Getting Started with the Ohaus Balance

Logger Pro can collect mass data from certain models of Ohaus balances. An up-to-date list of supported models can be found at www.vernier.com/probes/Ohaus.html


Installing the Ohaus USB Drivers

If you are connecting an Ohaus balance to your computer using a serial connector (Windows only), no special drivers are needed. If you are connecting a balance to your computer using a USB connector, read the following instructions for your particular operating system.

Important: Do not connect your Ohaus balance to your computer before Logger Pro is installed.  If a balance is connected to the computer before Logger Pro is installed, it may have trouble finding the correct drivers.

Windows XP

The required drivers will be automatically installed in Logger Pro.

Windows 2000

1. Connect a balance to the computer using the USB cable. The balance should be powered and turned on.

2. A New Hardware Wizard will launch.

3. Proceed through the Wizard until it asks you to insert a CD to locate the appropriate drivers.

4. Insert the Logger Pro CD into the CD drive. If a Logger Pro CD is not available, point the Wizard to ...\Program Files\Common Files\Vernier Software\Ohaus drivers. Note: If at any time the Logger Pro installer starts to launch, simply click Cancel to exit.

5. Proceed through the remainder of the Wizard until finished. The drivers are now installed.

Windows 98

1. Connect a balance to the computer using the USB cable. The balance should be powered and turned on.

2. A New Hardware Wizard will launch.

3. Proceed through the Wizard until you reach page where you are asked to place a check next to the location where you would like the Wizard to look for drivers.

4. Check the "Specify a location" box.

5. Point the Wizard to one of the following locations:

  1. If a Logger Pro CD is available, insert it into your CD drive, click Browse, and navigate to the following folder on your CD drive ...\LoggerPro3\Ohaus FTDI USB  Drivers\Win98. Note: If at any time the Logger Pro installer starts to launch, simply click Cancel to Exit.
  2. If a Logger Pro CD is not available, navigate to ...\Program Files\Common Files\Vernier Software\Ohaus drivers.

6. Click OK.

7. Proceed through the remainder of the Wizard until finished. The drivers are now installed.

Note: If your computer has more than one USB port, you may want to plug your Ohaus balance into each one at this time while your Logger Pro CD is still in your computer. If you wait until later, a message will appear asking you to insert the disk labeled 'FTDI USB Drivers Disk', and then click OK.” In this case, you will need to repeat the steps above.

Windows ME

1. Connect a balance to the computer using the USB cable. The balance should be powered and turned on.

2. A New Hardware Wizard will launch.

3. Point the Wizard to one of the following locations:

  1. If a Logger Pro CD is available, insert in into your CD drive. When asked to select from a list of drivers, choose the one that contains the character string \WINME in the location path. Note: If at any time the Logger Pro installer starts to launch, simply click Cancel to Exit.
  2. If a Logger Pro CD is not available, navigate to...\Program Files\Common Files\Vernier Software\Ohaus drivers.

4. Click OK.

5. Proceed through the remainder of the Wizard until finished. The drivers are now installed.


Macintosh OS X

No drivers required.


Ohaus Balance Menu Settings

Ohaus balances purchased directly from Vernier Software & Technology ship with the proper settings to work with Logger Pro. If the balance was purchased anywhere else, or if the menu settings have been changed, refer to the next section.

 
Changing the Menu Settings

The critical menu settings for use with Logger Pro are listed below. Detailed directions on how to navigate the menu structure can be found in the Ohaus manual that shipped with your balance.

  1. Setup – Auto-Off – Off  (Disables automatic shut-off.)
  2. Units – g – On (Enables use of grams.)
  3. Units – oz – On (Enables use of ounces.)
  4. (Scout Pro) Print – Stable – Off  (Disables stable printing.)
    (Adventurer Pro) Print - Output - WhenStable - Off [Print-1 for Serial or Print -2 for USB connection]
  5. (Scout Pro) Print – Aprint – Off (Disables automatic printing.)
    (Adventurer Pro) Print - Auto Print - off [Print-1 for Serial Connection or Print -2 for USB connection]
  6. (USB users) USB – On  (Enables USB connector.
    (Serial users) rS232 – On (Enables serial connector.)
  7. Baud – 2400
  8. Parity – 7-none
  9. HandSh – none
  10. (Adventurer Pro Only)  Print - Content. [Print-1 for Serial connection or Print-2 for USB connection]
  1. NumberOnly - off
  2. Header - off
  3. Gross* - on
  4. Net - off
  5. Tare - off
  6. Reference - off
  7. Result - off
  8. GLP - off

    *You only want to see the gross reading everything else should be turned off.

Print - Layout - LineFormat - Single

Your balance should now be ready to work with Logger Pro.


Collecting Data Using an Ohaus Balance


1. Launch Logger Pro.

2. Connect the Ohaus balance to the computer.

3. Choose New from the File menu.

4. If the Ohaus balance is not automatically identified in the toolbar (look for the Ohaus icon and a mass reading), choose Connect Interface from the Experiment menu and select the correct port. USB will usually use COM 4 and serial will use its assigned COM number. If the balance is still not found, try selecting other COM ports from the list until you find the one that works.

5. You are now ready to collect data.



See Also

Ohaus balance overview