Cooper Instruments & Systems ACX-1 Aircraft Cable Tension Meter - Manual (Page 5)

CF 155 5 9/25/07
9. CALIBRATION OF ANALOG OUTPUT. (Optional feature) From Main Display press the ↑ or ↓ keys until you
reach SETUP. Press ENTER. Press the ↑ or ↓ keys until you reach CALIBRATE ANALOG. Press ENTER.
Using the ↑ or ↓ keys adjust display to show the value at which the instrument reads maximum current or
voltage. Press ENTER.
10. SERIAL DATA COLLECTION (RS-232 option). (Optional feature) Instruments outfitted with the optional RS-
232 feature (designated with a –E in the part number) support serial communications as follows:
a. The baud rate is 9600 with no parity bit, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit (9600 8N1).
b. Serial communications will work with most PCs with a cable up to 15 feet long.
c. Setting the dampening rate on the instrument to “1 Hz + Serial”, “2 Hz + Serial” or “5 Hz + Serial” will cause
the instrument to output the tension values at a rate of once, twice or five times per second, respectively. The
dampening rate can be set by going to the SETUP menu, selecting DAMPENING, adjusting the value of the
dampening rate with the
↑ or ↓ buttons and then pressing the ENTER button.
d. The units output serially will be the same units that are selected in the “Tension Units” menu. The currently
selected tension units (such as Lbs, Kilograms or Newtons) are also displayed on the main tension screen.
e. Perform the following steps in order to log serial data from the instrument using Hyper Terminal on a PC and
put it into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
1) Ensure that the dampening rate is set to “1 Hz + Serial”, “2 Hz + Serial” or “5 Hz + Serial”.
2) Connect the serial cable from the instrument to a serial port on your PC.
3) Go to the Windows® Start Menu and choose Programs- >Accessories->Communications->Hyper
Terminal®
4) In the Connection Description dialog box that pops up, type in a name for the new connection (you can
use any name you wish to describe this file) and press the OK button.
5) In the Connect to dialog box that pops up next, go to the drop down menu labeled “Connect Using:” and
select the serial port you connected the cable to in step 2. It is most likely that you are connected to
COM1.
6) In the COMx Properties dialog box that pops up next, set the “Bits per second:” to 9600, the “Data bits:”
to 8, the “Parity:” to none, the “Stop bits:” to 1 and the “Flow Control:” to none.
7) Click the Apply button and then click the OK button.
8) You should now see tension values appearing in the Hyper Terminal window.
9) When you are finished collecting data, close Hyper Terminal.
10) To save the data in Microsoft Excel® format, use Microsoft Excel® to open the file you saved the data
log.
5.0 FEATURES
• Large, easy to read, graphic display with adjustable backlighting and contrast.
• Display shows Tension, Battery Charge Level, and Cable Size selected.
• Push the MEMORY button to activate the Memory Function to store and display up to five separate tension
readings plus the average value (AVG) of these stored readings.
• Select tension value to indicate either in lb, Kilograms or Newtons.
• Accuracy is +/- 2% full-scale for all menu-selectable calibrations. Accuracy for custom calibrations is material
specific.
• Up to 10 calibrations can be programmed into instrument. (All calibrations are password protected to provide due
diligence against unauthorized changes).
• Adjustable LCD refresh rates allow for stable, digital readings.
• All models typically available from stock.
• All models factory calibrated and ready for use.
• Includes easy to use, cable diameter gage to accurately determine correct cable size.
• All calibration values traceable to National Standards. Calibration certificate included.