Ohaus Corporation

29 Hanover Road
Florham Park NJ
07932-0900

RS232 INTERFACE ACCESSORY

Part Number 77018-01
For
ANALYTICAL Standard Series
and
PRECISION Standard Balance Series

Instruction Manual

1
NOTICE: THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN TESTED AND FOUND TO
COMPLY WITH THE LIMITS FOR A CLASS A DIGITAL DEVICE, PUR-
SUANT TO PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.

THESE LIMITS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE REASONABLE PRO-

TECTION AGAINST HARMFUL INTERFERENCE WHEN THE
EQUIPMENT IS OPERATED IN A COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT.
THIS EQUIPMENT GENERATES, USES, AND CAN RADIATE RADIO
FREQUENCY ENERGY AND, IF NOT INSTALLED AND USED IN AC-
CORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL, MAY CAUSE
HARMFUL INTERFERENCE TO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. OPER-
ATION OF THIS EQUIPMENT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IS LIKELY
TO CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE IN WHICH CASE THE USER
WILL BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE INTERFERENCE AT HIS
OWN EXPENSE.

THIS DIGITAL APPARATUS DOES NOT EXCEED THE CLASS A LIM-

ITS FOR RADIO NOISE EMISSIONS FROM DIGITAL APPARATUS AS
SET OUT IN THE INTERFERENCE-CAUSING EQUIPMENT STAN-
DARD ENTITLED “DIGITAL APPARATUS”, ICES-003 OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS.

CET APPAREIL NUMERIQUE RESPECTE LES LIMITES DE BRUITS

RADIOELECTRIQUES APPLICABLES AUX APPAREILS NUMERIQUES
DE CLASSE A PRESCRITES DANS LA NORME SUR LE MATERIEL
BROUILLEUR : “APPAREILS NUMERIQUES”, NMB-003 EDICTEE PAR
LE MINISTRE DES COMMUNICATIONS.

Unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment are not

permitted.

2
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 4
INSTALLATION .................................................................................................... 4
USING MENUS TO CONFIGURE THE BALANCE ............................................. 6
PRINT MENU ....................................................................................................... 7
Print Menu Protection .................................................................................... 7
Reset to Factory Defaults .............................................................................. 8
Baud Rate ..................................................................................................... 9
Data Bits ........................................................................................................ 9
Parity ........................................................................................................... 10
Stop Bits ...................................................................................................... 10
Auto Print Feature ....................................................................................... 11
Print Stable Data Only ................................................................................. 11
Print Numeric Data Only ............................................................................. 12
End .............................................................................................................. 12
MENU LOCK-OUT PROTECTION ..................................................................... 13
USING THE INTERFACE .................................................................................. 14
Hardware ..................................................................................................... 14
RS232 Commands ...................................................................................... 14
CARE AND MAINTENANCE .............................................................................. 17
TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................................... 17
Error Codes ................................................................................................. 17
SERVICE INFORMATION ................................................................................. 17
LIMITED WARRANTY ........................................................................................ 19

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INTRODUCTION
The RS232 Interface Accessory is a
bidirectional interface which enables ei-
ther a Precision Standard or an Analytical
Standard balance to communicate with a
printer or computer equipped with an
RS232 serial port. The interface assembly
is easily installed in the balance and com-
munication parameters are configured
through the balance’s front panel.

INSTALLATION
Use the following procedure to install the
RS232 Interface accessory.

CAUTION

TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE BAL-

ANCE, BE CERTAIN THAT POWER IS
DISCONNECTED BEFORE REMOVING
THE COVER.

1. Disconnect power to the balance.

2. Remove the draft shield (if in-

stalled).

3. Remove the pan and pan support.

4. Using a philips screwdriver, re-

move the three screws and washers
which secure the cover to the bal-
ance. The balance will have to be
turned over or on its side to access
the screws as they are located
on the bottom; two under the
front panel and one on the rear.

CAUTION

HOLD THE COVER AND BASE TO-

GETHER WHILE REMOVING SCREWS.
DO NOT ALLOW COVER OR BASE TO
FALL.

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5. Remove the cover.

6. On the rear of the balance, a protec-

tive thin plate covers the hole for the
9-pin RS232 connector.

