To be able to communicate with the logger, the three lights on the communication box need to be lit.

Red light (POWER) – This light indicates if power is fed to the Com Box through the USB cable. Older boxes use a power supply. If the light is absent, then there is an issue with the USB cable or power supply.

Solutions:

• Connection of cable: Check the cable, whether it is properly connected. 

Yellow light (PC COM) – With the box connected to a computer, this light should illuminate when choosing ‘Wizards > Connection Wizard’ in the software. If this light does not appear then the USB driver might not be installed. It should automatically be installed when you connect the Com Box to the PC, but this may not always be the case. Try to manually install the driver from our website.

Solutions:

• USB driver: Manually install the USB driver from our website.
• The use of the software:
  • Use Wizard to connect to the logger: 'Wizards > Connection Wizard'.
  • Use Wizard to connect to the Com Box: 'Wizards > ComBox Connection'.
  • Choose the relevant logger type: 'File > New Recorder Type'.
• Wrong type of USB converter cable: Older Com Boxes with RS232 9 pin plug should be used with the CHIPI-X serial converter cable (blue and white coloured). Please contact us if that is the case.
• Software update: Check for updates manually under 'Help > Check for updates' although the software should prompt for updates automatically, providing that the PC is connected to the internet.

Green light (DST COM) – With a DST logger sitting in the box (curved end first in) this light illuminates after choosing ‘Wizards > Connection Wizard. If only red and yellow lights are on, the problem is either a logger failure or the Com Box has an internal damage.

Solutions:

• Logger inserted incorrectly: Check if the logger is inserted correctly into the hole in the box. The curved end should face down (for a DST with epoxy filling then that end faces up).
• Another logger that works: If you have another DST try insert it in the box to see if the green light appears and if the connection is successful. If successful, then the DST with no green light has malfunctioned. In this case contact us, include the serial no. and if a data retrieval attempt is wanted.
• Com Box upgrade/repair: If the green light does not appear for any logger, the problem is most likely with the Com Box and needs repair. The problem can also be due to a very old Com Box being used that is not compatible with new loggers. Please contact us, include the serial no. of the Com Box and the DST for us to verify compatibility.

If none of the above solutions solves the problem and the only missing Com Box light is the green one, the problem is likely with the logger. Please contact us.

POR stands for Power On Reset. That happens when the microprocessor in the logger detects a power drop or shortage in current. Usually, this error is permanent and relates to low or no energy remaining in the batteries or unstable battery connection due to internal damage or leakage.

Using the logger when the software reports 'Power down fault' or 'POR' is not recommended. If you require additional information, please contact us.

The DST loggers are hermetically sealed and waterproof. Once the seal is broken the DST loggers become unusable. Hence, it is not possible to recharge or replace the internal batteries.

In the application software you can get an estimate of how long the battery and memory last based on your intended measurement interval(s).

You can get the memory and battery life estimate in the following way:

1. Open the software: SeaStar, Mercury or FoodStar.
   
   
2. Select the correct logger type: 'File > New Recorder Type'
   
   
3. Choose one of the following methods:
   1. Assuming full battery (100%): Continue without connecting to the logger or opening a previous logger folder. Then the calculations are based on a logger with a full battery (100%).
   2. Current battery status: Connect to the logger through 'Wizards > Connection Wizard' or 'Recorder > Connect'. This method uses the logger’s current battery status.
   3. Estimated battery status from previous measurement: If you don’t have the logger with you but want to estimate its battery status based on previous usage, open the latest measurement file under 'File > Open'. Select data from the dropdown list or browse for the RID file corresponding to the chosen logger, followed by the MID file for the latest measurement sequence (experiment). This method uses the battery status at the end of that measurement, plus estimated battery usage during sleep time.
      
      
4. Set up your desired measurement interval (new measurement sequence): 'Edit > New Measurement Seq. Def. ', then enter in the below areas:

   1. Start time (if known, otherwise it will assume you want to start to measure immediately).
   2. Measurement interval time: the time between each recorded data point.
   3. Battery and memory calculator: Use this option if you want to get an estimate of battery and memory usage over a selected period, for example, a day or a week.
      
