DICKSON ET855 Universal Input Chart Recorder User Guide

Find out the output voltage of the transmitter/transducer that will be connected to the recorder. If the output is not 0-SV, change dipswitch settings per the dipswitch sticker located on the back on the unit.

If using a range other than O to change the dipswitch settings to match the chart range selected per the dipswitch sticker located on the back of the unit.
Connect the transmitter/transducer output wires to the screw terminals on the uncompensated plug, making sure the wires do not touch. Plug the uncompensated plugs into the jack outlets on the back of the recorder.

Remove the protective pen caps.
Insert batteries and plug in AC adapter (See Figure 3). 4 AA batteries provide backup power only (See Power section for backup life). Unit will power on.

The instrument will move pens to the appropriate readings.
Install the chart that matches the Dip Switch settings (See Dip Switch Setup). Press the PEN HOME key to move the pens to the outside of the chart. The pen is automatically raised off the chart. Remove the old chart, place the new chart on the Chart Hub being certain that the edge of the chart slides under the Chart Guide Clips located at the outside of the chart.

Set the appropriate time. There are two ways to adjust the chart and set the appropriate time:
1. Set the chart time manually by inserting a coin into the groove in the chart hub and turning clockwise until the correct hour (and day if applicable) on the chart is referenced to the timing arrow LJust to the right of the pen tip on the dial). Press Pen Home to move the pens back onto the chart. The following feature should be used for fine adjustments only.
2. To adjust the chart time, press and hold the Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down buttons located on the back of the unit next to the dip switch (see Figure 3). The green LED will blink rapidly for about five seconds, then the LED will remain solid green. While in this state, the Adjust-Up button will move the chart backward (counter-clockwise) and the Adjust-Down button will move the chart forward (clockwise). Rotate the chart until the correct hour (and day if applicable) on the chart is referenced to the timing arrow. Once you have set your chart, press the Pen Home button to exit Chart Adjust Mode. The unit will take one minute to exit the Chart Adjust Mode once Pen Home is pressed. Press Pen Home to move the pens back onto the chart.
3. Place the ET8 recorder on a flat vibration-free surface. Be sure it is in a vertical position and level. For best performance and longevity, the location should be a clean environment, free from dust and corrosive fumes. Do not exceed temperature specifications. Wall Mount Keyhole slots are provided on the ET8 recorder for wall mounting.

DISPLAY SYMBOLS ET8

WIRING DIAGRAM

BUTTON OPERATION

On/Off
The On/Off key turns the unit on and off.

Pen Home Down Arrow
If the pens are located on the outside edge of the chart, press the Pen Home to move the pen to the recording position. If the pens are located on the chart, press the Pen Home key to move the pen to the outside edge of the chart.
Alarm Optional
- Pen I: = Red Pen
- Pen 2: = Blue Pen

To set the alarm, make sure unit is on and press and hold the Alarm button. The LED will blink red rapidly for about five seconds, then the LED will turn solid green. Release the Alarm button and the LED will turn solid red. At this point the display will show “On” or “Off’. Pressing either the Adjust-Up or AdjustDown buttons, located on the back of the unit next to the dip switch, will toggle the alarm on or off.
Pressing PEN HOME will scroll to the next alarm options.
- Pen I alarm minimum
- Pen I alarm maximum
- Pen 2 alarm minimum
- Pen 2 alarm maximum

In order to set pen alarm minimums and maximums, pressing Adjust-Up will increase the alarm value, and pressing Adjust-Down will decrease the alarm value. There is acceleration if the Adjust-Up button is held down. Repetitively pressing the Pen Home button will scroll through the five options until the Alarm button is pressed to exit from alarm adjust. Each press of the Pen Home or Alarm button will store the new settings. The unit will take one minute to exit Alarm Set Mode once the Alarm button is pressed.
If the alarm is triggered, the LED will show as solid red and the alarm will sound. Press the Alarm button to silence the audible alarm.

DIP SWITCH SETUP

To set up the ET8 recorder for your specific application, you might need to change some of the Dip Switches. The Dip Switches are located on the back of the unit.
Use a Pen or small screw driver to flip the switches. Remember to install the correct chart to match the corresponding Dip Switch setting.

Dip Switches for Ranges:

Recording Time
The ET8 recorder has two different recording time options:

24 Hour #1 Up
7 Day #1 Dow

NOTE: Make sure switches 5, 6, 7 & 8 are set correctly to match the type of transducer you are using and that the transducer is plugged into the correct jack.

The ETB operates on AC power with an optional 4 AA battery backup. Depending on the chart rotation selected and the model, battery backup will last

24 Hour Chart Rotation = I Day Backup
7 Day Chart Rotation = 2 Day Backup

Note: Alarm will not operate under battery-only power.

LED INDICATORS

AC Power with Battery Backup – Solid Green
AC Power with Low Battery or No Battery – Blinks Red
Battery Only- Blinks Green

Battery Only (Low Battery) – Solid Red

PEN HOME ADJUST

If over time the pen location does not match the display, you may need to adjust the pen location on the chart. A Pen Home Adjustment corrects for the natural drift that occurs with mechanical moving parts over time.