Peel off the plate to expose the hole.

7. Place the circuit board and connector Remove Plate

assembly in the balance so that the 9-
pin connector fits through the hole.
8. Fasten the assembly using the two
screws provided.

9. Slide the ribbon connector onto the

edge connector of the main circuit
board.

RS232
Circuit Fasten
10. Replace the cover and fasten the Board Screws
three screws that were removed. Ribbon
Connector
11. Replace the draft shield.

12. Replace the pan and pan support.

13. Reconnect power to the balance.

5
USING MENUS TO CONFIGURE THE BALANCE
The Analytical Standard and Precision Standard balances both contain four display
menus which enable you to calibrate and configure the balance for your specific
operating requirements. The print menu shown below is used to configure the RS232
interface.

PRINT MENU

RESET

BAUD RATE
300, 1200, 2400
2400,
4800, 9600

DATA BITS
7 or 8

PARITY BIT
Odd, Even, None
None, 1, 0

STOP BITS
1 or 2

AUTO PRINT
continuous, on stability,
OFF

STABLE DATA OUTPUT ONLY

ON or OFF

NUMERIC DATA OUTPUT ONLY

ON or OFF

END

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PRINT MENU
When the interface is installed, the Print menu is used to configure the RS232 interface
parameters and customize the balance’s print functions for your requirements. The
following table shows the sequence in which submenus appear on the Print menu.

PRINT MENU TABLE

* Sets all submenus below to original factory

default settings.
Specifies baud rate.

Specifies number of data bits.

Specifies parity type, if any.

Specifies number of stop bits.

Enables/disables Auto print feature.

Enables/disables printing stable-data-only

feature.
Specifies numeric-only or full display data
for output.
Used to exit the Print menu and store your
selections.

* Does not appear in menu if menu is locked out.

Print Menu Protection

The Print menu may be locked out to
prevent unauthorized personnel from
changing settings. To lock out the print
menu, refer to the section titled Menu
Lock-Out-Protection.

To access the Print menu press and hold

ON
TARE until PRINT is displayed, then re-
lease it.

If SAFE is displayed, the Print menu has

been locked-out. Settings may be viewed
but not changed. See the Menu Lock-Out
Protection section to enable it for making
changes.

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 To access a submenu:

OFF
1. Repeatedly press MODE until the de-

sired submenu is displayed.

ON
2. Press TARE to select the displayed

submenu.

NOTE: You must use END to store any

changes you make to the Print menu.

The following sections describe each item

on the Print menu in detail.

Reset to Factory Defaults

This submenu enables you to reset all
RS232 menu selections to the original
factory default settings outlined in the ad-
jacent table.

PRINT MENU
To reset to factory defaults:
FACTORY DEFAULTS

1. Access the Reset submenu to view Baud rate br 2400

the current setting. Data Bits 7 data
Parity None
Stop Bits 2 stop
OFF
2. Press MODE to change the setting. Auto Print OFF
Stable Data Only OFF
Numeric Data Only OFF
(Select YES to reset settings or,
NO to leave current settings.)

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed

setting.

8
Baud Rate
This submenu is used to select the de-
sired baud rate. There are five available
baud rates to choose from: 300, 1200,
2400, 4800 and 9600.

To view or change the baud rate:

1. Access the Baud submenu to dis-

play the current setting.

OFF
2. Press MODE to change the setting.

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed

setting.

ON
When TARE is released, BAUD will be

displayed again and the Print menu

will be returned.

Data Bits
The total number of bits for Data, Parity
and Stop must equal 9 or 10. (see ex-
amples). The balance will not permit you
to select a combination that does not equal
9 or 10. EXAMPLES

To set the number of data bits to 7 or 8: 8 Data + 2 Stop + No Parity = 10

8 Data + 1 Stop + Odd Parity = 10
1. Access the Data submenu to display 7 Data + 1 Stop + Odd Parity = 9
the current setting.

OFF
2. Press MODE to change the setting.

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed
ON
setting. When TARE is released,

DATA will be displayed again and the

Print menu will be returned.

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Parity
Parity can be set to Odd, Even, None, or a
marker of 0 or 1 as follows:

1. Access the Parity submenu to display

the current setting.
2. Press MODE to change the setting.

