suggestion for serial communication thermometer with ASCII commands (for teaching purposes)

[Cham35]

Hi everyone,

maybe off topic but I can't find good answers on google.

I am teaching basics about LabVIEW programming to students and I would like to make an exercise where they have to create a small simple interface to program an instrument (select chan num XXX, start reading with interval...) and continuously read answers from the instrument, extract data, plot it on a graph and save in log file all inside some parallel while loop... Nothing fancy, just the basics.

I therefore looking for a "cheap" (around 200 euros) digital thermometer with 1 or 2 channels (RTD or thermocouples) which has a digital screen display, a serial port rs232 for communication with the computer based on ASCII commands and a good documentation which describes communication protocols parameters and lists of ASCII commands, because I want the student to spend a bit of time looking for the information in the documentation but it has to be done within reasonable amount of time.

A great thermometer for that is the ASL F200

https://www.isotechna.com/F200-Precision-Thermometer-p/f200.htm

but it s a bit pricy for my use here and I don t need such accurate instrument.

Maybe someone has good suggestions for me

thanks a lot

regards

Hicham

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

https://www.omega.com/pptst/MDS8PT.html

If you know what you want, you may be able to get a refurbished instrument on eBay.

[Minions]

You could try the CL3515R from Omega.  It has a Serial or USB interface that allows for remote configuration and monitoring plus is close to your 200 Euro price tag.  It has two input sensors and can even drive an output to be used as a calibrator.

https://www.omega.com/pptst/CL3515R.html

[RAvila]

Dear Minions,

I'd like to purchase that thermometer (Omega CL3515R), from which I'd like to read from my own program.

For that purpose would you know of the coding for the RS232  interface?

Best regards

[Curt_C]

Hi,

A little off topic, but have you considered using Arduino Uno as a teaching tool.

They cost around 25 USD.

Here's a link to some LabVIEW/Arduino projects

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/projects/tags/labview

Just a thought

Curt

[Minions]

I do know the command set used with this device.  It is provided in the instruction manual that accompanies the CL3515R purchase; even though, it is not as clear as desired.

[Minions]

Here is a breakdown of the Remote Programming Commands for the CL3515R:

<COMMANDS>
%001 => Default ID (until redefined by the %001Ixxx where xxx is some 3 digit number like %001I012 => New ID will change from 001 to 012 when using more than a single CL3515R unit) All other commands and queries below shown with ID 001.
%001P+011000 => New Output Setpoint for Temp will be +1100.0
%001TK => Set to use K-type Thermocouple
%001UC => Set to the Celsius Temperature Scale

<QUERIES>
%001a0 (-a9) => Meter Group Addresses
%001b => 
%001d => Read both Thermocouple Inputs
%001e => Read both Thermocouple Inputs
%001i => Read (ID)
%001p => Read Output Setpoint
%001t => Read Thermocouple type setting
%001u => Read Temperature Scaling
%001v => Read Firmware Version

This device also has a power saving mode and will automatically turn-off if no commands are received after a period of time.  Use a 9V power adapter and periodically send a Read ID query to keep the instrument awake until needed.

[QueeMin]

Can you also provide the port settings

[Minions]

The CL3515R unit can connect to a PC through a USB cable to custom interface RS-232 connector on the CL3515R unit.  Most units come with this cable included.

[clappertown]

Hi, 

Can you let me know where to find the document for talking to CL3515R under serial port? 

I would like to control it under Mac using python.

Thanks,

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@Minions wrote:

Here is a breakdown of the Remote Programming Commands for the CL3515R:

<COMMANDS>
%001 => Default ID (until redefined by the %001Ixxx where xxx is some 3 digit number like %001I012 => New ID will change from 001 to 012 when using more than a single CL3515R unit) All other commands and queries below shown with ID 001.
%001P+011000 => New Output Setpoint for Temp will be +1100.0
%001TK => Set to use K-type Thermocouple
%001UC => Set to the Celsius Temperature Scale

<QUERIES>
%001a0 (-a9) => Meter Group Addresses
%001b => 
%001d => Read both Thermocouple Inputs
%001e => Read both Thermocouple Inputs
%001i => Read (ID)
%001p => Read Output Setpoint
%001t => Read Thermocouple type setting
%001u => Read Temperature Scaling
%001v => Read Firmware Version

This device also has a power saving mode and will automatically turn-off if no commands are received after a period of time.  Use a 9V power adapter and periodically send a Read ID query to keep the instrument awake until needed.

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