PSI SpectraPen Mini Handheld Device User Guide

PSI SpectraPen Mini Handheld Device

INFORMATION BEFORE USING SPECTRAPEN MINI DEVICE

Read this manual carefully before operating the device. If you are not sure about something in the manual, contact the manufacturer for clarification.
By accepting the device, the customer agrees to follow the instructions in this guide.

Always follow corresponding manuals while working with the SpectraPen mini device or doing the maintenance.
It is forbidden to interfere with the hardware or software of the SpectraPen mini device in any way without previous agreement with the manufacturer.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

SpectraPen mini is a small, portable and affordable calibrated spectroradiometer and quantum light meter, which is controlled via mobile application called SpectraPen accessible on Google Play. The communication with the mobile phone is provided by Bluetooth Low Energy module.
The SpectraPen mini measures Irradiance spectrum and light intensity in three units – Irradiance, Photon flux density and Illuminance. The device is calibrated for visible light in the range from 340 to 850 nm.
The SpectraPen mini serves for real-time measurement of light quality and intensity. It is ideal as a multi-purpose instrument for research, industrial and agricultural applications.

SpectraPen Mini Measures

Spectrometer – Quantitative Light Intensity at Different Wavelengths

• Irradiance spectrum [µW.cm-2.nm-1]

Light Meter – Absolute Light Intensity at Defined Range of Wavelengths of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Irradiance [W.m-2] in user defined range of the electromagnetic spectrum
• Photon flux density [µmol.m-2.s-1] in user defined range of the electromagnetic spectrum
• Illuminance [Lux] total luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area

DEVICE DESCRIPTION

Sensor with Cosine Corrector
The optical part of the SpectraPen mini, cosine corrector, is placed in the middle of the white side of the device and is protected by sealing against dirt and moisture.
Integration time of the internal detector is set automatically according to the ambient light intensity.

Connector for Charging
USB connector is used for charging of the SpectraPen mini device using PC, USB wall adapter, USB power bank etc.

Power Button
Power button is the main Switch ON/OFF button.

Magnetic Holder
The magnetic holder is placed under the green cover and serves for attaching of the device to metal surface.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

From 300 µs to 1 s
Number of Pixel| 288
Optical Entrance| Cosine corrector
SpectraPen App Compatibility| Android 5.0 and higher
Communication| Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2
Data Transfer| Via an email, dropbox or other application
PC Software| SpectraPen 1.1 (Windows 7 and higher)
Battery Type| Li-Ion rechargeable battery
Battery Capacity| 650 mAh
Max. Charging Current| 0.5 A
Charging| Via USB port – PC, power bank, USB charger, etc.
Battery Life| 24 hours typical with full operation
Low battery indicator
Size| 50 x 70 x 28 mm
Weight| 60 g
Operating Conditions| Temperature: +5 to +55 °C
Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Storage Conditions| Temperature: -20 to +70 °C
Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Warranty| 1 year parts and labor

LIST OF EQUIPMENT AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION

Standard version of the SpectraPen mini device package consists:

• SpectraPen mini
• Carrying case
• Magnetic holder for tripods
• USB cable
• QuickStart guide
• Other Accessories or Optional Features (according to your specific order)

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

SpectraPen Mini Device

• Never submerge the device in water!
• The device should not come in contact with any organic solvents, strong acids or bases.
• Keep the optical sensor clean and dry. If cleaning is needed, use soft, non-abrasive tissue.

Li-ion Battery

• Avoid fully discharging of the battery.
• Do not keep the battery at full charge for long periods of time. Allow for it to discharge.
• High temperatures shortens battery life.

GETTING STARTED

1. Download and install the application to your smartphone or tablet. The SpectraPen application is free available on Google Play or can be also downloaded from product websites available via the QR code placed on the bottom of the device.

2. Before you start operating the device, please connect the SpectraPen mini to USB charger to charge the battery.

3. To initialize the SpectraPen mini, please press the power button for about 10 seconds until the green indication light indicates initial state. The device can be switched on/off by short press the power button followed by green (power on) or red (power off) light flash.

4. While the SpectraPen mini is on, the state is indicated by light flashing. The device turns off automatically after 2 minutes or any time after pressing the power button.

5. Open the SpectraPen application and navigate in the side bar menu to Connections. The application automatically searches the available SpectraPen mini devices; then select the required one. Last two numbers in the name of searched devices correspond to the last two numbers of serial number placed on the bottom of the device. Once the SpectraPen mini device is paired with the application the Bluetooth mark in the right corner of the application window changes to green.
   

6. From the side bar menu select the Dark calibration. Before you start calibration process please make sure that the sensor is completely covered. Please note that covering by finger is insufficient for the infrared part of the spectrum. It is recommended to place the SpectraPen mini e.g. to the closed carrying case. Once the sensor is covered, click on Calibrate and wait the required time for calibration.

Performing dark calibration is highly recommended before every measurement with the SpectraPen mini device or significant temperature changes. Dark calibration gets the instrument to the zero state. If the device is not calibrated, a warning sign appears in the right corner and measured values may not be accurate.

7. Select between the real-time reading measurement of Irradiance spectrum – Spectrometer and light intensity reading as Irradiance, Photon flux density and Illuminance – Light meter.
   

DEVICE OPERATION

The SpectraPen mini device is operated by one button. Each action is signalized by different light mode or light color.

flickering with the colour corresponding battery level (green 100% to red 0%)
Switch off| Short press of Power button| Short red flash
Reset| Press of Power button for about 10 seconds| Long green flash
Charging| Connection to PC using the USB cable| Only when the device is switched on and not paired with the phone.

