HHS Troubleshooting

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there’s any additional documentation of connecting the HHS (Vantage on Venus)? I tried connecting to the device to no avail for the past couple of days to no avail. At this point, I am not sure if the problem is due to a physical connection or a method issue. The device does work and it worked with the previous instrument (Microlab STAR plus).

I downloaded the HHS driver from this forum and copied the example protocol to initialize and run the device. The HHS is connected to the only node in the back of the Vantage that it can fit. Below is my example method and the trace file of the error that I cannot decipher its meaning (I tried both node 1 and 2). I also tried running the example protocol and the same issue occurs.

2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - progress; Version: V4.4
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - CreateStarDevice - start; 
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Send message = T2QU
2024-11-21 13:28:42> Microlab® Star with Venus on Vantage : Firmware Command (Single Step) - start;
2024-11-21 13:28:42> Microlab® Star with Venus on Vantage : Firmware Command (Single Step) - complete;  > QU: er01/30
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Received answere = T2QUer30
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - CreateStarDevice - complete with error; Unknown command.
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Send message = T2QW
2024-11-21 13:28:42> Microlab® Star with Venus on Vantage : Firmware Command (Single Step) - start;
2024-11-21 13:28:42> Microlab® Star with Venus on Vantage : Firmware Command (Single Step) - complete;  > QW: er01/30
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Received answere = T2QWer30
2024-11-21 13:28:42> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - CreateStarDevice - complete with error; Unknown command.

I also tried power cycling the instrument too.

Any help is appreciated as always,

-Nat

Hi @Nat

For VANTAGE, HHS devices must be use USB for communication. The STAR periphery TCC power supplies that can be used for both HHS power and comms are designed only for STAR hardware, so using equivalent commands won’t work.

You will need to connect set the dipswitch at the bottom of the HHS to 0, connect the HHS to the controlling PC with a USB cable, and connect the power supply cable to either a HHS control box or the VANTAGE periphery box using an adapter cable.

Control box as power supply:

Periphery box as power supply:

Regarding VENUS, you will need to use the following command to connect to and initialize the HHS, the rest of the steps are the same:

Hope this helps.

-Nick

2 Likes

Hi @NickHealy_Hamilton

Thank you so much for the explanation as we would have not guessed that :sweat_smile:

Does Hamilton sell the adaptor cable and, if so, what is the part number so I can reach out to my sales rep?

Thank you,

-Nat

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows the difference between HHS p/n 199034 and p/n 199018? They both look the same with some slight differences in coloration of the material. I am experiencing problems connecting the 199034 model to the STAR TCC slots. Neither slot is working with the 199034 model but is working fine with the 199018 model.

I want to rule out the possibility that the issue is due to the model number in such that I need a Hamilton Heater Shaker Control Box instead. Below is the snippet of the trace file:

2024-12-11 15:41:20> USER : Trace - complete; ML_STAR 1
2024-12-11 15:41:20> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - progress; Version: V4.4
2024-12-11 15:41:20> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - CreateStarDevice - start; 
2024-12-11 15:41:20> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Send message = T1QU
2024-12-11 15:41:20> Microlab® STARplus : Firmware Command (Single Step) - start;
2024-12-11 15:41:22> Microlab® STARplus : Firmware Command (Single Step) - complete;  > QU: er10
2024-12-11 15:41:22> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Received answere = T1QUer10
2024-12-11 15:41:22> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - CreateStarDevice - complete with error; No communication to CAN node.
2024-12-11 15:41:22> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Send message = T1QW
2024-12-11 15:41:22> Microlab® STARplus : Firmware Command (Single Step) - start;
2024-12-11 15:41:24> Microlab® STARplus : Firmware Command (Single Step) - complete;  > QW: er10
2024-12-11 15:41:24> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib::SendToStar - progress; Received answere = T1QWer10
2024-12-11 15:41:24> SYSTEM : HSLHamHeaterShakerLib - CreateStarDevice - complete with error; No communication to CAN node.
2024-12-11 15:41:24> USER : Trace - complete; Function CreateStarDevice() failed
2024-12-11 15:41:24> SYSTEM : Method has been aborted by the method - complete; 
2024-12-11 15:41:24> SYSTEM : Abort method - start; 

What are the DIP-Switches set to for each device?

DIP-Switch Settings if 1 or 2 HAMILTON Heater Shakers are installed:

HHS​ ​Rotary DIP-Switch
​HHS1, connected to TCC1 ​5
​HHS2, connected to TCC2 ​6

The rotary DIP-Switch is located on the underside of the HHS and is accessible by opening a metal cover.​

image

2 Likes

Hi @EricSindelar_Hamilton

Thank you for the guidance! I have followed through with setting up the proper DIP-Switch. The 199018 model was already at the right DIP-Switch unlike the 199034 model (it was originally set to 3). However, I am still not getting any connection. I tried different combinations of the TCC slot and DIP-Switch to no avail :slightly_frowning_face: Perhaps the device is not working unless you have any other recommendation.

I’m not sure what else to try - was it working before?

If your system is under warranty or contract, then you can call the Hamilton Service Hotline: 1-800-527-5269 or email roboticservice@hamiltoncompany.com for further support.