Multifunction Timer / Counter
3700 Sagamore Parkway North . Lafayette, IN 47904 USA . Phone: (765) 423-1505
6
Other Features
1.
Battery Saver:
If batteries are being used to power the 54035A, the battery saver mode will be enabled.
The battery saver mode will turn off the LCD backlight if there is no activity on the timer for 30 seconds.
Any button press or external input activity will turn the light back on. The front panel buttons will turn the
light on without performing the actual function of the button. The external inputs or serial commands will
perform the designated function in addition to turning on the backlight. Plugging in the DC power supply
will automatically disable the battery saver feature.
2.
Low Battery Detect:
If the 54035A is operated on the batteries for an extended period on time, they will
eventually become too weak to provide the necessary power to the timer. When this happens, the timer
will turn off the backlight to reserve the remaining power. It will also display the message “low batt” on
the display (this message is not displayed in multiple timer mode, so check the status in single timer mode
if the light goes off and battery saver mode is not active). The timer will function normally in “low batt”
mode until the batteries are completely dead. The only problem with operation on low batteries is that
the display contrast will become poor (see the section on changing the contrast to improve this situation).
The timer will continue to function for several hours with low batteries, giving ample time to finish timing
tasks or testing procedures and change the batteries.
3.
Computer Interface:
The 54035A can connect to a computer’s serial port via a standard nine pin cable. This
allows computer control of the timer and allows the computer to upload time and count data for display
and storage. Refer to the section on Communications for serial protocols and command codes.
Special Operations
1.
Changing the Batteries:
Access to the batteries is provided on the bottom of the 54035A. Using a
screwdriver or coin, turn each of the thumbscrews and remove the battery cover plate. The batteries are
provided with two ribbon loops to aid in removal. When inserting the batteries, place each pair of side by
side batteries through a loop and insert. Each ribbon should then be under a pair of batteries. Failure to
use the ribbon may result in difficulty in removing the batteries (ie. they will have to be pried out). Also
note each battery polarity as imprinted on each battery holder. Replace cover after batteries are in place
and turn the thumbscrews down to secure the cover.
2.
Selecting NO/NC switch type:
When in the mode menu, the timer will prompt the user to configure each
input on the back panel as Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed (NC). Normally open can be thought
as a “Press to Activate” setting and normally closed can be thought as a “Release to Activate” setting. A
majority of all applications and switches will be normally open. This is the default setting on all external
inputs. Unless it is known for sure that an application calls for a normally closed switch, the settings will
probably not need to be reset. If a switch is set up wrong, unexpected results may occur. If more than one
switch is set up wrong, the timer may go into a state where it times at random and the controls become
ineffective. In this case, the only solution is to turn the timer off and redo the setup.
3.
Contrast Adjust:
As the batteries on the 54035A become weak, the numbers on the display will become
noticeably dim. This will occur to some degree even before the low battery message is displayed. If this
condition becomes a problem, the user can adjust the contrast on the display. The contrast is adjusted by
removing the battery door and turning the small white dial located just above the batteries with a small
screwdriver. The dial will only need to be turned a very small amount in the counterclockwise direction.
Note that when fresh batteries are inserted or the DC power is plugged in, the display will have too much
contrast (the background will turn dark) and will have to be adjusted in the clockwise direction.
