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How to Create a Chart from a BixCheck Log Using Microsoft ExcelRev A

When running Monitor in BixCheck and creating a log file, jot down on paper the directory containing the log file. Ihave created a directory call BixCheck under My Documents. You may choose any directory. You may look atthis file at anytime even while the stove is running and you are still logging. I do suggest not creating a log filelonger than 24 hours. If you do need to log longer than 24 hours, set the Data Log Pct at a number lower than100%. This will lengthen the time in between readings and will give you a smaller log file.

In the following example, I will use a log file for a UUB created with BixCheck 6021 version 03.00.01.32. There is noparticular problem with this stove.

The first step is to open Excel.From the File menu choose Open.In the window that opens, change Files of Type to All Files.The Log File will be a text file called BixLog_(serial number)_(file number).txt ie. BixLog_2014_05.txt.

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Next, navigate to the directory that contains the log file and choose the file you want to look at.

Select Open.Check the Delimited file type.

Select Next.

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Select Comma.

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Select Next.

Select Finish.

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The spreadsheet should look something like the figure below.

Using the Split function, isolate the first row.

Your screen should look similar to the figure below.

Select the columns you want to graph by clicking on the column letter. You will need to scroll to the right to see therest of the spreadsheet. To select non-adjacent columns hold the Ctrl key down while selecting the columns youwant. Your screen should look similar to the figure below.

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Now we will graph the information that we have selected. On the file menu select Insert and then Chart.

Step 1: Select the chart type as Line as highlighted and select Next.

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Step 2: Do nothing except select Next.

Step 3: Select Legend, Show Legend and Bottom. Select Next.

We are almost done. One more step to create the chart. After the chart has been created we can do a few littlethings to the chart to make it easier to read.

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Step 4: Select As new sheet: and if you want you can rename the chart other than Chart1.

Step 5: Select finish and your chart will be created as a new sheet in the workbook. Your screen should looksomething like the figure below.

Right click

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Now lets make the chart a little easier to read. Right click anywhere on the chart and select Format Plot Area,choose a color and select OK.

Continue selecting items (right clicking) and changing colors, lines and scales. The following items can be changedor altered to you liking.

Format Plot AreaFormat GridlinesFormat Data Series

Format Axis (X and Y)Change to a Secondary AxisFormat FontFormat NumbersAnd so on and so on.

Experiment with the settings until you become familiar with the many changes that can be made to the charts. Youcan make as many charts in the workbook as you like.

If you are going to be doing a lot of charting, get used to using the same color all the time for the same items. Thiswill help if you are comparing charts side by side.

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This is an example of what can be done with the chart. Yours may not look the same and that is OK.

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1 151 301 451 601 751 901 10511201135115011651180119512101225124012551270128513001315133013451360137513901

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Exh TC F State ctrl LED Current

61 - Ash dump

3 LED's - Heat Level 3

Ash Drawer Open

Igniters ON

Lean Recovery

Mode

Lean Recovery

Mode

Heat Level

During

Ramping

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LED "64"

Possible Jam

Heat

Level 1

Heat

Level 3

Starting

Exhaust temperature

showing a decrease as if

running lean

Ramping to heat

level 2

Heat

Level 2

Heat

Level 1

Cool Down - State

Control 10

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Once you have your chart looking like you want it, follow the steps on this page to make your style of chart thedefault chart style.

1) Right click

2) Choose Chart Type

3) Custom Types

4) User Defined

5 Set as default

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When you want to graph data, select a column or columns and key F11 on the keyboard and the graph will beautomatically made.