uDL1 Technical FAQ

The Advanced uDL1 has additional features and functionality including:

• Built in GPS
• Periodic GPS clock synchronization
• DC wave capture mode
• Larger memory capacity
• Interruption tracking (G2 model only)

Refer to the comparison chart below for further details:

The next generation of Advanced uDL1 utilizes new hardware with additional features. The primary improvement is the addition of interruption tracking. When this feature is enabled, you can program your interruption cycle parameters into the uDL1. The G2 uDL1 will record measurements during the On and Off cycles of your interruption survey.
The memory capacity for the Advanced uDL1 G2 is 2,000,000 samples (1,000,000 for the Advanced uDL1 G1). 

DC Measurement Accuracy         

over -20° to +60° C (-4° to +140° F) 

• low range: +/-0.25% + 100uV 
• med range: +/-0.5% + 12mV 
• high range (-75V to +75V): +/-0.5% + 100mV 
• high range (<-75V and >+75V): +/-1% + 100mV 

AC Measurement Accuracy         

over -20° to +60° C (-4° to +140° F) 

• low range: +/-0.3% + 80uV, 180uV floor 
• med range: +/-0.65% + 10mV, 22mV floor 
• high range (-75V to +75V): +/-0.65% + 80mV, 170mV floor 
• high range (<-75V and >+75V): +/-1% + 80mV, 170mV floor

No. The range must be selected in the uDL1 Configuration Editor when configuring the uDL1.

The Advanced uDL1 has a built-in internal GPS antenna. You cannot attach your own antenna onto the uDL1.

The uDL1 should be factory calibrated every 2 years and as a maximum every 5 years.

Mobiltex offers 3 different calibration certificate options for the uDL1:

1.  Mobiltex issued calibration certificate (this is the same certificate that ships with the uDL1 when purchased new)
   
2. Mobiltex issued as found / as left readings
   
3. Independent third party NIST traceable calibration certificate (we send the uDL1 to an independent lab for verification)

Periodic Sample Timing
Periodic sample timing is how often the uDL1 will record a DC, AC, or temperature measurement. This can be set between 1 second and 12 hours.

DC Wave Capture
When DC Wave Capture is enabled, the uDL1 will make DC only readings ten times per second. While the DC Wave Capture measurements are being made, other measurements (DC/AC/temperature/interruption tracking) will not be recorded. 

Interruption Tracking
When this feature is enabled, the uDL1 records on and off measurements that are synchronized with your programmed interruption parameters. In the extracted data, the on or off interruption state will be included with the measurements.
Note: The Interruption Tracking feature is available only for Advanced G2 uDL1’s. Interruption Tracking measurements will override the periodic sample timing.

A fully charged battery is rated to last for 6 months or until the memory fills up, which ever happens first. Battery life can vary depending on the configuration of the uDL1, the condition of the battery, and the environment where the uDL1 is deployed.

The battery can be fully recharged in about 4 hours. However, the duration will vary depending on the battery condition and power source used. The battery icon in the top right corner of the LCD will flash while charging and will become sold once the battery is fully charged.

No. The uDL1 battery must be replaced at our factory. The useful battery lifetime is targeted to be 5-7 years.

The operating temperature is rated at -20℃ to +60℃ (-4℉ to +140℉) but the recommended battery charging temperature is 0℃to +40℃ (32℉ to +104℉).

You can check using the “Maximum Acquisition Time Estimate” function under the Help menu in the PC based uDL1 Configuration Editor. It gives you an estimated maximum data acquisition time before the data memory of the uDL1 becomes full based on the current configuration of the uDL1.

Note: The uDL1 may stop running before the estimated time if the uDL1 runs out of battery.

The “SAMPLE” icon on the LCD will be displayed during each measurement. The icon will stay solid for the first minute after the analog cable is attached. Once the programmed timing conditions are met, the icon will start flashing accordingly each time the uDL1 makes a measurement.

The uDL1 can be programmed to delay measurements by a specific number of minutes after the measurement cable is attached. The delay can be programmed up to 40320 minutes (28 days). The uDL1 will perform a one-minute sample preview once the analog cable is plugged in and then display “hLD” on the LCD for the programmed number of delay minutes.

The uDL1 can measure the voltage across an external shunt and convert it to current using a programmed scaling factor. The scaling factor can be calculated by pressing the “Shunt Calc” button and entering the shunt values.

It can take up to 12.5 minutes for the uDL1 to get a GPS time lock. “TIME LOCK” will appear on the LCD once a GPS Time Lock is acquired.

Unfortunately, no.

No. The uDL1 can take AC volts and DC volts measurements at the same time, but it cannot take volts and amps measurements at the same time.

Typically, the uDL1 should be installed with the cable facing down as the GPS antenna is located at the opposite end to the connector.

The uDL1 uses a low power LCD and it will stay on during its operation.

If you do not require high accuracy GPS timing, selecting this option will use less battery power. The uDL1 will not periodically resynchronize with GPS time when this option is selected.
You should select this option if the uDL1 will be deployed in an environment where there is no GPS signal. An example of this being inside a metallic enclosure in a building. If this option is not selected, the uDL1 will keep attempting to synchronize with GPS time, draining the battery rapidly.

