RST Instruments DT2306 User manual

RST INSTRUMENTS LTD.
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Maple Ridge, BC
CANADA V2X 0Z5
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ELM0075B
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and
completeness of the information contained in this document. RST
Instruments Ltd. reserves the right to change the information at any
time and assumes no liability for its accuracy.
Copyright © 2019. RST Instruments Ltd. All rights reserved.
Document Number: ELM0075B
Release Date: April 18, 2019
DT2306 Potentiometer
Data Logger Manual

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TABLE OF REVISIONS
Rev.
Revision History
Date
Prepared
By
Approved
By
B
Initial release
18-Apr-2019
MP
JW

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1
2 SAFETY ......................................................................................................................2
3 INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................2
3.1 Installation Tools and Materials.........................................................................2
3.2 Software Installation..........................................................................................2
3.3 Potentiometer Connection.................................................................................3
4 LOGGER CONFIGURATION............................................................................................8
4.1 Logging Tab......................................................................................................8
4.2 Status Tab ........................................................................................................9
4.3 Data View Tab ................................................................................................11
4.4 Monitor Tab.....................................................................................................11
4.4.1 Graphical Monitor..................................................................................12
4.5 Sensors Tab ...................................................................................................13
4.6 Connections Tab.............................................................................................15
5 TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................16
6 BATTERY INFORMATION.............................................................................................17
6.1 Battery Type ...................................................................................................17
6.2 Estimated Battery Life.....................................................................................17
6.3 Changing the Battery ......................................................................................18
7 SERVICE AND REPAIR................................................................................................19

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1 DT2306 potentiometer data logger............................................................................1
Figure 1-2 Cable gland nut wrench ............................................................................................1
Figure 3-1 Loosen the cable gland using two 20 mm wrenches.................................................3
Figure 3-2 Loosen the cable gland using the cable gland nut wrench ........................................4
Figure 3-3 Remove the cable plug from the cable gland ............................................................4
Figure 3-4 DT2306 connection diagram.....................................................................................5
Figure 3-5 Tightening the cable gland........................................................................................5
Figure 3-6 Activate the battery...................................................................................................6
Figure 3-7 Tighten screws in the following order and pattern .....................................................6
Figure 3-8 Mini-B USB port........................................................................................................7
Figure 3-9 Port and status indicators..........................................................................................7
Figure 4-1 The logging tab.........................................................................................................8
Figure 4-2 The status tab.........................................................................................................10
Figure 4-3 Data view tab..........................................................................................................11
Figure 4-4 The monitor tab.......................................................................................................12
Figure 4-5 Graphical monitor options.......................................................................................13
Figure 4-6 Sensor tab .............................................................................................................14
Figure 6-1 Tighten screws in the following order and pattern ...................................................19
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4-1 Logging tab options and description...........................................................................9
Table 4-2 Sensors tab options and description.........................................................................15
Table 4-3 Connections tab options and description..................................................................16
Table 5-1 Common troubleshooting problems and solutions....................................................16
Table 6-1 Battery types............................................................................................................17
Table 6-2 Estimated battery life................................................................................................18

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1 INTRODUCTION
FIGURE 1-1 DT2306 POTENTIOMETER DATA LOGGER
1 Philips screw
2 Cable gland
3 Black cable plug
4 USB port
5 RSTAR/DT Link antenna
6 Logger lid
A mini-B USB connector cable and RST Resource DVD are included in a standard
DT2306 data logger shipment.
Contact RST Instruments if any items are missing from the shipment.
Visit https://www.rstinstruments.com/Geotechnical-Videos.html or
https://youtu.be/a5hHQaN1NkI for an instructional installation video.
An optional Cable Gland Nut Wrench may be purchased from RST for effortless
cable gland access. Contact RST for more details.
FIGURE 1-2 CABLE GLAND NUT WRENCH

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2 SAFETY
Avoid potential electrical faults when wiring the DT2306 data logger.
Do not wire the DT2306 data logger in a lightning storm.
The DT2306 data logger uses a 3.6 V lithium-thionyl chloride battery. Standard
batteries (defined as SAFT LSH 20 D-cell, or equivalent) are used for radio-enabled
loggers and compact batteries (defined as either one SAFT LSH 14 light C-cell
battery, two SAFT LS 14500 AA batteries, or equivalent) are used for stand-alone
data loggers. For more information about batteries, please see Section 6.
CAUTION:
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY.
DO NOT REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH AN ALKALINE OR ZINC-CARBON BATTERY.
REMOVE STANDARD BATTERIES PRIOR TO SHIPPING THE DT2306.
3 INSTALLATION
3.1 INSTALLATION TOOLS AND MATERIALS
•Desktop or laptop computer with USB port.
◼Supported operating systems include Microsoft™ Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
•Phillips #2 screwdriver.
•Flat-head 2.5 mm screwdriver.
•Two 20 mm open wrenches or small crescent wrenches.
◼Optional: Cable Gland Nut Wrench.
3.2 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
1Insert the supplied RST Resource DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. The disk
contains an auto-run feature.
2Click the install button. Follow the on-screen instructions. The default directory is:
C:\Program Files\RST Instruments\DT Logger Host\
The drivers will automatically install. Refer to Section 5 if they do not install.

