SmarTracker FAQs

The SmarTracker requires a 230VAC 30amp 1-phase outlet. The unit does not come with a power plug attached—this is left up to the local electrician to work with local codes and requirements.

I can get 208VAC supply:
For buildings that can only supply 208VAC, the power supply will need to be supplemented with a transformer that will boost the supply up to 230VAC. The transformer will need to be able to supply 6000watts of power. Contact InstroTek for suitable transformers.

I can get a 240/250VAC supply:
For building that can supply the 240 or higher VAC, the power supply will need to be reduced with a transformer that will lower the supply to 230VAC. The transformer will need to supply 6000watts of power. Contact InstroTek for suitable transformers.

The SmarTracker does not come with power plug attached, this is left for the local electrician to work with local codes and requirements. InstroTek has found a NEMA 6-30P Twist lock works well on system.

All LVDTs work by measuring the small movements of a core inside a barrel. Over time the core can create dead spots on the inside of the barrel and these dead spots can create measurements errors. When this happens, the LVDT needs to be replaced and a new LVDT will need to be calibrated to the system.

From the main screen press the alarm icon and then the clear icon. If the alarm immediately returns, you’ll need to open the rear of the SmarTracker to check the connections to the motor controllers. Power off the SmarTracker, unplug the unit, and remove the two bolts securing the rear panel. Remove the panel by levering from the bottom and lifting away from the unit. At the top of the rear control box, you will see two red boxes with four sets of wires (two green connectors, one ground, and one communication). Unplug each connector and reseat to ensure they are fully seated. Unplug and reseat the communication cable. You do not need to adjust the ground. Plug in the SmarTracker, power on the unit, and check for the alarm. If the alarm displays again, one or both controllers will need to be replaced—contact InstroTek for help with replacement of these controllers.

A relay may have gone bad, to check this you will need to remove the rear panel by powering down the unit, unplug the power cable, and remove the two bolts on the rear panel. Remove the panel by levering it up then lifting the panel up and away. Plug in and power on the unit—BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHILE WORKING IN THE REAR WITH THE UNIT PLUGGED IN. Look for the KS1 relay, using a multimeter, check across post 1 and 2: when the temperature controller has OUT lit the relay should show 220/230VAC, when the temperature controller does not have the OUT lit the relay should have no power across the post 1 and 2. f the relay isn’t working correctly, it will need to be replaced, contact InstroTek for replacements.

Any USB that is 32g or smaller formatted to FAT32, but standard FAT may work as well. Larger USBs may not mount correctly in the file system and can create corrupt data files.

This could be a few things.

• Let’s start with trying to replace the USB (some USBs do go bad and need to be replaced). Ideally, you want to have a 32g or less USB formatted to fat32 for these systems. Contact InstroTek if you’d like to order one ready to go.
• Ok, you’ve replaced the USB and you still have issues. If you find that you do not need the .log file for your reports, you can turn this off and that will stop the computer from reading and writing to the USB during the test. This also lowers the file size by a factor of 11.
• Navigate to the device configuration
• System configuration
• Passcode is 2222
• Navigate to the last page and choose none from the top drop-down button.
• This will turn off the log file and only give you a text report.
• If the unit is still having saving issues, your USB port could have gone bad, contact InstroTek for help with replacing the motherboard.

• Yes, navigate to the control panel
• Insert a 32g or smaller USB formatted to fat32
• Navigate to the software menu
• Password is 5555
• Choose backup from the menu
• Choose pen drive
• Click the play button
• Click the check box
• Store this USB in a safe place
• Contact InstroTek for a replacement mother board and ask them to upload your current configuration to your new board if you find that your motherboard is the cause of your issues.

• You will need the following hardware:
• Client PC;
• 16g or 32g SD Card formatted to FAT32
• Network Switch;
• The Netgear GS305 has shown to be a good option
• Two Cat5 cables
• Length will vary depending on your physical set up and location of the SmarTracker and Client PC.
• Connect the first CAT5 Cables to the rear of the SmarTracker;
• Connect the second CAT5 cable to the Client PC;
• If your Client PC is part of a Network, you will need to setup a time to call InstroTek Tech Support and your IT department as this connection will need to be worked through with your Networking policies.
• If your Client PC is a stand-alone unit:
• On the SmarTracker:
• Navigate to the Control Panel
• The last icon to the right
• Navigate to the Network Screen
• Click the box next to DHCP (typically, displays “Enabled”)
• Choose “Disabled”
• Set the following IPs in the next boxes:
• 172.168.1.3
• 255.255.255.0
• 172.168.1.1
• You can leave the tick boxes blank
• On your PC (you may need IT help with some of this):
• You need to change your ethernet adaptor IPv4 settings to the following: View Image
• Note: Leave the DNS boxes blank
• Click OK
• You will need to turn on the SMB1 feature in Windows 10
• Control Panel
• Programs and Features
• Turn Windows Features On or Off
• Find “SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support”
• Check all the boxes.
• Click Ok
• You will need to Restart your Computer.
• You will need to use the Command Prompt for the next step
• In the Windows Search Bar: View Image
• Type “cmd”
• When Command Prompt displays in the search area, right click and choose Run as Admin
• You will use the Command Prompt to create a Registry Key finalizing the connection to the SmarTracker
• When the Command Prompt loads type:
• “REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters /v SMB1 /t REG_DWORD /d 1”
• View Image
• Press Enter
• You should see “The operation completed successfully.”
• If you see anything else, please call InstroTek to troubleshoot.
• You will need to restart your PC.

• Motherboard computer 
• No, unless the backup of configuration and calibrations was not performed. 
• LVDTs
• Yes, the new LVDTs will need to be calibrated to the system 
• RTD temperature probe
• Yes, the new RTD will need to be calibrated to the system. 
• Motor controller or motor
• No, these do not influence the calibration. 
• Resistive heaters
• No, these do not influence the calibration. 
• Wheels
• Yes, these can change the wheel weight and will need to be recalibrated. 
• PID temperature controller
• No, however, it is a good practice to test the system and verify the temperature is correct. 
• Heater relays
• No, these have no effect on the calibration. 

This could be a few issues.

• Firstly, if the water is too high before you install the samples into the device the water level will rise when you displace water with the samples and trays. This displaced water will rise above the overflow tube, and it will be routed to the grey pipe at the rear of the machine. If you need to precondition the water before testing, you may need to lower the water height in the system configuration. 
• Navigate to the configuration menu
• Press the configuration menu
• Passcode 2222
• Use the right arrow to navigate to water level
• Change the full water level to a lower number. You may need do trial and error to get this value correct. Note: This height cannot be lower than the heating or fill value. If you find you need a lower full value, you’ll need to adjust the heating and fill values to about 5mm lower than full. 
• Press the exit key to save this value. 
• Secondly, there may be an issue with the inlet value not completely closing and overfilling the sample tanks. This will require a service call to InstroTek.