VaDia Startup Guide v1.1 1/25 www.biocontrol.no/vadia
1. WELCOME
Thank you for using VaDia; BioControl’s instrument for logging vacuum during
milking (‘wet test’).
BioControl (www.biocontrol.no) provides technology for biology with focus on
hi-tech products for the livestock industry. We already do this for more than 20
years now and have gained great competence and skills in this specialized
area.
The name VaDia is short for ‘Vacuum Diagnostics’ and illustrates the value of
this hi-tech instrument for technicians, advisors and other professionals in the
dairy industry that want to understand and manage udder health and milk
quality problems.
VaDia has been developed by BioControl in close cooperation with the
International Dairy Federation (www.fil-idf.org) and Tine, the Norwegian dairy
farmers cooperative (www.tine.no).
We have designed VaDia to be the precision instrument that enables you to
get better understanding of the basic milking, give better milking advice and
achieve better udder health and milk quality results.
VaDia Startup Guide v1.1 2/25 www.biocontrol.no/vadia
Contents
1. WELCOME ................................................................................................. 1
1.1. Changes in this manual compared to previous version ..................... 3
2. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................ 3
3. IMPORTANT! ............................................................................................. 4
4. PACKAGE CONTENTS ............................................................................. 5
5. HARDWARE OVERVIEW .......................................................................... 6
6. FIRST TIME SETUP .................................................................................. 7
6.1. Install programs .................................................................................. 7
6.2. Power up ............................................................................................ 7
6.3. USB connector ................................................................................... 7
6.4. Battery ................................................................................................ 7
6.5. Battery charging ................................................................................. 8
6.6. Status LED ......................................................................................... 8
7. WORKING WITH THE VADIA .................................................................... 9
7.1. Starting a log session in normal mode (not Bluetooth) ...................... 9
7.2. Starting a log session in streaming mode (Bluetooth mode) ............. 9
7.3. Attach VaDia to the milking cluster ................................................... 10
7.4. Connecting the vacuum sensors ...................................................... 10
7.5. Start logging ..................................................................................... 12
7.6. Saving the log file on the PC ............................................................ 13
7.7. Battery Capacity Indication ............................................................... 14
7.8. Work with the log files....................................................................... 14
8. ADVANCED USERS ................................................................................ 15
8.1. Make a Bluetooth connection (streaming mode) .............................. 15
8.1.1. Add a Bluetooth device to your PC (Win XP) ............................... 15
8.1.2. Add a Bluetooth device to your PC (Win 7) .................................. 17
8.1.3. Enter correct COM-port in VaDia Manager .................................. 18
8.2. Set VaDia ID (if more than one VaDia is used) ................................ 19
8.3. Calibrate the vacuum sensors .......................................................... 20
8.4. Update VaDia firmware .................................................................... 21
8.4.1. Install the program VaDia Program Loader .................................. 21
8.4.2. Load new firmware into the VaDia ............................................... 21
9. TECHNICAL DATA .................................................................................. 22
10. CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY .................................................. 23
11. VADIA LIMITED WARRANTY & LIABILITY LIMITATIONS ..................... 24
NOTICE FOR BIOCONTROL CUSTOMERS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ... 25
VaDia Startup Guide v1.1 3/25 www.biocontrol.no/vadia
1.1. Changes in this manual compared to previous version
• Startup Guide v1.1 changes compared to Startup Guide v1.0:
- Added chapter 7.7 (elaborates on battery capacity indication)
2. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
VaDia logs the vacuum during milking (wet test) at four points in the milking
cluster. It is battery operated and small and lightweight enough to be taped to a
teat cup during milking. VaDia works completely ‘standalone’ which enables
the advisor to forget about the actual measurement and concentrate on
observing milking routines. The logged data can be analyzed after milking with
VaDia Viewer, an easy-to-use PC-tool to view vacuum details and generate
summary reports.
A Bluetooth streaming mode is standard available for real-time in-parlour
diagnostics. This feature is especially handy for advisors, schools and practical
farmers who can use VaDia as a training tool for new milkers and students.
VaDia can be used on all brands and types of milking equipment, including
milking robots.
The vacuum logging points can be defined by the user
!
This manual is for VaDia Manager 1.06 and VaDia firmware 1.01.019
Visit the section ‘Community’ on www.biocontrol.no for latest software
and documentation.
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3. IMPORTANT!
VaDia is taped to the milking cluster for use during milking.
Note the ‘splash proof’ housing specification (chapter 8)!
This means that special attention is required to protect it from
water ingression!
