WaterLink Express Meter Troubleshooting Guide

Won’t Transfer Test Results to Software

Dmate 8.0 users: Check to make sure the computer interface cable is properly connected.  See “RS-232 Interface Cable”and “RS-232 to USB Adapter” below.  Once the cable is properly connected: open the software, go to Meter Setup, check off Waterlink Express under comport setup wizard, click next twice and then press the chlorine button on the Waterlink Express meter as the software searches for the signal from the meter.  Press the chlorine button repeatedly if the software does not find the meter right away.  If the meter is not found on comport 1, click next to search on comport 2 and continue to press the chlorine button repeatedly.  Repeat on comport 3 and comport 4 if necessary.  If meter still isn’t found, see “Adjusting Comport Settings” below. 

Dmate 7.0 and 7.1 users: Check to make sure the computer interface cable is properly connected.  See “RS-232 Interface Cable”and “RS-232 to USB Adapter” below.  Once the cable is properly connected: open the software, go to Database, Test Waterlink, click next twice and then press the chlorine button on the Waterlink Express meter as the software searches for the signal from the meter.  Press the chlorine button repeatedly if the software does not find the meter right away.  If the meter is not found on comport 1, click next to search on comport 2 and continue to press the chlorine button repeatedly.  Repeat on comport 3 and comport 4 if necessary.  If meter still isn’t found, see “Adjusting Comport Settings” below.

Adjusting Comport Settings

Windows 95, 98 and ME users:

1. Click Start Button on the toolbar (lower left of display).
2. Click “Settings”.
3. Click “Control Panel”.
4. Click the “System” icon.
5. Click “Device Manager” tab.
6. Click “Ports (COM&LPT)” icon.
7. Click “Communications Port (COMx)” x = comport number.
8. Click “Port Settings Tab”.
9. Click the drop down menu to choose the settings as follows:  Bits per second = 9600, Data bits = 8, Parity = None, Stop bits = 1, Flow control = xon/xoff.
10. After all fields are set properly, click OK and exit out, back to Dmate. 

Windows XP users:

1. Click Start on the toolbar (lower left of display).
2. Click “Control Panel”.
3. Click “Administrative Tools”.
4. Click “Computer Management”.
5. In the left pane, click “Device Manager”.
6. In the right pane, click “Ports(COM&LPT)”.
7. Click “Communications Port (COMx)” x = comport number.
8. Click “Port Settings Tab”.
9. Click the drop down menu to choose the settings as follows:  Bits per second = 9600, Data bits = 8, Parity = None, Stop bits = 1, Flow control = xon/xoff. 
10. After all fields are set properly, click the OK and exit out, back to Dmate.

RS-232 Interface Cable

For computers with standard comport connections, be sure to use the LaMotte RS-232 interface cable, code 1772.  Other cables available through local electronic stores will not work because the LaMotte cable is custom built and wired for the output specifications of the LaMotte colorimeters specifically. 

RS-232 to USB Adapter

For computers with USB ports, be sure to use the “Cool Gear” RS-232 to USB Adapter available through www.usbgear.com.  Other USB adapters do not work!  Make sure that you install the driver that is included with the adapter or else your computer will not recognize this device. 

ABS Mode

The Waterlink Express has an ABS (absorbance) mode which is used only by LaMotte meter technicians.  If your meter inadvertently switched to the ABS mode, press both the Chlorine and Bromine buttons simultaneously and release them.  The meter should return to the standard test sequence mode. 

This usually occurs if you inadvertently press the right hand edge of the Chlorine button and accidentally make contact with the Bromine button at the same time.  To prevent this, be sure to press the center of the buttons.

Scrambled Display/Squares on Display

The meter didn’t power up properly because the Chlorine or Bromine button was pressed to softly.  To clear the display, remove the battery from underside of the meter.  Then remove the AC adapter plug from the back of the meter.  Allow the meter to set for 30 seconds, then plug the AC adapter plug into the back of the meter.  You can leave the battery out of the meter if operating the meter at a counter top lab.  If using the meter as a mobile unit, replace the battery with a new 9V Duracell alkaline battery. 

Questionable Test Results

Review the instruction manual and concentrate on proper analytical technique and potential test interferences.  Be sure to allow the full color development “reaction times” for each test vial.  Train yourself on test interferences listed in the instruction manual so that you can easily recognize a skewed test result. 

Total Chlorine ERROR

It is normal for the Waterlink Express to read Total Chlorine ERROR when you advance from the Free Chlorine test to the Total Chlorine test.  This is a stray light error.  The Total Chlorine ERROR should clear, after you insert the reacted Total Chlorine test vial.  If the Total Chlorine ERROR persists, make sure that you allowed the Total Chlorine vial to react for 1 minute after adding the water sample to the vial.  Reading the Total Chlorine vial too quickly will result in a Total Chlorine test result that is less than the Free Chlorine and thus the ERROR persists. 

Cleaning

To clean the light chamber and optic lenses, point can of compressed air into the light chamber and blow the pressurized air into the chamber.  Use a Q-tip dampened with Windex window cleaner to gently swab the LED and Photodiode lenses inside the light chamber.  These lenses are positioned half way down the light chamber on the right and left hand sides.  It is safe to clean each of them, by gently swabbing with the Q-tip and Windex.  Do not use alcohol; it will leave a thin film/residue on the optics.