Panametrics DF868 Datalogging

RS-232 ports can be quite tricky to get working. If you say that you have correctly connected the transmit pin of the DF868 to the receive pin of the PC and of course you will at least need ground to ground wire also, and you have matched the DF868 baud rate with that on the PC, then the only things left are matching the number of data bits, parity and stop bits.

I presume you are using something like Hyperterminal on the PC so try playing with different combinations of these parameters and see if you can see intelligible characters eventually coming through on the Hyperterminal window.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

I am also a panametrics user, albeit the GF868. I suppose my first question should be are you using the Panaview or IDM software? Procedures for saving configuring communications and saving log data are explained in the programming manual. This info and software is also available from GE Sensing.

I am using Hyperterminal, my company decided not to purchase PanaView.

Sort of ran into the same problem and decided to go a different route. Bought the MODBUS option card and via radio stuck it into a Red Lion Data Station Plus. Works good and provides a lot of options.

Addendum

I have a male to female DB9 cable and spliced the male end to use pins 2,3,4,5 and 8. I have the female end connected to the PC. Is this configuration what's causing the trouble?

Also, the user manual states that I can "send the log file to the PC". How exactly would I do that?

232 pin DB9 pin

1 5

2 3

3 2

4 4

5 8

I don't have a scanner or I'd send the log instructions. Check your pinouts and get back to us. We'll take it from there.

P.S. Don't forget your UART bits.

I checked the pin assignments compared to your listing, and they're the same. The UART settings are the same on both, 8 bits with no parity. Im thinking that maybe I should select a different parity. I don't know if that will have much impact.

I sent an email to GE, and Ill probably be calling a local rep. I already contacted the supplier of the meter, and they seem to have the same problem Im having, though.

To save your log files, try this….

Assuming your comm lead is correct,

Select Hyperterminal.

Enter an arbitrary name for your connection.

Select the desired comm port to connect to and set the comm port parameters for it.

Have your DF868 ready to transmit the log file, but don't send it just yet.

From the main Hyperterminal screen select:- Transfer>Capture text…

In the box that appears, enter a filename you wish to save the log file as in a place where you can find it later (important for your sanity!), then click Start.

Now you can send the log file from the DF868 and you should see it on the screen.

When finished, select Transfer>Capture text>Stop.

Your file should now exist at the location you saved it in.

I must admit that there must be a better way of doing what you require. This method worked for me on a task I was doing and so it may be of use.

Let us know how it goes.

Where is the menu option to transfer log files in the DF868 menu structure?

Don't know. I'd just press the Log button and follow the options to see if a send option comes up. You could try and transfer a log file by 'printing' it to Hyperterminal. Maybe this is what they expect you to do but they haven't spelt it out. If it is standard ASCII coming out of the serial port for the printer, my previous suggestion should work.

I still can't find any direct methods of storing log data in my programming manual other than using Panaview or IDM; (keep in mind that I'm using the GF868). One idea that comes to mind is to use the print menu structure to export your file. I've been messing with these things for about six months now and trying to skin a cat in a different way hasn't proven too fruitful. Sorry Del! One thing I have discovered is that the GE engineers can be helpful. Here's a USA phone #; 978-437-1000. Keep trying and let us know!

GF868 manual here:
http://www.rshydro.co.uk/PDFs/GE-Panametrics/GF868-1ch-programming-manual.pdf

See the beginning of chapter 4: printing, to whit:

The Model GF868 flowmeter has the capability to print any of the
data stored in its memory using the built-in RS232 communications
port. In order to use the function, the RS232 port must be connected
to a printer with a serial port input.

I suspect that in the absence of specific instructions otherwise or the brand/model specific software, the work-around is to use hyperterminal or some other terminal program in place of a serial printer to capture the data.