02-12-2013 01:46 PM
I am new to LabView (actually just running the evaluation version of the software) and I have read the help files and I can't figure out how to program it to do what I want.
I have an XR32-186 DC Power Supply from Magna-Power supplying power to a life-test rack for automotive headlights. I need to setup a program (VI?) so that I can set the appropriate voltage and then have the power supply run in cycles of 23 1/2 hours on, 1/2 hour off. While it is running, I also need it to record any time the current drops by more than amount. (I need to be able to set the amount of current drop each time I start a new set of tests).
I have tried everything that I can think of to get this to work, but nothing does.
Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Ross
02-12-2013 02:00 PM
'Everything' is a pretty general statement. Please be a little more precise. Are you having trouble talking to the instrument, setting the time, recording data, what? Are you using the LabVIEW driver for the instrument (Help>Find Instrument Drivers)?
When you are having problems, it is much better if you attach the VI(s) that you are working on.
02-12-2013 02:00 PM
What exactly isn't working? Can you share your code? Are you using LabVIEW drivers for the power supply?
02-12-2013 02:58 PM
I am sorry, I should have been more clear. I do not have any code. What I have tried is looking at the sample VIs that came with the evaluation version of LabView and the driver for the power supply and I have read the getting started guide and the LabView help. I have tried searching the web for help and to see if there were VIs already set up for this. I don't understand how to modify an existing VI or how to create a new one from scratch. I am not a computer programmer and I don't have access to a programmer, so I don't know where to go from here.
I am new to working with a computer programmed power supply, all the ones that I have worked with before were manually controlled.
Again, thanks for any help.
02-12-2013 03:19 PM
Here is the main Instrument Driver page with links that explain what a driver is and how to use one. That would be as good a place to start as anything after you've taken the LabVIEW tutorials. You should not be modifying the VIs that come in the driver but you will have to create a main VI that calls them as well handling the timing, settings, comparisons, file saving, etc.
You still have not provided many details on the instrument such as how it is connected to the pc.