diff --git a/site_ansto/instrument/config/environment/temperature/sct_lakeshore_218.tcl b/site_ansto/instrument/config/environment/temperature/sct_lakeshore_218.tcl
index ad9cfe8e..2b13d4cb 100644
--- a/site_ansto/instrument/config/environment/temperature/sct_lakeshore_218.tcl
+++ b/site_ansto/instrument/config/environment/temperature/sct_lakeshore_218.tcl
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::getTemp {tc_root nextState cmd_str} {
     }
     set cmd "${cmd_str}"
 # getTemp hook code starts
-    set temps [split "[hval ${tc_root}/krdg]" ","]
+    set temps [split "[hgetpropval ${tc_root}/krdg real_data]" ","]
     sct result [lindex ${temps} ${cmd_str}]
     set cmd "@@NOSEND@@"
 # getTemp hook code ends
@@ -136,6 +136,39 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::rdValue {tc_root} {
   handle_exception ${catch_status} ${catch_message}
 }
 
+# function to parse the read of a parameter on a device
+proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::read_krdg {tc_root} {
+  set catch_status [ catch {
+    debug_log ${tc_root} 1 "read_krdg tc_root=${tc_root} sct=[sct] result=[sct result]"
+    if { [hpropexists [sct] geterror] } {
+      hdelprop [sct] geterror
+    }
+    set data [sct result]
+    set nextState "idle"
+    if {[string equal -nocase -length 7 ${data} "ASCERR:"]} {
+      # the protocol driver has reported an error
+      sct geterror "${data}"
+      error "[sct geterror]"
+    }
+# read_krdg hook code starts
+    sct real_data "${data}"
+    set data "Hidden in real_data property"
+# read_krdg hook code ends
+    if { [hpropexists [sct] geterror] } {
+      debug_log ${tc_root} 9 "[sct] error: [sct geterror]"
+      error "[sct geterror]"
+    }
+    if { ${data} != [sct oldval] } {
+      debug_log ${tc_root} 1 "[sct] changed to new:${data}, from old:[sct oldval]"
+      sct oldval ${data}
+      sct update ${data}
+      sct utime readtime
+    }
+    return ${nextState}
+  } catch_message ]
+  handle_exception ${catch_status} ${catch_message}
+}
+
 # function to write a parameter value on a device
 proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::setValue {tc_root nextState cmd_str} {
   set catch_status [ catch {
@@ -160,8 +193,8 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::setValue {tc_root nextState cmd_str} {
   handle_exception ${catch_status} ${catch_message}
 }
 
-proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver { sct_controller name device_class simulation_flag ip_address tcp_port } {
-  ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver ${sct_controller} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port}"
+proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver { sct_controller name device_class simulation_flag ip_address tcp_port {num_chans 8} } {
+  ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver ${sct_controller} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port} ${num_chans}"
   set ns "[namespace current]"
   set catch_status [ catch {
 
@@ -173,14 +206,15 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver { sct_controller name device_class simulat
     set scobj_hpath /sics/${name}
 
     hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/krdg plain user text
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg read ${ns}::getValue ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {KRDG? 0}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg read ${ns}::getValue ${scobj_hpath} read_krdg {KRDG? 0}
+    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg read_krdg ${ns}::read_krdg ${scobj_hpath}
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg control false
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg data false
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg mutable true
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg nxsave false
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg oldval 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
-    hset     ${scobj_hpath}/krdg        0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
+    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg oldval "Hidden in real_data property"
+    hset     ${scobj_hpath}/krdg        "Hidden in real_data property"
+    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg real_data "0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0"
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg type "part"
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/krdg nxalias "${name}_krdg"
@@ -199,172 +233,188 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver { sct_controller name device_class simulat
 
     hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor plain spy none
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {0}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch1"
+    if {${num_chans} > 0} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {0}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch1"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch1 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {1}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch2"
+    if {${num_chans} > 1} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {1}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch2"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch2 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {2}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch3"
+    if {${num_chans} > 2} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {2}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch3"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch3 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {3}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch4"
+    if {${num_chans} > 3} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {3}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch4"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch4 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {4}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch5"
+    if {${num_chans} > 4} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {4}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch5"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch5 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {5}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch6"
+    if {${num_chans} > 5} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {5}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch6"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch6 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {6}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch7"
+    if {${num_chans} > 6} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {6}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch7"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch7 simulated true
+      }
     }
 