      

   

5.  Review the results:

   Once you have completed the setup and pushed ‘OK’, a new measurement sequence (NMS) file opens. It includes calculations for battery and memory usage based on your setup.

   Below are examples of calculations.

   • Red boxes: These calculations show how long the logger will measure if kept in measurement mode until the battery runs out or the memory is full, whichever happens first.
   • Blue boxes: If the 'Battery and memory calculator (days)' option was used, you can also find how much battery and memory is used for a selected period. Those findings are shown within the blue boxes.

   You will get either of the two windows, depending on whether the battery runs out first or if the memory was full.

   

   1. Battery runs out first

      Red box: Example showing in how many days or hours the battery will run out and how much memory (%) is remaining at that time.

      Blue box: Example showing how much battery and memory was used in the selected period.

   

   2. Memory fills first

      Red box: Example showing in how many days and hours the memory fills and the remaining battery life (%) at that time.

      Blue box: Example showing how much battery and memory was used in the selected period.

With the supplied USB cable connected between a computer and Starmon, the red light next to the USB port of the Starmon should illuminate and remain steady. This does not apply to the older version of Starmon mini model as it does not have a diode. If there is an issue connecting the following scenarios may apply:

• The red light does not show at all: Then there is an issue with the logger. Please contact us if that is the case.
• The red light appears briefly and then turns off: The computer initially recognizes the logger but only for a short duration. Possible solutions include:
  • Software update: Check for updates manually under 'Help > Check for updates' although the software should prompt for updates automatically.
  • The use of the software:
    • Choose the relevant logger type: 'File > New Recorder Type'
    • Use the Wizards menu for establishing connecting: 'Wizards > Connection Wizard'.
  • Try connecting to the logger using a different computer, preferably from another computer brand.
• The red light illuminates continuously but connection is impossible: The USB driver might not be installed or requires an update. Instructions for installing the Zadig WinUSB driver can be found at our website.

POR stands for Power On Reset. When the microprocessor in the logger detects a power drop or shortage in current, it performs a reset. For non-rechargeable loggers, this error is usually permanent as it is related to low energy remaining in the logger’s battery which needs to be replaced.

To check if the battery is completely empty, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the software and connect to the logger. Start a measurement sequence and take a few measurements at your desk.
2. If the battery is not empty, the following should occur:
   1. When the logger is set up to measure, the red light should blink for a couple of seconds.
   2. Every minute until the measurement starts (or within a maximum of 15 minutes) the red light should blink as well.
   3. A short test measurement sequence is successfully retrieved.

For non-rechargeable Starmon, it is not recommended to use the logger when the software reports a 'Power down fault' or 'POR', even if some energy remains. The battery can be replaced, please contact us for service or instructions how to change the battery.

For rechargeable Starmon, when the software reports 'Power down fault' or 'POR' and the battery life is low, charging the logger should resolve the issue. However, if the battery life is high, there may be a problem with the battery connection, requiring service. Please contact us if charging the logger does not resolve this problem.

The batteries of all our Starmon loggers can be replaced, but only some types of Starmon loggers can be charged. Starmon Tilt and Starmon Compass are the two models that are manufactured with a rechargeable battery (Tilt from Nov 2022, Compass from Jan 2023). For those models, battery replacement is typically not needed unless there are issues such as an unstable battery connection or a dead battery.

For battery replacement, please contact us for instructions and specs for the battery type, or if wanting a price quote for that service.

A product key is required to run the application software you have downloaded. The product key is delivered with the purchase of the software and can be found in the cover of the Quick start guide booklet. The Application software is a one-time purchase with all upgrades free of charge. If you cannot find the product key, please contact us.

Open SeaStar, Mercury or FoodStar.

1. Choose the logger type:File > New Recorder Type
   
2. Choose the logger data:File > Open > Browse or choose from list.Or File > Import Data File > Browse or choose from list.
   
3. Save the data as an xlsx or CSV file by clicking the marked buttons on the toolbar. (CSV file is recommended).