The USB-port and the battery cover must be sealed with tape
before taping VaDia to a milking cluster
In applications where water contact is very likely (e.g. robots)
the VaDia should also be put in a plastic bag.
Failing to take these preventive actions will allow water and
moist to enter and this is not covered by the warranty!
VaDia measures vacuum
in reference to the air
pressure in its enclosure.
Therefore do not seal the
VaDia with tape until the
moment of using it.
!
Robots:
switch-off
steam cleaning!
!
The USB-port and
battery cover must be
sealed with tape before
taping VaDia to a milking
cluster
!
!
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4. PACKAGE CONTENTS
Check your package for the following items. Please contact your reseller if
anything is missing or different.
1. VaDia with rechargeable battery
2. Battery charger
3. USB cable
4. Startup Guide
5. Software CD
6. Needle tool
7. Silicon tube (2 m. roll)
8. Straw tube (1m. roll)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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5. HARDWARE OVERVIEW
1. Vacuum sensors
2. USB cap
3. Status LED
4. Rechargeable battery
5. Battery cover
6. Overheating sensor
7. Battery type selector
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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6. FIRST TIME SETUP
Before using your VaDia, please follow these steps.
6.1. Install programs
The CD contains a set of programs. Do the following:
• Run the program ‘Install VaDia Manager’ to install this on your PC.
Do not connect the USB cable (2-3) until instructed by the install wizard.
• Run the program ‘Install VaDia Viewer’ to install this on your PC.
Latest program versions can be found in the chapter VaDia/software in the
Community section at www.biocontrol.no.
6.2. Power up
The VaDia is supplied with a charged rechargeable battery (3-4). A plastic tab
between battery+ and compartment prevents battery draining during transport
and storage. Remove this plastic tab. Startup sequence is:
• The status LED (3-3) will flash red 5 times.
• Then the status LED will flash green 7 times.
• There will be a pause of 15 seconds without any light.
• After this 4 green flashes every 15 seconds to indicate ‘idle’ status (waiting).
See table in 6.6 for more details on this status indication. Charge the battery
and check the battery connection if this status indication doesn’t happen when
the plastic tab is removed. See below for battery charging.
6.3. USB connector
The USB connector is used for both connection to the PC and for
battery charging.
Use USB cable 4-3 to connect to the PC and Charger 4-2.
6.4. Battery
The supplied battery is rechargeable (NiMH). On a fully charged NiMH battery,
the VaDia logs approx. 10 hours, it typically takes approx. 5 hours to recharge.
If the NiMH battery is empty and the VaDia must be used, you can also use
standard alkaline batteries (1.5V AA-type), but you must set the battery
switch (5-7) not pointing at NiMH! Do not forget to replace the alkaline
battery by the NiMH again and set the switch to NiMH position again
before connecting to the charger!!
It is always handy to have a pack of 1.5V alkaline batteries with you while on
the job to deal with unexpected battery-empty cases.
!
!
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6.5. Battery charging
Charging is performed trough the USB-cable 4-3, power can be taken from the
provided Charger 4-2, a USB-port on a PC or a USB hub. As the charging is
electronically controlled, there is no need to unplug the USB when charging is
complete. Leaving the VaDia on the charger means that the battery will remain
fully charged until the next time you use the VaDia.
6.6. Status LED
The status LED (3-3) shows the current status of the VaDia.
Status
Function
Off
Battery discharged
Red, short flash once per s
Battery too low to start
Green, 4 flashes once per 15 s
Green, 1 flash once per 15 s
Green, 2 flash once per 15 s
Green, 3 flash once per 15 s
Green, 1 flash per s
Blue, 1 flash per s
Red, one flash once per 15 s
MODE is IDLE; VaDia not started yet
MODE is LOG or LOG BT; wait for vacuum
Same as previous; battery level low
Same as previous; battery level very low
MODE is LOG or LOG BT; vacuum present
MODE is LOG BT; streaming mode active
Mode is STOP; Logs have been stored
While charging, the LED is yellow instead of green and violet instead of blue.
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7. WORKING WITH THE VADIA
7.1. Starting a log session in normal mode (not Bluetooth)
• Connect the battery
• Connect the VaDia to the PC with USB cable 4-3.
• Start the program VaDia Manager (should be installed, see 6.1)
If there is still data from a previous logging session stored in the VaDia
memory, save that log to a file first. When a new logging session is started, the
old data will be lost! See chapter ‘Save logging file’ for how to save a log.
