Monarch Instrument Vibration Strobe - Manual (Page 6)

3
OPERATION
To turn on the stroboscope, depress and hold the trigger. When the strobe is powered up in the
Internal (INT) mode, it will begin flashing immediately. The trigger may be locked in position using
the side-locking button. To lock the trigger on, hold the unit in the right hand, depress the trigger as
far as it will go, and then use your thumb to press the locking button. You may release the trigger
and the trigger will be held in place. To release the trigger lock, simply depress the trigger and
then release.
There are three Operating Modes that are controlled by the Mode Selector Switch at the front of the
unit. The Operating Modes are:
EXT: External - an external tachometer signal (TTL level pulse) controls
the flash rate, i.e. an optical sensor or second strobe.
INT: Internal - the internal oscillator controls the flash rate
LOCK/TRACK: Locking - when properly set, the vibration transducer (accelerometer)
controls the flash rate
Internal Mode – Standard Strobe Operation
In the Internal Mode the stroboscope generates its own signals and functions like an adjustable
stroboscope. The strobe is in the Internal Mode when the Mode Selector Switch is set to INT.
To operate in the Internal Mode:
1. Push the Mode Selector Switch to the INT (Internal Mode) position.
2. Depress and hold the trigger. The unit will begin to flash at the rate displayed on the LCD
display until the trigger is released.
3. Turn the control knob, located on the left side of the strobe to adjust the flash rate.
4. For continuous operation, squeeze the trigger once again, then depress the small “trigger
lock” button (just above the trigger, on the side of the unit) and the unit will continue to
flash with finger-free operation until the trigger is depressed again, which releases
the lock.
External Mode
In the External Mode the flash rate is a function of the input signal, and the user cannot make flash
rate adjustments. This mode is used to synchronize the flash to an external event (for example,
from an optical sensor) to stop or freeze motion. The flash will be triggered on the rising edge of the
external input pulse. The strobe is in the External Mode when the Mode Selector Switch is set to
EXT. The LCD will display the current Flash Rate.
Locking Mode
In the Locking Mode the vibration transducer (accelerometer) controls the flash rate. The strobe
is in the Locking Mode when the Mode Selector Switch is set to LOCK/TRACK.
Prior to setting the LOCK/TRACK mode, the strobe MUST be operated in the Internal
mode. The accelerometer must be properly connected and powered, usually by the external Vibration
Analyzer, and must be mounted in place. Special cable assemblies are available for several
commercially available Vibration Analyzers, or you may “steal” the accelerometer signal and feed
it into the strobe input as detailed above.
Once set up, you have to tune the strobe to set the center frequency of the filters to work with the
accelerometer. Using the Internal mode, adjust the flash rate of the strobe to stop motion of the
target of interest. Switch the Mode Selector Switch to LOCK/TRACK, and the strobe will now use
the signal from the accelerometer to control the flash rate.
8
POWER REQUIREMENTS AND BATTERY CHARGING
The Vibration Strobe has internal rechargeable batteries and can operate continuously in excess of
60 minutes at 1800 flashes per minute. The strobe has a protection feature to prevent it from
operating if the battery charge becomes too low. All decimal points on in the LCD display indicate
this condition. When this occurs, the battery is in need of recharging. The actual operating time of
the battery depends on the flash rate and duty cycle of operation.
NOTE: Do not attempt to operate the unit while charging. To do so may incur permanent damage
to the charger and the stroboscope.
The unit may be recharged at any time. You do not need to wait until the low battery condition is
indicated.
To charge the battery:
1. Release the trigger so the strobe is off.
2. Plug the recharger cable into the recharger socket (located below the display panel behind
the handle).
3. Plug the recharger into a mains wall outlet.
CAUTION: Use of rechargers other than the one supplied (FR-3A for 115 Vac or
FR-4 for 230 Vac) may damage the stroboscope and void
the warranty.
4. Press the black button on the front panel of the supplied recharger to begin a charge cycle.
The red LED “charge light” on the panel will illuminate.
The recharger will fast charge the batteries for up to 5 hours (typically 3½ - 4 hours). Once the fast
charge is completed, the recharger will trickle charge the batteries (as indicated by the red LED light
turning off). The unit may be left on charge overnight, and it requires 14 hours to reach a full
charge, from a low battery condition. The unit may be left on charge indefinitely.
The battery voltage can be measured at the charger socked on the strobe using a high impedance
voltmeter. A fully charged set of batteries should measure around 6.6 Vdc.
LAMP REPLACEMENT
WARNING: Before attempting to remove the lamp, make sure the stroboscope is
turned off and that the battery recharger and all other cabling are
disconnected from the unit. Allow the lamp to cool waiting at least
1 minute.
The stroboscope is designed to discharge the internal high voltages within 30 seconds. However,
caution should be exercised when replacing the lamp.
The lamp can be replaced by using just a pocket screwdriver. It is not necessary to remove any
screws to replace the lamp. A new spare lamp is supplied with each new Vibration Strobe Kit.
To change the lamp:
1. Push apart the two tabs on the side of the reflector housing and remove the front lens
using a small screwdriver to help pry one tab and lift the lens. Take care not to pry the tab
any more than is necessary to free the lens. The reflector is held in place by the front lens
and will come loose, but is not necessary to remove the reflector.
2. Hold the lamp with a cloth between your forefinger and thumb and rock it back and forth
gently while pulling out. Do not attempt to rotate the lamp. The lamp is socketed and
will come out easily when pulled.
WARNING: Do NOT touch the new lamp with bare fingers.