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1. Caution Should the instrument not pass after several attempts do not use the instrument for survey work until the problem is corrected Contact HEATH for further assistance 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 22 of 36 Chapter IV Surveying with the RMLD A training video is provided with the RMLD which demonstrates the best overview of techniques used It is important to learn these techniques in order to properly survey and locate methane leaks The purpose of the video is to familiarize a leak surveyor on the use of the RMLD It does not provide basic leak survey training Refer to your company s specific training and procedures for being qualified for leak surveying In order for the RMLD to detect a gas leak three conditions must be met 1 The gas plume concentration and size must be greater than the minimum sensitivity of the instrument 2 The IR beam must pass through the plume 3 The background target i e ground building etc has to reflect the IR beam back Several factors influence the gas plume size and concentration First very low flowing leaks may produce small to non measurable plumes Also surface types such as concrete will spread the leak and create spot leaks through surface cracks and holes Weather conditions like high winds and higher temperatures will cause the plume to dissipate faster The operator must consider these factors and their effects throughout the survey The most important as2. Remote Methane Leak Detector User s Manual Heath Consultants Incorporated Houston TX Phone 713 844 1300 Fax 713 844 1309 1 800 HEATH US www heathus com N 1EATH CONSULTANTS Heath Safety Leadership Innovation Performance Then Now and Tomorrow 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 1 of 36 Notice The contents of this user s manual are proprietary to Heath Consultants Incorporated HEATH Reproduction in whole or in part of this manual is prohibited without the express written consent of HEATH HEATH operates under a continual product improvement program and reserves the right to make improvements and or changes without prior notification This manual supersedes all previous manuals for this instrument RMLD is a HEATH registered trademark COPYRIGHT 2005 Heath Consultants Incorporated All rights reserved 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 2 of 36 Warnings It is essential that users of this instrument read understand and follow the instructions for operation and maintenance and the precautions contained in this manual to insure that the instrument is used in a proper and safe manner Danger The visible green Spotter laser is a Class Ia laser product Do not stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments Spotter laser Fig 1 1 Caution No attempt should be made to repair the instrument Should the instrument not work properly or indicate a fault
3. 4 9 m 16 ft x 3 m 11 inches 15 m 50 ft Background Methane 1 ppm Avg Plume Concentration 20 ppm Plume Width Distance IR beam passes through plume 2m RMLD reading Background leak 15 m x1 ppm 2m x 20ppm p k IR Beam Footprint 55 ppm m P 15 Meters Fig 4 5 The ppm m reading is the product of the plume concentration times the distance the IR beam passes through the plume plume width in addition to any background gas As the scan distance increases the size of the IR beam footprint increases The IR beam width is about 22 at 100 ft Itis important to note that the laser beam footprint width and distance increases as the distance increases see Figure 4 5 This is why it is much easier to detect leaks from a distance of 10 to 15 ft and beyond Note There is always a small amount of methane in the air This natural methane background is also measured by the RMLD The ppm m reading will then increase as the scanning distance increases Note The nature of a gas plume is highly variable The above illustrations are intended to convey the basic theory Some leaks may have a high surface concentration with little to no measurable plume above the surface 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 28 of 36 Chapter V Maintenance and Troubleshooting Information Troubleshooting the Instrument The advanced design of the RMLD makes it one of the most reliable leak surve
