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Troubleshooting AquaFluor/AquaFlash/Ballast Check 2 Handheld Fluorometer Data Download
Troubleshooting AquaFluor/AquaFlash/Ballast Check 2 Handheld Fluorometer Data Download

Data Download Guide for the AquaFluor, AquaFlash, and Ballast Check 2.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Our handheld fluorometers, including AquaFluor, AquaFlash, and Ballast Check 2, support data download to a computer using the included PN 021-0850 Data Download cable. The cable, approximately 6 feet long, features a USB and a stereo jack.
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​Notice on Connectivity Issues with Handheld Instruments

Should your AquaFluor, AquaFlash, or Ballast Check 2 instruments experience connectivity issues with external devices over time, feel free to run through our diagnostics. To assist in diagnosing the root cause of these issues—whether it stems from the cable, the computer, or the instrument itself—we have developed a series of troubleshooting steps. These steps will help you pinpoint the specific area responsible for the connection problem.

Information comes from AquaFluor, AquaFlash, and Ballast Check 2 User Manual. Software downloads below:

AquaFluor: Aquafluor Handheld Fluorometer
Spreadsheet Interface Software: https://tinyurl.com/DataBank2023
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AquaFlash: Aquaflash Handheld Fluorometer
Utilities Software: Software | AquaFlash Handheld Fluorometer | Turner Designs
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Ballast Check 2: Microsoft Word - 998-8501_MASTER
BC2 Data Report: S-0228.pdf and Software | Ballast-Check 2 Handheld Fluorometer


Main Troubleshooting Pathway

Note: It's crucial to follow the steps in the specified order. Deviating from this procedure may prevent the connection from being established successfully. Do note that each of the three instruments use different software and have steps that deviate slightly.

Text version of Main AquaFluor, AquaFlash, and Ballast Check 2 troubleshooting pathway:

Please follow these troubleshooting steps to see if they resolve the issue.

  1. Ensure everything is unplugged.

  2. Download the associated software for your Handheld Fluorometer from our website

  3. Connect the USB cable to your AquaFluor, AquaFlash or Ballast Check 2 handheld fluorometer.​

  4. Plug the USB Data Cable (PN 021-0850) to an available USB port on the computer.

  5. Use the ON/OFF Switch to power up the Handheld Fluorometer
    ​Note: The lower right-hand corner of the PC’s display may indicate a new hardware device (Handheld Fluorometer) was detected and drivers are being located; this may take several minutes.

  6. Open up device manager to see if computer can recognize the cable.

  7. Locate the Software icon on your desktop and double-click it to open the

    software.

  8. In the top right-hand corner of the window, click the select COM port button and

    set the COM port to the COM port assigned for your USB connection.

  9. Click ‘OK’, then click ‘Start’.
    ​

After following our workflow map, here is the directory below for expanded instructions from where you need help the most on the

Cable Connection Setup

Connection Requirements

  • Instrument with fresh batteries

  • Data download cable P/N 021-0850

  • Computer user has administrative privileges enabled

  • Previous step with Device Manager is finished

  • Computer User knows what COM port the communication cable is on

After running through the Main troubleshooting pathway, Handheld Fluorometer still does not initialize, or it stops midway. Check the cable connections troubleshooting steps below:

  1. Check connection for stereo jack into the data port on the Handheld Fluorometer.

    1. Check and ensure the cable setup is the same as the image

    2. Ensure the PN 021-0850 Data Download Cable is plugged in the correct way:
      ​

  2. Plug in the USB connection side of the Data Download Cable, you should see a flash of green and then no lights.

    1. If the USB connection does not cause it to turn green, disconnect and change out batteries on the Handheld Fluorometer. If instrument can turn on and the cable does not change lights, cable is faulty.

    2. If the USB light stays green the entire time, cable is faulty.

    3. If the USB light turns on red, the cable is faulty.

    4. If the USB connection has the light flash on momentarily as green, cable is working.

  3. Use another cable to confirm that Instrument connection port still works if previous step has problems.

    1. USB Connections should have no visible damage.
      Example: USB connection on the right side is damaged.
      ​

    2. Ensure gold pin connection points have no damage and are all present

  4. Confirm COM port selection through Device Manager

  5. Reach out to Turner Designs Technical Support for replacement cables.

Device Manager Setup

Connection Requirements

  • You need to have a PN 021-0850 Data Download cable to plug into the computer

  • Computer user has administrative privileges enabled

  • Device Manager is enabled

  • Ports Settings are showing on the Device Manager

The COM port setting can be viewed in the computer’s Device Manager window.