You can configure your Advanced uDL1 G1 to take a sample every 1 second and apply a 250ms offset. This would capture one sample during the on interval and one sample during the off interval. The data would include a time stamp and the measurement in AC or DC or both.

Another option is to enable the DC wave capture mode in Advanced uDL1’s. The fast-sampling rate of a DC measurement every 100ms will capture numerous readings during each on and off cycle. 

Note: The data will not include an indication if the measurement was made during an on or off cycle. If an on or off indication is required, an upgrade to a G2 model will meet this requirement.

Follow the steps below to view the data preview graph in the uDL1 Configuration Editor.
Note: If the master data file is already extracted, start from step 2.1.

1. 1. Open the uDL1 Configuration Editor and connect the uDL1 to your PC then press “Read Config From uDL1”.
   2. Press “Extract To Master Data File” to save the measurements to your PC.
   3. Press “Read Master Data File” and select the saved master data file from your PC. 
   4. Ensure the desired data file is displayed in the “Chart Title” box.
   5. Select the desired measurement type to generate the graph preview.

No. It is best to use Excel or any other similar application to manipulate the extracted data.

Interruption tracking is only available on the 2nd generation G2 uDL1 model. You can view the generation of the unit at the bottom right of the uDL1 Configuration Editor.

Ensure that the connections are made correctly; red is positive, black is negative. Check that the scaling factor is not set to negative 1 (-1) in the uDL1 Configuration Editor.

The maximum number of rows that Microsoft Excel 2004 or newer can display is 1,048,756. You can use the Master Data File Split Utility to split the master file into smaller more manageable sized files.
Note: If the master data file is already extracted, then steps 1 and 2 can be skipped.

1. Open the uDL1 Configuration Editor and connect the uDL1 to your PC then press “Read Config From uDL1”.
2. Press “Extract To Master Data File” to save the measurements to your PC.
3. Press “Master Data File Split Utility” to open the file Split Utility window. 
4. Press “Select Source Master File(s)” to select the file(s) you want to split.
5. Select the desired readings group options you want to split the files into.
6. Press “Convert” to generate the split files.

UTC time may be selected for the extracted time instead of local time in the uDL1 Configuration Editor. 

If the UDL1 is a basic model (no GPS), ensure that the uDL’s clock is set by pressing the “Set uDL Clock” button before deploying the uDL1. This will sync your uDL1’s clock with your computer’s clock.

For Advanced uDL1s, check the GPS configuration and confirm the “Time Lock” icon on the LCD of the uDL1 is displayed to confirm the uDL1 has Synchronized with GPS time.

If the “Require GPS Time Lock To Start Sampling” option is selected in the uDL1 Configuration Editor, the uDL1 will not start recording measurements until it acquires a GPS Time Lock. If the uDL1 is going to be deployed in a location where the GPS signal will be blocked, you should follow one of these two options:

1. – Disable the “Require GPS Time Lock To Start Sampling” option.
   – Select “Disable Long Term GPS Synchronization” to save battery consumption as there is no GPS signal inside the metallic enclosure.
   – Press “Set uDL1 Clock” to synchronize the internal clock in the uDL1 to your computers clock
2. – Select the “Require GPS Time Lock To Start Sampling” option.

– Select “Disable Long Term GPS Synchronization” to save battery consumption as there is no GPS signal inside the metallic enclosure.
– Move the uDL1 to a location with GPS coverage

– Wait for the uDL1 to acquire GPS Time Lock before moving the uDL1 back to the location with no GPS coverage (The LCD screen will display “Time Lock”).
Note: It may take up to 12.5 minutes to acquire a GPS Time Lock.

Check if DC Wave Capture mode is enabled. While the uDL1 is in DC Wave Capture mode, normal sampling of DC/AC/temperature is suspended (including interruption tracking measurements).
In Excel, expand the Record Type column to display record type fully and look for the desired record types. You can also use this filter function to only display selected measurements.

There are few possibilities for this:

1. Ensure the battery is fully charged. It can take up to 4 hours to recharge the uDL1 battery. Check that the battery icon on the LCD is solid and no longer flashing.
2. The GPS receiver may be running in the background where there is no GPS signal.
3. Select “Disable Long Term GPS Synchronization” in the uDL1 Configuration Editor to stop GPS from waking up and attempting to resynchronize.
4. The battery is reaching its end of life. The useful battery lifetime is targeted to be 5-7 years. Contact Mobiltex Service for battery replacement options.

Connect the uDL1 to your PC and re-install the latest firmware. If the issue persists, contact Mobiltex Service.

Ensure the battery is fully charged. Confirm that the battery icon flashes when connected to USB and turns solid after a full charge. Check that the connector pins are not physically damaged. If the issue persists, contact Mobiltex Service.

Call or email our tech support team. They can be reached toll free at 1-844-689-3282 – ask for Service. They can be emailed at service1@mobiltex.com.