4. Transceiver The hand held portion of the RMLD which contains the invisible IR laser transmitter receiver and green spotter laser Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy A method of gas detection that utilizes a laser that when shined through a cloud of methane will be partially absorbed by the gas which can be measured for gas concentration 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 33 of 36 RMLD NON IS PARTS LIST Part Part Part Number Description an imags y Disc Compact 101517 0 RMLD Assy Charger 101520 0 an urround Power Pack ieee External RMLD FOR USE ON NON IS ONLY Assy Check 101528 0 Cell RMLD Assy Harness Control 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 34 of 36 RMLD NON IS PARTS LIST Part Part Number Description Fan Image DC to AC neers Inverters 150 W a Plug Adapter aie Set US Intl 6 NEAD CONSULTA NTS 1 800 HEATH US www heathus com 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 35 of 36 RMLD S N RMLD Daily Self Test and Calibration Log Date Operator Passed Self Test Self Test ppm m Reading Alarm Level Notes 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 34 of 36 Declaration of Conformity Manufacture s Name Heath Consultants Manufacture s Address 9030 Monroe Road Houston TX 77061 Model Remote Methane Leak Detector Has been demonstrated to be in compliance with the European EMC directive
5. 89 336 EEC FCC 47 CFR Part 15 Subpart B Class A and ANSI C63 4 and is in accordance with the following standards EN 61326 1 Conducted Emissions Class A April 21 2005 Radiated Emissions Class A April 21 2005 FCC 47 CFR Part 15 Class A April 21 2005 ANSI C63 4 Class A April 21 2005 EN 61000 4 2 4 8kV April 20 2005 EN 61000 4 3 10V m April 20 2005 Date of Issue May 16 2005 Signed by On File Graham Midgley Heath Consultants CEO 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 35 of 36 Technical Support 1 800 HEATH US 1 800 432 8487 HOUSTON FACTORY SERVICE CENTER Heath Consultants Manufacturing Division 9030 Monroe Road Houston Texas 77061 Phone 713 844 1300 Fax 713 844 1309 www heathus com 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 36 of 36
6. Only use the HEATH supplied RMLD battery charger to recharge the unit Use of any other charger may cause severe damage to the battery or electrical circuits 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 13 of 36 Chapter ITI Operating the RMLD This chapter provides information on the use of the RMLD It provides an explanation of working with the menu setting operational parameters or enabling functions of the instrument Battery Gas Indicator DMD icon Concentration Volume Warning DMD button iene Backlight icon Up Down button Select button Re Try Self Test OK Spotter icon Fig 3 1 Figure 1 RMLD front panel and display Note for illustration all the display icons are shown During actual operation only the icons associated with an active function will be displayed DMD button press to turn on off the DMD mode Up adjust button press to increase a value or to acknowledge a user prompt Down adjust button press to decrease a value Select button press to scroll through the menu options Display Battery Indicator displays the amount of battery charge Gas Concentration displays the amount of gas in ppm m Over range is indicated by a 1 Volume displays the volume level of the speaker and headphone Warning icon indicating that the instrument is outside of an operation limit Error icon indicating that a fault condition has occurred the instrument is no longer functioning properly DMD icon indicating tha
7. view the video to learn basic techniques on surveying with the RMLD 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 7 of 36 Chapter I RMLD System Specifications Detection Method Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy TDLAS Measurement Range 0 to 99 999 ppm m Sensitivity 5 ppm m at distance from 0 to 50 ft 15 m 10 ppm m or better from 50 to 100 ft 15 to 30 m Detection Distance 100 ft 30 m nominal Actual distance may vary due to background type and conditions Beam Size Conical in shape with a 22 width at 100 ft 56 cm at 30 m Detection Alarms Modes Digital Methane Detection DMD Audible tone relative to concentration when detection threshold exceeded Adjustable Alarm Detection Threshold from 0 to 255 ppm m Pure Tone Continuous audio tone relative to concentration System Fault Warning Audible tone and indication on the display Self Test amp Calibration Built in Self Test and Calibration function verifies operation and adjusts laser wavelength for maximum sensitivity Test gas cell integrated with carrying case Compliance EMC EN61000 6 2 EN6100 6 4 Pending Laser Eye Safety IR Detector Laser CDRH ANSI and IEC Class I Green Spotter Laser Class IIa Do not stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments Display Large easy to read backlit LCD 75 Numeric Operating Temperature 0 to 122 F 17 to 50 C Humidity