CHARGING

SpectraPen mini is charged via the USB cable connected to PC, USB power adapter, power bank etc. The device can be charged in three modes:

The device is switched off
Charging without light signalization. No information about the battery status.

The device is switched on and not paired with the mobile phone
Charging is signalized by pulsing light. The battery status is demonstrated by colour of the light: red – yellow – green. Once the battery is fully charged the light is brightly green and shines continuously.

The device is switched on and paired with the mobile phone
Charging without light signalization. The battery status is showed in the mobile application.

MENU DESCRIPTION

MAIN MENU

Main menu displays the app main navigation options on the left edge of the screen like sliding menu. And it is revealed when the user swipes a finger from the left edge of the screen or tap to menu icon.

• Spectrometer: Real-time spectra measurement
• Light meter: Real-time light intensity measurement
• Share: Sharing of saved data via an email, dropbox or other application
• Dark Calibration: Dark calibration of the sensor
• Connections: Shows available devices and serves for pairing with selected SpectraPen mini device
• Settings: Customizing behaviour of the SpectraPen app
• About: Information about connected SpectraPen mini and link to operating manual
• Exit: Quit the application

SPECTROMETER

Real-time light spectrum reading is visualized in Spectrometer window.

Pause reading stops the real-time reading. The last measured spectrum is showed in the graph. For resumption of real-time reading click on Play icon.
Marker serves for displaying of a numeric value of wavelengths. This function is activated by single tap in the graph. For reading of the exact peak wavelength you can tap or slide the marker in the graph.

Zoom in the graph by spread by fingers in the graph. To move in the zoomed graph swipe left/right. For return to full graph size click on autoscale.
Saving of current reading + enables storage of measured spectrum. Saved spectra are available in the list under the graph. To display the whole list, slide the panel up. To hide the list, slide the panel down. The individual measurements can be hidden/shown in the graph using the checkboxes on the right side in the list.

Rename measurement is done by swipe right on the selected measurement.

Delete measurement is done by swipe left on the selected measurement.

Export of measured data is possible using the option Share in the main menu. The data can be exported/shared via different applications. The data are exported in a proprietary format *.spec, which is compatible with SpectraPen software available on product websites.

LIGHT METER

Light meter is intended for real-time light intensity reading of Irradiance, Photon flux density and Illuminance in predefined spectral range.

Click on variable to want to be displayed in graph. Selected variable is displayed with bigger letters.

Pause reading stops the real-time reading. The last measured values are showed. For resumption of real-time reading click on Play icon.
Zoom in the graph by spread by fingers in the graph. To move in the zoomed graph swipe left/right. Pinch for return to full graph size.
Sliders above the graph serve for definition of measured spectral range. The selected spectral range is specified in Irradiance and Photon flux density windows.

TROUBLESHOOTING AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT

The device does not response short press of the power button

• Press the power button for more than 10 seconds to reinitialize the device

The device does not response to long press (more than 10 seconds) of the power button

• Connect the charger and wait 10 minutes to refresh the battery.
• Make sure that the power source is able to feed the device with sufficient current. Some PC USB are limited to 100 mA. If you are not sure about the power limits, please use any common USB wall adapter.
• Press the power button about 10 seconds until you see initial green light indication.

The device is not available in the search list

• Press the power button about 10 seconds until you see initial green light indication
• Stop the searching and scan the devices again

The device is connected SpectraPen application shows “Measurement is in progress…” but nothing happens

• Press the power button about 10 seconds until you see initial green light indication
• Restart the SpectraPen app

The SpectraPen application cannot connect the SpectraPen mini device

• Press the power button about 10 seconds until you see initial green light indication
• Restart the SpectraPen app

There is no SpectraPen application available on Google Play

• Please make sure that your Android version is 5.0 or higher
• Contact the support to make sure that the SpectraPen application is available in your country

The SpectraPen application does not start even the install/update went correctly

• In the Android setting navigate to Applications -> SpectraPen and clear application cache
• In the Android setting navigate to Connections -> Bluetooth and unpair the SpectraPen device
• Reinstall the SpectraPen application from the Google Play

In case of unsolved troubles, please, contact us on support@psi.cz or contact your local distributor.

WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This Limited Warranty applies only to the SpectraPen mini device. It is valid for one year from the date of shipment.
• If at any time within this warranty period the instrument does not function as warranted, return it and the manufacturer will repair or replace it at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges (for the full product value) to PSI. The manufacturer is responsible for shipping and insurance on return of the instrument to the customer.
• No warranty will apply to any instrument that has been
  • modified, altered, or repaired by persons unauthorized by the manufacturer;
  • subjected to misuse, negligence, or accident;
  • connected, installed, adjusted, or used otherwise than in accordance with the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
• The warranty is return-to-base only and does not include on-site repair charges such as labor, travel, or other expenses associated with the repair or installation of replacement parts at the customer’s site.
• The manufacturer repairs or replaces faulty instruments as quickly as possible; the maximum time is one month.
• The manufacturer will keep spare parts or their adequate substitutes for a period of at least five years.
• Returned instruments must be packaged sufficiently so as not to assume any transit damage. If damage is caused due to insufficient packaging, the instrument will be treated as an out-of-warranty repair and charged as such.
• PSI also offers out-of-warranty repairs. These are usually returned to the customer on a cash-on-delivery basis.
• Wear & Tear Items (such as sealing, tubing, padding, etc.) are excluded from this warranty. The term Wear & Tear denotes the damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal use or aging even when an item is used competently and with care and proper maintenance.

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