................................................................................................32
4.26 “PNNNN”-SET USER POSITION MEMORY POINTER .........................................................................................32
4.27 “R” -RESET MEMORY POINTERS .....................................................................................................................32
4.28 “RESET” -REBOOT THE LC-2 MICROPROCESSOR ..........................................................................................33
4.29 “RT” -DISPLAY TOTAL NUMBER OF READINGS ..............................................................................................33

4.30 “SR” -SYNCHRONIZE READINGS .................................................................................................................... 33
4.31 “SR0” -READINGS WILL NOT SYNCHRONIZE WITH THE HOUR.........................................................................33
4.32 “SR1” -READINGS WILL SYNCHRONIZE WITH THE HOUR ................................................................................34
4.33 “RT8” -SET MAXIMUM NUMBER OF READINGS TO 8000 ................................................................................34
4.34 “RT16” -SET MAXIMUM NUMBER OF READINGS TO 16000 ............................................................................34
4.35 “S” -DISPLAY STATUS.....................................................................................................................................34
4.36 “SCNNNNN”-SET SCAN INTERVAL .................................................................................................................35
4.37 “SS” -DISPLAY SYSTEM STATUS.....................................................................................................................35
4.38 “SPHH:MM”-STOP LOGGING ..........................................................................................................................36
4.39 “STHH:MM”-START LOGGING ........................................................................................................................36
4.40 “SV” -DISPLAY SOFTWARE VERSION..............................................................................................................37
4.41 “TEST” -PERFORM INTERNAL SELF-TESTS.....................................................................................................37
4.42 “TF” -DISPLAY OR SET TIME FORMAT ............................................................................................................38
4.43 “T” -DISPLAY CURRENT THERMISTOR SETTING..............................................................................................39
4.44 “TR” -DISPLAY CURRENT TRAP COUNT .........................................................................................................39
4.45 “TR0” -RESET TRAP COUNT ...........................................................................................................................39
4.46 “WF” -DISPLAY CURRENT WRAP FORMAT .....................................................................................................39
4.47 “X” -TAKE IMMEDIATE READING ...................................................................................................................40
5. MAINTENANCE...................................................................................................................................................41
5.1 KEEPING THE INSIDE OF THE BOX DRY ..............................................................................................................41
5.2 CLEANING..........................................................................................................................................................41
5.3 BATTERIES .........................................................................................................................................................41
6. TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................................................................................................43
APPENDIX A. SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................................44
A.1 MEASUREMENT CAPABILITY.............................................................................................................................44
A.2POWER ..............................................................................................................................................................44
A.3 MEMORY...........................................................................................................................................................44
A.4 CLOCK ..............................................................................................................................................................44
A.5 SERIAL INTERFACE (ALL LC-2 MODELS)..........................................................................................................45
A.6 RS-485 NETWORK ............................................................................................................................................45
A.7 VIBRATING WIRE MEASUREMENT ....................................................................................................................45
A.8 INTERNAL/EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT .....................................................................................45
A.9 MAIN BATTERY MEASUREMENT.......................................................................................................................45
APPENDIX B. CONNECTOR PINOUTS...............................................................................................................46
B.1 TRANSDUCER CONNECTIONS.............................................................................................................................46
B.1.1 Transducer Cable Connections (8002-1-2) ..............................................................................................46
B.1.2 Transducer Cable Connections (8002-1-1) ..............................................................................................46
B.2 SENSOR CONNECTOR PIN-OUT (8002-1A-1, 8002-2A-1) ..................................................................................46
B.3 COM CONNECTOR PIN-OUT ..............................................................................................................................47
B.4 RS-485 CONNECTOR PIN-OUT (OPTIONAL –8002-1-3).....................................................................................47
APPENDIX C. DATA FILE TRANSFER TO A WINDOWS PC ........................................................................48
C.1 DOWNLOADING DATA USING LOGVIEW ...........................................................................................................48
C.2 DOWNLOADING DATA USING HYPERTERMINAL (OR EQUIVALENT)..................................................................50
APPENDIX D. SAMPLE DATA FILES .................................................................................................................53
APPENDIX E. THERMISTOR TEMPERATURE DERIVATION .....................................................................55
E.1 STANDARD THERMISTOR ...................................................................................................................................55
E.2 HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMISTOR....................................................................................................................56
APPENDIX F. NETWORKING...............................................................................................................................57
F.1 DESCRIPTION .....................................................................................................................................................57
APPENDIX G. LOGWARE COMPATIBILITY ...................................................................................................59
G.1 BATTERY GAUGE ..............................................................................................................................................59