8. Calibration Override 7 Press the UP button This will initiate the calibration sweep of the laser wavelength This takes about 45 seconds to complete and you will notice that the gas concentration readings will go up and down 8 When the OK icon is once again displayed the instrument has passed the laser calibration a Ifthe RETRY icon is displayed the instrument failed the calibration Press the UP button to return to the beginning of the self test 9 Press the UP button to acknowledge 10 Press the SELECT button to scroll back to the run display What if the instrument failed the Self Test and Calibration Most often the cause is due to the transceiver not being properly positioned in the case or the laser wavelength has drifted Make sure the unit is in its proper position all the way down and flat Note the gas concentration It is typically about 1100 ppm m but must be between 500 and 2000 ppm m After rechecking the above repeat the Self Test and Calibration procedure above Calibration Override Should the unit fail at step 6 due to initial low readings perform the following actions 1 Ensure the instrument is still in the Self Test menu from step 6 above 2 Override the normal Self Test function by pressing the DMD button This will force the laser calibration sweep 3 At the end of the first sweep OK will be displayed Press the UP arrow key again to restart the sweep 4 At the end of this sweep Self Test OK will be d
9. i Press Up button to initiate the Self Test and Calibration 1 Press the Up button to acknowledge user prompts OK or Retry Ready to start Self Test e VOL i Press Up button to increase the volume level ii Press Down button to decrease the volume level e SPO i Press Up button to increase the Alarm Detection Threshold ii Press Down button to decrease the Alarm Detection Threshold 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 17 of 36 e BACLI i Press Up button to turn on or to turn off the display backlight Fig 3 5 Although the ppm m readout will not be updating the instrument will still operate properly while in a menu option other than the run display Using the DMD Mode The Digital Methane Detection DMD mode is a highly sophisticated detection algorithm that greatly enhances the use of the RMLD In most situations the operator should survey with the DMD mode turned on To turn on the DMD mode press the DMD button the DMD icon will appear on the display This mode can only be activated while in the main survey screen DMD icon is on Fig 3 6 DMD icon is displayed when in DMD mode While using the DMD no sound will be heard until a detection of methane occurs The pitch of the sound will be relative to the methane concentration The higher the pitch the stronger the methane concentration is A low pulsating or continuous sound will indicate a warning due to an infrared laser low light level co
10. 5 to 95 RH non condensing Enclosure IP54 Water splash and Dust resistant Instrument Weight 9 Ibs Transceiver 3 lbs Controller 6 Ibs 4 kg 1 3 kg 2 7 kg Carry Case 14 Ibs 34 x 9 1 2 x 14 6 4 kg 86 cm x 24 cm x 36 cm Power Supply Internal rechargeable Li ion battery External Backup Battery pack with 5 C cells Optional Battery Operating Life 8 hours at 32 F without backlight on Internal battery Battery Charger External in line 110 240 VAC 50 60 hertz universal type with charge indicator 8 hours maximum to full charge Shoulder Strap Single over the shoulder padded strap Ergonomic dual strap and belt system Optional 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 8 of 36 RMLD System Components This Chapter describes the features of the RMLD Please refer to Figure 1 4 for illustrations of individual parts a Manual amp a Training Video Carrying j Case l External STi Power Supply optional Shoulder fz Strap E i Og Battery Charger Charger Adaptors Earphone Fig 1 4 System Components Controller The controller provides the user interface display menu selection buttons and external connections such as RS 232 battery charger port external power supply port headphone port and on off button 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 9 of 36 Transceiver The transceiver provides the laser launch for the infrared detection beam visible green spotter laser and spotter laser b
11. RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 32 of 36 Glossary Beam Skip Occurs when the IR beam jumps between a near object and a far away object This may cause a false detection Control Module The portion of the RMLD with the keypad and display that clips onto a harness Dark Zone An area not being scanned due to an obstruction This may be an elevation change the side of a building behind a curb etc DMD Digital Methane Detection An advanced detection mode which when activated will only alert the operator when there is a probable detection of methane Footprint The surface area covered by the IR beam increasing with distance At 100 ft this area is 22 in diameter when shined against a vertical wall Infrared IR A wavelength of light just outside the range of the visible spectrum Laser Calibration Drift A normal characteristic of tunable diode lasers is that the wavelength calibration can drift slowly overtime The RMLD has a built in Selt Test Calibration feature to automatically maintain proper calibration ppm m Parts Per Million Meter The product of the methane concentration times the width of the plume Pure Tones A mode that will emit a continuous tone relative to the concentration of gas detected Spotter Laser The green blinking laser attached to the top of the transceiver which guides the operator as to the location of the IR beam This laser can be activated through the trigger located on the transceiver grip