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed

setting.

NOTE: If all selections do not appear, total

number of data, parity and stop bits is
currently < 8 or > 10. Data or stop bits must
be changed.

ON
When TARE is released, PARITY will be
displayed again and the Print menu will be
returned.

Stop Bits
The number of stop bits can be set to 1 or
2 as follows:

1. Access the Stop submenu to display

the current setting.

2. Press MODE to change the setting.

ON
3. Press TARE to accept the displayed

setting.

NOTE: If all selections do not appear, total

number of data, parity and stop bits is
currently < 8 or > 10. Data or parity bits
must be changed.

ON
When TARE is released, STOP will be
displayed again and the Print menu will be
returned.
10
Auto Print Feature
When enabled, the Auto Print feature
causes the balance to automatically out-
put display data in one of two ways: con-
tinuously, or upon stability.

To select one of these Auto Print methods,

or to turn the feature off:

1. Access the AutoP submenu to dis-

play the current setting.

OFF
2. Press MODE to change the setting.

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed

setting.

ON
When TARE is released, AUTOP will be

displayed again and the Print menu will be

returned.

Print Stable Data Only

.
When enabled, this feature permits only
stable display data to be output. To set the
feature ON or OFF:

1. Access the Stable submenu to dis-

play the current status.

OFF
2. Press MODE to change the status.

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed

status.

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 ON
When TARE is released, STABLE will be
displayed again and the Print menu will be
returned.

Print Numeric Data Only

This submenu is used to select numeric
data only, or full display data for RS232
output. Set this feature ON to output nu-
meric display data only, or OFF to output
full display data as follows:

1. Access the Nu submenu to display

the current status.

OFF
2. Press MODE to change the status.

ON
Press TARE to accept the displayed
status.

ON
When TARE is released, NU will be dis-
played again and the Print menu will be
returned.

End
You must use END to exit the Print menu.
Changes you make in the Print menu
are only stored in memory if you use
End.

To exit the Print menu and store your

ON
selections, press TARE
when END is dis-

played. The balance will be returned to

normal weighing operations.

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MENU LOCK-OUT PROTECTION

Access to the Print Menu can be disabled using the lock-out switch located under the
right side of the balance, near the display.

1. Turn display off and unplug the power cord.

2. Slide the balance toward you, with the front over the edge of a table. (You can also
turn the balance on its left side, but if you do, you MUST remove the draft shield,
pan and pan support first!)

3. Locate hole under display where

switch is located.

4. Using a small screwdriver, slide the

switch forward for LOCKED or back
for UNLOCKED.

5. Plug in the power cord and turn on the

balance.

UNLOCK

LOCK-OUT SWITCH
LOCK

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USING THE INTERFACE
When the interface is installed, a short
OFF
press on the MODE switch will initiate a
print command. Data output is in the
format shown under the P command in the
RS232 Command Table.

When the interface is connected to a com-

puter, two way communication between
the computer and balance is possible us-
ing the commands outlined in the RS232
Command Table.

Hardware
The balance can be interfaced with other TARE *
equipment utilizing the 9-pin subminia-
ture “D” connector. The pinout and pin
connections are shown in the adjacent PRINT *
illustration.

The balance will not output any data un-

less pin 5 (CTS) is held in an ON state (+3
to +15 VDC). Interfaces not utilizing the
CTS handshake may tie pin 5 to pin 6 to
defeat it. 1 5VDC (50 mA max.)
2 Data Out (TXD)
3 Data In (RXD)
4* Tare (External signal)
RS232 Commands 5 Clear To Send (CTS)
6 Data Terminal Ready (DTR)
All communication is accomplished using 7 Ground
standard ASCII format. Only the charac- 8 Request To Send (RTS)
ters shown in the following table are ac- 9* Print (External signal)
knowledged by the balance. Any other * External PRINT and/or TARE
commands, control characters or spaces switches may be installed as shown
are ignored. in the diagram. Momentary con-
tact switches must be used.
Commands sent to the balance must be
terminated with a carriage return (CR) or
carriage return-line line feed (CRLF). For
example, a tare command should appear
TARE COMMAND
as shown in the adjacent diagram. Data
output by the balance is always termi-
nated with a carriage return - line feed Field: T CR LF
(CRLF). Length: 1 1 1

