Author Topic: Atorch DL24 Electronic load software (Read 46931 times)

Grandchuck · « **on:** June 29, 2020, 07:09:18 pm »

Anybody had any luck with this software (either: PC or smartphone)?

selim13 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2020, 08:20:14 am »

Very few luck so far.
Android app connects and displays the readout, but setup button doesn't work.
PC software detects COM-port, but doesn't connect.

Grandchuck · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2020, 12:38:15 pm »

Same here with Iphone.

selim13 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2020, 02:42:06 pm »

After tinkering with it a little bit I still have no luck with it's original PC software from https://www.mediafire.com/folder/1c04afq923397/A3#m09i9bjv8703d
BUT, after some googling I've found that it uses the same software/library that their older PX-100 model.
And there is an open source program from misdoro for PX-100 which actually works for DL-24, as well as the protocol description!
https://github.com/misdoro/Electronic_load_px100

Kean · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2020, 07:45:41 pm »

Looks like the same phone app as used by the Atorch UD18. I just got a pair of those, but I haven't tried the app yet.

Forum member HKJ did a review of the UD18 and also couldn't get the app to communicate over Bluetooth
https://lygte-info.dk/review/USBmeter%20USB%20tester%20Atorch%20UD18%20%28Hidance%29%20UK.html

Maybe we can get him to add support in his TestController multimeter logging software...

Grandchuck · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2020, 08:33:29 pm »

Thanks selim13! That link is very helpful. But, does not quite work here. It starts and displays the same screen shot that you showed (above), but in my case, it is not enabled (no check in the box) and the screen disappears after one second or so.

I tried different com ports. The software seems to find the load. Below is what is shown in Python when com 1 is used. :

instruments
swcccv_reset
ASRL1::INSTR

Any ideas?

Grandchuck · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2020, 08:48:35 pm »

Here is another display which shows an error:

instruments
swcccv_reset
ASRL1::INSTR
SerialInstrument at ASRL1::INSTR
probe
err
ASRL5::INSTR

selim13 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2020, 07:12:21 am »

I think the first time I've launched the program it showed me similar error.
But after program restart it connected successfully

Code: [Select]

python3 ./main.py
qt5ct: using qt5ct plugin
swcccv_reset
instruments
ASRL/dev/ttyS0::INSTR
SerialInstrument at ASRL/dev/ttyS0::INSTR
probe
no answer
ko
ASRL/dev/ttyUSB0::INSTR
SerialInstrument at ASRL/dev/ttyUSB0::INSTR
probe
found PX100
readAll

'is_on': 0.0, 'voltage': 0.0, 'current': 0.0, 'time': datetime.time(0, 0), 'cap_ah': 0.0, 'cap_wh': 0.0, 'temp': 29.0, 'set_current': 0.0, 'set_voltage': 0.0, 'set_timer': datetime.time(0, 0)}

Grandchuck · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2020, 11:56:54 am »

I learned that the code has not yet been tested on Windows. That would explain my results.

riccardo.pittini · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2020, 06:06:50 pm »

Are you sure that the that the PX100 has the same protocol as BL-24?
I sniffed the protocol on RS232 (USB) and it seems rather different. My results were aligned with a blog that I found on the protocol (the unit continuously report 36bytes containing some data, like voltage, current, but I could not decode all of it)

Did you manage also to control the BL-24 via USB (rs232)?

Thanks and hopefully if this works, I will publish a python driver for it!

HKJ · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2020, 06:34:08 pm »

Quote from: riccardo.pittini on November 28, 2020, 06:06:50 pm

Are you sure that the that the PX100 has the same protocol as BL-24?
I sniffed the protocol on RS232 (USB) and it seems rather different. My results were aligned with a blog that I found on the protocol (the unit continuously report 36bytes containing some data, like voltage, current, but I could not decode all of it)

Did you manage also to control the BL-24 via USB (rs232)?

Thanks and hopefully if this works, I will publish a python driver for it!

You can test the protocols with TestController: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/
It support the ATorch protocols.

riccardo.pittini · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2020, 08:06:13 pm »

Thanks, it just confirmed me that the protocol is completely different than the PX100. I tested it on DL24 (DL24P) is the same I guess just bigger fan.