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3.3 POTENTIOMETER CONNECTION
There are five cable glands on the exterior of the DT2306 logger. The following
instructions detail the steps necessary to loosen the glands and insert and connect
the cable.
CAUTION:
AVOID OPERATIONS WITH THE LOGGER COVER OFF IN RAIN OR SNOW.
DO NOT ALLOW RAIN OR SNOW TO ENTER THE ENCLOSURE.
DO NOT INSTALL IN FLOODABLE LOCATIONS.
THE LOGGER IS RAIN-TIGHT ONLY AND NON-SUBMERSIBLE.
NOTE: THE PICTURES IN THIS SECTION ARE INSTRUCTIONAL AND MAY FEATURE A
LOGGER OTHER THAN THE DT2306 TO ILLUSTRATE THE INSTRUCTIONS.
1Loosen the cable gland using two 20 mm wrenches. Hold the bolt in place with
one wrench. Loosen the cap with the other wrench. Refer to Figure 3-1 for proper
wrench placement.
Refer to Figure 3-2 for the cable gland nut wrench placement.
CAUTION: ENSURE THE ENTIRE NUT BODY DOES NOT LOOSEN.LOOSEN ONLY THE
GLAND.
FIGURE 3-1 LOOSEN THE CABLE GLAND USING TWO 20 MM WRENCHES

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FIGURE 3-2 LOOSEN THE CABLE GLAND USING THE CABLE GLAND NUT WRENCH
2Remove the black cable plugs from the cable glands. Refer to Figure 3-3.
FIGURE 3-3 REMOVE THE CABLE PLUG FROM THE CABLE GLAND
3Loosen the 4 Phillips screws on the top of the logger. Lift the cover off.
4Insert the sensor cable with stripped wire ends through the cable glands and into
the logger. Ensure the cable sheathes are inside the enclosure.
5Connect the leads. Refer to Figure 3-4.
CAUTION: ENSURE NO BARE WIRES ARE VISIBLE.

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FIGURE 3-4 DT2306 CONNECTION DIAGRAM
6Secure the wires to the logger circuit by tightening each wire with a 2.5 mm flat-
blade screwdriver.
7Tighten the cable glands using the same wrench positioning as step 1. Refer to
Figure 3-5. Tug gently on the cable after each half turn to inspect cable mobility.
FIGURE 3-5 TIGHTENING THE CABLE GLAND

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8Perform a final half turn once the cable is immobile. Do not overtighten or under
tighten cable glands.
CAUTION:
OVERTIGHTENING THE CABLE GLAND COULD DAMAGE THE CABLE.
UNDER TIGHTENING THE CABLE GLAND COULD CAUSE A LEAKAGE AND WATER
DAMAGE.
9For a stand-alone data logger, insert the battery into the battery adapter (see
Section 6 for information regarding the types of batteries suitable for this logger).
Place the adapter into the battery holder.
For radio-enabled loggers, place the battery into the battery holder. Roll the
battery back and forth to clean the contacts.
If the batteries are already installed, hold the battery in place and pull the tab out
to activate the logger. Refer to Figure 3-6.
FIGURE 3-6 ACTIVATE THE BATTERY
10 Replace the cover. Loosely tighten each screw in the X pattern as shown in
Figure 3-7. Then securely tighten each screw in the X pattern.
FIGURE 3-7 TIGHTEN SCREWS IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER AND PATTERN

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CAUTION: ENSURE THE DT LOGGER HOST SOFTWARE AND USB DRIVERS ARE
INSTALLED BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER.
11 Unscrew the cover of the mini-B USB port. Refer to Figure 3-8.
FIGURE 3-8 MINI-B USB PORT
12 Connect the supplied USB connector cable to the DT2306 data logger and
computer’s USB port.
Launch the DT Logger Host software. Wait for the port and status indicator to
turn green. Refer to Figure 3-9. Refer to Section 5 if the indicators do not turn
green.
FIGURE 3-9 PORT AND STATUS INDICATORS

