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ADS1232REF: Factory Reset and Problem with Calibration Weight

Part Number: ADS1232REF

Hi There,

I have purchased four ADS1232REF units and have problem with one of them in assigning the calibration weight in scale mode configuration.

It is currently stock in negative weight in -xx.KG format where the other units accept  in xx.xKG. format.

Using the switches for changing the digits doesn't help to get rid of the negative sign and bring the calibration weight back to the positive values.

I have tried resetting the unit using the RESET button, thinking that it will reset to the factory settings; but doesn't.

Please help me with correcting this problem.

Also the maximum value for the calibration weight is 99.9KG and I'm using load cells of 1000KG capacity. I had to redefined the units of measurements as 99.9KG entered value for calibration weight is actually representing 999KG and then, multiply the displayed values by factor of 10 to measure the correct load readings in KG units.

I have got  around this limitation, however, I wonder if there is a way of changing the calibration weight limit in the unit's config mode or firmware beyond the default top limit of 99.9KG.

The units I'm using are V 1.2.0.

  • Hi Reza,

    Welcome to the E2E forum! Using the buttons on the ADS1232REF can be a bit tricky. The configuration starting point is based on either the default values or the flash settings (if the configuration has been saved to flash). Saving the configuration to flash can be useful as then the settings can be saved and are non-volatile to the RESET or power supply disconnection.

    I assume you know how to get into configuration mode as you have already made configuration changes. Use the CONFIG-PARM buttons (SW4 and SW5) to move to the CW (calibrated weight) section. Use the PARM buttons until the '-' sign is flashing. Use the CONFIG-VALUE buttons (SW2 and SW3) to change the '-' sign to a positive value (I used SW3). If you cannot change the settings using this method, then most likely there is a switch contact issue.

    Unfortunately the ADS1232REF design stops at 99.9kg. As this is an evaluation module the limit seems practical. 1000kg is not a practical value to use in a lab or office environment.

    Best regards,
    Bob B
  • Hi Bob,

    Thanks for your reply and it's very fortunate I can discuss the problems and get answers in this forum.

    I've tried to change the minus sign. When the "-" sign flashes, pressing SW2 and SW3 buttons change the first digit of the displayed "-xx.KG" value.

    When the first digit flashes, the switches change the second digit. When the second digit flashes, no changes occur by pressing the switches.

    I don't think that there is any contact issues in any of the switches, since they work well in other modes.

    The other units I'm using don't have this issue and the flashing entity changes upon press of the switches.

    I don't know how the change to the negative values happened in the first place, but I reckon if I could upload the firmware gain and restore the factory settings it can start clean again.

    This is frustrating since it has rendered the unit useless in SCALE mode, although it works fine in ANALYSIS mode. 

    Please let me know of your thoughts about this issue.

    Regards,

    Reza.

  • Hi Reza,

    If you have an MSP430 JTAG programmer you could add a connector as described in section 6.6 of the ADS1232REF user's guide.  We currently have an ftp site with all the code from the project as well found at:

    ftp://ftp.ti.com/pub/data_acquisition/ADS123xREF/ADS123x_CDROM/

    I'm not sure how much longer this site will be active and what might be available for download in the future.  We are planning to obsolete the ADS1232REF in the not too distant future and move to a BoosterPack format.

    There is a firmware download program that can possibly be used with USB and is found in one of the subfolders.

    ftp://ftp.ti.com/pub/data_acquisition/ADS123xREF/ADS123x_CDROM/Firmware/ADS1232REF_Firmware_Installer/ads1232ref-new-fw-1.1.0d.exe

    The only difference in this code as opposed to the 1.2 version is a test routine used by the contract manufacturer.  The firmware downloader requires that the COM port is COM8 or less.  Most likely the COM port assignment is much higher, so this would have to be reassigned.  To use this method you also need to set SW9 in the USB programming mode position.

    Best regards,

    Bob B