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Operation - BlueSky Monitor FAQs

Operation

  1. I cannot connect to Wi-Fi no matter what I try. What are my next options?
  2. How can I tell if my BlueSky™ Air Quality Monitor is powered on and sending data to TSI Link™ Solutions via Wi-Fi?
  3. Can I change how often data is stored on TSI Link Solutions?
  4. What does the SD card do?
  5. How often is data stored on the SD card?
  6. How can I install or remove the SD card?
  7. What is the largest SD card can I install?
  8. What if the SD card is full?
  9. My SD card was corrupted. What happens to my data?
  10. What happens if I forgot to switch the Wi-Fi switch and it stays in setup mode?
  11. Do BlueSky Air Quality Monitors run on batteries?
  12. Will water get in to my BlueSky monitor if exposed to rain? What is the IP rating?
  13. Can pests/insects/bugs get into my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?
  14. What happens when the device experiences a power cycle/loss of power due to power outage? Do I need to program the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor again?
  15. Is the flow rate controlled?
  16. I will be exposing the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor to high concentrations (greater than 500 ug/m3). Is that a problem?
  17. What is the operating temperature for a BlueSky Air Quality Monitor? I plan on using my BlueSky monitor in very hot or cold conditions – is that alright?
  18. Can I use the USB connector to download data or configure my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?
  19. How much power does my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor draw/use?
  20. The BlueSky Air Quality Monitor green status LED light is not ON even when the USB is plugged in. What can I do?
  21. Can I reset my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?
  22. Can I remotely turn off my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?
  23. Can I prevent my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor from reporting data to TSI Link Solutions or logging data onto the SD card?
  24. Can I switch measurement units for the data from my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?
  25. I forgot the serial number of my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor. Can I obtain that information without having to go to where the BlueSky monitor is installed?
  26. Can my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor be put to sleep to extend the PM sensor life when concentrations are too high?
  27. Can I set alarms/alerts for my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?
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1. I cannot connect to Wi-Fi no matter what I try. What are my next options?

  • Consult the operational and setup manual in addition to the Quick Start Guide. Be sure you have the Wi-Fi switch in the correct position (pushed to the right) for TSI Link™ Solutions connection via a local Wi-Fi network. In the event you still cannot get the device connected to Wi-Fi, you can call TSI Technical Services for help (Toll Free: 1-800-680-1220).

    TSI strongly encourages you to register the device (by turning the Wi-Fi ON) while in your office or home – before moving the monitor to the location where you plan to install it. Once you move to where you plan to install it, simply connect to Wi-Fi again. This will help to reduce possible Wi-Fi problems.

2. How can I tell if my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor is powered on and sending data to TSI Link Solutions via Wi-Fi?

  • The green LED light, on the bottom of the device, will flash one time every 2 seconds if the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor is connected and reporting to TSI Link Solutions. The table below details the meanings of different LED flash patterns.
    LED Indication What it means
    1 flash every 2 seconds Everything is working and the BlueSky monitor is sending data to TSI Link Solutions
    2 flashes repeating (with a break in-between)

    Trying to connect with Wi-Fi

    If this continue for more than two (2) minutes, check to make sure your SSID and password are correct

    3 flashes repeating (with a break in-between) Connected to Wi-Fi but trying to connect to TSI Link Solutions

3. Can I change how often data is stored on TSI Link Solutions?

  • Yes – data can be pushed to TSI Link Solutions at a logging interval rate you set. TSI Link Solutions data can be configured to report data at different logging intervals, meaning users can change how often data is stored.

4. What does the SD card do?

  • The function of the SD card is to back up the measurement data if your Wi-Fi network is down. It can also act as data storage if there is no Wi-Fi present, since data can only be sent to TSI Link Solutions with Wi-Fi. If an SD card is installed, the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor will always store data to the card; if both Wi-Fi is working and the SD card is installed, data will be sent to TSI Link Solutions and saved on the SD card. Keep in mind, BlueSky monitors comes standard with a 16 GB card already installed.

