Hydrofarm Autopilot APCEMDL User manual

APCEMDL
USER MANUAL
CO2MONITOR (w/Memory & Data Storage)
AutopilotControllers.com

AutopilotControllers.com
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW 4
PARTS LIST (WHAT’S IN THE BOX) 5
LCD DISPLAY 6
DISCLAIMERS 6
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 7
INITIAL SETUP 7
SD CARD FOR LOGGER 7
MAIN MENU FUNCTIONS 8
TREND CHART 9
TREND CHART ZOOM 9
MAX/MIN 9
CLOCK 9
MAIN MENU FUNCTIONS CHART 10
SPECIFICATIONS 11
WARRANTY 12
3

OVERVIEW
Thank you for purchasing the Autopilot APCEMDL Desktop CO2Monitor with Memory and Data
Storage. Developed to detect the presence of CO2in ambient air, this device is smart, compact
and easy to use. In addition to measuring the CO2concentration, the APCEMDL also measures the
room’s ambient temperature and relative humidity. Its high quality LCD display is easy to read, and
it features independent CO2, RH and temperature readings. In addition, it automatically records
logged data to an included microSD card and comes equipped with a built-in microSD card port.
The card is removable and easily exported to a computer into an Excel file format. The on-screen
display chart will allow 17 sets of data to be recorded and viewed before the first set of data is
recorded over. Using the Autopilot Desktop CO2 Monitor with Memory and Data Storage can greatly
improve your understanding of your grow room’s atmospheric conditions 24/7/365. For information
on additional Autopilot products please visit AutopilotControllers.com.
TOOLS NEEDED - (FOR OPTIONAL MOUNTING)
Phillips
Screwdriver
4

PARTS LIST  WHAT’S IN THE BOX
PARTS LIST
A- Power cord
B- USB Power Adapter
C- 1GB Micro SD card
D - CO2Monitor
2.0"/50.8 mm
A
B
D
C
Hole for Rope Strap
(strap not included)
Holes for Screws
(screws not included) Calibraon Hole
(for factory only)
Micro USB
Power Socket
5

LCD DISPLAY
1
5
6
7
8
11
10
2 3 4
9
1. CO2/TEMP/RH Chart
2. Max Reading of Chart
3. Min Reading of Chart
4. MicroSD Card
5. Audible Alarm On/Off
6. Date and Time
7. Temperature Reading
8. RH Reading
9. Main Menu
10. CO2Reading
11. Zoom Level of time (indicates the chart’s span of time)
DISCLAIMERS
USB connection is for power supply only; it will not transfer data to/from a computer. Unplugging
the device may result in loss of the most recently logged data on the chart.
This device is not intended for workplace hazard CO2monitoring, nor is it intended as a definitive
monitor for human or animal health institutions, life sustenance, or in any medically-related
situation.
Neither Hydrofarm nor the manufacturer assume any responsibility for any damage or loss suffered
by the user or any third party arising through the use of this product or its malfunction.
Hydrofarm reserves the right to change the specifications without notice.
NOTE: When connecting unit to a battery pack, the recommended battery capacity is: larger or equal
to 4000 mAh (3000 mAh still works, with reduced battery life).
6

INITIAL SETUP
When first unboxing, plug the included Micro USB cable (or one of your own) into the unit and the
other end into almost any cell phone charger or USB power source. If successfully connected, three
things will happen while booting up:
• 3 LEDs flash one by one
• Chart display shows the current software
version & “Warm Up”
• Main display shows a countdown from 10
Once the countdown is complete, your product
is ready to use. No initial setup or calibration is
needed.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
SD CARD FOR LOGGER
The unit automatically records data from the
unit to the included microSD card. It logs date,
time, CO2, temperature, and relative humidity
(RH) data. You can export and view the logged
data by using an SD card reader. The unit
creates a“.csv”file which is an Excel format file
(spreadsheet) that is easily viewed via Excel
on the computer that the SD card reader is
connected to. In Excel, the data should appear
as it does in the graphic below:
To export and view the data, remove the microSD card by gently pressing it inward with your
thumbnail or the point of a pen. This will cause it to eject. Place it into an SD card reader (one that
accepts microSD cards) which is connected to a computer. You will see a folder containing .csv files.
When opened in Excel, they will look like the above example.
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The APCEMDL records data to the log (.csv file) every 5 seconds. Each .csv file compiles a maximum
of 30,000 sets of data. If the maximum limit of 30,000 sets is reached, the unit will simply create
another new .csv file (spreadsheet). In a full year of constant operation and data-logging, the SD card
will contain 210 spreadsheets (over 6 million entries total).
NOTE: Be aware that there may be a significant delay while the Excel file is being populated with the
APCEMDL data. It may appear that no data is loading or that something is wrong, but please be patient.
MAIN MENU FUNCTIONS
The Main Menu (9) functions can be toggled through by using the MENU button. If the main
menu is not brought up, the green bar will remain blank, leaving the UP/DOWN buttons to toggle
between parameters and zoom levels, respectively.
Pressing MENU once will bring up the main menu, with a flashing bar indicating the current choice.
HOLD HOME
Hold ENTER for 3 seconds to reset the unit back to Home Setting which has a default target zone
of 800-1200 PPM. The Target Zone is the only setting that will be reverted back to Home Setting.
All other settings will not be reset. If the unit is unplugged it will keep the plant setting previously
selected before power was removed.
The table below shows what main menu selection is made by pressing MENU multiple times as well
as their functions. Note that the device will display“Done,” followed by the confirmed selection if
selected correctly.
NOTE: The CO2sensor comes pre-calibrated. Calibration is not needed for first 2 years of use.
8

