Transmitter power output

The transmitter supports several power output modes to help you select the optimal settings for your requirements whilst helping to prolong battery life.

Adjusting power output

NOTE: On iLOC enabled models, you can adjust the transmitter’s power output remotely using the locator.

To adjust the power output:

1. Press the or  keys to increase or decrease power output.

Boost (Tx-10 & Tx-10B only)

Boost allows the Tx-10 transmitter to output its maximum output power. Boost mode can be set to operate for a specified period of time.

To configure boost:

1. Press the key to enter the menu.
2. Scroll to the BOOST menu using the or keys.
3. Press the key to enter the BOOST menu.
4. Set the BOOST duration using the or You can choose 5, 10, 15 and 20 minute periods or ON for continuous operation.
5. Press the key to accept your changes and exit the BOOST menu.
6. Press the key to exit the menu.

To enable boost:

1. First configure the boost duration using the procedure above
2. Press and hold the key until BOOST appears on the transmitter LCD.
3. The transmitter will automatically exit boost mode after the selected duration.

To disable boost:

1. Press the key to disable boost.

Transmitter Eco mode

When using alkaline D-Cells in Tx-5 and Tx-10(B) transmitter models you can extend the effective use of the batteries by enabling Eco mode.

In Eco mode the power output of the transmitter reduces when the batteries can no longer provide the required output power.

When Eco mode is active and the power output has been reduced, the display alternates between ‘POWER‘ and the current output power level.

The transmitter will emit three beeps every time the power is reduced. It will then continue emitting two beeps each minute whilst it operates at a reduced power level.

To enable or disable Eco mode

1. Press the key to enter the menu.
2. Scroll to the BATT menu using the or keys and enter it by pressing the key.
3. Scroll through the battery options using the or keys until ALK is displayed.  Press the key. 
4. Use the or keys until ECO is displayed and press the key to enable Eco Mode.

Or

Select NORM and press the  key to disable Eco mode.

1.   Press the key to exit the menu.

Maximum Voltage

On high impedance applications such as small diameter cables, tracer wires, etc, sometimes it can be difficult to get a signal to flow when using the direct connection method. Increasing the output voltage of the transmitter can maximize the amount of signal coupled onto the utility.

The transmitter can operate in either low voltage (30V) or in high voltage (90V). In normal operating mode the transmitter will operate in low voltage mode.

Warning: When operating the transmitter in high voltage mode, always make sure that the transmitter is switched off when connecting or disconnecting direct connection leads.

To set maximum output voltage to 90 volts:

1. Press the key to enter the menu.
2. Scroll to the MAXV menu using the or keys.
3. Press the key to enter the MAXV menu.
4. Set the MAXV to HIGH using the or  keys.
5. Press the key to accept your changes and exit the MAXV menu.
6. Press the key to exit the menu.

When in high voltage mode the transmitter will display a high voltage warning triangle. 

Each time the transmitter is switched off the transmitter will revert back to the default low voltage setting.

Measure mode

The transmitter has the capability of providing impedance measurements by determining the resultant impedance across the crocodile clips of the Direct Connection lead while connected to the utility. These measurements can be useful when assessing sheath fault severity. It is also possible to measure potential voltage that may be present on utilities to warn of potentially dangerous or harmful voltages present.

In measure mode the measurement is derived from an AC signal applied to the utility from the transmitter

Impedance & voltage measurements

1. Connect the Direct Connection leads to the utility and switch on the transmitter.
2. Hold down the key until MEAS is displayed and the measuring icon is activated. The transmitter display will now indicate the voltage level measured across the connection leads.
3. Press the key once and the display will indicate the impedance measured across the connection leads.

The measurement icon will display the following symbols:

Impedance and voltage measurements

      4. To exit MEAS mode hold down the key until the display reverts back to the normal operating screen.

Impedance measurements using active frequency

1. Connect the Direct Connection lead to the utility and switch on the transmitter.
2. Select the preferred frequency and output the signal.
3. Press the key once and the display will indicate the impedance measured across the connection leads and also the output power of the transmitter.
4. Press the key once to return to the normal operating screen.

CALSafe™

Usage logging equipped RD8200 locators can be set to disable them once they are beyond the expected service / calibration date.

When the unit is within 30 days of the service due date the unit will display at startup the number of days left. The locator will stop functioning on the service due date.

CALSafe™ is disabled by default. You can edit the CALSafe service due date, and enable or disable the function using the RD Manager Online PC software package. Refer to the RD Manager Online operation manual for further information.

Usage-Logging

RD8200G logging and GPS locator feature a powerful data logging system which records all the instrument’s critical parameters (including GPS position, if available) and warnings in its internal memory each second.

The automatic logging system is always active and cannot be disabled. Its memory is capable of storing at least 500 days of normal usage data – based on 8 hours operation per day. Logs can be retrieved using the RD Manager Online PC application for usage analysis and survey validation. Refer to the RD Manager Online operation manual for further information.

UTIL mode

The RD8200G GPS locator UTIL mode can be used to set the utility and service type being located during a survey.

The full list of available utilities is:

To select a utility:

If UTIL is enabled the locator will not start until a selection is made.

1. Press the key to turn on the locator:
2. The display will show the word TICKT followed by UTIL
3. Press the antenna key and use the  or  keys to select the desired utility or marking type.
4. If required press the antenna key again and use  the or keys to select DIST (for a service cable or pipe) or TRANS (for a main distribution cable or pipe).
5. Press the key to confirm your choices and to start the locator – you may have to press the  key up to 3 times.

The selections are stored into its internal memory and can be viewed in the usage logs as mentioned in Usage-logging paragraph.

A utility can be switched from one type to another or the service type can be changed during a survey by a long press of the Survey Measurement key .

Enabling or disabling individual utilities:

1. Press the key to enter the menu.
2. Scroll to the ULIST menu using the or keys.
3. Press the key to enter the ULIST menu.
4. Select a utility or marking type using the or  keys.
5. Press the to enter the menu of the utility type and use the or select ON or OFF.
6. Press the key to accept your changes.
7. Press the key again to exit the ULIST menu.
8. Press the once again to exit the main MENU.