Frequently asked questions and answers

 

What is the Thermochron iButton™?

Which are some of the applications for the Thermochron iButton™?

Can the T-Logger View Software be installed in more that one computer ?

I already have the Thermochron iButton™ Kit  from Dallas Semiconductor, Can I use the T-Logger View Software with that Kit?

What is the highest temperature that can be placed  the Thermochron iButton™? 

What is the expected life of a Thermochron iButton™?  

How can I know if the lithium battery in the Thermochron iButton™ is low or used up?

What does “water resistant” mean in the Thermochron iButton™?

Can the Thermochron iButton™ be used in fluids that are conductors?

How do I turn off the Thermochron iButton™?

How can I use the Thermochron iButton™ in real time without programming a mission?

How much information can be saved in a disk file using the Thermochron iButton™ in real time?

Can the information from real time readings be used to control processes?  

 What is the alarms checker ( TL-AC )?

 


 

What is the Thermochron iButton™? 

 

     It is a device that measures and records temperature.  It has the capacity to do real time readings. The Thermochron iButton™ DS1921, made by Dallas semiconductor, is considered the first autonomous microcircuit for the recording of temperature. It is submersible, impact, corrosion, and dust resistant. It measures 16mm in diameter by 4mm in height, weighs only 3.3 g., and is made from stainless steel in a battery shape. 

 

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Which are some of the applications for The Thermochron iButton™?

 

     Some of the most typical applications for the Thermochron iButton™ are:

 

  • The measurement and recording of temperature on foods, non-perishable products, and chemical products.
  • The recording and control of temperature on stored and/or transported products.
  • The use of recorded temperature for comparison and analysis of the data in field-testing and research.
  • The maintenance of refrigeration equipment, air conditioners, and other mechanical, and electric equipments.
  • In general, the Thermochron iButton™ can cover any process in which measuring and recording temperature is critical.

 

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Can the T-Logger View Software be installed in more that one computer ? 

 

     No. Each T-Logger View Software has a unique license for its use in one computer. The software has a CODE that will appear on your computer screen the first time you run the program. You need to send our company an E-mail with this CODE in order to get a PASSWORD. You will only need to enter this password the first time that you run the program.  The T-Logger View Software EDS version has the ability to work with you existent Dallas serial, parallel or USB adaptor and any DS1921 Thermochron iButton™.

 

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I already have the DS1921K Thermochron iButton™ Kit from Dallas Semiconductor. Can I use the T-Logger View Software with that Kit?  

 

     Yes. One of the advantages of the T-Logger View Software is that it can be used with any 1-Wire serial, parallel, or USB adaptor. Also, our software can be used with any Thermochron iButton™ DS1921.

 

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What is the highest temperature that can be placed  the Thermochron iButton™? 

 

     Storing temperature:    - 40°C to +70°C; yields maximum lithium life during storage. 

     Working temperature:  - 40°C to +85°C.

 

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What is the expected life of a Thermochron iButton™?

 

     The Thermochron iButton’s expected life is 10 years or one million temperature conversions at 50 °C or less, whichever comes first.

 

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How can I know if the lithium battery in the Thermochron iButton™ is low or used up? 

     One can use the total record of conversions (Total Samples) in order to know if the battery is low or has been used up. The conversion circuit accounts for most of the battery’s consumption; therefore, you can estimate the battery’s charge level by checking the number of conversions that have been done. The total samples registry works like an odometer. 

 

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What does “water resistant” mean in the Thermochron iButton™? 

 

     The Thermochron iButton™ has a water resistant seal; however, the iButton™ is not hermetic.  It can be submerged in water for short periods of time and at a maximum depth of one (1) meter without problems.

 

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Can the Thermochron iButton™ be used in fluids that are conductors?

 

     Dallas Semiconductor conducted trials a few years ago in salty atmospheres for applications in coastal regions. 10 iButtons™ were used in the test. A saline spray was applied to the iButtons™ for 96 hours. There was no evidence of malfunction of the iButtons during that time. The trial was done following the Mil-Std-883C norm, method 1009, C no electricity. The Thermochron iButton™ should be cleaned with fresh water after it has been used in salt water to avoid low conductivity. 

 

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How do I turn off the Thermochron iButton™? 

 

     Using the T-Logger View Software, you can select the option “Slepp T-Logger”  from the main menu. A confirmation menu will appear before the Thermochron iButton™ is inactivated (its internal clock will be stopped). It is recommended that you sleep the Thermochron iButton™ if you will not be using it for long periods of time. By doing this, the iButton™ will use little energy and its battery will have a longer life. To re-activate the iButton™, you simply need to program a new mission using The T-Logger View Software. The  Thermochron iButton™ will wake up automatically.

 

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How can I use the Thermochron iButton™ in real time without programming a mission? 

 

     Using the T-Logger View Software chose the option "Real  Trending" from the main menu. Real Trending allows the user to see a temperature vs. time graph. You will not need to program a mission. You will only have to determine the sampling intervals and the values for the activation of the alarms. The use of the real trending graph is a great feature that allows an instant response to temperature variations.

 

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How much information can be saved in a disk file using the Thermochron iButton™ in real time?

 

  • With a   2 second interval: up to    3.47 days of information can be stored on file.
  • With a   5 second interval: up to    8.68 days of information can be stored on file.
  • With a 10 second interval: up to   17.36 days of information can be stored on file.
  • With a 60 second interval: up to 104.17 days of information can be stored on file.

 

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Can the information from real time readings be used to control processes? 

 

     Yes, using dynamic data exchange (DDE). DDE is a technology for the communication between applications. It uses the standard protocol for communications in the Microsoft Windows Operating System and allows applications to establish communication and exchange information. The T-Logger View Software program simplifies the exchange of information by specifying the name of the application, the topic, and item to be exchanged. The four items that can be exchanged are:

 

  • Thermochron iButton™  serial number.
  • Thermochron iButton™ condition (on line or not).
  • Temperature Value.
  • Temperature unit(°C, °F).

 

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What is the alarms checker ( TLALC )?

 

     It is a device designed to read the Thermochron’s alarm registry without the need of a computer. It is cordless, uses batteries, and includes a bicolor LED to identify if an alarm has occurred during the mission.

 

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