NI 6008 spontaneous shutdown problem

[Craig_MechEngr]

I am attempting to use a NI 6008 DAQ as both a data logger and controller on a benchtop test rig.  We don't have LabView, so I am using Matlab [2007a] for all of the control & code.

The digitial ports are used to turn solid state relays on&off.  The analog voltage output drives a voltage transmitter.  And the analong inputs collect sensor information.

The system works well, most of the time.  But very occasionally the 6008 module sponteneously "shuts off".  The green light stops blinking and Matlab no longer can access the device.

If I reboot the computer, all is well again.  Or even if I unplug and re-plug the USB cable for the 6008, then it restarts and all can work properly

I don't know why the device is suddenly shutting down.  Sometimes it happens after an hour of use.  Sometimes after several hours of use.  It never shuts down early in its use.

I don't think the issue is temperature, as it always seems cool.  It is also in free air, no sort of enclosure.

This is a problem because the rig is supposed to collect data unattended for several hours.  If it shuts down, then all of that time is lost.

If anyone has a solution, it would be greatly appreciated.

Or even if anyone has a technique to try and diagnose what happens to the 6008 module.

Thank you.  Craig

[Craig_MechEngr]

I should probably add that I am using Windows XP - and have already edited the power management in Control Panel to make sure the USB port power is not being turned off. 

-Craig

[LVbum42]

What do you have connected to the USB-6008? Is anything using the 5V power supply?  The USB-6008 is specified to have 5V power and up to 200mA of current. If this is the case, give the third party instrument it's own power supply and the USB-6008 should stop powering off on its own.  I hope this helps.

Regards,

Isaac S.

[nicoh]

Hi,

I have the same probleme with our NI-6008. It runs a fermentor for few days and sometimes the DAQ just stop working. If I replugged the USB, it works again. 

I'm also using XP, the power management of the USB is off and nothing is connected to the 5V power supply of the NI-6008.

Did you find any solution?

Thanks.

[CindyShark]

I found this post where the issue was that there was not enough current being supplied to the USB-6008 from the PC. Can you try switching to another USB port on the same PC you are using? Maybe from the front port to the back or vice versa?

Cindy