12. cator is reading that a charge remains or if the indicator is flashing Fig 2 1 Battery charge indicator Note To obtain full battery capacity charge the battery when the ambient temperature is above 50 F 10 C Caution To prevent damage to the battery or electrical circuits always plug the charger into a surge protected outlet Note The prolonged un use of battery inside or outside the instrument can lead to battery chemistry being irreversibly damaged leading to permanent failure of the battery It is recommended to have the battery go through at least one 1 charge discharge cycle once every month if the battery is not being used for long periods of time When storing the instrument or the battery for more than a week leave the battery charged up to about 40 and store at room temperature of about 60 702 F 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 12 of 36 Battery Charger The RMLD is provided with a universal AC battery charger The plug of the charger can be changed to fit the type of receptacle used in your location Charging Procedure To recharge the internal battery perform the following procedure Turn the instrument off Plug the AC plug into a surge protected outlet Plug the charger plug into the RMLD charger port A blinking green light indicates that the charger is charging Allow the unit to charge until the green indicator is on solid Unplug the charger a Fig 2 2 Warning
13. d control of the unit while surveying HEATH strongly suggests that this harness be used by personnel who use the instrument on a continuous basis to limit fatigue when holding the transceiver and to improve surveying technique Fig 1 5 External Power Supply The external power supply is a back up battery provided to extend the operating time of the instrument if the internal battery is not charged enough to run the instrument This power supply contains 5 C batteries 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 11 of 36 Chapter II Battery Charging Rechargeable Battery The RMLD has an internal rechargeable Li ion battery that provides the main power to the instrument This battery is designed to provide 8 hours of operating time when fully charged The battery must be recharged between use to assure no interruption in use The display features a battery life remaining indicator Accuracy of this indicator is within 20 of the actual capacity This indicator should be used only as a reference Always start the day with a full charge to ensure a full day s use To maintain the best accuracy of the battery indicator periodically deep discharge the battery and then fully charge the battery without any interruption To deep discharge the battery allow the instrument to run until it shuts itself off This should also be needed if the indicator does not follow the actual charge e g if the instrument stops operating while the battery indi
14. dewalk edges e Target locations where valves may be placed e Scan along the foundation of the structure e Move in closer if the range is too far or ground elevation causes the beam to not come into contact with the ground creating dark zones shadow When scanning the meter keep the following considerations in mind e Maintain at least 10 ft from the meter so the beam width is not too small e Thoroughly scan the ground around the meter e Use the best angle to the meter that provides a good background behind the meter e If the meter is out in the open or the angle is limited such that there is no background right behind the meter scan the meter in a horizontal Z pattern maintaining a constant distance as you sweep across If a leak is located near or on the meter these tips help to determine if the leak is underground or on the meter e Try to keep the wind to your back e Stand about 5 to 10 ft from the meter e Use the Pure Tone to help pick out the strongest return e Start out aiming low on the ground e Work the beam up and around the piping Note The spotter laser is about 2 75 above the IR laser beam e Ifin doubt and if the leak is underground bar hole the area Long Range Scanning The RMLD can detect leaks from up to 100 ft away Actual distance may vary due to target surface and environmental conditions As the scanning distance is increased the laser light level returned will become lower As the maxi