APPENDIX H. LITHIUM COIN CELL .................................................................................................................60
H.1 DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................................................................60
H.2 REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE..............................................................................................................................60
APPENDIX I. BATTERY REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNITS MANUFACTURED BEFORE
SEPTEMBER 2018 ...................................................................................................................................................62
APPENDIX J. WATERPROOF LC-2.....................................................................................................................63
J.1 INITIAL DEPLOYMENT ........................................................................................................................................63
J.2 CHANGING BATTERIES .......................................................................................................................................65
J.3 CABLE REMOVAL/REINSTALL ............................................................................................................................65
FIGURES
FIGURE 1-TERMINAL CONNECTIONS.............................................................................................................................3
FIGURE 2-BATTERY DETAIL .........................................................................................................................................4
FIGURE 3-SELECT WORKSPACE NAME .........................................................................................................................6
FIGURE 4-SELECT WORKSPACE FOLDER ......................................................................................................................6
FIGURE 5-LOGVIEW MAIN WINDOW............................................................................................................................7
FIGURE 6-LOGVIEW MAIN WINDOW WITH NEW PROJECT............................................................................................7
FIGURE 7-LOGVIEW CONTEXT MENU ..........................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 8-DATALOGGER SETTINGS,CONNECTION OPTIONS .........................................................................................8
FIGURE 9-DATALOGGER HIGHLIGHTED,NOT CONNECTED ..........................................................................................9
FIGURE 10 -DATALOGGER CONNECTION MISMATCH ..................................................................................................10
FIGURE 11 -DATALOGGER CONNECTED ......................................................................................................................10
FIGURE 12 -DATALOGGER CONNECTION MISMATCH ..................................................................................................11
FIGURE 13 -DEVICE MANAGER PORTS LIST ................................................................................................................11
FIGURE 14 -HYPERTERMINAL CONNECTION DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................12
FIGURE 15 -COM PORT SELECTION ............................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 16 -COM PORT SETTINGS...............................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 17 -ORDER OF ARRAY USAGE.........................................................................................................................22
FIGURE 18 -LOGVIEW COLLECT DATA BUTTON .........................................................................................................48
FIGURE 19 -DATA COLLECTION PROGRESS BAR .........................................................................................................49
FIGURE 20 -DATA COLLECTION COMPLETE MESSAGE ................................................................................................49
FIGURE 21 -HYPERTERMINAL CONNECTION DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................50
FIGURE 22 -COM PORT SELECTION ............................................................................................................................50
FIGURE 23 -COM PORT SETTINGS...............................................................................................................................51
FIGURE 24 -HYPERTERMINAL TRANSFER MENU .........................................................................................................51
FIGURE 25 -SPECIFY DATA CAPTURE FILE ..................................................................................................................52
FIGURE 26 -HYPERTERMINAL/DATALOGGER COMMUNICATION .................................................................................52
FIGURE 27 -BATTERY INSTALLATION DETAIL .............................................................................................................62
FIGURE 28 -SWAGELOK AND FERULE ORIENTATION ...................................................................................................63
FIGURE 29 -BATTERIES AND CABLE INSTALLED..........................................................................................................64
FIGURE 30 -MARKS ON THE SWAGELOK NUT AND BULKHEAD....................................................................................64
FIGURE 31 -NUT POSITION AFTER TIGHTENING ..........................................................................................................65

TABLES
TABLE 1-TRANSDUCER WIRING................................................................................................................................... 3
TABLE 2-VIBRATING WIRE GAUGE TYPES..................................................................................................................25
TABLE 3-GAUGE TYPE DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................................25
TABLE 4-ENGINEERING UNITS MULTIPLICATION FACTORS ........................................................................................26
TABLE 5-LOGARITHMIC INTERVALS LIST ...................................................................................................................28
TABLE 6-SCOMMAND INFORMATION .........................................................................................................................35
TABLE 7-SS COMMAND INFORMATION.......................................................................................................................36
TABLE 8-TEST MENU INFORMATION .........................................................................................................................38
TABLE 9-APPROXIMATE OPERATING TIMES ...............................................................................................................42
TABLE 10 -TRANSDUCER CABLE CONNECTIONS (USB DATALOGGER) .......................................................................46
TABLE 11 -TRANSDUCER CABLE CONNECTIONS (SERIAL DATALOGGER)....................................................................46
TABLE 12 -SENSOR CONNECTOR PIN-OUT ...................................................................................................................46
TABLE 13 -COM CONNECTOR PIN-OUT.......................................................................................................................47
TABLE 14 -RS-485 CONNECTOR PIN-OUT....................................................................................................................47
TABLE 15 -THERMISTOR RESISTANCE VERSUS TEMPERATURE ....................................................................................55
TABLE 16 -THERMISTOR RESISTANCE VERSUS TEMPERATURE FOR HT MODELS ........................................................56
TABLE 17 -ACTUAL BATTERY LIFE VS.LOGWARE BATTERY GAUGE ..........................................................................59
TABLE 18 –RIBBON CABLE CONNECTIONS FROM BATTERY BOARD (UPPER)TO MAIN PCB (LOWER).........................61
TABLE 19 -TRANSDUCER CABLE CONNECTIONS..........................................................................................................63
EQUATIONS
EQUATION 1-DISPLAYED GAUGE READING USING LINEAR CONVERSION ...................................................................24
EQUATION 2-DISPLAYED GAUGE READING USING POLYNOMIAL CONVERSION..........................................................24
EQUATION 3-DIGITS CALCULATION USING LINEAR CONVERSION ..............................................................................26
EQUATION 4-DIGITS CALCULATION USING POLYNOMIAL CONVERSION .....................................................................26
EQUATION 5-RESISTANCE TO TEMPERATURE .............................................................................................................55
EQUATION 6-HIGH TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE TO TEMPERATURE............................................................................56

