Spectrum WatchDog A-Series User manual

®
A160 Temp/RH/CO2
Data Logger
PRODUCT MANUAL
Item # 3611A

2
For customer support, or to place an order, call Spectrum
Technologies at [phone] or [phone] between 7:30
am and 5:30 p.m. CST, FAX at [phone], or E-mail at
[email protected].
Spectrum Technologies, Inc
12360 S Industrial Dr. East
Plainfield, IL 60585
www.specmeters.com
Description 3
Installation and Operation 4
Connecting to the Computer 7
SpecWare Software 8
Trouble Shooting 10
Warranty 12
Model Specifications 2
Contents
CO2Range 0 to 9999 ppm
CO2Accuracy ±50ppm ±5% of reading from 0 to 2000
ppm, else unspecified
Temperature Range 14 to 140°F (-10 to 60°C)
Temperature Accuracy ±1.0°F (±0.6°C)
Humidity Range 5.0 to 95.0% RH (avoid condensation)
Humidity Accuracy ±3% RH at 77°F (25°C) (10 to 90% RH,
else ±5% RH)
Warm up 30 seconds
Power Supply 100-240VAC adapter to 5VDC 500mA
Pressure Dependence +0.16% of reading per 1 hPa deviation
from normal pressure of 1000 hPa
Logger Capacity 15,999 data points (5,333 per sensor)
Dimensions (w/o A/C adapter) 4.75x4x4in (12x10.5x10.5cm)
Specifications

3
Thank you for purchasing a WatchDog Model A160 A-Series
Data Logger. This manual describes how to use your WatchDog
Logger and keep it working accurately for many years. Read this
manual thoroughly in order to get effective performance from
your data logger.
The A160 logger also has a comprehensive LCD display with
controls. Pages 3-6 describe the operation of the display LCD
and controls. Pages 7-9 describe the logger function.
Description
LCD Display

4
Control Buttons
Installation
and Operation
Power On/Off
Plug in the adaptor and the meter turns on automatically with a
short beep, then displays current CO2, temperature, and humidity
readings on the LCD.
Taking a Measurement
The meter measures continuously and updates the LCD every
second. With a significant environmental change, the CO2sen-
sor requires 2 minutes, and the RH sensor 10 minutes to re-
spond. Note: Do not hold the meter close to the face because
exhalation affects the CO2reading.
Switch Temperature Measurement
Press the Up/DP/WBT key to cycle the temperature display be-
tween air, dew point, and wet bulb temperatures.
MIN, MAX
Press “MIN/MAXT“ to switch between the normal, minimum, and

5
maximum readings. Press and hold “RESET” for at least 1 sec-
ond to reset the minimum and maximum values.
Alarm
An audible alarm can sound when CO2concentration exceeds
user-set limits. It beeps and the fan icon displays on the LCD
when the CO2level goes over the upper limit. The sound can be
stopped by pressing any button.
Setup
In normal mode, hold down the SET button for at least 1 second
to enter setup mode. To exit setup, press the ESC button.
P1.0 Set CO2Alarm
When entering setup mode, “CO2” and “P1.0” are displayed on
the LCD. Press SET again to enter “P1.1” to set upper limit for
the GOOD indicator on the LCD. Press “LOGS” to increase or
“MIN/MAXT” to decrease the value.
Press SET again to enter “P1.2” to set the CO2alarm lower limit
(when the level drops below this, the alarm will automatically
stop). The current value will be blinking on the LCD. Press
“LOGS” to increase or “MIN/MAXT” to decrease the value.
Press SET again to enter “P1.3” to set the CO2alarm upper limit
(exceeding this triggers the alarm). The current value will be
blinking on the LCD. Press “LOGS” to increase or “MIN/MAX
T” to decrease the value (in a plant growth environment, this
should probably be set as high as possible (5000) to effectively
disable the alarm). Press SET to save the values, or ESC to exit
without saving.
P2.0 Set Temperature Units
From the P1.0 display, press “LOGS” to change to the P2.0
screen. Press SET to enter “P2.1” to set the temperature units.
The current units, “°C” or “°F”, will be displayed on the lower mid-
dle area of the LCD. Press “LOGS” or “MIN/MAXT” to switch
between “°C” and “°F”. Press the SET button to save the setting,
or ESC to exit without saving.
P3.0 Real Time Clock
From the P1.0 display, press “LOGS” twice to change to the