15. f the tone the higher the methane concentration level No sound at all will indicate a low light level condition or instrument fault Note that the pitch level increases as you scan at a further distance This is due to the ambient amount of methane in the air Tone level is proportional to ppm m reading Fig 3 7 DMD icon is off The pure tone mode is most effective when used up close to help verify low level detections or to help isolate the highest gas concentration To verify a low level leak the following procedure should be used 1 Stand back about 10 ft from the leak with the wind to your back if possible 2 Sweep the laser back and forth across the leak while maintaining a constant distance 3 Listen for a consistent increase in tone level as the beam sweeps through the leak Very small leaks will have just a slight increase in tone To isolate the spot with the highest concentration the following procedure should be used 1 Stand back about 10 ft from the leak with the wind to your back if possible 2 Sweep the laser starting from the up wind side in and around the leak area 3 Listen for the highest tone level 4 Change your angle slightly and re scan the leak zone 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 19 of 36 5 6 If the location with the highest pitch is consistent then the location of the leak is at that spot If the pitches are not consistent then keep working the area The gas plume may be drifting aro
16. isplayed Press the UP arrow and then SELECT to exit the Self Test menu a If it fails it will show RETRY and the unit is not functioning properly Contact HEATH for assistance Note Laser wavelength drift is a normal characteristic of the RMLD Normally the rate of drift is low and will not affect the Self Test if performed on a regular basis If the initial reading is low when placed in the case and requires the use of the calibration override to force it through calibration then the laser calibration was previously off Survey work conducted with a unit out of calibration may need to be redone If initial concentration readings are low on a regular basis such that the override must be always used contact HEATH for assistance 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 21 of 36 When the Self Test fails The following table may help to isolate the problem Cause Corrective Action Low signal strength or noisy e Make sure battery is fully charged e Make sure that the unit is in its proper position and all the way down and flat Initial ppm m too lowortoo e Make sure battery is fully charged high e Make sure the unit is in its proper position all the way down and flat e Verify calibration cell is not broken e Use the Calibration Override Laser adjustment failed e Make sure battery is fully charged e Make sure that the unit is in its proper position and all the way down and flat e Verify calibration cell is not broken
17. ks from a remote distance The RMLD is the first of a new generation of leak survey instruments that will greatly improve the productivity and safety of a walking survey With the RMLD it is now possible to survey areas that are hard to reach or not easily accessible The RMLD does not have to be within the gas plume because it uses laser technology known as Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy As the laser passes through a gas plume the methane absorbs a portion of the light which the RMLD then detects This technology makes it possible to detect leaks along the sight line without always having to walk the full length of the service line Service Line Road asphalt Fig 1 2 Using laser technology remote detection allows you to safely survey areas that may be difficult to reach such as busy roadways yards with large dogs fenced off areas and other hard to access places It is designed to be selective to detecting methane only and will not false alarm on other hydrocarbon gases Gas concentration is calculated by the amount of Infrared light absorbed by the gas Since gas is detected along the line of sight of the laser the concentration is reported as Parts per Million Meter ppm m Thus the RMLD measures the gas cloud concentration times the width of the gas cloud Based on the local meteorological conditions a given amount of gas escaping from the ground will produce a plume that varies in size and uniformity of concen
18. misapplication alteration modification or service other than the Houston FSC or other authorized repair center HEATH s responsibility is expressly limited to repair or replacement of any defective part provided the product is returned to HEATH FSC or an authorized FSC shipped pre paid and adequately insured Return shipping and insurance will be at no charge to the purchaser HEATH does not assume liability for indirect or consequential damage or loss of any nature in connection with the use of any HEATH product There are no other warranties expressed implied or written except as listed above Obtaining Service To expedite the repair of your instrument please follow the following procedure 1 Contact HEATH Customer Service at 1 800 HEATH US to obtain a Return Authorization tracking number Repairs can be significantly delayed until authorization is obtained a Specify your complete shipping and billing address b Specify the person and contact information to be contacted for repair and shipping authorization c Specify the instrument product name and serial number d Include a brief description of the problem you are experiencing e Specify the person and contact information to be contacted for additional information regarding the symptoms of the failure 2 Package and ship the RMLD in its original carrying case Please specify the tracking number product name and serial number on all correspondence 101515 0