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 RS232 COMMAND TABLE

Command
Character Description

? Print current mode

Field: Mode Stab CR LF
Length: 5 1 1 1

blank if stable
“ ? ” if unstable
Grams Momme
Pennyweight Pounds
Carats Pounds:ounces
Avoidupois ounces Custom unit
Troy ounces Parts counting
Grains Percent weighing
Taels Error
nnnA Set Auto Print feature to “n”
n=0 Turns feature OFF
(see table).
n=S Output on stability
n=C Output is continuous

C Begin span calibration

xD Set 1 second print delay (set x = 0 for OFF, or x = 1 for ON)

xI Set Averaging Level to “x”, 0 = minimum level

where x = 0 to 3 (see table). 1 =
2 =
3 = maximum level

L Begin linearity calibration

P Print display data Field: Weight Mode Stab CR LF

Length: 9 1 5 1 1 1
When “numeric only” display
data is selected for output in
the RS232 menu, the Mode Same as ? command
field is not output.
Displayed weight sent right justified w/lead
zero blanking.
Nine characters include:
decimal point (1)
weight (7 max))
polarity (1): blank if positive
“ - ” if negative

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 RS232 COMMAND TABLE (Cont.)
Command
Character Description

xS Set stable data only printing (set x = 0 for OFF, or x = 1 for ON).

T Same effect as pressing tare button

V Print EPROM version Field: Model # EPROM # CR LF

Length: 7 15 1 1

Balance Model
"98101-XX Sr*XX.X"

xZ Set Auto Zero to “x”,

0 = OFF
where x = 0 to 3 (see table).
1 = .5 d
2 = 1d
3 = 3d

Esc L Prints listing of Setup and Print menu settings.

Esc R Resets Setup and Print menus to factory defaults.

CAUTION: This will reset RS232 configuration.

Esc S Save current settings.

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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
The RS232 Interface Accessory once installed does not require maintenance.

TROUBLESHOOTING

SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE(S) REMEDY

RS232 interface not Print menu settings not Verify interface settings in
working. properly set up. Print menu correspond to
those of peripheral device.

Cable connections. Check cable connections.

Error Codes
When the RS232 interface is installed in Precision Standard and Analytical Standard
balances, the following error codes are added to the standard list of error codes:

4.0 Bad RS232 frame. Check RS232 menu parameters and correct.

4.4 RS232 buffer is full. May occur if no printer or computer is connected to the
interface. To clear buffer turn balance off, or enter and exit Print menu and select
END.

4.5 Function is disabled by the Lockswitch.

SERVICE INFORMATION
If the Troubleshooting section does not resolve or describe your problem, you will need
to contact an authorized Ohaus Service Agent. For Service assistance in the United
States, please call Ohaus Corporation toll-free at (800) 526-0659. An Ohaus Product
Service Specialist will be available to help you.

17
18
LIMITED WARRANTY
Ohaus products are warranted against defects in materials and
workmanship from the date of delivery through the duration of the
warranty period. During the warranty period Ohaus will repair, or, at its
option, replace any component(s) that proves to be defective at no
charge, provided that the product is returned, freight prepaid, to
Ohaus.

This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by
accident or misuse, exposed to radioactive or corrosive materials, has
foreign material penetrating to the inside of the product, or as a result
of service or modification by other than Ohaus. In lieu of a properly
returned warranty registration card, the warranty period shall begin on
the date of shipment to the authorized dealer. No other express or
implied warranty is given by Ohaus Corporation. Ohaus Corporation
shall not be liable for any consequential damages.

As warranty legislation differs from state to state and country to

country, please contact Ohaus or your local Ohaus dealer for further
details.

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Ohaus Corporation Ohaus Europe Ltd.
29 Hanover Road, ENGLAND
Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA Tel: +44 (0) 1954 251343,
Tel: (201) 377-9000, Fax: +44 (0) 1954 250205
Fax: (201) 593-0359

With offices in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Canada, Mexico and Japan.

P/N 77017-01 R0296 © Ohaus Corporation 1993, 1996 all rights reserved.

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