LabHelper Startup

Getting Started
To get started with LabHelper, you should do the following:

Connect your A-D converter and install any necessary software and drivers (see below).
Briefly read through the Warthog File Formats and Menus pages.
Go to the Operating Modes page to begin running the program.

Connecting A-D converters

To use the National Instruments Lab-NB*, PCI-1200, PCI-MIO-16XE-50, or DAQCard-1200 data acquisition cards:

Before installing a Lab-NB, make sure the jumpers are set for bipolar operation at a voltage range of ±5 volts (these are the factory default settings). Note: the input range for the PCI cards and DAQCards is set with software, not with jumpers.

Install the card according to the directions in the computer's operations manual or user's guide. The Lab-NB can be used in any free Nu-Bus slot, and the PCI cards can be used in any PCI-bus slot -- but make sure you have easy access for the connecting cable at the back of the computer. Similarly, the DAQCards can be used in any free PC-card slot.

Attach a junction box to the card's connector (the junction box provides a way to connect instrument outputs). A basic junction box (with annoyingly inconvenient screw terminals) can be purchased from National Instruments. Alternately, it is fairly easy to build one yourself.
(note: the pinouts for the Lab-NB, PCI-1200, and DAQCard-1200 are identical; for the latter, you also need a short cable adapter). The -16XE-50 uses a different 68-pin connector and cable.

Install the National Instruments driver software (NI-DAQ version 4.9, plus any needed patches and updates) and reboot the computer. NOTE: NI-DAQ 6 and higher doesn't work!


*The Lab-NB has been discontinued (but still works fine -- if you can find one -- in 680X0 machines)

NOTE: For any of the following external data sources, if you are using a new USB-based Mac, you'll need a serial port converter. I've verified that the Keyspan 2-channel serial port unit works nicely. If you are using the Keyspan AND a Stealth Serial Port, you should connect the DataTaker to Port 2 on the Keyspan.

To use the Sable Systems Universal Interface 'UI2' (LabHelper FP2 only; works best with USB Macs):

When you order your UI2 from Sable, I recommend you get the optional 4 temperature channels: even if you don't want to use them to measure temperatures, they can be used to measure positive voltages.
Build a connecting cable to link the computer's DIN-8 port to the DB-9 connector on the UI2.
Connect the UI2 to the computer's modem port if it has one, or to a USB-serial converter. To switch ports, use the A-D menu.

To use the Remote Measurement Systems ADC-1:

When you order your ADC-1 from RMS, be sure to specify the normal input voltage range (±0.42 volts) and get the 50X programmable gain option on all 16 channels. You can use an ADC-1 with the gain option on only 8 channels if you are careful to attach your instruments to those channels exclusively. You can even use an ADC-1 without programmable gain, but resolution will be much more limited.
Set the DIP switches on the back of the ADC-1 to the following:
- 9600 baud (you can use slower baud rates, but the default is 9600)
- no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
  If these settings are incorrect, the LabHelper software won't work.
Build a connecting cable and power supply, as outlined in the very detailed and helpful ADC-1 instruction manual.
Connect the ADC-1 to the computer's modem port. You can also use other ports, but the modem port is the default. To switch ports, use the A-D menu.
The ADC-1 comes with screw terminals to which you can directly attach instrument recorder cables. However, you may want to build your own junction box with connectors that are easier to use than screw terminals.

To use the Data Electronics DataTaker:

These instructions refer to the basic DT50, DT500 series, and DT600 series models. Earlier models don't work.
The software expects the default factory settings for the DataTaker series (no parity, 8 data bits, 2 stop bits, 4800 baud). If you want to use other baud rates, set the appropriate DIP switches inside the desired rate.
- Make sure to use no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit
  If these settings are incorrect, the LabHelper software won't work.
Build (or purchase) a connecting cable and power supply, as outlined in the very detailed and helpful DataTaker instruction manual. Connect the DataTaker to the computer's modem port. You can also use other ports, but the modem port is the default. To switch ports, use the A-D menu.

To use streaming serial inputs (LabHelper FP2 only):

The software has a default setting of 9600 baud (no parity, 8 data bits), but you can adjust this to baud rates between 300 and 115Kb, depending on the baud rate of the source instrument.
Build (or purchase) a connecting cable and connect the data stream source to an available serial port on the Macintosh (the modem port is the default). To switch ports, use the A-D menu.

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