  1. Open up device manager and view ports

  2. Plug in the PN 021-0850 Data Download cable and watch to see if the Device Manager window updates

  3. A USB serial port should now be visible in the space where it was previously not there. In image example above, it is on COM 3

  4. If the USB shows a value other than a number 1-8. Right click the USB serial port and select Properties.

  5. Select the tab Port Settings then click advanced.

  6. Click the drop-down menu for COM Port Number to change the number to between 1-16 and then press ok.

  7. Our AquaFluor Handheld Fluorometers, AquaFlash, and Ballast Check 2 can only connect to COM Ports 1-16. The respective connections are to the Spreadsheet Software, Utilities Software, and BC2 Data Report.
    ​
    Spreadsheet Interface Software:


    Download Utilities Software:


    BCD Data Report Software:

If any steps are blocked for troubleshooting your Device Manager, you will need to have administrative privileges to enable this. Additionally, if you are unable to find the port settings on the Device Manager, you may need to download legacy software on your Device Manager. We recommend taking a look at this Microsoft forums: Ports and com not showing up in Device manager even after view show - Microsoft Community

AquaFluor Handheld Fluorometer Internal Data Logging Setup

The Internal Data Logging option allows the downloading of stored data from the AquaFluor® which can be switched on when needed. Ballast Check 2 provides reports and its internal datalogging cannot be turned off. The AquaFluor® and AquaFlash can log up to 1000 data points which can be downloaded to a computer using the provided Data Download Cable and Download Utilities Software.
​
Activating Data logging allows measurements taken from readings get saved. The DATA screens control logging, downloading, and erasing the data as described below.
​

Activate Data Logging

  1. Press the DATA button 2 times.

  2. Press to toggle between logging and stop status.

  3. Press ENTER when finished to return to the Home screen.

Download Data

  1. Connect the AquaFluor® to the USB of your computer.

  2. Open the Turner Designs Spreadsheet Software.

  3. Press the DATA button on the instrument 3 times.

  4. Press ENTER 5 times to start the data download.
    ​You should see the USB connection flash green as data output occurs.

  5. Press ESC when finished to return to the Home screen.

Erase Data

  1. Press the DATA button 4 times.

  2. Press ENTER 5 times to erase all logged data.

  3. Press ESC when finished to return to the Home screen.

Spreadsheet Interface Software Setup (AquaFluor Handheld Fluorometer)

Follow these simple instructions to install the USB driver for connecting the AquaFluor to your PC:
​
Note: If opening the zip file and contents extracted are now missing, contact your system administrator or analyze if an anti-virus software is erroneously deleting this file. If this same error occurs after installation and the file is not able to be opened, contact your system administrator for installation permissions.

  1. Download the necessary driver folder from the flash-drive or from the website: https://tinyurl.com/DataBank2023

  2. The downloaded folder will be titled ‘Spreadsheet Interface Software’ and may be a *.zip folder Note: For *.zip folders, right-click on the folder and select extract to extract the contents.

  3. The folder will contain a file titled ‘runme’ or 'Setup.exe'

  4. Double-click on ‘runme’ or 'setup.exe' to start driver installation on the PC

  5. Click ‘Yes’ to allow the installer to continue

  6. Click ‘Next’ on the installation wizard’s window

  7. Click ‘Install’ to trust the source of the installation

  8. Wait while the drivers are installed - this may take several minutes.

  9. Once the drivers are installed, click ‘Finish’

  10. Open up the Spreadsheet interface software and navigate to the COM Port Selection which is a (...) icon.

  11. Once selected, press the start button

  12. Both ‘MS EXCEL’ and ‘COM’ should show green indicator lights and an Excel spreadsheet should automatically open. a. If you don’t get green indicator lights for either ‘MS EXCEL’ or ‘COM’, you must restart your PC and repeat steps 10 – 11 of this procedure.

  13. Now all your measurements will be streamed and dumped into the Excel spreadsheet as samples are being read on the AquaFluor

    1. If you require previous data stored on the AquaFluor to be put on the Excel Sheet refer to AquaFluor internal data logging setup: https://intercom.help/turner-designs-support/en/articles/9778732-handheld-fluorometer-data-download-guide#h_9cc901e8ec
      ​You should see the USB connection flash green as data output occurs.
      Example below:

  14. Closing the Spreadsheet Interface App will exit the Excel spreadsheet automatically, so save first.
    ​
    ​Note: make sure to continually save copies of the spreadsheet as there is no backup if data are deleted.

Utilities Software Installation (AquaFlash Handheld Fluorometer)

Note: If opening the zip file and contents extracted are now missing, contact your system administrator or analyze if an anti-virus software is erroneously deleting this file. If this same error occurs after installation and the file is not able to be opened, contact your system administrator for installation permissions.

