background image

The FlowGo Interface 

 

     DO96 (4) 

Step 4  

To use the FlowGo control interface

 

with 

Go

, it must first be set up from the software. 

. Start the 

Go

 software. 

2. 

an be selected. 

Go 

offers 2 levels, 

u

t ages of :  

  over 12 years old - Level 2  

 

the Level icon once 

Go

 

has been opened (click on the icon to alter the selected level).  

3. 

open, if not select 

Interface

 from the

 File 

menu.  

. Select 

FlowGo 

as the interface [1].  

5.  Select the connection method as 

USB

 Port [2]. 

 

 

6. 

leave the 

‘Show at startup’ box unticked [3]. 

 

you 

 of 

mixture of interfaces or if the 

interfaces use different methods of connection.   

 

7. 

 These settings will be saved and automatically used next time 

Go

 

is loaded.   

 

ote:

 No attempt is made to connect to FlowGo until you click on the ‘Connect’ interface icon.  

 

1
 

If this is the first time the 

Go

 program is opened a ‘Program Level’ window will 

automatically open so the appropriate level c
ro ghly corresponding to studen

  up to 12 years old - Level 1  

Note:

 The program level can easily be altered at anytime using 

  

If this is the first time 

Go

 is opened then a 

‘Select Interface’ window will automatically 

[1] 

[2] 

[3] 

 
4
 

If these settings will stay the same 

 

[4] 

Note: 

If the box is ticked the ‘Select Interface’ window will automatically open when 

next start 

Go

, so you can check that the currently selected interface and method

connection are correct. This is useful if you use a 

Click on 

OK 

[4].

N
 

Step 5

  Click on the Connect interface icon              to establish connection to FlowGo.

 

 

isconnect 

(which is used to break off connection with the interface). 

 

 

When a connection is established the icon alters to show D

 

Step 6

There are limits to some features that can be downloaded and run from FlowGo 
while it is disconnected from the computer e.g. variables are restricted to x and y 

nly (see page 15). 

 

cted

 

 to 

Download’ option in the Settings menu. 

o
 

If you are creating a control program that will be 
downloaded and run with FlowGo 

disconne

from the computer, select (tick) the ‘Limit

©

 Data Harvest Group Ltd. 

Page 7 

 

Summary of Contents for The FlowGo

Page 1: ...The FlowGo Interface ...

Page 2: ...ing the Go program while disconnected from the computer 18 Technical specifications 19 Trouble shooting 20 Warranty 21 This manual may be copied for use within the premises of the Licensee on condition that it is not loaned sold or used outside the Licensee s premises Copyright all rights reserved Data Harvest s policy is to continually improve products and services so we reserve the right to make...

Page 3: ...The FlowGo Interface DO96 4 What s in the pack 6 V power supply UK version shown Battery snap connector USB lead The FlowGo control interface Storage bag Data Harvest Group Ltd Page 3 ...

Page 4: ...ntrol a bulb Why use a computer Lights motors and buzzers can easily be controlled by simple on off switches magnetic and tilt switches mechanical timers etc Why do we need to use a computer What makes using a computer better Accuracy especially timing and positioning Capability controlling more than one thing at once Power control motors Sensing the environment Using feedback so that it is a two ...

Page 5: ... Yellow black sockets For switch type sensors which can register an On or Off state 2 Analogue Sensor Inputs Jack sockets at the back of the interface For level type sensors capable of detecting changes in environment such as light temperature etc Power supply socket At the back of the interface To power FlowGo either via the mains power supply or the battery snap supplied A USB port At the back o...

Page 6: ...me Turn on your computer Step 1 If Go is not already on your computer install the Go software For details of how to install and operate Go please refer to the Go software user guide Notes Make sure that FlowGo is not connected to the USB port during installation The USB drivers for FlowGo will install to your hard drive during the installation of Go After Go has been installed restart your compute...

Page 7: ...sponding to studen up to 12 years old Level 1 Note The program level can easily be altered at anytime using If this is the first time Go is opened then a Select Interface window will automatically 1 2 3 4 If these settings will stay the same 4 Note If the box is ticked the Select Interface window will automatically open when next start Go so you can check that the currently selected interface and ...

Page 8: ...ed and modified in Go without the FlowGo interface attached This is referred to as operating in simulate mode To simulate FlowGo 1 FlowGo should still be set as the interface from Interface in the File menu so the correct number of outputs inputs and the relevant commands that operate with FlowGo will be made available 2 If you want to limit the features to those that will work with FlowGo disconn...

