Minimate Plus FAQs

1. Connect Minimate Plus/Blastmate-III to PC via USB Cable – Unit should beep
2. Driver software may require installation.
   1. Follow Dropbox link if this isn’t automatically completed or you have issues with next steps (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/63p3x5tgrfay9tl/AABdKVzkuN7DV9fpfd8IzVx-a?dl=0 )
3. In your PC device manager verify the com port that you need to choose to communicate with the unit in Blastware.
4. Open Blastware and select the correct unit type at the bottom of the window (Blastmate III unit and Minimate Plus = Series III and Blastmate II = Series II)
5. Open Unit/Communications window and select the Com port from the device manager window to communicate as well as check the Serial communications box. 
6. Press Test Communications and confirm the Unit Communications OK dialogue box opens.
7. To view saved events select Series III unit from the event manager. To save a local copy you can then select Copy and save the events.

Please follow the Instructions below if you are using an Ethernet cable connected to the Auxiliary port.

1. Disconnect all other Ethernet connections other than the one from Auxiliary of the unit to your laptop.
2. Get the IP address of the device. In Minimate the IP address is in Setup=>Maintenance Menu=> View Ethernet Data => Automatic: IP (note down the IP).
3. Open Blastware and Click on Unit and then Communication.
4. Check “Modem Communication using a Comm port redirector” option. And put the following information. Port: COM1: Baud Rate: 115200 Retries: 2 Timeout Factor: 1 Modem Type: No Modem
5. Select “ Ethernet/Modem Communications” Protocol: TCP/IP.
6. Select “Static IP Address” and Input the IP you got from the minimate Put your port “9034”.
7. Click Test Communication and it should be tell you that Blastware can communicate with the unit.

Please refer to Chapter 3.8.1 of the Minimate Plus Operator Manual, page 3-8, for more information.

A record mode determines how the Minimate Plus records events. The Minimate Plus offers the following recording modes:

a. Single Shot Record Mode: Use single shot record mode to record one event automatically. The Minimate Plus records the event, displays the results, and stops. No further recording occurs. Recording begins automatically when an event’s ground vibrations or air pressure exceeds the trigger level. See below for information on the trigger level.

b. Continuous Record Mode: Use continuous record mode to record multiple events automatically. The Minimate Plus records an event, displays the results, and continues to monitor, ready to record the following events. The Minimate Plus records all events whose activity exceeds a preset trigger level. See below for information on the trigger level.

c. Manual Record Mode: Use manual record mode if automatic triggering is unreliable, due to excessive wind or nearby vehicle activity, or to record the background noise level in the vicinity of a site.

d. Histogram (Strip chart) Record Mode: Use the histogram record mode for long–term recording periods such as monitoring pile driving operations. Histogram record mode operates with both four and eight-channel monitors. Four-channel histogram events can be printed by the monitor using an optional printer, eight-channel events cannot. To print eight-channel events, use the BlastWare III software program. In this mode, the Minimate Plus stores summary event information in intervals rather than in the real-time continuous method used in the other record modes. The monitor samples data continuously at the chosen sample rate but only stores the relevant peaks for the interval. This reduces the data recorded to specific criteria only and greatly increases the monitor’s recording time. For each interval, the monitor calculates the maximum positive and negative peaks, the frequency of the largest peak, and up to two peak vector sums (one with four-channel monitors, two with eight-channel monitors). For each channel, the maximum peak, its frequency, and the largest peak vector sum is calculated over the entire event.

Note: Histogram record mode consumes more battery power than the Single Shot, Continuous or Manual recording modes. We recommend connecting a monitor to the AC adapter or an external 12 VDC power supply.

e. Histogram Combo Record Mode: This mode creates a waveform during histogram recording if the signal exceeds the waveform trigger level. The waveform event is saved as a separate file while the histogram event file remains continuous. Up to 13 waveform events can be stored. The auxiliary trigger is disabled during histogram combo mode.

The maximum sample rates in this mode are as follows:
a. 4 channels or less: 2048 samples per second
b. more than 4 channels: 1024 samples per second

Note: Histogram Combo record mode consumes more battery power than the Single Shot, Continuous or Manual recording modes. We recommend connecting a monitor to the AC adapter or an external 12 VDC power supply.

To Select a Record Mode: Press the Setups key. Press the Enter key to display the Recording Mode: Window. Press the Up or Right Arrow key to scroll through the record modes. Press the Enter key to select a record mode when it appears on the display.

Please refer to Chapter 4.2.2 of the Blastware Operator Manual, page 4-18, for more information.

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Please refer to Chapter 4.4 of the Blastware Operator Manual, for more information.

Steps for a Successful Auto Call Home Configuration

1. Ensure that you have a Minimate Plus with a serial number of 6000 or higher
2. Review the Remote Access Section of this Minimate Plus Operator manual.
3. Review the protocol descriptions outlined in this Section for Auto Call Home IP and Serial communications.
   1. Determine what type of communications protocol to use,
      1.   a) Serial,
      2.   b) UDP/IP or
      3.   c) TCP/IP. 
4. Purchase the required software and modem(s). Purchase a communications package from your local service provider. Install the required software as per the manufacturer‘s instructions. 
5. Connect the instrument to your computer and start Blastware.
6. Proceed to the Setup Unit Section. Setup the unit dependent on the communications protocol, (i.e. cellular modem/telephone line or IP communications).
7. Proceed to the Setup PC Section and configure your PC. Configure the Communication Settings for Serial, UDP/IP or TCP/IP. For Serial Communications, refer to the Subsection Configure Auto Call Home Serial Communications, or for IP Communications, refer to the Subsections Configure Auto Call Home UDP/IP Communications, Setting up an Airlink Raven Modem for Auto Call Home UDP/IP, and Using Internet Protocol (IP) Communications. Or, if you prefer, refer to the TCP/IP section for those configurations.
   1. Note: For setting up the UDP/IP or TCP/IP communications protocols it is suggested that you contact your System Administrator to handle Windows® Firewall adjustments and router configurations.

1. Ensure you are in a quiet area with low vibrations.
2. Turn on the Instantel Minimate Plus or Blastmate III.
3. Connect the Geophone and Microphone (Linear only).
4. Press the Test key.
5. Wait until the results of the Sensor Check appear.
6. Simultaneously press the Start Monitor and Option keys.
7. The message, "Performing Autozero" will appear on the display.
8. Press the Enter key.
9. Ensure that the sensors are properly connected and press the Enter key.
10. Wait for the unit to perform the Autozero function.
11. Press the Enter key twice.
    1. You will now be at the Main Menu, Ready To Monitor state with the offset problem corrected.
    2. Note: When you perform an Autozero on any Series III units, the list of numbers in the X1 and X8 gains should all be between 2027 and 2069. If not, you will need to repeat the Autozero process. If the numbers are extremely out of the specified range, then the unit should be sent in for repair. If this process does not remove the offset problem, then you will need to return the unit and sensors back to Instantel for repair.

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Please refer to the Troubleshooting table for more information.

Possible Cause: The geophone is not connected.
Corrective Action: Connect the geophone.

Possible Cause: The geophone is not level.
Corrective Action: Check the geophone is level from left to right, side to side, back to front and check if the geophone is upside down.

Possible Cause: The geophone moved during the Sensor Check.
Corrective Action: Press the Sensor Check key to run Sensor Check again. Do not touch the geophone.

Possible Cause: The geophone cable is improperly installed or damaged.
Corrective Action: Check the geophone cable cuts, crimps or damage. Check the cable connection.

Possible Cause: Damaged geophone.
Corrective Action: Have the geophone checked by an authorized Instantel service facility.