Troubleshooting the LI-1000 Datalogger

The LI-1000 Dataloggers may periodically lock-up and become unresponsive. The LI-1000's display may also contain
nonsensical characters, darken, or simply remain blank. Other issues may be faulty BNC channels or other input
channels. Water ingress might also occasionally cause issues with the LI-1000 Datalogger.

This document suggests some troubleshooting steps to follow to try and restore normal operations of the LI-1000
Datalogger. If none of these suggestions resolve the issue, then the instrument should come back to LI-COR for
servicing and repairs. Contact LI-COR for an RMA number to return the unit.

General Precautions
BATTERIES: Batteries (“D” cells) should always be left in the datalogger. If the batteries are removed, then the
backup battery supplies the power to maintain the memory. Once the backup battery is dead, it cannot be recharged.
Although the datalogger will work fine when the “D” cell batteries are re-installed, all memory will be lost the next time
they are changed. However, to prevent damage from leaking batteries, the “D” cell batteries should be changed at
least once a year. Leaking alkaline batteries emit corrosive fumes that can cause severe damage to the circuit
boards.

If batteries do leak, do NOT take the batteries out and send the datalogger to LI-COR. Instead, contact the
manufacturer of the batteries. Most of the time, the battery manufacturer will pay for damages to the instrument.

Make sure the LI-1000 is left in INSTANTANEOUS mode when not in use. If it is left in LOG mode, it will continue to
wake up and make readings regardless if nothing is connected.

WATER RESISTANT: Although the LI-1000 is sealed, it should not be left unprotected outdoors. It was designed to
be sufficiently water resistance so that if caught in a rainstorm, the instrument would not be damaged.

If the LI-1000 is being used with underwater sensors, it is inevitable that it will get wet sooner or later. If the
instrument is splashed, especially with salt water, it is very important to rinse the connectors with clean distilled water
and dry as soon as possible before corrosion can occur. Pins in the connectors carry voltages which can accelerate
corrosion.

Problems
NOTHING SHOWS ON THE DISPLAY
1. This may be caused by dead batteries. Replace batteries.
2. The battery cable connector may be defective where it
plugs onto the circuit board (#1 on picture)
3. There is a more serious electronic problem that must be
diagnosed.
DISPLAY IS ON BUT DOES NOT CHANGE OR DISPLAY
DARKENS MOMENTARILY EVERY 5 OR 60 SECONDS
1. Microprocessor is locked up. See section on lockup.
2. Memory is corrupted. See section on lockup.
Inside view of LI-1000 with large ribbon cable disconnected for clarity.
3. Only an „underscore‟ is displayed. 1) Battery cable connection
2) Reset switch.
3) Backup battery.

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MEMORY (DATA AND CONFIGURATION) IS LOST WHEN CHANGING BATTERIES
1. The backup battery is dead and should be replaced (#3 in picture above)
ONE OR TWO CHANNELS ARE NOT WORKING (see photos on the next page)
1. Electronic components in an individual channel can fail and cause that channel to malfunction. This problem
requires electronic diagnosis and replacement of failed component.
2. The two small black coax cables or the large gray ribbon cable (internal) that connects the terminal block to
the circuit board may not be installed correctly.
WATER IS EITHER LEAKING OR CONDENSING INSIDE THE CASE
1. The seal between the bottom and top half of the case is bad
and needs to be replaced.
2. The desiccant pack inside the instrument is exhausted and
needs to be activated.

Lockup problems
There are two ways the LI-1000 can lockup. Both problems can be easily corrected by the user.

1. Lockup due to the microprocessor: This is usually not a serious problem and can be corrected without loss of
data. The microprocessor can easily be reinitialized by removing the batteries, or by disconnecting the cable
that connects the battery pack to the main board and reconnecting.
2. The LI-1000 Datalogger may only display an underscore and will not respond to keystrokes. Rapidly pressing
the ON and OFF buttons for 10 seconds may restore the LI-1000 to normal operations.
3. Lockup due to corruption of memory: This is the most serious form of lockup and will usually means all stored
data will be lost. The procedure for clearing all memory is shown on the following slides.

To Reset the LI-1000

 Make sure cable to battery pack is removed

 Press reset button for 3 seconds

 Reconnect battery cable

 Reassemble the LI-1000

 If successful, it will require you to re-enter date and time

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Older LI-1000’s do NOT have a reset switch to clear memory.
Instead look for a row of solder joints that extend across most of the circuit board. Remove the battery cable as
previously described. Bend a paper clip that will allow you to short pins 3 & 5 from the right hand side, for about 3
seconds. This shorts the backup battery and causes all memory to be erased. This is the same as pressing the reset
switch. Reconnect the battery cable and close the case. If clearing the memory was successful, the LI-1000 will
require you to enter the date and time.

Channels 1 or 2 not functioning

Signals from channels one and two are carried from the two BNC
connectors at the top of the case to the circuit board by two small black
coax cables. If either of these channels are not working, check where
these cables are connected to the circuit board.

One or more channels (3-8) not functioning

Check here that signal cable is properly connected
(the large grey ribbon cable)

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