LOGR53-CF System Checkout and Preparation for Deployment

The LOGR53 main CPU board (VMLOGR53) normally operates in RS232 mode.
See the LOGR53 Functional Description for info on changing to RS485 operation as well as the following RS485 note.

Refer to LOGR53 NTAS w/CompactFLASH & Iridium Support for typical full command descriptions.

System Checkout

Startup and power consumption check

• Setup per the LOGR53-CF Operations document.

• Power up the LOGR53 and verify the sign-on message.

• Check that current consumption is approximately 10 MA at 13.5 VDC with NO ASIMET modules, about 30 MA (with occasional higher peaks) with full suite of ASIMET modules.

Status check

The LOGR53 should be running (GO mode) for this check.

• At least one minute after power-up (with the LOGR53 running), send a STATD command.

• Does the returned status look normal?

• Check the clock setting.

• Is the logging interval correct? (Usually 60 seconds)

• Is the CompactFLASH card recognized correctly and showing correct directory entries?

• Does the main battery voltage look OK? (With default cal constants, it will read about 0.5 V below the actual external supply voltage - there's a protection diode in-line with external power).

• NOTE that the Current Tick value is the number of seconds elapsed in the current logging interval; with the usual 60 second interval, this number will rollover at 60 seconds, indicating that the interval data has just been updated.

Data messages

The LOGR53 should be running (GO mode) for these checks.

• At least one minute after power-up (with the LOGR53 running), send a D command.

• Does the output of the various MET sensors look reasonable?

• Move the wind vane and spin the prop on the WND module, shine a flashlight on the SWR sensor, blow warm air over the HRH sensor, etc., and wait for another update.

• Send another D (or E) command and see if the various values have changed.

• Again, does the output look reasonable?

Configuration commands

The LOGR53 must be stopped (STOP mode) for these checks.

Only one parameter on the LOGR53 is configurable, the record interval. Additionally, the configuration/setup date which appears in the STAT command output may be set. All configuration commands, as well as the command to erase the FLASH memory card, are sub-commands under the UOK command. All configuration parameters are stored in EEPROM on the main CPU board. FLASH erasure will be discussed later in this document under Preparation for Deployment.

Always check the following (and set if necessary):

• Confirm that the record interval (RI) is correct - typically 60 seconds.

• If you make changes to record interval or configuration date, you must save those changes with WRTOK. If you don't want to save the changes, or are confused about what to change, use ABORT to quit without saving any changes and keep the original values.

Test mode commands

The LOGR53 must be stopped (STOP mode) for these checks.

There is currently only 1 functional test command.

1. Test the MET modules (TM command); see the ASIMET documentation for details of individual MET modules.
   • Start the MET module test command.
   • Over the next several seconds, the MET modules are polled and their responses are returned.
   • Look for reasonable output.
   • Hit ESC to terminate the command.

CompactFLASH card commands

Refer to the FOK command for complete description of CompactFLASH card operation & prep.

The LOGR53 must be stopped (STOP mode) for these checks.

Preparation for Deployment

The following procedures are the minimum necessary tests and final prep for the LOGR53 system. ALWAYS do at least these tests before deploying the LOGR53 system with its MET modules!

These tests should be performed with a bench power supply set to 13.5 volts.

If you perform these test on the deployment battery system just before disconnecting from the LOGR53 console and deploying th system, you MUST SEND A GO COMMAND at the end of the tests to resume data acquisition and data logging. Or CYCLE BATTERY POWER by momentarily disconnecting the main system battery; this will cause the LOGR53 to resume - REMEMBER, on power up, the LOGR53 always comes up running.

1. Make sure the MET modules are all attached, cables connected and tied down, as much as possible ready for deployment before starting this final check. If possible, use a test cable to provide power from an external supply.

2. Setup per the LOGR53-CF Operations document.

3. Power up the LOGR53 system and verify the sign-on message.

4. Check that current consumption is approximately 30 MA at 13.5 VDC with a full suite of ASIMET modules; you'll probably see various peaks during the minute as individual MET modules do their thing, plus a burst of current at the start of each minute on the LOGR53 clock as the MET modules are polled for new data.

5. At least one minute after power-up (with the LOGR53 running), send a STATD command.

6. Look for reasonable response.

7. Now send a STOP command to the LOGR53 to allow access to the full command set; remember that you MUST send a GO command (or cycle power) at the end of the tests to resume acquisition and logging.

8. Set your watch or clock to accurate UTC. Use the STAT command and type in a time a few seconds in advance of the actual time; i.e. at 14:25:00, type #CLOCK2007/01/15 14:25:15 where the 2007 is the year, 01 is the month, 15 is the day, 14 is the (UTC)hour, 25 is the minutes, and 15 is the seconds. DO NOT hit ENTER yet. The time is entered when you hit the ENTER key. Wait until the correct time and then hit ENTER.

9. Send a STAT command and check the clock setting.

10. Also in the STAT command response, confirm the averaging interval is correct (usually 60 seconds) and the CompactFLASH card is recognized correctly.

11. Erase the CompactFLASH card DATA file! Even if the STATD command showed the DATA file as empty, check the CompactFLASH card! Remember to update the INFO file for this deployment as well (not necessary, but could be helpful)!
    See FOK command for detailed info.

12. Briefly test the MET modules (and A/D module if installed) per the Test mode commands earlier in this document.

13. Power down and remove the bench supply and power/comms test cable. If already running on the system batteries, be ABSOLUTLEY SURE TO SEND A GO COMMAND to re-start data acquisition and logging!!!

14. The LOGR53 is ready to deploy - reconnect the main battery cables to start logging MET data.