1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the Astro-Med Dash 4u field and lab recorder. It is important that you read the enclosed
operations manual. You simply will not get the most out of your Dash 4u unless you do. However, it is human nature for
you to want to get started right away. We understand this, and have prepared this Quick Start Guide to let you get
acquainted with the Dash 4u as quickly as possible. We hope you enjoy it - and your new recorder. But then, please read
the operations manual.
2. GETTING STARTED
VOLTAGE VERIFICATION
The Dash 4u has an auto-sensing power supply that operates from 85-220 VAC
at 50 or 60 Hz. You do not have to set up any fuse block arrangement.
CONNECT AC POWER
Connect the AC power cord to the Dash 4u rear panel, then to an outlet.
LOAD CHART PAPER
Remove the protective wrapping around the paper. Open the paper chamber door
located at the left side of the unit. Insert the top sheet with the arrows pointing
towards the paper chamber immediately below the black bar beneath the drive
roller as you place the pack of paper inside the paper chamber. Push the paper
through the paper-feed channel until the paper exits the recorder above the drive
roller. Close the paper chamber door.
TURN ON DASH 4u
When you turn on the Dash 4u, the color display will read initialization and then
the recorder will load in the last setup it had before it was powered down.
START RECORDING
Signal leads are not supplied with the Dash 4u. There are two physical input
sections for each channel. You must only use one physical connection at a time.
For the differential, DC Bridge and temperature amplifiers, use the six pin
universal input terminal block connector. Mating connectors are provided. For
the single-ended amplifier, use the standard banana jacks connection. This guide
will only use the single-ended input connection for simplicity. Using standard
banana jack leads, bring your signals into the recorder at the side panel. Press the
[RUN / HALT]
key. The Dash 4u will begin recording. Look at the top edge of
the chart - the System Log repeatedly prints the time, date, chart speed and time
scale. Refer to the Manual to change the time and date. If you wish to change
the chart and grid presentation,
see Section 5 below for further details.
HALT
Experiment stopping/starting the chart by pressing the
[RUN / HALT]
key.
CHANGE SPEEDS
A group of keys in the center of the front panel controls the chart speed.
Dedicated keys provide a means for quickly setting the common chart speeds.
Non-standard speeds can be set easily as well using the
[SPD]
key.
HELP KEY
When the front panel
[HELP]
key is pressed, three levels of help are available to
be printed onto the chart paper: System Report, Chart Report, General Help.
COLOR DISPLAY
The Dash 4u provides a color display for view of real-time and captured signals.
You can freeze the display at any time you have real-time signals inputted. Once
frozen, use the encoder wheel to move two cursors (A, B) to make time and
amplitude measurements. You can then run the display to view the real-time
signals again.
