Biochambers VNET

This protocol describes creating and implementing a schedule for the Biochambers, observing graphs for the Biochambers, checking and clearing the status of the Biochambers, as well as powering down the Biochambers for maintenance work.  This procedure can be used for Biochambers 1 – 4 found in room DV1012.

 

Launching applet for individual Biochamber

  1. Open ‘Biochambers VNet Viewer’.
  2. Once the program-window appears, click on ‘Chambers’ and then ‘Load All’.
  3. To launch the applet of a biochamber, click on the icon ‘Launch Applet’ -> ‘Launch Applet’ in the toolbar of the specific biochamber.
  4. To make any changes to a biochamber’s schedule, the access level (shown in lower right-hand corner of applet) must be level 6 or higher. To change the access level, click on ‘Connection’ in the lower right-hand corner, and then ‘Switch User’. 

 

Creating a new schedule

  1. To create a schedule, click on ‘Schedule’ in the bottom toolbar, and then ‘New Schedule’ in the bottom toolbar.
  2. To change any of the possible variables (‘Day’, ‘Time’, ‘Temperature’, ‘Humidity’, ‘CO2’, ‘Metal Halide’, ‘HP Sodium’, ‘Dimmer’ or ‘Fan Speed’), click the appropriate variable. Then, enter the desired value and press ‘enter’.
  3. Then, click on ‘Add Entry to Schedule’.
  4. When the schedule is completed, click on ‘Save As’ in the lower half of the program-window.

Creating a new schedule using excel or notepad

  1. To create a new schedule using excel or notepad, upload the default.sch from Biochambers VNET controller by clicking on 'Schedule' followed by 'Export schedule'.  Load default.sch as csv file and save to your desired local folder.
  2. Open and edit your copy of default.csv using excel or notepad.  Save using a different filename.
  3. On Biochambers VNET, click 'Import schedule'.  Select your new schedule and click 'Open'. Select 'Ok' on CSV import Window.
  4. Save the new schedule by clicking on 'Edit Schedule'.  Select 'Current' schedule.  Click 'Save As' to 'Controller' with a new filename (extension will now be .sch). Make sure your filename includes your initials.
  5. You will be asked if you want to activate the current schedule.  Click 'Yes'.

Editing a previously created schedule

  1. To edit a schedule, click on ‘Schedule’ in the bottom toolbar, and then ‘Edit a Schedule’.
  2. Choose one of the three options displayed (‘Current’, ‘New’ or ‘Existing’). When choosing ‘Existing’, click on ‘Controller’ and then select the desired schedule.
  3. To change any of the possible variables (‘Day’, ‘Time’, ‘Temperature’, ‘Humidity’, ‘CO2’, ‘Metal Halide’, ‘HP Sodium’, ‘Dimmer’ or ‘Fan Speed’), click the appropriate variable. Then, enter the desired value and press ‘enter’.
  4. Click on ‘Add Entry to Schedule’.
  5. When a schedule has been edited completely, click on ‘Save As’ to change the name or ‘Save’ when simply editing in the lower half of the program-window.

 

Checking the status of a chamber

  1. The status of the Biochamber is indicated when opening up the initial program. A green toolbar means everything is working to order, yellow means there are slight errors, and red means a serious hazard or error has occurred.
  2. To clear the status of the Biochamber, the applet needs to be opened and access level 6 achieved. In the lower toolbar, click on the ‘Status’ icon in the left corner. If all alarms have been cleared, click on ‘Clear and Reset All’. (Priority 0 is the lowest, 1 is medium, 2 is high).

 

Graphing of Setpoints versus Readings

  1. To observe setpoints versus readings of the variables, click on ‘Graph’ in the bottom toolbar.
  2. Under the desired plot-number, select ‘[Variable] Reading’, and ‘[Variable Setpoint]’

 

Powering off and turning back on Biochambers for larger (electrical) maintenance

  1. In the event of electrical maintenance work, it is required to power down the actual Biochamber. A small hole just under the ceiling is in the Biochamber exterior. Inside is a power button that needs to be pressed. (A ladder is required to reach the button).
  2. To turn back on, press the same button again. (There is a ~15 sec. time-delay)
  3. Wait until the initialization is completed before pressing the button ‘Growth Chamber On/ Off’ just over the display (~4 min.).

 

Turning on and off the Biochambers for cleaning and smaller (non-electrical) maintenance

  1. For smaller maintenance and cleaning, to turn the Biochamber on and off, press the ‘Growth Chamber On/ Off’ button on the equipment just above the display .

Setting up alarm notifications from Biochambers

  1. Using admin level 6 account in chamber applet, go to Setup > System Setup > Email.
  2. Click Add and input email address and assign level 1 for warning and critical alarms.  
  3. Click Apply before exiting the window.

 

More information can be found on the Biochambers VNET 4 Manual

By Yara Ensminger 2017-08