6
P3.0 screen. Press SET to enter “P3.1” to set the real time
clock. The year will be blinking. Press “LOGS” or “MIN/MAXT”
to set the year. Press the SET button to save the setting, or ESC
to exit without saving. Repeat for (P3.2) month, (P3.3) day,
(P3.4) 12/24 hour, (P3.5) hour, and (P3.6) minute.
P4.0 Reset
From the P1.0 display, press “LOGS” three times to reset the
A160 to default settings. Press SET to enter “P4.1” to reset the
settings. Press “LOGS” or “MIN/MAXT” to change to “Yes”.
Press the SET button to save the setting, or ESC to exit without
saving.
CO2Manual Calibration
Manual calibration should be done outdoors on a sunny day with
fresh air and plenty of ventilation, resulting in a CO2value of
about 400 ppm. Do not calibrate on a rainy day because high
humidity will affect the CO2level. Do not calibrate in places with
crowds of people or in the vicinity of high concentration CO2
sources such as ventilation outlets or fireplaces.
Place the A160 in the calibration site and turn it on. Press and
hold “SET”, “LOGS”, and “MIN/MAXT” for at least 1 second to
enter CO2calibration mode. “400ppm” and “CO2” will be blinking
on the LCD. Wait about 30 minutes. The blinking will stop after
the calibration completes. Press and hold “RESET” for more
than 1 second to exit the calibration process.

7
Connecting to the
Computer
NOTE: The A160 logger requires SpecWare version 9.03 or
above. If you are already running a version of SpecWare 9,
an update to the latest version is available as a free
download on the SpecWare 9 update page at
www.specmeters.com.
The A160 and other A-Series loggers do not use the standard
gray PC interface cable that accompanies SpecWare Software.
Instead, you need the A-Series PC Connection Cable (Item
3661A). The cable is a serial USB cable and requires that you
install the driver prior to its use. The driver is included on the
SpecWare Software installation CD for SpecWare 9 Pro or Basic,
Version 9.01 Build 206 or greater, as well as on the SpecWare 9
update page at www.specmeters.com.
After installing the drivers, if you plug in the cable before you
start SpecWare (or leave it plugged in), SpecWare will
automatically find the COM port used by the cable.
The 2.5mm stereo pin connects to the jack on the back of the
data logger.
The only time you must have the WatchDog connected to the
computer is during the launching and downloading of the data
logger. After the logger has been launched, and/or downloaded,
disconnect the logger and place it in the environment you wish to
monitor.

8
SpecWare software version 9.03, and above support the WatchDog
A160 logger. Previous builds of SpecWare 9 can be updated via the
free downloads available at www.specmeters.com. The software ver-
sion can be checked by selecting “About SpecWare” from the Help
menu.
Complete details on the software are included in the SpecWare Soft-
ware manual which is available as a pdf document on the installation
CD (and accessible via the Help menu). The following sections sum-
marize the most commonly used functions.
Initializing the Serial Number and Logger Type
The first time that an A-Series logger is read by SpecWare, an initializa-
tion screen will open. Enter the serial number printed on the bottom of
the logger. Because you have an A160, the A125/A130 options are
ignored.
Logger Location Names
SpecWare maintains a list of A-Series logger serial numbers and their
corresponding location names. As a result, the first time an A-Series
logger is connected on a PC, SpecWare will ask for a location name. If
you are planning to launch loggers with one PC and read them with an-
other, you may wish to use the default name of model-number-serial-
number to make tracking easier.
Launching Loggers
The launch screen is used to configure the logger so it can collect data.
The launch screen can be accessed by selecting the “Launch Watch-
Dog A-Series” option from the Logger menu or clicking the icon on the
SpecWare Software

9
SpecWare toolbar.
Select the logging interval (ranging from 1 to 120 minutes), and ensure
all channels are enabled before clicking “Ok” to launch the logger.
IMPORTANT! The A160 does not begin logging until you press
and hold the “LOG” button for two seconds. The LCD will alternate
between “rEC” and the CO2 value to indicate it is logging.
Downloading The Loggers
The download sequence is initiated by selecting the “Get WatchDog A-
Series data” option from the Logger menu or by clicking the icon on the
SpecWare toolbar. When the download is complete, the data will be
saved in the location defined for that logger. “End” will flash on the LCD
to show the download was complete. Press and hold the “ESC” button
to return to the normal display.
Charts/Reports
Whenever a file is opened, SpecWare will automatically generate a
chart. You will be given the choice of which parameters are to be plot-
ted. The Tools menu gives you access to a variety of standard and
user-defined (SpecWare Pro only) reports.

