How can I access & download Black Box Data from my JULABO?

Downloading Black Box data from your JULABO and emailing it to our service team can help us resolve issues quickly. JULABO temperature control units record data that our service team can use to diagnose problems and recommend solutions. So, how exactly do you download the data? Well, it depends on your JULABO temperature control unit. 

Different JULABO models have slightly different interfaces and communication ports. For example, some units have a built-in USB slot, which allows you to download the data directly to a USB stick. Other JULABO units may require you to use a null modem cable and the RS232 port to connect your TCU (temperature control unit) to a computer to download the information. When in doubt, your JULABO manual is a great resource to show you how to download black box data from your particular TCU.

Let’s look at several of our JULABO units and how the process works. We’ll start with the MAGIO, PRESTO, DYNEO, and CORIO Models, which allow you to download Black Box data directly to a USB stick. If you do not have a USB slot on your JULABO unit, you can jump to the final section of this article, “How to Download Black Box Data without a USB.”

MAGIO, PRESTO, DYNEO & CORIO Models

Save Data Directly to a USB Stick

Our MAGIO, PRESTO, DYNEO DD, CORIO CD, and COIRO CP models have an integrated USB slot which means you can download Black Box data directly to a USB stick. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to USB downloads. 

USB Stick Requirements:

1. You’ll want to use a clean USB stick, free from other files.
2. You’ll want to use a USB with less than 2 gigabytes of storage.
3. You’ll want to use a FAT32 formatted USB stick. FAT32 stands for (File Allocation Table 32), a 32-bit version of the FAT file system.

Downloading & Saving Black Box Data to a USB Stick

JULABO products have slightly different menus and control, so you’ll want to follow the procedures outlined in your Operating Manual or refer to the steps below. We’ve also put together videos to visualize the steps, which we’ve linked to each model.

MAGIO 

Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial. 

1. Make sure the TCU is powered on but in the OFF mode on the menu.
2. Insert the USB stick into the USB slot on the back for the MAGIO.
3. Go to “Menu” and press “Record Data.”
4. Scroll to “Black Box” and press “Save File.”
5. It will indicate that it’s saving the file on the menu; when it’s done an “OK” will appear; press “OK.”
6. Go back to the Menu ,then remove the USB stick with the recorded data.
7. Insert the USB stick into the computer, download the file, and email it to service@julab.us.

PRESTO

Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial.

1. Make sure the TCU is powered on but in the OFF mode on the menu.
2. Insert the USB stick into the USB slot on the PRESTO.
3. Look for the icon on the screen that indicates it recognizes the USB stick.
4. Press the “Menu” button, and go to “Record Data.”
5. Select “Save Black Box Data.”
6. Press the “OK” button.
7. You’ll see a progress bar as it downloads the data.
8. Once the data is downloaded, go back to the Home Screen, then remove the USB stick.
9. Place the USB stick in the  USB slot on your computer; download the file; and email it to service@julabo.us.

DYNEO

Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial. 

1. Make sure the TCU is powered on but in the OFF mode on the menu.
2. Insert the USB stick into the USB slot on the back of the DYNEO circulator head.
3. Use the dial on the front of the DYNEO to go to the “Menu.” Make sure “Menu” is highlighted in red and push the button in.
4. Turn the control knob to scroll to “Record Data,” highlighted in red, and press the knob in. 
5. Scroll down and select “Save the Black Box on a USB stick,” and press the knob in again.
6. Two options will appear: “OK” and “Cancel.” Make sure the “OK” remains highlighted in red and press the control knob.
7. You’ll see the data start to download. When the download is complete it will go back to the screen with the “Save the Black Box on a USB stick.” At this point, you’ll want to go back up to the Home Screen, and then remove the USB stick
8. Place the USB stick in the  USB slot on your computer; download the file; and email it to service@julabo.us.

CORIO CP

Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial. 

1. Make sure the TCU is powered on but in the OFF mode on the menu.
2. Insert the USB stick into the USB drive on the back of the CORIO CP circulator head.
3. Press the menu key, use the down arrow and scroll until you see the word “Data,” and press the “OK” button.
4. Then scroll down again until you see “bb” for Black Box and press “OK.”
5. It will default to the word “No,” use the up arrow to scroll to the word “Yes,” and press “OK.”
6. You’ll see “bb” displayed to indicate the data is being downloaded. When the download is complete, the word “OFF” will appear on the screen.
7. Once you’re in OFF mode you can remove the USB stick,
8. Place the USB stick in the USB slot on your computer; download the file; and email it to service@julabo.us.

CORIO CD

Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial.

1. Make sure the TCU is powered on but in the OFF mode on the menu.
2. Insert the USB stick into the USB slot on the back of the CORIO CD circulator head.
3. Press the “OK: and the “Service” button simultaneously on the screen. You’ll see “88” appear as an abbreviation for Black Box.
4. Wait until you see “OFF” on the screen, which indicates that all the data has been downloaded.
5. Remove the USB stick from the CORIO CD.
6. Insert the USB stick into the USB drive on your computer, download the file, and email it to service@julabo.us.

How to Download Black Box Data without a USB

Some of our TCUs require using a null modem cable and our free Easy Black Box software to download the Black Box data. This next section will address how to get Black Box data from the TCUs that do not have a USB port, including:

• FL and FP recirculating chillers
• Semichill recirculating chillers
• CF Cryo-Compact refrigerated heating circulators
• High Tech circulators (SE, SL, HE, and HL)
• TopTech circulators 

For JULABO Models without the USB port

Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial.

1. Make sure the TCU is powered on but in the OFF mode on the menu.
2. Connect a Null Modem Cable to the RS232 port on the TCU.
3. Connect the other end of the Null Modem Cable to your computer.
4. Download the Easy Black Box software from the Resources section on our website. 
5. Open the Easy Black Box program on your computer, make sure you have the correct COM port and Baudrate selected, and select OK.
6. This will automatically download all the Black Box data, including settings, alarms and other data.
7. When downloading is complete, save the “txt” file and email it to us service@julabo.us.

If you have any questions about how to download Black Box data from your JULABO TCU, our service team is happy to help. You can also find instructions for this process in your Operating Manual. In addition, you can find more service and vDelivery (our virtual service offering) videos on our YouTube channel.