-    hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 plain user float
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {7}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 control true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 data true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 mutable true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 nxsave true
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 oldval 0.0
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 klass "parameter"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 type "part"
-    hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch8"
+    if {${num_chans} > 7} {
+      hfactory ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 plain user float
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 read ${ns}::getTemp ${scobj_hpath} rdValue {7}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 rdValue ${ns}::rdValue ${scobj_hpath}
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 control true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 data true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 mutable true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 nxsave true
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 oldval 0.0
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 klass "parameter"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 sdsinfo "::nexus::scobj::sdsinfo"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 type "part"
+      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 nxalias "${name}_sensor_ch8"
 
-    if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
-      ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 1
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 simulated false
-    } else {
-      ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
-      hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 simulated true
+      if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
+        ${sct_controller} poll ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 15
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 simulated false
+      } else {
+        ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "simulation_flag=${simulation_flag} => No poll/write for lakeshore_218"
+        hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor/ch8 simulated true
+      }
     }
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor data "true"
     hsetprop ${scobj_hpath}/sensor klass "@none"
@@ -379,7 +429,7 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver { sct_controller name device_class simulat
 
 proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::add_driver {name device_class simulation_flag ip_address tcp_port} {
   set catch_status [ catch {
-    ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "::scobj::lakeshore_218::add_driver ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port}"
+    ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "::scobj::lakeshore_218::add_driver ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port} ${num_chans}"
     if {[string equal -nocase "${simulation_flag}" "false"]} {
       if {[string equal -nocase "aqadapter" "${ip_address}"]} {
         ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "makesctcontroller sct_${name} aqadapter ${tcp_port}"
@@ -393,8 +443,8 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::add_driver {name device_class simulation_flag ip_ad
       ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 9 "makesctcontroller sct_${name} aqadapter NULL"
       makesctcontroller sct_${name} aqadapter NULL
     }
-    ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 1 "::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver sct_${name} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port}"
-    ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver sct_${name} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port}
+    ::scobj::lakeshore_218::sics_log 1 "::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver sct_${name} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port} ${num_chans}"
+    ::scobj::lakeshore_218::mkDriver sct_${name} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port} ${num_chans}
   } catch_message ]
   handle_exception ${catch_status} ${catch_message}
 }
@@ -485,7 +535,26 @@ proc ::scobj::lakeshore_218::read_config {} {
             }
             makesctcontroller sct_${name} aqadapter ${asyncqueue}
           }
-          ${ns}::mkDriver sct_${name} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port}
+          set arg_list [list]
+          set missing_list [list]
+          array unset default_map
+          array set default_map [list num_chans 8]
+          foreach arg {num_chans} {
+            if {[dict exists $u $arg]} {
+              lappend arg_list "[dict get $u $arg]"
+            } elseif {[dict exists $v $arg]} {
+              lappend arg_list "[dict get $v $arg]"
+            } elseif {[info exists default_map($arg)]} {
+              lappend arg_list $default_map($arg)
+            } else {
+              ${ns}::sics_log 9 "Missing configuration value $arg"
+              lappend missing_list $arg
+            }
+          }
+          if { [llength $missing_list] > 0 } {
+              error "$name is missing configuration values $missing_list"
+          }
+          ${ns}::mkDriver sct_${name} ${name} ${device_class} ${simulation_flag} ${ip_address} ${tcp_port} {*}$arg_list
         }
       }
     }