10
Trouble Shooting
The A160 logger will not power on.
1. Check that the AC adapter is plugged in to an outlet and the
A160.
2. Use a paper clip or toothpick to press “reset” on the base of
the logger.
The readings on the LCD don’t change.
1. Check to see if the display is in maximum or minimum mode.
“Bat” and the green LED keep flashing.
1. The adaptor output voltage is not 5VDC (±10%), 500mA.
Please ensure you are using the correct adapter.
Why won’t the logger connect with the computer?
1. The COM Port settings may need to be changed in
SpecWare software.
I accidentally sprayed water on my A160.
1. If you haven’t done so already, unplug the AC adapter.
Shake any water out of the A160. Set the A160 in a venti-
lated area for at least a day, preferably more. Do not plug it
in until you are confident that any water has evaporated. Wa-
ter damage is not covered under warranty.
LCD Error Codes
CO2Reading:
E01 The CO2sensor is damaged.
Contact your distributor regarding repair.
E02 The CO2reading is under the lower limit.
Recalibrate the A160. If this reappears, then contact your
distributor regarding repair.
E03 The CO2reading is above the upper limit.
Put the A160 in fresh air for 5 minutes. If it still appears,
recalibrate the unit. If this fails, contact your distributor for
repair.
E17 ABC mode of CO2sensor has failed and might cause in-
correct CO2readings.
Contact your distributor regarding repair.

11
End The download of logged data has successfully completed.
Press and hold the “ESC” button for two seconds to return
to the normal display.
rEC (alternating with the CO2value) The A160 is logging data.
If you want to stop logging, press and hold the “ESC” but-
ton for two seconds.
Air Temperature Reading:
E02 Air temperature measurement is below the lower limit.
Put the meter in regular room temperature for 30 minutes.
If this still appears, then contact your distributor regarding
repair.
E03 Air temperature is above the upper limit.
Put the meter in regular room temperature for 30 minutes.
If this still appears, then contact your distributor regarding
repair.
E31 Temperature sensor or measuring circuit has failed.
Contact your distributor regarding repair.
Relative Humidity Reading
E04 Air Temperature measurement has an error code.
Refer to the above temperature error codes for problem
resolution.
E11 The RH calibration has failed.
Contact your distributor regarding recalibration and repair.
E34 RH sensor or measuring circuit has failed.
Contact your distributor regarding repair.

12
12360 S. Industrial Dr. E
Plainfield IL 60585
[phone] or [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
www.specmeters.com
Warr a nty
This equipment has been manufactured for
Spectrum Technologies, Inc.
12360 S. Industrial Dr. East
Plainfield, IL 60585 USA
The Manufacturer’s DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY is on file at the above
address, and certifies conformity to the following:
Model Number: A110, A125, A130, A150, A160
Description: WatchDog A-Series Data Loggers
Type: Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use
Directive: 2004/108/EC
Standards: EN 61326-1 (2006)
CISPR11
EN 61000-4-2 (1995/A1:1998/A2:2001)
EN 61000-4-3 (2006)
This product is warranted to be free from defects in material or work-
manship for one year from the date of purchase. During the warranty
period Spectrum will, at its option, either repair or replace products that
prove to be defective. This warranty does not cover damage due to
improper installation or use, lightning, negligence, accident, or unau-
thorized modifications, or to incidental or consequential damages be-
yond the Spectrum product. Before returning a failed unit, you must
obtain a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA) from Spec-
trum. Spectrum is not responsible for any package that is returned
without a valid RMA number or for the loss of the package by any ship-
ping company.
Rev. 03/11/2011