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The DT2306 data logger is now ready to be configured for data logging.
4 LOGGER CONFIGURATION
The following sections detail how to correctly configure the DT2306 for data logging.
It is important o ensure the logger is properly configured before beginning data
collection.
4.1 LOGGING TAB
Configure the logger in the Logging Tab (Figure 4-1) prior to data collection.
Refer to Table 4-1 for Logging settings and descriptions.
NOTE: SOME LOGGER CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS WILL BE CONTROLLED BY THE
RTU BASE STATION WHEN THE LOGGER IS IN RSTAR ENABLED MODE.ANY
SUCH PARAMETERS WILL BE INACCESSIBLE BY THE DT LOGGER HOST
SOFTWARE.
CAUTION: DATA LOSS WARNING
ENSURE THE DATA HAS BEEN DOWNLOADED PRIOR TO APPLYING SETTINGS.ALL
EXISTING LOGGER DATA WILL BE ERASED DURING LOGGER SETTINGS UPLOAD.
FIGURE 4-1 THE LOGGING TAB

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TABLE 4-1 LOGGING TAB OPTIONS AND DESCRIPTION
SETTING
APPLICATION
A
Interval
Select 'Use Fixed Interval' to adjust the intervals and set the logging frequency.
Select 'Use Multi Interval Table' and click on ‘Multi Interval’ to set up to 12 custom, multiple
logging frequencies.
Note: The hour, minute, second, and number of iterations per interval must be specified. Each
interval MUST have an iteration except the last iteration which must be set to zero. This tells the
program that the logger will continue at the last iteration rate.
B
Logger Options
(24 Hour Time)
Check 'Use Start Time' to select the desired logging start time (24-hour format).
Note: The logger will not start until it reaches the custom start time even if the time has already
passed. E.g., if the current time is 13:01 and the start time is set to 13:00, the logger will not
start logging data until 13:00 the next day. The status will read Log Pendinguntil the custom
start time is reached.
Select 'Wrap on Memory Full (Overwrite Data)' to overwrite the logger memory when logger
memory is full.
Select 'Stop Logging when Memory Full' to stop collecting data when logger memory is full. This
option is recommended for locations with access issues where data may not be retrieved prior
to battery failure.
C
Clock Options
Select a custom date and time or click 'Sync to computer date/time' to sync it to the computer’s
current date and time.
Select 'Auto sync date/time' to always sync to the computer’s date/time when connected via
USB.
D
Logger Label
Type a custom name for the logger. Click 'Update Label' to apply the label.
This name will appear in the data files.
E
Custom Units
Enter desired label and conversion factor to add custom units in the Sensor configuration tab.
F
Apply Settings
Click 'Apply Settings' to save any changes and upload them to logger memory. 'Apply Settings'
must be clicked to ensure settings are saved.
CAUTION: DATA LOSS WARNING
ALL EXISTING LOGGER DATA WILL BE ERASED DURING LOGGER SETTINGS
UPLOAD.ENSURE THE DATA HAS BEEN DOWNLOADED PRIOR TO APPLYING
SETTINGS.SENSOR CONFIGURATION WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
Clicking ‘Apply Settings’ will display a prompt reminding the user to download
existing logger data.
Only click ‘yes’ if the data has already been downloaded. Click ‘no’ to return to the
Logging Tab.
4.2 STATUS TAB
The Status tab provides an overview of general information about the currently
connected DT2306 data logger (such as logger information, logger status, battery
life, and current memory usage) (Figure 4-2).

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FIGURE 4-2 THE STATUS TAB
Ensure the serial number displayed matches the logger serial number.
Click 'Collect Data' to download the data into a *.csv file. A prompt will appear asking
to append or overwrite data. Append will continue to add data to existing readings in
the memory. Overwrite data will erase all data in the logger and restart the logging
process.

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4.3 DATA VIEW TAB
The Data View tab provides a quick preview of logger data files (Figure 4-3).
FIGURE 4-3 DATA VIEW TAB
NOTE: DATA VIEW DISPLAYS MAJOR DATA LOGGER SETTINGS AND ALL SAVED DATA
RECORDS.USE A TEXT FILE VIEWER OR SPREADSHEET PROGRAM (E.G.
MICROSOFT EXCEL™)TO VIEW THE ENTIRE FILE.
4.4 MONITOR TAB
The following section details the features of the Monitor Tab (Figure 4-4).

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FIGURE 4-4 THE MONITOR TAB
Opening the monitor tab sets the data logger into monitor mode. The screen reports
in % of the detected potentiometer ratio by default.
Click the check boxes to change the display to Engineering Units.
NOTE: ENGINEERING UNITS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE WHEN SENSOR CALIBRATION DATA
AND CONVERSION METHOD IS SET IN THE SENSORS TAB.
The sensor reading will update approximately every two seconds when successfully
connected to the data logger. A green indicator will flash each time a sensor data is
updated.
The program will display "----" in each Sensor Reading field until communication is
established with the data logger.
The program will display "RANGE_ERR" when the Sensor Reading is outside of
valid range.
4.4.1 Graphical Monitor
Click the 'Graph' button to invoke the data logger graphical monitor. The graphical
monitor displays the recently monitor readings in a Sensor Reading vs. Time graph.
The graphical monitor will update approximately every two seconds when
successfully connected.

