Infrared Receiver

and
Celltron inFORM™
Battery Management
Software

Instruction Manual
Introduction
Overview
This manual describes how to set up and use the infrared (IR)
receiver and Celltron inFORM Battery Management Software.
These accessories are for the Celltron series of battery string
analyzers.

System requirements
• CPU running Windows® 95 or higher and
compatible with Windows NT
• CD-ROM drive
• DB-9 serial communication port

Purpose
IR
The IR allows you to download test results from the analyzer
to a PC.

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inFORM
The inFORM software allows you to view and analyze test
results in a user interface. The user interface allows you to:

• Display text with details about the jars and strings.

• Create graphs of battery measurements to identify

deviating cells.

• Store battery, site, test results, and comparisons.

• Export test data to a database file for analysis

software, such as Excel or Access.

• Print data in text or graphical formats.

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Setting up
Connecting the IR receiver to the PC
To connect the IR receiver to the PC, insert the cable DB-9
receptacle into a serial communication port on your
computer.

Installing the inFORM software

To install the inFORM software on the PC:

1. If you have a previous version of the inFORM

software installed on your PC, uninstall that version
before you install the new version. Refer to
“Uninstalling the inFORM software,” page 18.

2. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive on the PC.

3. Double-click My Computer on the desktop.

4. Double-click the CD-ROM drive.

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 5. Double-click the setup.exe file.

A wizard assists you in installing the inFORM

software.

6. Write down the location of the directory in which the

system installs the software. The setup.exe file does
not create a desktop icon.

Opening the inFORM software

To open the inFORM software:

1. Find the directory in which the inFORM software was

installed.

2. Double-click the Midtronics folder.

3. Double-click midtronics.exe.

The inFORM user interface displays the Setup tab.

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Setting the language
To view the user interface in a language other than English:

1. Select the Tools menu, then Set Language.

2. Select a radio button for the interface language.

The software indicates that it will shut down and

that you need to reopen the inFORM software.

3. Click OK.

The inFORM software shuts down.

4. Find the directory in which the inFORM software was

installed and double-click midtronics.exe.

The user interface displays text in the language you

selected.

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Receiving data
To download test results and string data into the inFORM
software:

1. On the Setup tab, select the port to which you

connected the IR receiver.

2. Power down and remove devices, such as PDAs,

and close software that interfaces with the serial
communication port.

3. Click Receive on the inFORM interface.

The inFORM software gives you about 20

seconds to set up the analyzer and IR receiver.

4. If you are using the Micro Celltron:

a. Access the UTILITIES MENU.

b. Set the analyzer to print at FAST–Computer

speed.

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 c. Scroll to PRINT DATA SET and press
ENTER.

d. Line up the infrared light on top of the

analyzer with the front of the IR receiver and
press YES.

5. If you are using the Celltron Advanced:

a. Access the SET PARAMETERS menu.

b. Scroll to EXPORT DATA and press ENTER.

c. Select the string you want to download data

for and press ENTER.

d. Line up the infrared light on top of the

analyzer with the front of the IR receiver.

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After the inFORM software receives the data from the
analyzer, you can use the tabs and side buttons to:
• view data in charts and graphs
• add notes
• compare data to previous data
• open other files
• export files in .txt format
• save the data as a file
• print the data

Tabs
View (Filename) or Filename tab
The View (Filename) tab sets up the test results and string
data in a chart. The tab name changes to “Filename” when
you save the data as a file.

The Specific Gravity and Other text boxes at the bottom of

the tab allow you to enter data for a jar in the chart.

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To enter Specific Gravity or Other data for a jar:

1. Select the field in the chart that corresponds to the

jar number and column.

2. Enter the data in the Specific Gravity or Other text

boxes.

3. Press Return.

The Strap uOhm column lists the microhm (uOhm)

measurements of the resistance in strap connections.
uOhm measurements might vary due to rounding errors.

Notes tab
The Notes tab allows you to record the following data about
the string and test site:

• Battery Manufacturer—Common jar manufacturers

are in the drop-down menu, or you can enter a
name.

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• Battery Type—Common jar types are in the drop-
down menu, or you can enter a name.

• Battery Model—Model number of the jar.

• Battery Manufacture Date—Date as stamped on

the jar.

• Amp Hour Rating—Manufacturer rating of jar

capacity.

• Expected Run Time—Common jar run times are in

the drop-down menu, or you can enter a time.

• Jars Per String—Number of jars connected by

straps in the string.

• Cells Per Jar—Number of cells in a jar.

• String Float Current—Charging current for the

string.

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• Other 1, Other 2, Other 3—Additional information
about the string. You can double-click the text
boxes to expand the information.

• Site Location, Site Identity—Testing site

information, such as an address.

• Site Current Load-Amps—Amount of amps of the

load the string supplies power to.

• Projected Run Time-Hours—Number of hours

expected or required of the string under normal
operating conditions.

