Text-only adaptation of original PDF; see full bilingual archive for embedded images.

NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




           NE-501 Multi-Pump Control System
From Unboxing and Wiring to Pump Addresses, Python, and First Software Connection

          Complete Pre-Installation Guide for First-Time Users




  Figure 1. Actual four-pump NE-501 setup. Use this image to recognize the overall system; your cable routing does not need to look
                                                              identical.

Who this guide is for Users who are new to the NE-501, RS-232, COM ports, WinPumpTerm, or Python. The goal is
to go from opening the box to a working connection in NE501 Multi Pump Controller.

                                 Document version 2.0 | For NE501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0




                                 For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                      NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide


0. Overview: Complete These Steps in Order the First Time
                                                                      Unbox and identify the hardware: pumps, 12 V supplies,
    A                                                                 CBL-PC-PUMP, USB-RS232 adapter, and pump network
                                                                      cables.

                                                                      Establish single-pump communication: USB-RS232 driver
    B                                                                 -> identify the COM port in Device Manager ->
                                                                      WinPumpTerm at 19200 baud.

                                                                      Assign addresses one pump at a time: 00, 01, 02, and 03.
    C                                                                 Keep only one pump connected while assigning its
                                                                      address.

                                                                      Daisy-chain the pumps: PC -> Pump 00 Computer; each
    D
                                                                      pump Network port -> next pump Computer port.

                                                                      Software environment: Python 3.12.10 -> setup_dev.bat ->
    E
                                                                      run_dev.bat. Skip Python if you already have the final EXE.

                                                                      Normal operation: Connect -> Scan -> Verify Diameter ->
    F
                                                                      Prime / Steady Flow -> APPLY & VERIFY -> Active / RUN.

    Key rule During address setup, connect only one pump at a time. Daisy-chain the four pumps only after all addresses
    are assigned. Before using NE501 Multi Pump Controller, fully close WinPumpTerm so two programs do not compete for
    the same COM port.



1. Check the Hardware After Unboxing
  NE-501 OEM syringe pumps. This system uses four pumps.
  A 12 V DC power supply for each pump.
  PC primary cable: CBL-PC-PUMP series. The DB9/adapter side connects to the USB-RS232 adapter; the RJ-11
   side connects to the pump Computer port.
 USB-to-RS232 adapter. The example system uses a Prolific PL2303GT adapter.
 Pump-to-pump network cables used to connect the previous pump Network port to the next pump Computer port.
 Do not connect fluid yet For first-time commissioning, verify power and communication first. Connect the microfluidic
    chip and fluid only after all four pumps pass the communication checks.




                                   For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                               NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




                          Figure 2. Four pumps arranged with the pump network cables installed.


2. Identify the NE-501 Connectors - The Most Common Wiring
Mistake
The NE-501 PCB has both RS-232 Pump Network / Computer connectors and a TTL I/O connector. Computer control
uses the RS-232 Computer side. The DB9 connector labeled TTL I/O is not the computer RS-232 port used by this
software.




                            For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                       NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




       Figure 3. Left: PCB connector labels. Center: PC primary cable and USB-RS232 adapter. Right: Pump Network to the next pump
                                                            Computer connection.

    Do not use the DB9 TTL I/O as the computer RS-232 connection The DB9 connector is clearly labeled TTL I/O.
    The computer USB-RS232 adapter must connect through CBL-PC-PUMP to the RS-232 Computer connector on the
    pump.



3. Power and Connect the First Pump to the PC
STEP 3-1 Turn off pump power first Turn power off before plugging or unplugging communication cables.
STEP 3-2 Connect the correct 12 V DC power supply Each pump must be powered. During multi-pump
operation, all pumps in the communication chain should remain powered.
STEP 3-3 Connect only the first pump to the computer PC USB -> USB-RS232 -> CBL-PC-PUMP -> pump
Computer connector. Do not daisy-chain the other pumps yet while assigning addresses.
    The COM number is not permanent Windows may assign COM3, COM4, COM5, or another number depending on
    the PC and USB port. Always use the current number shown in Device Manager.



4. Windows Driver and COM Port
STEP 4-1 Plug in the USB-RS232 adapter
Allow Windows to detect the adapter. If a driver is not installed automatically, use the New Era download page and
look for the CBL-USB232 driver. In this system, Windows identifies the adapter as Prolific PL2303GT USB Serial
COM Port.

STEP 4-2 Open Device Manager
     Right-click Windows Start -> Device Manager.
     Expand Ports (COM & LPT).
     Record the COM number shown for Prolific PL2303GT USB Serial COM Port (COMx).




                                    For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




                 Figure 4. Device Manager on the test PC showing COM4. Your COM number may be different.