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The real-time sensor reading is displayed below the graph window. The pre-set
default range is applied in Range mode. Uncheck 'Auto' to apply a custom range.
Minimum and maximum sensor reading values are automatically adjusted to display
the entire graph. Uncheck 'Auto' to apply custom values. The time range (x-axis) can
be adjusted between 1 –120 minutes.
Click the 'Settings' button to open the Graph Settings dialog and manipulate graph
properties such as line style, background color, and grid lines (Figure 4-5).
FIGURE 4-5 GRAPHICAL MONITOR OPTIONS
4.5 SENSORS TAB
The sensors tab shows current sensor configurations (Figure 4-6). Readings can be
adjusted from % to Engineering Units, if desired. Data required for the conversion to
engineering units is found on the calibration sheet provided by RST with each
shipment. Contact RST if the calibration sheet is missing from the shipment or you
require a replacement.

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FIGURE 4-6 SENSOR TAB
Refer to Table 4-2 for Sensors settings and descriptions.

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TABLE 4-2 SENSORS TAB OPTIONS AND DESCRIPTION
SETTING
APPLICATION
Conversion Method
Select 'Coefficient Input' to calculate engineering values using linear conversion.
Select 'Range Input' to automatically calculate coefficient parameters given range
values.
Units Conversion
Select 'Units Conversion' to apply a user defined output offset value and output units.
The conversion will be done automatically resulting in desired units displayed in the
Monitor tab and recorded in the downloaded file data.
Display Format
Click to customize monitor display settings –alter precision or switch to scientific display.
Upload to Logger
Click to update logger with current sensor settings.
Note: 'Upload to Logger' must be clicked to update logger with new settings.
CAUTION: DATA LOSS WARNING
THE PROGRAM WILL PROMPT THE USER TO RESTART LOGGING OR
ERASE DATA CURRENTLY CONTAINED IN THE LOGGER.CURRENT
READINGS AND ALL PREVIOUS DATA WITH CURRENT SENSOR
CALIBRATION SETTINGS WILL BE DOWNLOADED TO A *.CSV FILE
NEXT TIME DATA IS COLLECTED IF THE LOGGER MEMORY IS NOT
ERASED.
Save to File
Click to save current sensor settings to file for later retrieval.
Load from File
Click to load previously saved sensor settings.
CAUTION: DO NOT DISCONNECT THE LOGGER BEFORE EXITING THE SOFTWARE.
4.6 CONNECTIONS TAB
The connections tab allows the user to change logger settings and access advanced
features.
Advanced features should be used only with the assistance of RST Instruments
technical personnel. Contact RST for more information.

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TABLE 4-3 CONNECTIONS TAB OPTIONS AND DESCRIPTION
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
CSV Data File Folder
Click 'Browse' to change the *.csv save folder location.
Open Folder
Click 'Data Folder' to open the *.csv save folder location.
Advanced
Advanced features should be used only with the assistance of
RST Instruments technical personnel. Contact RST for more
information.
RSTAR Settings
Click 'RSTAR Settings' to enable/disable RSTAR and view
advanced RSTAR settings.
Software Settings
Click 'Default Settings' to revert to default logger settings.
Click 'Change Admin Password' to change the logger password.
Software Update Check
Click 'Check now' to check for a software update.
Click 'Update Options' to adjust the frequency and save folder
location of the software updates.
5 TROUBLESHOOTING
Press F1 or click the help button to activate the help system. Answers to common
problems and troubleshooting tips may be found by browsing help topics or by
searching keywords.
TABLE 5-1 COMMON TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
Failed Drivers Installation
Manual installation of the USB drivers:
Start Menu > RST Instruments > DT Logger Host software >
Tools> Install USB Drivers
Status Message:
Port Not Open
Close other windows applications.
Select the correct logger using logger mode buttons.
Status Message: Connecting
to the logger
Verify that the communication cable is tightly connected. Replace
logger batteries.
Reading Errors
Close and restart DT Logger Host software.
Transmission Error
Check the battery state on the Status tab. Drained battery may
cause data transmission errors.
Damaged USB port cover
Contact RST for a replacement cap.
Battery voltage below 3V
Contact RST for replacement batteries. Do not replace the
battery with an alkaline or zinc-carbon battery.
The software should always be closed when changing loggers or reconnecting the
cable.