User Manual for AML Oceanographic Minos SVP
17
Customer Support
Troubleshooting
Instrument fails to communicate:
•
Check the cables
o
Is the data power cable connected to the instrument and computer?
o
If using a cable other than an AML cable, it should be configured as a null modem
cable
o
If using multiple cable lengths, the extensions should not be configured as null
modem cables
o
Are there any cuts in the cable?
•
Are the batteries dead? Try using external power
•
If using external power over a long cable, check the voltage drop over the cable. Measure
the voltage across a ½ watt, 100
Ω
, resistor across pins 1 and 4 of the cable. The voltage
must be above 6.5 volts.
•
Are the communication settings in the program used on the computer correct?
o
Comm port selection
o
8 bits
o
1 stop bit
o
No parity
o
No hardware handshaking
o
Baud rate between 2400 and 38,400 baud
•
Are the communication settings in the instrument correct?
o
Was the instrument specifically set to one baud rate last time? If so, the user must
use that baud rate to resume communications
o
Was the instrument set to only RS-232 or only RS-485 last time? If so, the user
must resume communications in the required protocol
o
Was the instrument set to RX OFF last time? If so, a carriage return must be sent
to the instrument immediately after power is applied to interrupt this mode
o
Was the instrument set to monitor on power up mode? If so, a carriage return
must be sent to the instrument immediately after power is applied to interrupt this
mode
•
Is the connector damaged?
Instrument fails to log:
•
Was the LED light not flashing green when the sensors were immersed in water?
o
Green (solid): CHARGED and READY
o
Green (flashing): CHARGED and LOGGING
o
Red (solid): LOW BATTERY
o
Red (flashing): LOW BATTERY and LOGGING
•
Allow one sample period for the instrument to detect that it is immersed
•
Was the red shorting plug firmly seated in the instrument?
