Tag: EK-i

A&D EK-i/EW-i scales: Changing the data transmission mode

The scales are equipped with an RS-232 interface and can be connected to a PC for data acquisition (if necessary via an adapter from RS-232 to USB). They are known as “Everest EK/EW compact balances” in the US.

Applications such as the following can be used to capture the weight:

  • Simple Data Logger (writes the weight to a file with date and time),
  • 232key (enters the weight as simulated keystrokes directly into another application),
  • WinCT (a collection of 3 applications from A&D),
  • LabVIEW,
  • any terminal software (useful for testing data transmission).

Data transmission modes

EK-i and EW-i scales support the following transmission modes:

  • Prt 0 – stream mode: continuous transmission of weight with approx. 10 values/s,
  • Prt 1 – PRINT key (default setting): transmission when pressing the PRINT key on the scale,
  • Prt 2 – auto-print A (positive values only): automatic single transmission when the weight is stable (return to zero required before next transmission),
  • Prt 3 – auto-print B (positive and negative values): automatic single transmission when the weight is stable (return to zero required before next transmission),
  • Prt 4 – command mode only: request-response mode, the computer sends a command to the scale and it responds with the weight value.

Notes:

  • The display flashes briefly (in Prt 1, 2 and 3) to confirm the data output.
  • Commands from a connected computer can be sent in all modes.
  • The PRINT key is active in all modes except Prt 4.
  • There is no interval mode. If you want to capture the weight in certain intervals (e.g every minute), you need a software that supports polling with a timer (or you could set the scale to stream mode and discard most values).

These data output modes can be found in the Func class of the scales’ menu:

Excerpt from the user manual (see link below)

Changing the transmission mode

  1. Turn on the scale.
  2. Press and hold the SAMPLE key until the scale displays “P-3.00” (or a similar value). The scale shows “Func” next.
  3. Press the PRINT key to enter the function settings menu. The first setting “PoFF” is displayed.
  4. Press the SAMPLE key 8 times to enter the “Prt” setting. By default, “Prt 1” is set.
  5. Set “Prt” to the desired value by pressing the RE-ZERO key (see description above).
  6. Confirm the setting with PRINT. The balance displays “End” briefly and then “CP Hi”.
  7. Restart the scale by pressing the MODE key.

Further information