Page 9: ...der Order no 3655 Note A 9 V PP3 type battery can be used but if the battery is fully charged it may output between 8 to 9 V so a suitable voltage rating for electrical components would be 9 V not 6 V The length of time that FlowGo can operate on a set of batteries will vary according to the age condition make of the batteries the type of components and how much current they use Examples 1 We used...

Page 10: ... are often referred to as Banana or Stackable plugs and can have either a solder or screw connection 2 Spring Connectors the base of a spring connector is a 4 mm plug the top part is a spring that is pushed back to trap the bare wires connected to the electrical component 4 mm plugs PVC covered wires Bare wires to connect to an electrical component Connection lead Order no 3667 Spring Connector Or...

Page 11: ...r light Red positive socket Black negative socket Note Buzzers or LEDs will only operate if connected the right way see below To test an output device click in the box alongside the appropriate output number in the I O panel to switch it On the box will colour up Click back in the box to switch it Off Output Off Output On The state of an output socket On or Off is shown by the indicator light alon...

Page 12: ...0 mA ordinary MES bulbs is 900 mA which is within the 1300 mA limit The current required by 6 x 6 5 V 500 mA High Intensity MES bulbs is 3000 mA which exceeds this limit The supply for the outputs is via a resettable fuse and will trip if the maximum combined current is exceeded for any continuous length of time If this happens unplug the outputs and the fuse will automatically reset within 60 sec...

Page 13: ...y source or handle 600 mA continuously A Pulse Width Modulator running at a frequency of 62 Hz controls the power The maximum combined current for the 6 x digital outputs and the 2 x motor outputs when used with the mains power supply is 1 3 A 1300 mA It is possible to use a Motor output in the same way as the digital outputs whenever extra outputs are required Use Motor commands to switch the out...

Page 14: ...h reacts to brightness If sufficient light is shining on the switch it passes current and the switch is ON Input On When there is not enough light e g by something being placed in front of the LDR the switch will be OFF This switch is often used in the construction of a light beam barrier Bulb placed within a tube lined with silver foil The Light sensitive switch made more sensitive by placing it ...

Page 15: ...h Digital inputs are pulled high by an internal resistor and configured such that switching the input to ground turns the input ON The maximum ON resistance is 4 K ohms and the minimum OFF resistance is 5 5 K ohms Impedance s between 4 K ohms and 5 5 K ohms may produce ambiguous results As the inputs are designed to work by switching the signal to ground they must not be actively driven by applyin...

Page 16: ...your own the connections to the 3 5 mm Stereo Jack Socket are as follows A C B A 0 V Ground B V Ref C Signal To ensure that home made sensors respond correctly to the calibration tables found in Go they should be built to the following standards Light Sensor ORP12 LDR between V Ref B and Signal C 2K7 Resistor between Ground A and Signal C Rotational Sensor 10 K linear pot track legs to V Ref B and...

Page 17: ... accept a maximum of about 170 symbols Note When you test compile or compile and download your program the memory used indicator will show an approximation of the amount of memory used see page 16 There are also some program limits to a program for download and if they are exceeded an error message will be displayed Use a maximum of 4 flowcharts Starts Use only Variables x and y Use a maximum of 1...

Page 18: ... To check your control program for suitability prior to download 1 Select the Download icon from the toolbar 2 Click on the Test compile button 3 If the status shows as compiled OK then the program is suitable for download Note When you test compile or compile and download your program the memory used indicator will show an approximation of the amount of memory used To download the program 1 Selec...

Page 19: ...max regulated or switched dc with a positive centre and a negative outer pin dc symbol 2 x analogue inputs 4 x digital inputs 6 x digital outputs 2 x motor drive outputs 256 byte programmable memory for standalone operation Suitable for use in a 0 40ºC operating range and 0 95 RH non condensing Dimensions H150mm W222mm D36mm Weight 350g Please note FlowGo contains no user serviceable parts Using F...

Page 20: ...atform it is being used with The software and its version number A description of the problem being encountered If possible telephone from a location where you can operate FlowGo with the computer Question How do I check that the USB Drivers have installed correctly Make sure FlowGo is both connected and powered Go to Device Manager XP Start Control Panel classic view System Hardware tab Device Ma...

Page 21: ...iod FlowGo must be returned to Data Harvest for repair or replacement at no expense to the user other than postal charges Note Data Harvest products are designed for educational use and are not intended for use in industrial medical or commercial applications WEEE Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Legislation Data Harvest Group Ltd is fully compliant with WEEE legislation and is pleased to...

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