Make sure the Bluetooth checkbox is NOT checked when
initializing a logging in normal mode.
Click “Start” to start a new logging session. By doing so, the
log memory is deleted and the clock-calendar is set equal to
the PC clock
After the VaDia logging mode is initialized, click “Status” to
confirm that the initialization was successful. The clock should
be equal to the PC-clock, and the mode should be “LOG”. The
battery voltage should be 1.3 V or higher.
Example 1 Example 2
In the above Example 1, the battery is too low (1.16V). There will be a risk of
power loss during the milking session! Charge the battery first or replace it with
a fully charged one. NB! After replacing the battery, the VaDia will enter IDLE
mode and the clock setting will be lost. It must be initialized again to enter the
LOG mode.
As soon as the VaDia is initialized, disconnect the USB cable and close the
USB cap (5-2). Now the VaDia is ready for work!
7.2. Starting a log session in streaming mode (Bluetooth mode)
As in 7.1, but now select the Bluetooth checkbox. See above Example 2.
In this case the battery is sufficient (>1.3V), the status is indicated as LOG BT.
Note that the streaming mode (BT) consumes quite some more power than the
normal mode. So VaDia operational time will be significantly less.
Note: It is presumed that the Bluetooth connection between the VaDia and the
PC is setup correctly. See 8.1 for setting-up the Bluetooth connection.
!
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7.3. Attach VaDia to the milking cluster
Use PVC or duct tape to attach the VaDia to the teat cup. Duct tape is often
selected for fast working and to prevent for leaks.
Note: don’t be afraid to install VaDia ‘upside-down’.
7.4. Connecting the vacuum sensors When the VaDia is attached to the teat cup,
the vacuum sensors (5-1) must be
connected to the vacuum sources by
means of the supplied silicon tube (4-7) and
straw tube (4-8)
Slide the straw tube over the supplied
needle tool (4-6) and cut it to the desired
length with a side cutter or strong scissors.
Do not use more than 30 mm of this tube!
The length is actually given by the length of
the needle of the pierce tool.
Note: the needle tool in the pictures is
different from the supplied needle tool (4-6).
VaDia Startup Guide v1.1 11/25 www.biocontrol.no/vadia
The tip of the needle tool should be free,
the rest of the needle rod covered by the
straw tube.
Find the test point and use the tool to make
a hole and pierce both the tool and the
straw tube through the hole.
The tool with the tube pierces trough the
teat cup.
Remove the tool, the straw tube remains in
the teat cup, ready to be attached to the
silicone tube
VaDia Startup Guide v1.1 12/25 www.biocontrol.no/vadia
Thread the silicon tube over the straw
Ready for measurement!
7.5. Start logging
The logging can begin when the following points are completed:
• Logging is initialized (7.1 normal mode, 7.2 Bluetooth mode)
• Check that the VaDia is running and ready for logging
(Status LED 3-3 flashes green once per 15 seconds, chapter 6.6)
• Ensure sufficient water protection (chapter 3)
• Attach VaDia to the teat cup and connect the vacuum sensors
• After attachment: recheck that the VaDia is running and ready for logging
(Status LED 3-3 flashes green once per 15 seconds)
Autostart: Every 15 seconds (when the green LED flashes once), the VaDia
will shortly wake up and measure the vacuum to determine milking vacuum is
present or not. If not, the device will return to sleep mode to save the batteries.
When the vacuum raises above 2,5 kPa, the device will at the next 15 second
interval leave sleep mode and log for at least 10 minutes. To indicate this
logging mode the Status LED will flash green once per second (blue in
streaming mode) as long as the vacuum stays above 2,5 kPa.
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Autostop: If the vacuum disappears for more than 10 minutes, the VaDia will
stop logging, it will enter sleep mode again and will check the vacuum only
once per 15 second.
Safe feeling: The logged data is stored in the VaDia memory and is not
erased when the battery is empty or disconnected.
7.6. Saving the log file on the PC
Connect the VaDia to a PC trough USB and start the VaDia Manager.
The information in the status pane shows
that the VaDia is connected. The mode can
be in different states, the log file can be
stored regardless of the mode. If a log is
present, first select the log format:
• For VaDia Viewer: select Vadim vd5
• For MT2000: select MT2000
Note: VaDia Viewer is supplied on the CD
(6.1).
The transfer between the VaDia and the
computer will start, and a counter shows that
the transfer is running. The end value of the
counter depends on the size of the logged
data.
When all data is transferred from VaDia to
the computer, a text “Transfer stopped
normally” is shown.