1
1. INTRODUCTION
The Model LC-2 Single Channel Datalogger is a low cost, battery powered and easy to use
measurement instrument designed to read vibrating wire sensors equipped with thermistors.
The 320K standard memory provides storage for 16000 data. Each array consists of an optional
datalogger ID string (16 characters maximum), a timestamp consisting of the year, date (Julian
day or month/day format), time (hhmm or hours/minutes format) and seconds when the reading
was taken. Also included in the data is the internal 3V (or external 12V) battery voltage, the
datalogger temperature, the vibrating wire reading, the temperature at the transducer and the
array number in memory.
Internal math is calculated using 32-bit floating point notation (IEEE). Math operations on the
instrument reading, such as application of a zero reading, gauge factor (or calibration factor) and
offset when using a linear conversion technique or polynomial coefficients when using the
polynomial conversion, provide output directly in engineering units.
2. LC-2 MODEL TYPES
2.1 RS-232 Interface (8002-1-1, 8002-1A-1)
The datalogger’s internal configuration is defined through communication with a computer using
the supplied RS-232 interface cable and LogView software. The datalogger may also be
configured and monitored using any standard terminal emulator software, such as Microsoft
Windows HyperTerminal™or Geokon’s Terminal Window Software. (See Section 4, “Command
List”, if using terminal emulator software to interface to the datalogger.)
Sensors connect to model 8002-1-1 by means of an internal terminal block (see Table 1) and to
model 8002-1A-1 by means of a 10-pin connector. Refer to Section 3.1, “Sensor Installation” to
connect the vibrating wire transducer to the LC-2 datalogger.
2.2 USB Interface (8002-1-2, 8002-1A-2)
The datalogger’s internal configuration is defined through communication with a computer using
the supplied USB 2.0 interface cable and LogView software. The datalogger may also be
configured and monitored using any standard terminal emulator software, such as Microsoft
Windows HyperTerminal™or Geokon’s Terminal Window Software. (See Section 4, “Command
List”, if using terminal emulator software to interface to the datalogger.)
When connected to a computer via the USB port, the LC-2 appears to the computer as a “virtual”
COM port. The LC-2 datalogger also receives all of its operating power from the computer, thus
extending the internal 3V (or external 12V) battery life. When disconnected from the USB port,
the datalogger automatically switches to the internal 3V (or external 12V) battery pack.
LC-2 model 8002-1-2 provides hard-wired transducer connection by means of an internal
terminal block (see Table 1).LC-2 model 8002-1A-2 provides transducer connection by means of
a 10-pin connector. Refer to Section 3.1, “Sensor Installation” to connect the vibrating wire
transducer to the LC-2 datalogger.

2
2.3 RS-485 Interface (8002-1-3, 8002-1A-3)
The datalogger’s internal configuration is defined through communication with a computer using
the supplied RS-485 interface cable and LogView software. The datalogger may also be
configured and monitored using any standard terminal emulator software, such as Microsoft
Windows HyperTerminal™or Geokon’s Terminal Window Software. (See Section 4, “Command
List”, if using terminal emulator software to interface to the datalogger.)
When connected to a computer via the 8001-5 (RS-232) or 8002-5(USB) RS-485 interface, up to
256 LC-2 dataloggers may be networked (daisy chained) together over one RS-485
communications cable.
LC-2 model 8002-1-3 provides hardwired sensor connection by means of an internal terminal
block (see Table 1). LC-2 model 8002-1A-3 provides transducer connection by means of a 10-
pin connector. Refer to Section 3.1, “Sensor Installation” to connect the vibrating wire transducer
to the LC-2 datalogger.
All data, both readings and configuration, are stored in nonvolatile EEPROM with a typical
storage life of 10 years (minimum). The internal temperature compensated real-time clock, used
to provide timekeeping and triggering of readings, is accurate to plus or minus two minutes per
year.
The comma delineated ASCII output format allows for easy importing into popular spreadsheet
programs such as Lotus 1-2-3or Microsoft Excel. See Appendix D for sample data files.
For more information regarding setup and operation of the RS-485 LC-2 models, refer to
Appendix F, “Networking”.
2.4 Waterproof (8002-WP-1, 8002-WP-2)
Geokon’s Model LC-2WP is a waterproof version of the Single Channel LC-2 Datalogger. It is
housed in a rugged PVC enclosure, with a Swagelok cable fitting and 10-pin bulkhead
communications port.
The LC-2WP is available with internal configurations to communicate via RS-232 (8002-WP-1)
or USB (8002-WP-2).
For operating instructions for the LC-2WP, please see Appendix I.