• String Number/ID—Number or ID of the string.

• Number of Strings—Number of strings at the site.

• System Voltage—Aggregate voltage of string.

• Installation Date—Date the string was installed at

the site.

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View Graph tab
The View Graph tab displays conductance values from the
current test in a bar graph.

The bar graph displays test results in colored columns.

• Red—Possible jar failure. Test results are < 60% of

the reference value.

• Yellow—Jar warning. Test results are 60–70% of

the reference value.

• Green—Good battery. Test results are > or = 70%

of the reference value.

Note: If you do not determine a reference value before you

test the string, the bar graph is all green.

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Compare tab
The Compare tab compares test results for four strings in a
graph or chart. The test results you are currently viewing
are included. To compare other files to these results, click
the Open...File buttons. To view results in a graph, click the
View Graph tab. To view results in a chart, click the View
Chart tab.

Setup tab
The Setup tab allows you to:

• Select the serial communication port to which you

connected the IR receiver.

• Review the data you received from the IR receiver

in a list. This tab does not display this data after you
save the data as a file.

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Side buttons
Open
To open a file:

1. Click Open.

2. Select a directory and enter a file name.

The inFORM software lists .c60 files in the right text

box.

Export
You can export saved files in text (.txt) or .xls format to use in
other software applications, such as Microsoft Excel and
Access. The .xls format (Excel) is the default.

To export a file:

1. Click Export.

2. Select a directory and enter a file name.

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Save
To save data:

1. Click Save.

2. Select a directory and enter a file name.

The inFORM software saves the file with the .c60

suffix, a format unique to the software. The name
you assign the file is displayed above the
information in the tabs.

Print
To print the data from a tab, click Print.

The inFORM software opens the data in the Filename and

Notes tabs in a .txt file and allows you to print that file. It
prints the data in the View Graph and Compare tabs as you
see it in the interface.

In Windows NT, printing is independent print display, not

screen replication.

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Troubleshooting and uninstalling
Troubleshooting the inFORM software
If the inFORM software is not working or being displayed on
the screen:

• Make sure your desktop display is set to SVG

resolution, a minimum of 800 x 600 pixels. A setting
less than SVGA does not display all of the inFORM
software. However, you can still receive and save
data.

• If you are using the Micro Celltron, check that the

analyzer is set to print at FAST–Computer speed in
the UTILITIES MENU. If the analyzer is set at
SLOW–Printer speed, the data does not download
correctly.

• Confirm that the communications port in the Setup

tab is the same port the IR receiver connects to on
the PC. Comm. 1–Comm. 4 are the only choices for
the inFORM software.

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 • Make sure the connections between the computer
port, cable, and IR receiver are secure.

• Make sure you shut down and removed devices

from the serial communication port and their
software. Reboot the system to ensure the PC
recognizes that the devices and software are
inactive.

Uninstalling the inFORM software

To uninstall the inFORM software:

1. Select Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.

2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3. Select inFORM from the list and follow the

instructions on the screen.

CAUTION: Uninstalling the host inFORM software might

remove test results.

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Patents, Warranty, and Service
Patents
Made in the U.S.A. by: Midtronics, Inc., protected by one or
more of the following U.S. Patents: 6,456,045. 6,441,585.
6,392,414. 6,359,441. 6,323,650 B1. 6,316,914. 6,310,481.
6,304,087. 6,172,505 B1. 6,163,156. 6,091,245. 6,051,976.
5,914,605. 5,598,098. 5,592,093. 5,572,136. 5,343,380.
5,140,269. 4,881,038. 4,816,768. Canadian Patents:
2,091,262. 1,280,164. European Patent: 0,548,266. EP:
C382.13-0026. WO: C382.13-0040. China Patent:
C382.13-0027. Hong Kong Patent: C382.13-0038. Japan
Patents: C382.13-0041. 30006800. Other U.S. and Foreign
Patents issued and pending. This product may utilize
technology exclusively licensed to Midtronics, Inc. by
Johnson Controls, Inc. and Motorola, Inc.

Warranty
This battery tester is warranted to be free of defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of one year from
date of purchase. Midtronics will, at our option, repair the
unit or replace the unit with a remanufactured tester. This
limited warranty applies only to Midtronics battery tester
and does not cover any other equipment, static damage,
water damage, overvoltage, dropping the unit or damage
resulting from extraneous causes including owner misuse.
Midtronics is not liable for any incidental or consequential
damages for breach of this warranty. The warranty is void if
owner attempts to disassemble the unit, or to modify the
cable assembly.

Service
To obtain service, purchaser should contact Midtronics for a
Return Authorization number, and return the unit to
Midtronics freight prepaid, Attention: RA# ________.
Midtronics will service the tester and reship, the next
scheduled business day following receipt, using the same
type carrier and service as received. If Midtronics
determines that the failure was caused by misuse,
alteration, accident.
© 2004 Midtronics, Inc.
PN 168-815C 03/04