Part No. Z1-010-026, I0017601
Mar 2020

Software Installation Guide on Windows 10FCTester
This guide provides procedures for installing FCTester inWindows 10. Be sure to follow the instructions provided inthis installation guide.

• The installation instructions provided in the user's manual (IB008703) included in the CD-ROM came with theproduct and those provided in the user's manual(IB008704) available from the Kikusui website are notapplicable to the cases where software programs areinstalled in Windows 10.
• For information on the product other than installation
procedures, refer to FCTester User’s Manual(IB008704) available from the Kikusui website.

Safety precautions
Before using FCTester, carefully the following manuals
describing the hardware. Be sure to connect and handle thedevice properly. Improper connections or handling may leadto serious accidents, injury, and fire.
• Fuel Cell Impedance Measurement System
KFM2150SYSTEM• FC Scanner KFM2151 (when using the scanner)

System requirements• Core i5 or higher

You can download this installation guide from the Kikusui
website (https://www.kikusui.co.jp/en/download/).

 Trademarks
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks ortrademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries. All company names and productnames used in this manual are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

 Notations used in this guide• Windows 10 (64 bit or 32 bit)
• 8 GB RAM1 (Minimum)• 20 GB or more of free hard-disk space• A display that supports 1024 x 768 or higher resolution(96 DPI)• CD-ROM drive• Mouse• VISA library• RS232C, USB, LAN, or GPIB2 (depending on the interface that you want to use)

• “PC” in this guide is a generic term for personal computers and workstations.
• The following markings are used in this guide.
Indicates information that you should know.

 Copyrights
The contents of this guide may not be reproduced, in whole
or in part, without the prior consent of the copyright holder.
The specifications of this product and the contents of thisguide are subject to change without prior notice.
© 2020 KIKUSUI Electronics Corporation

1.
2.

If you want to use the software continuously over an extended period, expanding the RAM to 16 GB is recommended.
GPIB interface by National Instruments, Keysight Technologies, or Contec (32 bit only)About Windows updates

File structure of CD-ROM

Unlike the older versions of Windows, Windows 10 is provided as Windows as a Service (WaaS) in order to continuously update the OS. It is said that updating privileges
would be lost unless it is used in an Internet connectedenvironment and Windows Update is periodically executed(currently 18 months).

The CD-ROM coming with the product includes the following software programs and manuals:

If you want to stably run a sequence using Wavy over an
extended period, you need to be careful about the auto
update function of Window 10.
Familiarize yourself with the matter explained below, andconstruct the most stable OS environment possible before
running a sequence.

Cannot be used. This is an older version.
PLZ_Detach software application
Related manuals

Starting installation launcher

 Running Windows Update
Run Windows Update to update the OS to the latest condition (in which “You’re up to date” is shown).
When the downloading of the update file is complete, Windows will be in an installation-wait state or restart-wait state
after installation. If you run a sequence in this state, Windows may restart automatically even when the PC is notconnected to the Internet. Be sure to select Install Now orRestart Now to complete the installation of the update program.

Startinor FCTester in English Ver.
Starting installer for FCTester in Japanese Ver.

• When you run AutoRun.exe, the installation launcherappears.

When the installation launcher is used, the version ofFCTester to be installed is automatically determinedaccording to the OS installed on your PC.
• OS in Japanese version -> FCTester in Japaneseversion

 Windows Update settings
With the default Windows Update settings, when connectedto the Internet, Windows 10 automatically runs WindowsUpdate and restarts the PC using the update program. If
Wavy is running, Windows will automatically restart while asequence is running, and this will result in the loss of monitored data.

• OS in other language version -> FCTester inEnglish version

When executing a long-term sequence using Wavy, we recommend that, in the Windows Update settings, you postpone the update program installation until an appropriate
time.

2Software Installation Guide on Windows 10FCTester

Installation procedures

The following other VISA libraries can also be used. Confirm the license terms of each VISA library before installation.

An administrator account is required for the following installation.

• NI-VISA by National Instruments (Ver.19.0 or later)• Keysight VISA by Keysight Technologies (Keysight IO
Libraries Suite 2019 or later)

FCTester
You can install FCTester by following the steps below. Alternatively, you can install FCTester by directly starting theinstaller. In that case, make sure of the language of FCTester you are going to install.

AutoRun.exe included in the CD-ROM.
1 Run
The installation launcher appears.
Install Fuel Cell Tester.
2 Click
A setup wizard appears.

Only KI-VISA supports GPIB in FCTester. If NI-VISA orKeysight VISA is already installed on your PC and GPIB
is not used, you do not need to install KI-VISA.

 Installing KI-VISA
the version 5.5 or later through1 Download
our website (https://www.kikusui.co.jp/en/download/).
Download (x64) for 64-bit OS or download (x86) for32-bit OS.

the downloaded
2 Double-click
kivisa_5_5_x.exe to run it.
The VISA library installation initiates. In case that aVISA library has already been installed, the VISA
library and its version are displayed. Do not install
multiple VISA libraries on a single PC.

Follow the instructions until the installation is complete.

VISA library
To use FCTester, VISA library needs to be installed on yourPC.
VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) library is astandard specification for measurement instrument connection software, which was developed by VXIplug&play
Sytems Alliance.

Follow the instructions until the installation is complete.

A KIKUSUI original KI-VISA is available that supports IVI
VISA specifications 5.0.
• KI-VISA Ver 5.5 or later

The version of KI-VISA included in the CD-ROM does notsupport Windows 10.
• If you want to use KI-VISA, download the latest version(5.5 or later) from the Kikusui website(https://www.kikusui.co.jp/en/download/).
• If KI-VISA installed on your PC is earlier than Ver. 5.5,
you need to download the latest version from this site.

FCTester

Software Installation Guide on Windows 103

Troubleshooting after installation
If your FCTester is used for the first time, you may be unable to use it as it is, depending on the operating environment of yourPC.
Possible symptoms and remedies to be taken in such a case are provided below. If any of the following remedies does not
solve the problem, or if none of the items listed here match your situation, contact your Kikusui agent or distributor.
SymptomRemedy• An error message appears when you attempt to start FCTester Executive.

1. Click OK to close the message.
2. Download set_path.zip from the Kikusui website(https://www.kikusui.co.jp/en/download/).
3. Unzip the ZIP file.
4. Right-click the file name (set_path.bat), and select Run
as administrator.

When you double-click the file name, you are assumed torun the program as a standard user and cannot correct theproblem.
• An error message appears when you attempt to start FCTester Configuration Tool.

1. Click OK to close the message.
2. Download vcredict_x86.exe from either of the following
URLs:• https://www.microsoft.com/ja-JP/download/
details.aspx?id=29• https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/
details.aspx?id=29
3. Run vcredict_x86.exe.
4. Reboot the PC.

• Communication with GPIB failed(the VISA library uses NI-VISA or Keysight VISA).

Only KI-VISA supports GPIB in FCTester. Take either of thefollowing remedies:• Use the RS232C or USB interface.
• Uninstall the VISA library installed on your PC, and theninstall KI-VISA (Ver. 5.5 or later).

KIKUSUI ELECTRONICS CORP.
1-1-3 Higashiyamata, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama,224-0023, Japan
Phone:+81-45-482-6353
Facsimile: +81-45-482-6261

www.kikusui.co.jp/en/

4Software Installation Guide on Windows 10FCTester