STEP 4-3 Confirm the correct USB device if needed
If you are unsure which COM port belongs to the pump cable, unplug the USB-RS232 adapter and confirm that the
COM entry disappears. Plug it back in and confirm that the same COM entry returns.


5. WinPumpTerm - Verify One Pump Before Building the Network
Use WinPumpTerm for commissioning and address checks. Close it completely before normal operation with NE501
Multi Pump Controller.

STEP 5-1 Open WinPumpTerm -> Tools -> Options




                             For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                   NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




      Figure 5. WinPumpTerm options using COM4 and 19200 baud. Select the COM port reported by your own Device Manager.

STEP 5-2 Communication settings
   COM Port: select the COM number shown in Device Manager, for example COM4.
   Baud Rate: 19200.
   Data format: the NE-501 default is 8N1 (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit).
STEP 5-3 Confirm the communication window is open




                                For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                    NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




       Figure 6. WinPumpTerm Command Line view. The bottom status bar helps confirm whether the port is open and connected.


6. Assign a Unique Address to Each Pump
 One pump at a time When assigning a network address, connect one pump directly to the computer and disconnect its
 pump-network cable. Daisy-chain the pumps only after all four addresses are complete.


This system uses Pump 00, Pump 01, Pump 02, and Pump 03. The network address is stored in nonvolatile pump
memory.

STEP 6-1 Query the current address
When using a terminal that sends raw RS-232 commands, the system command is:

*ADR


In WinPumpTerm, the ADR command can also display the current address. A successful response shows 00, 01, 02,
or 03 in the Data column.

STEP 6-2 Set a unique address
When using a terminal that can send the raw system command, use:

*ADR 0       <- Pump 1
*ADR 1       <- Pump 2
*ADR 2       <- Pump 3
*ADR 3       <- Pump 4


After assigning the address, query it again and send VER using that address to confirm a firmware response.




                                 For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
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     Figure 7. Successful responses for pump addresses 00, 01, 02, and 03. The Data column shows the corresponding address.

 Pass condition Each pump reports its own unique address, and VER sent to that address returns a firmware string
 such as NE501V3.934. Your firmware version may differ.



7. Daisy-Chain the Four-Pump Network After Address Setup
STEP 7-1 Turn all pumps off
STEP 7-2 Connect the network in this direction
PC USB -> USB-RS232 -> CBL-PC-PUMP -> Pump 00 Computer
Pump 00 Network -> Pump 01 Computer
Pump 01 Network -> Pump 02 Computer
Pump 02 Network -> Pump 03 Computer


STEP 7-3 Power all four pumps
After the network is daisy-chained, upstream pumps become part of the communication path. Keep all four pumps
powered during normal operation.




                                For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                        NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




Figure 8. Example of a Network -> Computer connection between two pumps.




     For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                  NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




              Figure 9. Four-pump arrangement. The gray network cable is daisy-chained from one pump to the next.


8. Verify All Four Pumps in WinPumpTerm
Before switching to NE501 Multi Pump Controller, perform one final commissioning check. In WinPumpTerm, select
addresses 00, 01, 02, and 03 one by one and send VER.

 Pump                                     Address                                         Expected result

 Pump 00                                  00                                              VER returns the firmware version

 Pump 01                                  01                                              VER returns the firmware version

 Pump 02                                  02                                              VER returns the firmware version

 Pump 03                                  03                                              VER returns the firmware version


                               For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                      NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




    After all four pass Close WinPumpTerm. From this point onward, NE501 Multi Pump Controller should be the only
    program using that COM port.



9. Python 3.12.10 - Needed Only for Source-Code Use or Building the
EXE
    If you already have the finished EXE The routine operating PC does not need Python. It still needs the USB-RS232
    Windows driver. Install Python only if you will use run_dev.bat, modify the source, or rebuild the EXE.


STEP 9-1 Download Python 3.12.10 64-bit
Official page: https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-31210/ -> Windows installer (64-bit).

STEP 9-2 During installation, enable
      Add python.exe to PATH
      Use admin privileges when installing py.exe (if this option is shown)
STEP 9-3 Open a new Command Prompt and verify
py -3.12 --version
py -3.12 -m pip --version


The first command should show Python 3.12.x. The second should show the pip version and installation path.


10. Install / Start NE501 Multi Pump Controller
Source-code / development version
      Fully extract the project ZIP. Do not run the batch files from inside a ZIP preview window.
      Run setup_dev.bat once to create .venv and install PySide6, pyserial, and the required packages.
      Run run_dev.bat to start the application.
Final EXE
Run NE501_Multi_Pump_Controller.exe directly. Keep config.json and the manuals in the same release folder.


