Vernier Tech Info Library TIL #583

Question

Can I use the PASCO Free Fall Adapter with the ULI, LabPro, or LabQuest?

Answer

Absolutely. The ME-9207, ME-9207A, and ME-9207B (different revisions of the same product) all have a single 1/4" stereo jack that connects to the ULI directly. To connect it to a LabPro or LabQuest, you just need a HMP-BTD adapter. It does not work using a DG-BTD in our tests.

A metal ball is held at the top until you manually turn a release switch. The user then taps the pad on the floor. At that point the ball drops and the output of the phone jack changes to "Blocked" until the ball falls on and trips the switch at the bottom of the device. The software sees this as the same as using gate mode.

Logger Pro includes an experiment file named "ME-9207 Free Fall" that is already set up for using this device.

There is one minor problem with the Logger Pro 3.1, 3.2, or 3.3 experiment files. The experiment is set up for and the notes imply that you an repeat the procedure several times with one run. This does not work well because the act of putting the ball in the holder usually causes a lot of false events. In version 3.3. the notes were corrected, but the file needs to corrected by either:
a) Changing the mode to Time-Based instead of Digital Events.
or
b) Setting the experiment to end after 3 digital events and always striking the pad twice.

Revision history of the ME-9207:
-ME-9207 was the original
-ME-9207A had a modified signal output that was more TTL compatible
-ME-9207B added standard smart pulley mount so that it looks like other PASCO photogates

Related TILs:
TIL 1755: How do I set up the Pasco ME-9207 Free Fall Adapter to work with LabQuest?

Created by: dvernier on September 23 1999
Last updated by: jhopkins on February 15 2008