  1. Download the necessary driver folder from the flash-drive or from the website: Software | AquaFlash Handheld Fluorometer | Turner Designs

  2. The downloaded folder will be titled ‘8500-200-SW’ and may be a *.zip folder Note: For *.zip folders, right-click on the folder and select extract to extract the contents.

  3. The folder will contain a file titled ‘runme’ or 'Setup.exe' Click the ‘setup.exe file’ link.

  4. Open the downloaded folder and double-click the ‘setup’ file.

  5. Click ‘Yes’ to allow the installer to continue

  6. Click ‘Next’ on the installation wizard’s window

  7. Click ‘Install’ to trust the source of the installation

  8. Wait while the drivers are installed - this may take several minutes.

  9. Once the drivers are installed, click ‘Finish’

  10. Open up the Utilities Software and navigate to the COM Port Selection

  11. Change the Com Port number to match what is shown in Device Manager.

  12. Click the Browse button and select or create a folder in a desired directory and enter a filename.

  13. Click Save and then click the Start button on the software’s screen.

  14. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the AquaFlash on and wait for the 5-second countdown.

  15. Press the AquaFlash keypad’s DATA button; use the ↑↓ arrow keys to select SEND/CLEAR DATA.

  16. Press ENTER and use the ↑↓ arrow keys to select SEND DATA.

  17. Press ENTER and wait for data to be sent. You should see the USB connection flash green as data output occurs.

  18. The Download Utilities Software will indicate when download has completed, then click Stop. It is recommended that you confirm data are saved to your computer by navigating to the saved file and opening the file to view data before clearing data from the AquaFlash.
    ​

BC2 Data Report (Ballast Check 2 Handheld Fluorometer)

Note: If opening the zip file and contents extracted are now missing, contact your system administrator or analyze if an anti-virus software is erroneously deleting this file. If this same error occurs after installation and the file is not able to be opened, contact your system administrator for installation permissions.

  1. Navigate to the Ballast-Check 2 Software tab located on the Ballast-Check 2 home page at S-0228.pdf and Software | Ballast-Check 2 Handheld Fluorometer. Follow the instructions below.

  2. Click on the link titled Ballast-Check 2 Data Report Software zip and wait for the download to complete.

  3. Open the zip folder when the download has completed and double-click on the BC2DataReport.exe file in the folder to launch the installer.

  4. Click “Yes” to give permission for the program to run.

  5. Make sure the “Create a Desktop Shortcut” box is checked and click Next.

  6. Click Install and wait for the installation files to be loaded onto your computer.

  7. Make sure the Launch box is checked.

  8. Click Finish; the BC2 Data Report Software screen will appear.
    ​

  9. Plug the download data cable’s stereo jack into the Ballast-Check 2 data port making sure the cable is fully mated with the instrument.

  10. Plug the download data cable’s USB end into an available USB port on your computer.

  11. Wait for the download data cable’s drivers to automatically load. NOTE: It is recommended that your computer have internet access while the drivers are loading so that any driver updates are automatically installed.

  12. When driver installation has completed, make sure to note the COM port assigned to the download data cable.

  13. Manually enter the COM port number into the Data Report Software’s COM port box located in the upper lefthand corner of the software screen. The COM port setting can also be viewed and/or changed in the computer’s Device Manager Window.

  14. Click the Browse button and navigate to a folder or location where the data report will be saved.

  15. Name the file and click Open.

  16. Turn the Ballast-Check 2 ON and press the DATA button after warm up has completed.

  17. Click Start on the Software screen. NOTE: Software window will state, ‘Ready for data download”.

  18. Press ENTER on Ballast-Check 2 to select Send/Clear Data.

  19. Press ENTER on Ballast-Check 2 to Send Data. NOTE: Data will begin streaming to the software window. You should see the USB connection flash green as data output occurs.
    ​

  20. When all data have been downloaded, data streaming will stop.

  21. Click the Create Report button.
    ​

  22. The software window will show ‘Creating Report…’

  23. When completed, the software window will show ‘Report Created!’.

  24. Click QUIT on software screen to exit.
    ​

The PDF file will contain the date the report was created and signature fields for service provider (representative and company), ship representative, and a field for manually entering the overall stated risk level.

NOTE: Data are compiled as a non-editable PDF report and cannot be modified or changed Once a data report has been created, navigate to and open the report to ensure data have been properly compiled before clearing the Ballast-Check 2 log.

IMPORTANT NOTE: ONCE THE BALLAST-CHECK 2 LOG HAS BEEN CLEARED THOSE DATA CANNOT BE RETRIEVED.


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