Then the logs will be written to the file. The
text “Writing logs to file, please wait” is
shown while this happens. This may take
some time, please be patient!
As soon as the data is saved in the file, the
number of written logs is shown.
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7.7. Battery Capacity Indication
The displayed battery voltage (1.53V in figure below) is not a good indication of
the battery capacity, because the battery voltage is measured when the VaDia
is connected to the PC-USB, which also charges the battery.
A better indication of the battery capacity is by checking the Status with the
‘Advanced’ box ticked:
7.8. Work with the log files
Use BioControl’s program VaDia Viewer (supplied on the CD) for the vd5 files
or MT2000 for the mmd and mmt files. These programs are not covered in this
Startup Guide; refer to the corresponding program manuals for this.
Here the battery capacity indication is
2500 mAh.
This means that battery is full.
Here the battery capacity indication is 0
mAh, also battery voltage is 2.55V.
This means there is insufficient battery
information.
VaDia calculates the actual battery
capacity from the charging current
characteristic. After some charging time
the displayed battery information is
correct again.
2.55V battery voltage will show some
time when the VaDia battery has been
disconnected. VaDia then needs to
recalculate the actual battery capacity
from the charging characteristic.
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8. ADVANCED USERS
8.1. Make a Bluetooth connection (streaming mode)
Ensure yourself that the PC is equipped with Bluetooth and it is switched on.
The sequence is as follows.
• On VaDia: start a log session in Bluetooth mode (chapter 7.2)
• On PC: add a Bluetooth device to your PC: search for device, enter PIN code
and connect. Win XP and Win 7 have slightly different working methods:
- Win XP: chapter 8.1.1
- Win 7: chapter 8.1.2
• Enter correct COM-port in VaDia Manager (chapter 8.4)
8.1.1. Add a Bluetooth device to your PC (Win XP)
Go to Start>Control Panel>Printers and Other Hardware and select ‘Add a
Bluetooth device’.
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Select the Bluetooth device (here Box 1) Enter the passkey ‘1111’
Wait while Bluetooth is installed Note the Outgoing COM-port (here 71)
Ready!
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8.1.2. Add a Bluetooth device to your PC (Win 7)
Go to Start>Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Devices and Printers and
select ‘Add a device’.
Enter passkey ‘1111’ when requested and wait for the message ‘this device
has been succesfully added to this computer’.
Go to Start>Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Devices and Printers and
right-click the connected VaDia (here VaDia II Johan). Go to
Properties>Hardware and note the COM-Port (here COM31). Press Cancel.
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8.1.3. Enter correct COM-port in VaDia Manager
Start VaDia Manager, go to Setup>VaDia Setup
Change COM-port setting (here COM71)
The VaDia must be connected to a vacuum source to show data in streaming
mode. If no vacuum is attached, the graph will stay on zero. Suck the vacuum
inlet with your mouth to test the BT-connection; it will start within 15 seconds.
Go to View>Streaming Graph to see the graph.
•
It works!
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8.2. Set VaDia ID (if more than one VaDia is used)
This is handy for both USB and Bluetooth Streaming mode.
Connect VaDia to the USB port and start VaDia Manager.
After changing the ID, the VaDia USB cable has to be disconnected and then
reconnected to activate the new ID. The Found New Hardware message will
appear. Since the driver already exists on the PC, the drivers will install
automatically.
If the connection is ok, the system
parameters are displayed.
In the upper right corner the ID of
this VaDia is shown. This ID can be
changed to any text of max. 15
characters. This will then be used as
the program ID, the USB ID and the
Bluetooth ID.
Go to Setup>VaDia Setup
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8.3. Calibrate the vacuum sensors
The vacuum sensors of the VaDia are calibrated in the factory. Should it be
necessary to (re)calibrate the sensors then do the following.
Connect the VaDia to a PC trough USB and start VaDia Manager.
After the calibration is done, OK! Will appear in the status area
Click ‘Status’ to see the vacuum of the sensors after the zero calibration.
The displayed counter values (sensor tara and calib) are for service purposes
and can be ignored.
Follow the same procedure to calibrate for 40 kPa.
The individual sensors can be calibrated by clicking the corresponding sensor
number and following the same calibration routine.
Tick the “Advanced” checkbox
The calibration buttons appear and
the two leftmost buttons show *
These two buttons are used when
calibrating all the sensors
simultaneously.
Make sure that the vacuum is stable
zero for all sensors.
Click * next to ‘0kPa’ and wait one
second while the VaDia calculates
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