The TI-82 will automatically recognize the Vernier auto-ID sensors and load appropriate calibrations. When you plug in the auto-ID sensor, you will see the “checking sensors” message. The only problem is that the program is not capable of displaying the sensor name on the main screen and on graphs for sensors other than temperature, light, voltage and motion. Therefore when it does detect an auto-ID sensor other than the four just mentioned, it will label the sensor as a “custom” sensor.

If the sensor you are using is not automatically recognized, you need to manually set up the sensor. Do this by going through the following steps.

  1. Select SETUP in the main menu. Make sure that the cursor on the setup screen is opposite the channel in which the sensor is connected. Press [ENTER].
  2. Select CUSTOM.
  3. Choose CUSTOM 0 TO 5(V).
  4. Select CALIBRATE.
  5. Now you will have to calibrate the sensor by performing a new calibration or manually entering calibration values.
  6. In the CALIBRATION screen, choose CALIBRATE NOW if you wish to perform a new calibration for your sensor or choose MANUAL ENTRY if you plan to enter the slope and intercept of your sensor. The slope and intercept values for the calibration can be found in the booklet that came with your sensor or on the Vernier web site (www.vernier.com).

From there, you can return to the main screen and collect data. The sensor will be labelled as “custom” but will collect data with the proper calibration.

Other options include:

  • You may want to consider using a different calculator with greater memory. Calculators other than the TI-82 will auto-ID the sensor and provide the proper sensor name.
  • You can also use the Physics, ChemBio, or PhySci program. These programs properly label graphs.