Seaward Compatible PAT testing equipment

[Ed Solder]

Hi All,

Looking to start out in PAT and make at least some use of recent qualifications. I know it's difficult to find suitable work (where people are prepared to pay to have the job done properly), but in this recession that seems to be the same in all areas of employment, so am trying until convinced there's a better way, short of winning the lottery (which I don't do) or inventing something useful (once every two hundred years - with a bit of luck :ihih.

Just bought a Seaward Supernova Elite. Does anyone know of any barcode scanners or label printers from other manufacturers that would work with it and do the same job as Seaward's own brand?

Also thinking of saving costs by making a database in Microsoft Access instead of buying specialised software.

Any thoughts on this - humorous - better still - useful?
Cheers

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Seaward's barcode scanner and printer are re-badged Kroy items, so if you can find Kroy they are often cheaper, but you may need to change the connectors or rewire them to suit the Seaward kit.

 

[patdev]

Hi Ed

I have used a range of Datalogic barcode scanners on most of the PAT tester manufacturer's testers.

You will need to program any scanner to have the appropriate Baud Rate, Data Bits, Parity and Stop Bits. This can often be done by scanning setup barcodes from the manual or by downloading the barcode scanner configuration software if they make some available.

You also need to get the wiring correct as the power supply connections and data line need to be on the right pins of the RS232 port.

Buying the manufacturer's kit is guaranteed to work and it can be a bit fiddly setting up third party, but if you have time to spare its entertaining.

Regarding software, are you planning to download from the PAT into the database or enter the results manually? The latter is alot easier but of course loses the advantage of having a downloading PAT.

Regards, Richard.

 

[Ed Solder]

Thanks - can't find any suitable Kroy out there at the moment, but I'll keep a look-out.

 

[Ed Solder]

Thanks, Richard

Will look into the Datalogic scanners if they're cheaper. Do you use a USB to serial connector to attach them to PAT testers?

The plan with Access is to download the data from the PAT tester onto my computer and then import it into a database (that I will create on Access), which I am hoping to use to schedule re-visits by doing a data query - if all this is possible. If it isn't possible, then I'll want to know if it's possible to import to Excel and then get Access to refer to this data. May be some other uses for it as well.

I'd also wondering if the Supernova can print to cheaper label printers from other manufacturers.

Cheers,
'Ed'

 

[190ebob]

Ed
Any label printer that allows you to do Barcodes will work. We use a brother label printer that allows you to put our company logo on each barcode. They work pretty good. On the scanner side I am not sure if any bar code scanner will work we use the units sold by RS and they work fine on our seaward europa plus units.
on the data base side we use SAFETY FIRST PLUS and i don't really like it but their servicing package is only £100 a year which pretty good when you start running into problems with the data and results.

 

[patdev]

Hi Ed

Do you use a USB to serial connector to attach them to PAT testers?

No this isn't necessary. Most scanners come with a removal cable with RS232 at one end and what looks like an RJ45 plug at the other, however often it isn't a standard 8 pin RJ45 but a 10 pin one.

If the scanner needs rewiring (and most don't) its simply a case of cutting of the moulded RS232 and soldering a new one one, correct wires attached.

Access will work just fine, however for downloading you will need a com component (not sure there is one in Access however) or to use a data logger program, or hyperterminal.

Regards, Richard.

 

[Ed Solder]

Seaward's barcode scanner and printer are re-badged Kroy items, so if you can find Kroy they are often cheaper, but you may need to change the connectors or rewire them to suit the Seaward kit.

RS are selling the Kroy 3100 for £145 (possibly not including the VAT), which might be equivalent to the Seaward kit.

 

[Ed Solder]

Thanks to MarkieSparkie, eBob and Richard so far for answers that are helping to move things forward.

I'm waiting for a reply from Brother (the printer company) about their printers. Am looking into the possibility of a shock-resistant printer with a rechargeable battery for labels - secondhand. On the other hand, Staples are selling label printers for £30 (not sure about VAT), so if this could do the job, it might make financial sense even if it was dropped or stolen. Also a shock-resistant laptop for processing data on-site and printing off certificates and invoices.

I'll investigate Richard's 'com component' idea when my PAT tester's back from calibration and I'm familiiar with how to use it with the Code of Practice.

 

[Pattestinguk]

I used to have a barcode scanner and printer but stopped using them as its too much to carry around under desks etc.

 

[Ed Solder]

Ed
Any label printer that allows you to do Barcodes will work. We use a brother label printer that allows you to put our company logo on each barcode. They work pretty good. On the scanner side I am not sure if any bar code scanner will work we use the units sold by RS and they work fine on our seaward europa plus units.
on the data base side we use SAFETY FIRST PLUS and i don't really like it but their servicing package is only £100 a year which pretty good when you start running into problems with the data and results.

I had a reply from Brother today, recommending their QL 1050 printer. They did say I might need to do some programming to get the printer to work fully with the Supernova. I don't know how this is possible if just connecting the Supernova to the printer without a PC.

eBob: Which Brother printer do you use? The print menu on the Supernova only lets me choose between two of Seaward's own printers.

Originally Posted by MarkieSparkie
"Seaward's barcode scanner and printer are re-badged Kroy items, so if you can find Kroy they are often cheaper, but you may need to change the connectors or rewire them to suit the Seaward kit."

There's a statement on the Kroy Europe website saying that their K3100 printer is not compatible with Seaward equipment, so MarkieSparkie's suggestion might have to be followed with this one. Probably wouldn't do it with a brand new piece of kit though - but might if I found one dirt cheap secondhand.