The trend chart displays the past readings for CO2, temperature and RH parameters. These readings
can be toggled by using the DOWN key: CO2, TEMP, RH. See below:
TREND CHART ZOOM
Below is a table that shows the available zoom levels for all parameters, as well as the duration of
each division for corresponding zoom levels:
Using UP will toggle the available zoom levels for each parameter. Note the Time Per Division in
addition to the Zoom Level.
MAX/MIN
At the top right corner of the display, there are two numerical indicators: MAX and MIN. As the zoom
level is changed, the MAX and MIN values will reflect the maximum and minimum values on the
chart of the selected CO2parameter. At startup, the unit will automatically display values for CO2.
CLOCK
The clock display is at the top right corner of LCD screen. You can adjust the date and time by
selecting TIME mode. We recommend that you set the date and time to your local settings
immediately upon setting up the unit if exporting of logged data is going to be necessary.
TREND CHART
ZOOM LEVEL (Time Span) (11) TIME PER DIVISION
1 MIN (minute) 5 sec /div
1 HR (hour) 5 m/div
1 DAY (day) 2 h/div
1 WEEK (week) 0.5 d/div
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FUNCTION DIRECTIONS
ALARM
By default, the audible alarm for CO2levels exceeding set level, is set to OFF.
Once ALARM is selected (by pressing ENTER), use either UP or DOWN to
toggle the selection from ON to OFF or vice versa. Press ENTER one more
time to confirm. A regular bell icon will be displayed if alarm is on; a silenced
bell icon will appear on the screen if the alarm is set to off.
TIME
This function allows the user to adjust the real time. Once TIME is selected,
use UP and DOWN to adjust the current date and time. Press ENTER to
confirm.
LOG
This feature allows the user to see historical data recorded in the log at any
point that is displayable on the chart. First make sure the desired Zoom
Level is selected before enabling this function. Once LOG is enabled, use
UP and DOWN to toggle between the time divisions to see all parameters’
measurements for each division. Press ENTER once more to exit this mode.
CALI
Use this function to calibrate your device with outside atmospheric CO2
levels (usually around 400 ppm). Select this mode, hold ENTER for 3
seconds until a beep is heard, and the chart will read“Calibrating”. Then
place the device outdoors for 20 minutes. To escape, press MENU. Make
sure the device is far from a source of CO2, not in direct sunlight, and not
exposed to water. Do not stand near the device during calibration mode.
ALTI
This feature provides an altitude correction to the CO2level for increased
accuracy. Select this feature, then use UP and DOWN to input the current
altitude in meters. Press ENTER once altitude is correct.
ºC/ºF
Use this feature to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit for the
temperature display. First use UP and DOWN, then ENTER when the
desired one is selected.
ADV
This function toggles between three things when selected: 1. Changing the
alarm and lights to suit levels for Low Border; 2. Changing the alarm and
lights to suit levels for Hi Border; and 3. Restore Factory setting.
Restore Factory Setting will reset the device to factory settings and erase
all stored data in the chart. To use any of these modes, hold ENTER for 3
seconds until an audible beep is heard.
(Return) Exits the main menu. No options will be displayed on the green bar. A
different audible beep will be heard in this option.
MAIN MENU FUNCTIONS CHART
10

SPECIFICATIONS
Typical test conditions, unless otherwise specified: Ambient Temp =73+/-3°F, RH=50%-70%,
Altitude=0-100 meters
MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATION
Operating Temperature 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C)
Storage Temperature -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
Operating & Storage RH 0-95%, non-condensing
CO2Measurement
Accuracy at 0-3000 ppm ±50 ppm or ±5% of reading, whichever is greater
Accuracy over 3000 ppm ±7%
Repeatability 20 ppm at 400 ppm (standard dev. of 10 readings in 1 minute)
Measurement Range 0-5000 ppm
Display Resolution 1 ppm (0-1000); 5 ppm (1000-2000); 10 ppm (>2000)
Temp Dependence ±0.1% of reading per °C or ±2 ppm per °C, whichever is greater,
referenced to 25°C
Pressure Dependence 0.13% of reading per mmHg (corrected by user’s altitude input)
Response Time <2 min for 63% of step change or <4.6 min for 90% step change
Warm-up Time <30 sec
Temperature Measurement
Operating Temperature 32°F to 122°F (0°C -50°C)
Display Resolution 0.1°F (0.1°C)
Accuracy ±1°F (±0.5°C)
Response Time <20 min (63%)
RH Measurement
Range 5-95%
Accuracy ±5%
Resolution 1% on main reading, 0.1% on MAX/MIN reading
Power Requirements 160 mA peak, 15 mA average at 5.0V
Dimensions Control Unit: 120 x 66 x 33 mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.3")
Weight 103 g (3.6 oz) (unit only; Micro USB cable not included in weight
calculation)
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Hydrofarm.com
APCEMDL Instructions revised - May 22, 2017 8:39 AM
LIMITED WARRANTY
Hydrofarm warrants the APCEMDL to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty term is for
1 year beginning on the date of purchase. Misuse, abuse, or failure to follow instructions is not covered under this
warranty. Hydrofarm’s warranty liability extends only to the replacement cost of the product. Hydrofarm will not be
liable for any consequential, indirect, or incidental damages of any kind, including lost revenues, lost profits, or other
losses in connection with the product. Some states do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts or
the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
Hydrofarm will, at our discretion, repair or replace the APCEMDL covered under this warranty if it is returned to the
original place of purchase. To request warranty service, please return the APCEMDL, with original sales receipt and
original packaging, to your place of purchase. The purchase date is based on your original sales receipt.
WARRANTY
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