DRYSTIK CONNECTIVITY

 

CAPTURE can connect not only to the RAD7, but also to the Durridge DRYSTIK active moisture exchanger. Compatible DRYSTIK models include the ADS-3 and ADS-3R, which connect to the computer via USB, with no serial adaptors required. A driver is required in order to communicate with the DRYSTIK; it is the same one used to connect to a RAD7 via the StarTech USB to Serial Adaptor. If necessary this driver can be downloaded from the Durridge website.

Serial to USB Adaptor drivers

Be sure to install the appropriate version of the driver based on your operating system.


Setting up the DRYSTIK

Once the appropriate driver has been installed, connect the DRYSTIK to the computer as shown in Figure 1, below. The DRYSTIK model ADS-3 uses a USB-B cable, while the DRYSTIK ADS-3R requires a Mini USB-B cable. Next connect the DRYSTIK's power supply and power the unit On. Finally, launch CAPTURE. As the program starts up it will automatically detect any connected DRYSTIK(s). An icon representing each DRYSTIK will appear in the row of toolbar items alongside any connected RAD7s. As with RAD7s, DRYSTIKs can be added, renamed, disconnected, and reconnected using the toolbar menu commands. Unlike RAD7s, DRYSTIKs always communicate with the computer at 9600 baud, so there is never any need to specify the connection speed when manually connecting to a DRYSTIK.


Figure 1: Setting up the DRYSTIK ADS-3 and ADS-3R for use with CAPTURE.


Monitoring the DRYSTIK Status

When a DRYSTIK is connected to the computer and its icon is selected in CAPTURE's Main Window toolbar, the device's status will be displayed as shown in Figure 2, below. A black panel containing a set of green lights, which emulates the DRYSTIK's faceplate LEDs, indicating the device's power, pump, and alert state. Clicking the circular Refresh Arrows to the right of these status indicators updates the device status. The Refresh Arrows spin whenever communication is occurring between the computer and the DRYSTIK.

Below the device status panel are several rows of text indicating the DRYSTIK's current state. This includes the pump current, the time left in the current period, the current duty cycle, the DRYSTIK's model and serial numbers, and more.


Figure 2: The DRYSTIK monitoring interface in CAPTURE.

Controlling the DRYSTIK

Below the Current DRYSTIK Status panel are several controls for modifying the device's behavior. (Actually running the DRYSTIK requires selecting a profile, as explained in the Configuring DRYSTIK profiles section, below.)

Resume Using Last Profile At Startup Checkbox
This checkbox controls whether the DRYSTIK will automatically select the most recently used profile and become active after being powered on.

LCD Backlight Pop-Up Menu
This pop-up menu has two options: "Always On" and "Turns Off After...". If the second option is selected, a field will appear which will allow a duration value to be specified. The DRYSTIK's LCD screen backlight will then remain lit for the specified number of seconds during periods of inactivity. Whenever a button is pressed on the DRYSTIK's faceplate the backlight will turn back on, and the display will remain illuminated for the duration specified.

Pause/Unpause Button
The Pause button pauses the DRYSTIK, deactivating its pump if it is running, without canceling out of the current profile or resetting the current period. Clicking this button again unpauses the DRYSTIK, resuming from where it left off.

Stop Button
The Stop button cancels out of the current profile, disabling the pump if necessary. Once the DRYSTIK has stopped, its period is reset and its state is set to idle.

Reboot Button
The Reboot button cancels any DRYSTIK activity and restarts the device. After the DRYSTIK has rebooted, it will resume from the last profile used if it has been configured to do so.

Update Firmware Button
The Update Firmware button becomes enabled if the DRYSTIK is found to be using an outdated version of its firmware. Clicking this button initiates a firmware updating procedure which takes less than a minute. Do not power off the DRYSTIK or the computer while the update in is progress. When it is finished the DRYSTIK will reboot.


Configuring DRYSTIK Profiles

The right side of the DRYSTIK interface contains controls for configuring and running DRYSTIK profiles, as shown in Figure 3. The DRYSTIK Profiles listbox includes the names of each Built In Profile and User Profile stored in the DRYSTIK, plus a "Manual Mode Profile" which is used when custom settings are needed. To run a profile, select its name in the list and click the Run Profile button on the right. (Profiles can also be selected and run using the membrane switch interface and LCD display on the DRYSTIK itself.)

 


Figure 3: The interface for configuring DRYSTIK profiles in CAPTURE.

 

To edit a profile, select its name and click the Edit Profile button. This enables controls used to specify the profile's Name, Period, Duty Cycle, and more. Note that only User Profiles and the Manual Mode profile may be edited; the Built In profiles come preconfigured and can not be changed. Once a profile has been edited, click the Save Profile button to confirm any changes. The Run Profile button will then become enabled, allowing the DRYSTIK to be run using the selected profile. Each profile property control is explained below:

Profile Name Field
The Profile Name field contains the name of the selected profile as it will appear in CAPTURE and on the DRYSTIK's LCD screen. Profile names may be up to 16 characters in length.

Period Field
The Period field contains the number of minutes in the profile's period. The Period is the length of time the DRYSTIK's pump takes to finish one complete on/off cycle. When a cycle begins the pump turns on, and it remains running until a particular portion of the Period has elapsed, after which it remains off for the remainder of the Period. Once the full Period has completed, it repeats, with the pump turning back on to begin the next cycle.

Duty Cycle Field
The Duty Cycle field contains a percentage value representing the portion of the Period in which the DRYSTIK's pump remains on. For example, if the Period is 5 minutes and the Duty Cycle is set to 20%, then the pump will run for one minute out of every five.

Solenoid Enabled Checkbox
The Solenoid Enabled checkbox is used to specify whether the DRYSTIK's solenoid will be on when the selected profile is in use. When the solenoid is on, it pulls a High Airflow stream into a path that is otherwise occupied by Low Flow or Adjustable Flow air. Note that the solenoid can only be on when the pump is active. The solenoid is an optional component, and this checkbox will only be enabled if the solenoid is present on the device.

Next Profile Pop-Up Menu
The Next Profile pop-up menu is used to specify which profile will run after the selected profile has been active for a particular amount of time. It is used in conjunction with the Delay Until Next Profile field. If the selected profile should run indefinitely, select None from this pop-up menu.

Delay Until Next Profile Field
The Delay Until Next Profile field contains the number of minutes that the selected profile will remain running before the next profile begins. If the Next Profile pop-up menu is set to None, the Delay Until Next Profile field is disabled.

To make the solenoid turn on and off at regular intervals, configure two profiles, one of which enables the solenoid. Each profile's "Next Profile" should be set to that of the other. The intervals at which the solenoid turns on and off can be controlled by specifying the desired Period and Delay Until Next values for each profile. Since the solenoid can only be on when the pump is active, it is advised that the Duty Cycle be set to 100% for any profile involving an active solenoid.