19. mum distance is approached a low laser light level tone is heard You will need to move in closer For best results when scanning at distances greater than 50 ft it is important to slow down the scanning rate and take care in pointing the laser When taking aim use the spotter laser or the sighting marks on the side of the Transceiver to ensure proper scanning of the target area 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 24 of 36 Be aware of the ground elevation Scanning across the top of a knoll or past the edge of a structure can result in beam skips a sudden change in distance which may give you a false detection Dark Zone Beam Skip Beam abruptly changes from a near object to a far object Fig 4 1 Sudden change in distance may cause a false detection Obstructions or variations in the landscape can cause dark zones where the laser doesn t scan Look for the best angle to thoroughly scan these areas Scanning up a hillside may cause beam skipping or dark zones around the foundation of a structure Arock or something gt Dark Zone This area is not being scanned Fig 4 2 Ground elevation change or obstructions in the line of sight will cause dark zones shadows 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 25 of 36 Dealing with False Detections While using the DMD mode several conditions may occur that will cause the algorithm to give a detection indication The most common situations are e Abrupt or jerky motion
20. ndition or instrument fault The warning icon will also be displayed indicating that the light level is too low See Long Range Scanning Pg 23 The operator needs to move in closer to get in range Should the warning persist it could be due to a fault in the instrument Check the error code being displayed and follow the instructions in the troubleshooting guideline The DMD will indicate detection when the ppm m exceeds the average background plus Alarm Detection Threshold level or when the reading is excessive While the low light 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 18 of 36 warning is sounding the RMLD may still be able to detect very large gas concentrations indicated by a high pitch tone The Alarm Detection Threshold controls the sensitivity of the DMD The operator can adjust the Alarm Detection Threshold Your company s survey procedure may require the use of a specific value or procedure to set it Set the Alarm Detection Threshold such that the false detection rate is low while not too high that leaks are missed To change the Alarm Detection Threshold scroll through the Menu options until the AL option is displayed Press the Up or Down button to increase or decrease the threshold The higher the threshold setting is the less sensitive the instrument becomes Using the Pure Tone Mode The Pure Tone mode of the RMLD plays a continuous tone that is relative to the instantaneous concentration level The higher the pitch o
21. normal background such as brick concrete and grass it has a maximum distance of up to 100 ft away actual distance may vary due to surface condition 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 26 of 36 Direct Sun and Am bient Light Adds Detected ED Topographic Backscatter of Background Photons Laser Light and Background Light Collected by Receiver Light Becomes E lectricity Fig 4 4 To detect leaks as the above illustration depicts when the IR laser beam passes through a gas plume and is reflected back the reflected light is collected and converted to an electrical signal that carries the information needed to deduce the methane concentration The laser light is selective to methane and will not false alarm on other hydrocarbons This signal is processed so that methane concentrations can be reported in parts per million meter or ppm m Ppm m is the product of the methane concentration times the width of the plume For example if the leak is creating a gas cloud of 1000 PPM and is about meter in width the distance the IR beam passes through the plume The RMLD will measure 500 ppm m For another example if the average concentration of the gas cloud is 20 PPM and is about 2 meter in width the RMLD will measure 40 ppm m plus a background level of 15 ppm m in this case displaying a total value of 55 ppm m 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 27 of 36 Example Scan Distance 15 m 50 ft IR Beam Footprint
