VM8205SD USER’S MANUAL VIBRATION METER WITH DATALOGGING SD CARD Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 – 10 What’s in the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 – 6 Normal Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 – 8 Holding and Storing Measurements (RMS values only) . . .
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’ VM8205SD Vibration Meter with Datalogging SD Card. Please read this user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using the meter. The VM8205SD is a general-purpose handheld instrument that can measure the acceleration or velocity of a machine as an indicator of its vibration level. All industrial machinery vibrates, and a machine’s vibration level can serve as a proxy for its condition.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS WHAT’S IN THE CASE The VM8205SD comes fully assembled in a carrying case along with a vibration sensing probe, a magnetic base, a 2 GB SD memory card and this user’s manual. Figure 1 shows all of the controls and indicators on the front, right side, back, top and bottom of the VM8205SD. The drawing also shows the components of the included vibration probe.
SETUP 1. Choose the power source. Before using the VM8205SD, make sure it is powered by fresh batteries or an optional 9VDC AC adapter plugged into the bottom jack on its right side (callout 1-12). To remove the battery compartment cover (callout 1-13), remove the two screws holding it in place (callout 1-14). Then install six “AA” batteries in the correct orientation, using the polarity marks on the inside of the compartment as a guide. Replace the cover by replacing the two screws. 2. Install an SD card.
5. Enable or disable auto power off. Once the format of decimal point divisions has been set and stored, the display will show the word “yES’ over the term “PoFF”. Press the SET ▼ button until the desired automatic power off management scheme (“yES” for enable; “no” for disable) is displayed. Press the REC/ENTER button to store the selection. If enabled, the power off function shuts off the VM8205SD after a period of inactivity of ten minutes. 6. Enable or disable the beeper.
The meter can measure two vibration-related parameters (acceleration and velocity) and show readings of each one in any of three units. Acceleration can be measured and displayed (using the term “ACC”) in the metric unit m/s2, the metric unit “g” (gravitational force) or the English unit ft/s2. Velocity can be measured and displayed (using the term “VEL”) the in the metric unit mm/s, the metric unit cm/s or the English unit inch/s. 4.
Large machines on heavy foundations (Group G) Largest machines and turbo machines with a special foundations (Group T) Good 0 to 1.80 mm/s Good 0 to 2.80 mm/s Acceptable 1.81 to 4.50 mm/s Acceptable 2.81 to 7.10 mm/s Still permissible 4.51 to 11.2 mm/s Still permissible 7.11 to 18.0 mm/s Dangerous > 11.2 mm/s Dangerous > 18 mm/s For any of several reasons (e.g.
AUTOMATIC VS. MANUAL DATALOGGING The VM8205SD can automatically log data at a user-selected sampling period from 1 second 3,600 seconds (one hour). To view the sampling time that the instrument has been set up to use, press the LOGGER ▲ button (which has the words “Sampling check” stenciled below it) once. To change the sampling time, perform Step 7 of the setup procedure. 1. To start automatic datalogging, press the REC/ENTER button once. The top line of the display will then show the term “REC”.
TRANSFERRING DATA FROM THE SD CARD TO A COMPUTER After automatic or manual datalogging of measurements, remove the SD card from the meter and plug it into your computer either directly (if it has an SD card slot) or through an SD card reader. Because the files containing time-stamped data logs have the file extension .xls, they open in Microsoft’s Excel application. Figures 2 and 3 show two kinds of Excel presentations: a data-only screen and a graphics-only screen. Fig. 2.
SPECIFICATIONS Embedded microcontroller Custom one-chip LSI device Display type Liquid-crystal with green backlight Display size 2.05 x 1.5 in. (52 x 38mm) Parameters measured Acceleration, velocity Units For acceleration: m/sec2, g (gravitational force) or ft/sec2; for velocity: mm/sec, cm/sec or inches/sec. Displayed value options Root mean square (RMS), peak, max hold Input frequency range 10 Hz to 1 kHz Measurement range For acceleration: 0.5 to 199.9 m/sec2, 0.05 to 20.
MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS Keep the vibration probe and cable and the magnetic base clean. Store them in the carrying case when you are not using the meter. When the icon appears in the left corner of the display, it’s time to replace the six “AA” batteries that power the instrument (although measurements will remain valid for several hours after the low-battery indicator first appears).
RETURN FOR REPAIR POLICY Every effort has been made to provide you with a reliable product of superior quality.
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GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS 80 White Street New York, NY 10013-3567 PHONE (212) 431-6100 FAX (212) 431-6499 TOLL FREE (800) 697-8665 e-mail: sales@generaltools.com www.generaltools.com VM8205SD User’s Manual Specifications subject to change without notice ©2010 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS NOTICE - WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
