Question 1

Are the heaters supposed to be physically connected to the temperature sensors? Because there is a 1 mm gap between them on the unit I purchased.

Accepted Answer

It is not required that the heaters and temperature sensors are connected but it does improve the heat transfer. The heaters and temperature sensors have some thermochromic paint that changes color at 99 degF (37 degC). A drop of thermal paste or any epoxy/super glue can also increase the heat transfer but this is also not required. There have been some customers that return the units because of the gap even though they are functional. The next batch that we manufacture (summer 2020) will include the thermal paste so that they are physically connected. Thanks for reaching out and don't hesitate to contact me at support [at] apmonitor [dot] com if you have further questions.

Question 2

our USB power cable is missing, can we buy that separately?

Accepted Answer

Each kit is checked multiple times during the assembly but it looks like one was missed. I can send another cable. They are also available from an electronics store as a USB power cable with a standard barrel jack connector (5.5mm outer / 2.1mm inner). The difference is that the cables I provide are 20 AWG (American Wire Gauge) instead of the standard 24 AWG. While the 24 AWG cables can work, there is more power loss over the cable and less delivered to the heaters. Please let me know an address and I can ship a replacement cable ASAP. You can find support contact info (email) at the address on your TCLab or send a message to support at apmonitor dot com.

Question 3

Will this work with scilab/xcos arduino module?

Accepted Answer

Scilab appears to allow serial communication with the TCLab, although we haven't tested Scilab or Xcos specifically. Here is a link for more information on serial communication with Scilab and Xcos. https://www.scilab.org/news/scilab-arduino-low-cost-data-acquisition  I recommend that you keep the ino firmware that originally came with the Arduino or reflash it from the files at https://apmonitor.com/heat.htm if you replaced it. This allows anything with serial communication to interface with the Arduino Leonardo in the TCLab. TCLab works with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, and GNU Octave.

Question 4

What is the best way to get the software to run the tclab? i need the simulink (matlab) interface but i'd also like to try python.

Accepted Answer

Instructions for downloading the software are at the URL printed on the device: visit the APMonitor web-site and navigate to heat.htm. There are detailed instructions on the link for "Setup and Troubleshooting". MATLAB (Simulink) firmware loads automatically when you have the MATLAB/Simulink add-in and run the program. The Python firmware is loaded by default when you first receive it new. If you run MATLAB/Simulink then it replaces the firmware and you'll need to reload the Python firmware if you want to switch back. The Arduino IDE is required (free download) to put the INO firmware for Python back on the Arduino. The INO file is available for download from the APMonitor website. As always, please contact support [at] apmonitor [dot] com for any support issues.

Compatible Devices	Desktop, Laptop
Video Output Interface	USB
Graphics Coprocessor	NVIDIA

Temperature Control Lab

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