2
Channels
Go Direct Sensor Cart has five measurement channels. The channel names are
l
Position
l
Force
l
X-axis acceleration
l
Y-axis acceleration
l
Z-axis acceleration
Position
The default channel that is active when the cart is first connected is position.
Graphical Analysis calculates velocity and acceleration data from the position
information. The position reading changes as the encoder wheel turns. If the cart
is picked up and moved to a different location without rolling the encoder
wheel, the position reading does not change. The behavior is like the mouse on
a computer.
Force
The default channel that is active when the sensor is connected is force. The
force channel measures pushes and pulls along the main axis of the sensor body.
Use the hook attachment for pulling and the bumper attachment for pushing.
Pulls are registered as positive forces and pushes are registered as negative
forces, unless sensor readings are reversed in Graphical Analysis 4.
Do not twist or remove the hex barrel of the force sensor. Removal will damage
the load cell.
Acceleration
There are three acceleration channels, measured by a single chip, which is
located under the 3-axis icon on the label. The icon shows the positive direction
for each axis, with the x-direction of acceleration parallel to the pulling force on
the force sensor and the z-direction straight up through the label. Each direction
of acceleration can be measured separately.
If you choose to activate all three acceleration channels at once, you can create
a calculated column for the total acceleration magnitude.
Track Usage Notes
The Sensor Cart can be used with or without a track. Using the cart on a
tabletop or floor allows very easy experiment setup, but a track allows more
careful experiments, including collisions, to be performed.
The Sensor Cart is compatible with many common dynamics tracks, including
the Vernier Combination 1.2 m Track and Optical Bench.
Anti-Roll Peg
The cart includes an anti-roll peg. The peg rides in the center groove of a
Vernier Track, allowing the cart to roll freely. When the cart is placed on a
table, the peg keeps the cart from rolling. If you want to use the cart on a table
or floor, remove the peg by pulling and twisting.
Powering the Cart
Turn on the cart
Press button once. Red LED indicator next to
Bluetooth icon flashes when unit is on.
Put the cart in sleep mode
Press and hold button for more than three
seconds to put into sleep mode. Red LED
indicator stops flashing when sleeping.
Connecting the Sensor Cart
See the following link for up-to-date connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-cart
Connecting via Bluetooth
Ready to connect
Red LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when
sensor is awake and ready to connect.
Connected
Green LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when
sensor is connected via Bluetooth.
Connecting via USB
Connected and charging
Orange LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connected to Graphical Analysis via
USB and the unit is charging. LED next to
Bluetooth is off.
Connected, fully charged
Green LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connect to Graphical Analysis via USB
and fully charged. LED next to Bluetooth icon is
off.
Charging via USB,
connected via Bluetooth
Orange LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connected to charger via USB and the
unit is charging. Green LED next to Bluetooth
icon flashes when sensor is connected via
Bluetooth.
Identifying the Sensor
You can make the Bluetooth LED flash red and green by clicking Identify in
Sensor Information. This is useful to distinguish between two identical sensors.
Using the Sensor Cart
Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.