5. How often is data stored on the SD card?

  • The data is stored onto the SD card at the same rate it reports to TSI Link Solutions. This is determined by the logging interval the user sets in TSI Link Solutions. The default is every 15 minutes.

6. How can I install or remove the SD card?

  • Follow these steps:
    1. Remove the two screws securing the cover to the bottom of the device and remove the white top/cover.
    2. TO INSTALL: Insert the SD card into the card slot in the upper left corner of the main board and press until it clicks into place.
      TO REMOVE: Push on the SD card in the upper left corner of the main board and it should release and slide out a little so you can pull it from the board. If installing a different card, be mindful of the existing card’s orientation as you remove it and replicate the orientation with the new card.
    3. Replace the cover and reinsert the two screws.
  • You can also see these steps in the Operation and Setup Manual here

7. What is the largest SD card can I install?

  • The maximum size is 32 GB (SDHC); A 16 GB SD card is provided. Please note the SD card has to be formatted to FAT or FAT32 – no other formats are accepted. And, you cannot install an unformatted SD card.

8. What if the SD card is full?

  • If the SD card fills up, data will no longer be backed up. At this point, if the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor is connected to TSI Link Solutions, it is only being stored on TSI Link Solutions. However, please note that the SD card can store many years’ worth of data, even logging at 1 minute intervals.

9. My SD card was corrupted. What happens to my data?

  • The data for that same time period, if the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor is connected to TSI Link Solutions, is stored on TSI Link Solutions and is available for download.

10. What happens if I forgot to switch the Wi-Fi switch and it stays in setup mode?

  • If you don’t move the switch to the right after setting up the Wi-Fi, the device will not connect to TSI Link Solutions. The device firmware will buffer data up to one week at the default logging interval of 15 minutes. After the device changed from the Wi-Fi setup mode to cloud mode (flipping the switch), the firmware will push any buffered data to TSI Link Solutions. Please note that if the BlueSky air Quality Monitor remains in Wi-Fi setup mode for over a week (and therefore note sending data to the cloud for over a week), TSI Link Solutions will start missing data.

11. Do BlueSky Air Quality Monitors run on batteries?

  • No, at this time, AC power must be available.

12. Will water get in to my BlueSky monitor if exposed to rain? What is the IP rating?

  • The device is protected from rain fall. Best practice, however, is to position/install your BlueSky monitor where water will not splash or spray onto the underside of the unit. BlueSky monitors have no IP rating; the power supply does carry an IP68 rating.

13. Can pests/insects/bugs get into my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?

  • It is possible for small creatures to enter the BlueSky monitor through the bottom screen and some of the smaller openings on the bottom, but the monitor’s design should keep most creatures out of the unit. The screen can be removed for cleaning, and you can use compressed air dusters for electronics to clean the inside of the device and board. Please be careful to not spray into the PM sensor.

14. What happens when the device experiences a power cycle/loss of power due to power outage? Do I need to program the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor again?

  • No, the settings remain embedded on the device memory and it will reconnect to TSI Link Solutions when power is reestablished.

15. Is the flow rate controlled?

  • Flow is controlled to   ̴0.1 LPM.

16. I will be exposing the BlueSky Air Quality Monitor to high concentrations (greater than 500 ug/m3). Is that a problem?

  • Exposing your BlueSky monitor to concentrations greater than 500 ug/m3 is not a problem. Accuracy will diminish above 500 ug/m3, but you will not damage the laser.  It should be noted higher concentrations will also reduce the overall lifespan of the instrument, and varies by how long the monitor is subjected to the high concentration.

17. What is the operating temperature for a BlueSky Air Quality Monitor? I plan on using my BlueSky monitor in very hot or cold conditions – is that alright?

