Installing the Dionex 12-Bit DAC Card/Pump DA Converter

 Tips:  

Due to its obsolete technology, the 12-bit DAC card is no longer available from Dionex. Nevertheless, 12-bit DAC cards may still be used in the field. Therefore, refer to the installation instructions below if necessary.

This card is not supported under Windows Vista or later.

In addition to the pump control card (frequency/pulse width control), the Dionex 12-Bit DAC card allows voltage-controlled operation of two HPLC pumps. The card can be installed in an 8-bit or 16-bit slot. Before you install or remove the card, turn off the computer.

Connect the pump to the card's 25-pin Sub connector, using the 2 x 3 pin connecting cable that is shipped with the card. Each line (Pump1 and Pump2) has three wires (gnd/signal bipolar/signal unipolar). The wires correspond to pins 1, 17, and 23, or 1, 18, and 24 on the Sub-D connector. (The numbering is from top to bottom and from left to right; i.e., pin 1 is at the top left, pin 2 is directly below, etc.)

If the GND and bipolar (pins 1 and 17 or 23) connections are used to control the pump, the output voltage varies between -5/-10 and +5/+10V, depending on the D/A0 and/or D/A1 jumper settings.

If the GND and unipolar connections are used to control the pump (pins 1 and 18 or 24), the output voltage varies between 0 and +5/+10V, depending on the D/A0 and/or. D/A1 jumper settings.

 Caution:

Dionex recommends using the unipolar output for pump control. Only this ensures 0V at the output when the computer is turned on. Otherwise, the active -5 or -10V can trigger an immediate reaction of the pump; for example, maximum delivery.

After you have installed the card, follow the instructions in

 Selecting the I/O Address

 Jumper Settings, Wait States

 Caution:

Use a ballpoint pen to set the switches. Do not use a pencil, as graphite particles could cause a short circuit in the switch.

To avoid conflicts, use the default settings whenever possible.

To use the card with Chromeleon, install the card in the Server Configuration program. Select Add Sharable Devices on the context menu, and then select Dionex Pump DA Converter (12 Bit) from the list. The Dionex Pump DA Converter (12 Bit) dialog box appears. Use the General tab page to assign the port address.

The device driver makes the Pump_DAC_CHL1 and Pump_DAC_CHL2 channels available for a pump controlled via a DA channel. If the device driver for a voltage-controlled pump (DAC Pump(s)) is installed in a specific timebase, you can assign and control the individual flow components (%A, %B) via the DA channels. For more information, select the DAC Flow A/B tab page in the Server Configuration program and click Help.

 Tip:

If you attempt to install the DAC Pump device driver first, Chromeleon will automatically install the Dionex Pump DA Converter (12 Bit) driver. Then, you only need to make the corresponding settings on the card afterward.