While the unit is on, press and hold both Pen Home and On/Off buttons until the LED is solid green. Release the Pen Home and On/Off buttons. The LED will flash amber and green for one second, then the LED will turn off. Note: Press Pen Home first so the unit will not turn off

Both pens will move to the outer edge of the chart, and then the shorter red pen will move to the outer chart ring (maximum line).
If the red pen tip does not line up with the outer chart ring line, use the Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down buttons (on the back of the unit) to move the red pen so that the pen tip is on top of the outer chart ring.
Once the shorter red pen is set, press Pen Home to switch pen positions, moving the longer blue pen to the out chart ring line.

If the blue pen tip does not line up with the outer chart ring line, use the Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down buttons to move the blue pen so that the pen tip is on top of the outer ring line.
Once the blue pen is set, pressing the Pen Home button will move the longer blue pen to the outer edge of the chart and the shorter red pen will move to the outer chart ring line.
Each time the Pen Home is pressed the two pens will switch positions (moving the most recently adjusted position) until Othe n/Off is pressed to exit pen adjust mode.

Note: Pressing the On/Off button will exit the adjustment and return the unit to normal operation. Each time the Pen Home or On/Off button is pressed, the adjustment currently in progress will be stored. The unit will take one minute to exit Pen Adjust Mode once the On/Off button is pressed.

USER CALIBRATION

If you have an accurate standard to compare against, the ET8 can be adjusted at one point. This will not adjust the span.

To activate Calibration mode, turn the unit on and press and hold both the On/Off and the Adjust-Down button until the LED is solid green. The LED will then blink amber at which point only the pen being adjusted will show on the display.
Note: Make sure to press the Adjust-Down button first so the unit will not turn off

To raise the unit of measurement, press the Adjust-Down button. To lower the unit of measurement, press the Adjust-Up button. Pressing Pen home switches between the red and blue pens on a two pen unit and stores the current adjustment value.
When Calibration is complete, press the On/Off button. The adjustment is stored in memory even after you turn the unit off or if AC power fails.

Note: After two hours, if no buttons are pressed, the unit will time out of Calibration mode and resume normal operation. If you wish to cancel the Calibration, simply enter Calibration mode and toggle through the steps without adjusting the displayed readings. Exit by pressing the On/Off button. You have now restored factory calibration settings.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Why isn’t the chart keeping time or running slow?

The chart may be hung up or restricted, possibly caused by a rip on the outer edge of the chart or the chart hub, or the chart may be caught between the arm and pen arm platform.
The incorrect chart was installed for the selected chart speed.

Why did the chart stop turning?

Chart hung up or restricted, ripped chart
Unit may be “locked up·, this can be confirmed by pressing any of the buttons on the keypad, if the unit is locked up there will be no response to button presses and the Chart Recorder may appear to be working, but the readings won’t change, also the chart will not rotate. Remove power and battery, and then re-power.

Why don’t the display and chart match?

Dip switches set for a specific range, but are used for another range, or vice versa.
Penfsl not inserted on pen armfsl all the way

To adjust the pen to match chart, see “Pen Home Adjust” in this manual.

Why does the recorder not match the transducer/transmitter outputs?

Check the uncompensated jacks to make sure they are properly plugged into the correct plugs and that the wires are connected properly to the screw terminals.

Verify the output voltage/mA from the transmitter/transducer and make sure the dip switch settings (for 5-8) match.
Is the unit locked up? This can be confirmed by pressing any of the buttons on the keypad. if the unit is locked up there will be no response to button presses, and the unit may appear to be working, but the readings won’t change, also, the chart will not rotate. Remove power and battery, and then re-power.

Why does calibration seem to be off?

What is the tolerance of the unit it’s being compared to?
It’s ok if the unit is within the sum of the two tolerances.
Has an outside calibration house attempted calibration? It may not have been adjusted properly.

Walk through the calibration adjustment, found in the manual

Why won’t the battery back-up work?

Are there good batteries in the Chart Recorder?

Keep in mind that battery backup varies significantly depending on temperature, pen movement, and chart rotation speed.
If there was a momentary power outage (brownout), the unit may not have had enough time to recognize this and switch to battery mode. (The Chart Recorder may lock up or shut off in this situation.) This situation may also occur if the unit is plugged into an outlet that shares the circuit with other machinery that has phase motors or compressors that cycle periodically. As these other machines cycle, they momentarily have a high current draw, therefore drawing from the unit.

Why won’t the chart recorder respond to changes?
Is the unit locked up? This can be confirmed by pressing any of the buttons on the keypad. if the unit is locked up there will be no response to button presses and the unit may appear to be working, but the readings won’t change, also the chart will not rotate. Remove power and battery, and then re-power.

Why won’t the unit power up?
Remove the batteries and power adapter for a minute or two, this will reset the unit. The unit should respond when the adapter is plugged in.

WARRANTY

Dickson warrants that this line of instruments will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of twelve months after delivery.
This warranty does not cover routine calibration and battery replacement.

For Specifications and Technical Support, go to www.DicksonData.com

FACTORY SERVICE AND RETURNS
Contact Customer Service (630.543.3747) for a Return Authorization (RAJ Number before returning any instrument. Please have the model number, serial number and a PO number ready before calling.

Documents / Resources

DICKSON ET855 Universal Input Chart Recorder [pdf] User Guide
ET855 Universal Input Chart Recorder, ET855, Universal Input Chart Recorder, Input Chart Recorder, Chart Recorder

References

User Manual

DICKSON ET855 Universal Input Chart Recorder

GETTING STARTED