The limitations in the control protocol is that you are limited to the functionality of some buttons. So it is not easy to set a specific current/voltage value (e.g. by sending an absolute value, without doing + - on the digits) or e.g. change it to constant resistance mode (long button press).

I will investigate more, maybe talk to the manufacturer.

jk2017 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2020, 05:13:13 pm »

Is there any update about how to retrieve data from DL24/P?

By the way, I came across this product that's basically the same as DL24 and does seem to work. But it's 4x more expensive.

West Mountain Radio CBA IV
http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=cba4

HKJ · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2020, 05:31:36 pm »

Quote from: jk2017 on December 12, 2020, 05:13:13 pm

By the way, I came across this product that's basically the same as DL24 and does seem to work. But it's 4x more expensive.

West Mountain Radio CBA IV
http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=cba4

It is not the same, I have reviewed the small version and used the larger version. Both are fairly good and the supplied software has a lot of functions for battery testing, but cost money. My review: https://lygte-info.dk/review/PowerWest%20Mountain%20Radio%20CBA%20HR%20UK.html
An alternative is getting a regular electronic load and use it with either the supplied software or with TestController, neither will have the as many battery related functions, but with TestController you can get very close with a bit of work and you do not have to pay for it.

interflexo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2021, 07:29:16 pm »

Atorch DL24 has a different protocol but also responds correctly to the full PX100 protocol. I personally vouch for this.

Never managed to access programmatically to the external NTC probe data.

galileo · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2021, 01:44:59 am »

I can confirm that DL24 works with this software but newer on the first try.
For some reason it does not detect, or the device does not respond properly
on first connect.

Big warning for this device: If main power is not connected it tries to power
the whole device via USB and that can fry USB ports without overcurent protection.
Always connect the power first and when disconnecting, disconnect the USB first.

interflexo · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2021, 10:22:56 am »

Thanks for the heads up regarding the USB power.

The software glitches you found are software implementation specific. I found my personal software implementation rock solid. The device implements more than one protocols and automatically triggers an additional regular 1s interval report message. If the software dealing with all this is not robust enough it's natural to find some glitches.

DickGrier · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2021, 10:03:37 pm »

I have just uploaded to my website (www.hardandsoftware.net) a Windows 10 application that does everything I can get it to do (and all I need). I think it is "approximately" professional quality. It is free. Download it using the Download Software link.

Dick

Grandchuck · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2021, 08:11:26 pm »

The software cannot find the load. Tried with and without a USB cable and tried 3 different Win 10 computers. Did not try the Arduino. The computer does recognize the Bluetooth LTE and does connect.

xenoxaos · « **Reply #19 on:** June 10, 2021, 04:53:32 am »

I'd recommend making sure the serial port shows up on your computer. It's a separate chip on the board from the MCU and should show up no matter what.

Grandchuck · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2021, 05:50:37 pm »

This port is found when I connect the DL24: USB - SERIAL CH340 (COM3).

All that happens when I install or run the software is shown below.

HKJ · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2021, 06:03:49 pm »

Quote from: Grandchuck on June 10, 2021, 05:50:37 pm

This port is found when I connect the DL24: USB - SERIAL CH340 (COM3).

All that happens when I install or run the software is shown below.

You can try an alternate software: https://lygte-info.dk/project/TestControllerIntro%20UK.html
But it might be that the USB port is defective on your load.

Grandchuck · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2021, 06:31:43 pm »

Would a bad serial port keep the Bluetooth from working? I am able to access the DL24 with the useless phone app. I would assume Richard L. Grier's software should find the DL24.

HKJ · « **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2021, 06:40:00 pm »

Quote from: Grandchuck on June 10, 2021, 06:31:43 pm

Would a bad serial port keep the Bluetooth from working? I am able to access the DL24 with the useless phone app. I would assume Richard L. Grier's software should find the DL24.

I do not know if they use the same pins on the MCU, try following the traces from the USB connector on the PCB, look for shorts (Solder blobs) or missing soldering. Maybe refresh the soldering on the USB connector, if you can.

Grandchuck · « **Reply #24 on:** June 11, 2021, 01:23:28 pm »

It connects to the PC software via USB. Screenshot below.

I can't get it to work with Test Controller, either?


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Author Topic: Atorch DL24 Electronic load software (Read 46931 times)

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