11. First Connection in NE501 Multi Pump Controller
STEP 11-1 Make sure WinPumpTerm is fully closed
STEP 11-2 Select the COM port -> Connect
      Click Refresh COM.
      Select the COM port shown in Device Manager, for example COM4.
      Confirm 19200 baud / 8N1.
      Click Connect.
STEP 11-3 Click Scan Pumps 00, 01, 02, 03
All four pump panels should show Online and a firmware version.




                                   For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                        NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide




    Figure 10. Successful hardware connection: COM4 is connected. Pump 00 has completed diameter verification and program verification.


12. First-Time Setup for Each Pump
1) SET & VERIFY DIAMETER
Enter the syringe inside diameter in mm and click SET & VERIFY DIAMETER. Continue only after STEP 1
COMPLETE / Verified appears.

2) Prime, if required
 Enable Prime before steady flow.
 Choose Prime speed: Max / High / Medium / Low / Min. For a new microfluidic setup, start with Low or Min.
 Enter the Prime volume and select µL or mL.
The software automatically converts the verified syringe diameter into a Prime flow rate. After the specified Prime
volume is delivered, the pump automatically transitions to the steady-flow phase.

3) Steady flow
      Set the Steady rate and unit.
      Choose Direction: Infuse or Withdraw.
      Use Continuous steady flow, or clear Continuous and enter a Steady target volume.
4) APPLY & VERIFY
The program writes the pumping program and reads the values back for verification. RUN remains locked until
verification succeeds.

5) Active / RUN
Active determines whether a pump is included in group actions. For example, you can select only Pump 00 and Pump
02 and then use RUN Active / STOP Active. EMERGENCY STOP ALL always targets every configured pump.


13. First Fluid Test - Recommended Acceptance Procedure
      Use a safe liquid and low-risk tubing first.
      Test one pump first, then test multiple Active pumps.

                                     For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                      NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide

     Start with a small Prime volume and Low or Min Prime speed, then increase only if the filling time is too long.
     Check tubing, fittings, and the microfluidic chip for leaks, disconnections, or abnormal deformation.
     Confirm STOP and EMERGENCY STOP ALL can stop motion immediately.
    Microfluidic safety note Prime speed is a plunger-speed preset, not a pressure limit. If pressure protection is required,
    add appropriate pressure sensing and/or mechanical safety measures. Do not treat a lower Prime speed as a pressure
    safety system.



14. Common First-Time Problems
                                                                      Check Device Manager first. Reconnect the USB-RS232
    COM port is missing in the GUI
                                                                      adapter, then click Refresh COM.

                                                                      Close WinPumpTerm, serial monitors, and other Python
    COM exists but Connect fails                                      programs. Only one program can own a COM port at a
                                                                      time.

                                                                      Confirm 19200 baud, the correct COM port, and that the
    WinPumpTerm does not respond
                                                                      RJ-11 cable is connected to Computer, not TTL I/O.

    Multiple pumps respond together or communication is               Check for duplicate addresses. 00, 01, 02, and 03 must be
    confused                                                          unique.

                                                                      Check the daisy-chain direction: previous pump Network ->
    Only Pump 00 works
                                                                      next pump Computer.

    Prime/flow controls remain locked after diameter entry            Complete SET & VERIFY DIAMETER first.

                                                                      Change Prime speed from Low to Min and reduce the first
    Prime is too fast
                                                                      Prime volume.

                                                                      Use WinPumpTerm to send VER to that address. If VER
    Software reports Offline
                                                                      also fails, check power, wiring, and the pump address.



15. Completion Checklist and Official References
     Device Manager identifies the USB-RS232 COM port.
     WinPumpTerm communicates with a single pump at 19200 baud.
     The four pump addresses are 00, 01, 02, and 03.
     After daisy-chaining, VER returns a firmware version from all four addresses.
     NE501 Multi Pump Controller connects and scans four Online pumps.
     Each pump can complete Diameter verification, APPLY & VERIFY, and RUN / STOP.
    Normal daily workflow Power on -> open the application -> Connect -> Scan -> Verify Diameter -> Prime / Steady
    settings -> APPLY & VERIFY -> Active / RUN.


Official references:
     New Era downloads (manuals, cables, USB-RS232 driver):
      https://www.syringepump.com/download/download.html
     WinPumpTerm / pump software: https://www.syringepump.com/software.php
     NE-500/NE-501 User Manual V3.9:
      https://www.syringepump.com/download/NE-500%20OEM%20Syringe%20Pump%20User%20Manual%20V3.9.p
      df
     Python 3.12.10: https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-31210/


                                   For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
                                                                       NE-501 Multi Pump Controller v1.0.0 | Pre-Installation & First-Use Guide

Photo note: this revision uses only successful wiring, successful address responses, and successful application-connection images from
the tested system. Earlier error-state or incorrect-connection screenshots are intentionally excluded from the standard operating sequence.




                                    For Windows 10/11, four-pump NE-501 RS-232 network, 19200 baud / 8N1
