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4.1 Menu
Use the Main Menu to access various controls, functions and set options.
File
Print Results: Use to produce a printed report. This includes the Results Data as well as operational information about the setup parameters.
Print Chart: Print a copy of the chart as it appears on the main screen.
Clear Device: This will erase the routine current loaded into the device. A new routine will have to be loaded the next time a new session begins.
Quit: Exit the Battery Console application.
Routines
The Routine menu contains a list of standard routines that can be used to manage the battery. Selecting any of the these routines will begin the process of loading the routine into the Battery Metric device. Note that the routine typically does not begin just by loading it. Usually you will need to begin the session by clicking the Start button if a battery is already connected. Alternatively the routines are setup to be started if a new battery is connected. If a battery is already connected when the routine is loaded then it can be started by removing and reconnecting the battery. By having the session begin with the connection of a battery allows for operation of the device without being controlled by the computer. This creates the opportunity to operate the Battery Metric device in a stand alone situation separate from the computer. Of course you still need to use the Battery Console application to load the routine, but once the routine is loaded is can be used and reused repeated by just connecting new batteries. The routine will reside in the Battery Metric device and persist even after the power is turned off. By simply powering up the device is is ready to continue to be used for new Battery Test sessions without having to reload the routine.
Charge: This with load the Charge routine required for the type of battery and other parameters specified in the setup parameters.
Discharge: This with load the Discharge routine required with the discharge parameters specified in the setup parameters.
Charge: This with load the Charge routine required for the type of battery and other parameters specified in the setup parameters.
Cycle: This with load the Cycle routine required for the type of battery and other parameters specified in the setup parameters.
Recover: Some routines will not operate if the battery voltage is out of range. This routine can be used this to apply a recover charge to a depleted battery. The duration is specified in the profile
Load Test: Perform a load test using the discharge current and discharge interval specified in the parameters.
Standard Routines are only available when in Quick Setup or Profile Setup mode. Click the appropriate setup tab to select setup mode.
Program
This menu section is used to manage a custom program routine.
Open: Opens the xml program file so that it can be previewed or loaded into the Battery Metric device.
Preview: Opens a new window that displays a comprehensive display of the all the programming parameters. This display is very helpful for developing, reviewing and understanding how the program will operate. This preview window is for display purposes only and cannot be edited. The editing must still be done with an XML editor program. However this window is a more convenient way to visualize the total program operation. When programming a new routin,e the best practice is to keep the XML editor open and as you save changes in the XML file, reopen the preview window to review the changes.
Load: This will compile and load the program file into the Battery Metric device. The program will then be routed to step 1 and be ready for operation.
Clear: This simply clears the program workspace.
Force: Use this to force the loaded program to route to a specific step. Select Force then enter the desired step number. This can be used in any way required. It could be part of the how the program is designed or it could just be use to force a new step for development and debugging purposes. Note that a program could be designed with many different functions and the Force feature could be used to instigate a change to the new function. In effect you can have multiple programs or task written into a single xml program file. Switching between functions or task would be as simple as forcing the device to a new step.
New: This will create a new blank xml file template that can then be edited with an xml file editor. XMLNotepad is a recommended xml file editing program. This is a free editing tool from Microsoft. Download here: XML Notepad 2007
Program controls are only available when in Program setup mode. Click the Program tab to enter Program setup mode.
View
Compact Mode: Used to shrink the user interface by closing the Setup and Chart areas. This can be used to reduce clutter on the desktop while working on other applications.
Graph Enable: Used to hide the chart area when not required.
Graph Voltage: Used to display or hide the yellow Voltage plot line.
Graph Current: Used to display or hide the blue Current plot line.
Graph Temperature: Used to display or hide the red Temperature plot line.
Graph Color: Used to change the background display color of the Chart area. To restore the default Grey color select Cancel.
System
Configuration: Opens a new window that will display the Channel No, Model No, Serial No, Firmware Ver, Hardware Ver and Range of all devices currently online. Consult this information to determine which channel numbers are currently available. When using the system be sure to know which channel numbers are assigned to all devices. When using multiple channels it is a good idea to label each channel with the corresponding channel number to avoid confusion. When updating the firmware check this configuration information to ensure the firmware has been updated successfully.
Results Logging: Use this to enable results logging. When enabled, results from each step, that is configured to save data, will be written to a log file. The location of this log file will be the same as specified in the Data Logging window. The results file is a TXT text file that can be opened and viewed with any text editor program such as Word or Notepad. Results logging is useful when running many steps, such as life cycle testing, where the results cannot all fit in the Results Data area of the main screen.
Data Logging: Use this to enable data logging and also specify the file location where the file should be created. The data logging file contains a data stream of real time data from the analyzer. This file is of the type csv (comma separated variable) that can be imported and managed with many popular spreadsheet programs such as Excel.
Use mA Range: Use this to toggle data fields to display data in either mA or A.
Use ABS Values: Use this plot discharge current as a negative value. This means discharge will plot below the white X axis and charge will plot above the X axis. It’s just for convenience to make the plot area more intuitive to match user preferences.
Show WH results: This is used to display either AH or WH the Data Results section.