Periodic read errors for Agilent 8453

[tm444]

Hi all,

   I am using the Agilent 8453 UV spec for pH measurements every 15 minutes (for up to 3 weeks). I am using the drivers downloaded from the NI website (most recent version), and calling the "Agilent Read.vi", and telling it either to take a blank, or a sample (and setting wavelength range). I am using the GPIB interface. However, about once a day, errors of either: NI-488: No listeners on the GPIB, or ERror 1073994876: instruemnt timed out during read process. Once I physically restart the Agilent, the problem disappears. 

   The Agilent Read.vi has subvis that initializes, configures, and closes the communication ports to the Agilent. Does anybody know what could be causing this error? It would be nice to not have to come into the lab at random hours throughout the day (and ot. n holidays) to just restart the Agilent.

thanks,

Yui

[Albert.Geven]

In the begiining of your program open the connection and close this connection at the end of the program.

Just use the rest dureing your program.

Opening and closing can take time

especially the clear GPIB in a lower level routine (initialize probably I did not check) sometimes takes time

[tm444]

Thank you for the suggestion. I will make the modifications and see if that solves the problem. 

[FTG]

Scantraq from FTG Software supports the serial interface, allowing you to use USB. It also supports National Instruments GPIB.

http://ftgsoftware.com/sqindex.htm