  • The operating temperature for a BlueSky monitor is -10°C to 60°C (14°F to 140°F). As long as you are operating the device within the operational temperature, damage will not occur. Storage temperature is -40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F). In climates that often experience temperatures below -10°C (14°F), PM measurements may be affected. You may also see a change in correlation performance when comparing to another type of aerosol monitor. Permanent damage should not occur, unless an extreme prolonged exposure is experienced (less than -20°C).

18. Can I use the USB connector to download data or configure my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?

  • No the USB connector cannot be used to download data or configure the device, configuration is done via TSI Link Solutions. The USB connector is only used to provide power to the device.

19. How much power does my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor draw/use?

  • BlueSky monitor power consumption is 2.5 watts.

20. The BlueSky Air Quality Monitor green status LED light is not ON even when the USB is plugged in. What can I do?

  • First, confirm the power supply is working properly by disconnecting the BlueSky monitor and plugging it into another power supply that is working properly. If the status LED light turns on, then you know the other power supply is not working.

    If you have another BlueSky monitor available, you can also try to plug that monitor into the original power supply to see if the status LED light will turn on.

    If you believe the power supply has failed, a replacement can be ordered (North America-style power supply, European-style power supply, UK-style power supply). If you believe the BlueSky monitor has failed, a replacement can be purchased or a new monitor can be provided if it is still under warranty. The BlueSky monitor’s warranty is 90 days from shipment.

21. Can I reset my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?

  • A power cycle/loss of power will reset the device. To do this, unplug the power supply from the USB connection on the monitor, wait 60 seconds, and plug it back in to reestablish power.

22. Can I remotely turn off my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?

  • No, there is not a remote way to turn off your monitor. The device must be powered down by removing/unplugging the USB power cable.

23. Can I prevent my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor from reporting data to TSI Link Solutions or logging data onto the SD card?

  • Yes. To stop data from reporting to TSI Link Solutions, do not configure the Wi-Fi network – if a Wi-Fi network hasn’t been configured, the monitor cannot connect to TSI Link Solutions. To stop data from logging onto an SD card, simply remove the SD card from the monitor.

24. Can I switch measurement units for the data from my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?

  • No, mass concentration data is reported in ug/m3, temperature in °C, and humidity as a percentage (%RH).

25. I forgot the serial number of my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor. Can I obtain that information without having to go to where the BlueSky monitor is installed?

  • If the device is registered on TSI Link Solutions, then the serial number is also stored there – log into TSI Link Solutions and you can find your serial number. If registration has not been completed yet, you will either have to go to the physical device to obtain the BlueSky monitor serial number or you will need to refer to the Quick Start Guide that came with your device.

26. Can my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor be put to sleep to extend the PM sensor life when concentrations are too high?

  • It is not possible to put BlueSky monitors to sleep when higher concentrations are expected. The BlueSky monitor will continue to provide mass concentrations up to roughly 10 mg/m3. Overall life expectancy may decrease, but should not be affected greatly as long as the higher concentrations dissipate within a few days.

27. Can I set alarms/alerts for my BlueSky Air Quality Monitor?

  • Your BlueSky monitor sends Device and Sensor alert status to TSI Link Solutions as numbers:

    Device Status:
    0 (device rebooted)
    1 (SDCARD write failed)
    2 (cloud disconnected)
    3 (case sensor error)
    4 (PM sensor error)
    5 (realtime clock battery low)
    6 (timestamp stale)
    7 (timestamp time invalid)

    Sensor Status:
    0 (uncalibrated)
    1 (cleaning occurred)
    2 (initialization error)
    3 (internal error)
    4 (timeout)
    5 (communication error)
    6 (checksum error)
    7 (data error)
    8 (fan error)

    If your TSI Link Solutions account receives a numbered alert, an icon will appear on the monitor card in the upper right corner (see screenshot below, with the icon in red). 



    TSI Link Solutions will alert you if a monitor has been disconnected from TSI Link Solutions for over 24 hours. The monitor’s pin in TSI Link Solutions will be grayed out. Once you click on the pin, you will be able to see an error message that will remain until the monitor is back online.