Using the Stowaway Temperature Logger

1. Turn computer ON, get into Windows and enter the Cahoon’s Everyday window by double clicking that program group icon.

2. Connect the StowAway unit by the gray cable to the computer’s serial port (nine pin connector on the left back side) and insert the pin into the StowAway unit.

3. Double click the LogBook icon. A window called "LogBook" with a header bar will be displayed. Select and single click "Logger", then select and click "Launch". Wait while the computer connects, then a launch selection screen appears, with "Duration" highlighted. (You may use the Tab key to move from box to box instead of the mouse, but do not press Enter unless all your selections have been made and you are ready to launch.) Accept the default setting or use the mouse to select another duration. Scroll through to see your choices. (I select 12.5 days because that provides a 10 minute sample interval.) Then select and click on "Legend" and type in a name for you run, such as "Limnology exercise". Next, you can select either "delayed start" or "Triggered start". I prefer the former, since there will be some time between your setup and actual deployment. Then click in the date-time box, delete the time or date and retype the one(s) you prefer to start. You can press "Enter" or select and click "OK" to launch. After that, the logger will automatically do what you have told it.

4. Deploy the Stowaway as you are instructed. Be sure the cap is on tight with the O-ring in place and that it is securely placed (hidden and tied in place).

5. Make a note of when you retrieve the Stowaway, because subsequent temperature data are irrelevant to you.

6. To download your temperature date, connect the Stowaway unit to the computer as above and enter Windows. Put a formatted HD 3.25" disk in the computer’s disk drive before you go on. Then double click the LogBook icon, select and click Logger and select and click on readout. The screen will flash several status messages ("Offload" and "Stowaway" with the hourglass icon showing) at you indicating that it is downloading data from the logger.

7. A screen pops up labeled "save as.." with the File Name box highlighted. Use the left arrow to move the line cursor to the immediate right of the * symbol, delete it by pressing BACKSPACE, then type in "a:filename".DTF (up to 8 letters or numbers that identify your data file). DO NOT erase or change the ".DTF" filename extension, or your data file will be uninterpretable to the software. You must be sure to specify the "a:" drive to which your file will be loaded. You may also do this by selecting the "a" drive in the Drive selection box. If you do not do this, the file will download to the "C" drive in the "c:\logbook" directory, which will clutter it up. Do not push ENTER unless you are done with this screen. You may also use the mouse to click the "OK" button when you are done. When you have done this last step, the data download, with data displayed as a temperature vs. Time plot.

8. You may print the plotted data if you have connected the HP Deskjet to the ocmputer by the 25 pin female port on the back and turned it on. Click on File, select and click Print, and everything should proceed.

9. Be sure to exit properly! Double click the upper left hand box in the Logbook window, then double click the same box in the Cahoon’s Everyday window, then turn off the computer.

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