V&P Scientific, Inc.
4
Technical Note 369C
OPERATION
POWERING UP THE
SpinVessel® SYSTEM
The Power Switch (I/O) is located on the top of the Controller. To power up the Controller, depress the
“I” of the switch.
OPERATING THE
SpinVessel® With COMPUTER CONTROL
The SpinVessel® Models with “
-
CC” in the part number are controlled using a computer. In t
his
configuration, the control unit does not have a manual Touch Screen Controller. The Controller for
the computer controllable SpinVessel® is connected by a USB communication cable to a computer.
The Controller accepts simple ASCII commands to set the speed of the rotations, the number of
rotations (including fractions of a rotation), duration of pause before reversing direction and degree
of ramping to speed set.
Software details
1.
The SpinVessel® Controller uses an internal CH340G USB to Serial Converter (set to
9600,8,N,1) which will require driver software. Windows may already have the needed USB
driver software installed. If not, download the “CH340 USB DRIVER” from the provided USB
flash drive and run “CH341SER.exe” to install it (Windows t
ypically auto-installs once
downloaded). If your company policy does not allow the use of the provided USB stick, this
driver is also available for download from the internet (contact your IT department for
assistance if necessary).
2.
The basic command language for this computer-to-stirrer communication is ASCII.
3.
Commands can be sent from the computer using a standard terminal program like
HyperTerminal or Realterm. Or, if needed, download the V&P Scientific Serial Terminal
program from the provided USB flash drive. If your company policy does not allow the use of
the provided USB stick, we suggest asking your IT department for a recommendation.
4.
Alternatively, the ASCII commands can be sent by an automated liquid handler’s software to
control the SpinVessel®. Since there are many different automated liquid handlers available,
please contact a technical representative from the company that makes the liquid handler.
Connecting and sending commands
1.
Set up the system as described in the Set-Up section of the SpinVessel® Technote with the
USB cable connected to the computer to be used.