22. or warning refer to the troubleshooting section of this manual Warning Do not turn on the RMLD or use the instrument indoors if there is a potential indication or suspicion that an explosive level of gas is present 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 3 of 36 Table Of Contents INGO Gs sete genkey wee ge neta tou hua wcbcs eae de dee sees 2 WY ARIS S eesin EE E E a E A E 3 ON CEI CW a Gass eee eE E E EO EAO EA E T 6 Chapter I RMLD System Specifications ceceeeceeeesteceeeenteeeees 8 RMLD System Components eeeeeeeeeee ees 9 COTTON Gi ses ressonen eis iiaae Ea EAEE AEE EEEa 9 Transceiv ef oaee vtnsaessienctiseruatsieiussubusceeduceintvtasetsesinees 10 Carrying Strap with Pad seeseseeeseeseesssrssseressseressseresssrees 10 Battery CHAR Sek oori a E ven AE EN e 10 Instruction CO ae ineine rre rarere en eai an aa 10 Cat yay GaSe oss ca roer nes aE EEE Er E EE ESTS 10 FIC AG NON nesenam r somata E S 10 Optional Accessoresss 30st teawtenarel se tie ane 11 Chapter II Battery Charging Rechargeable Battery soseeseeeeeseeessseesesserssseeesseeressss eese 12 Battery Chars et erien en ponani E 13 Charging Procedure ssseeesseeeessseeesssereseeeeseresssereessses eee 13 Chapter III Operating the RMLD eeesesessessssessseressseresssressseeeesssess se 14 Turning the RMLD On ssssssssnsssssssseeresssserreessse 15 Turning on the Spotter Laser cc cece e eee e eee 16 Tu
23. pect to using the RMLD is the proper control and aiming of the IR beam The first thing you will need to learn when surveying with the RMLD is to control the aiming of the laser and rate of sweeping Radical or abrupt motion may cause the RMLD to give false detections due to rapidly changing distance or background that the laser detects Radical or abrupt motion may cause the IR beam to not thoroughly scan the area Here are a few tips for walking along the main e Use a smooth sweeping motion e Keep the beam pointed out 15 to 20 ft This allows for the beam footprint on the ground to be large enough to provide good coverage and control over the path of the beam e Scan service tap and valve areas as you approach them e Target probable vent locations such as cracks vegetation damage etc While scanning the service line meter where the location is known keep these tips in mind e Use the advantage of the beam by sweeping wider around the line location e Work the beam up the line in an S pattern e Scan the meter area e Rescan down the line using the S pattern 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 23 of 36 e Move in closer if the range is too far or ground elevation causes the beam to not come into contact with the ground dark zones While scanning a service where the location is not known e Use an X pattern or similar pattern to thoroughly scan the area e Target typical vent areas i e along the street or si
24. rget to get a better absorbing or reflection reflecting background the light level Check battery level and 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 29 of 36 Low battery recharge if necessary Excessive false detections while scanning at longer distances Scanning too fast Alarm detection threshold set too low Scanning at the range limit of the instrument Slow down the scanning rate Pause at the long range and sweep towards you Increase the Alarm detection threshold Move in closer Excessive false detections while scanning at closer distances Scanning too fast Alarm detection threshold set too low Avoid making abrupt motions while scanning Increase the Alarm Detection Threshold Excessive false detections Laser output not Perform Self Test or loss of sensitivity optimized procedure Alarm Detection Check the Alarm Threshold set too high Detection Threshold or low for conditions Error icon or Warning icon Low battery Check battery level and on continuously recharge if necessary Moisture condensation on mirror due to rapid Allow for the change in temperature temperature of the Internal component failure instrument to stabilize Note error code and contact HEATH Battery indicator does not show full charge after charging Battery not fully charged Battery level calibration error Charge unit until solid green light on charger is on Run unit until it shuts off then f
25. rning the RMLD O00 cis oe cenainie ta nateeesv ain cedeap spans 16 Using the MCUs 2 a c os nden aeaee p aE e iaa 16 Using the DMD Mode ion cai54ss aiedat evar ean vam seadanes 18 Using the Pure Tone Mode ccceeeeee eee ee ees 19 Self Test and Calibration c cccacesceesseeeeeseses 20 Calibration OVvernidencxk ite coats cat wate ee bias fees 21 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 4 of 36 Chapter IV Surveying with the RMLD wii cssssscniys pose es veaeesaes Long Range Scanning c ocdsstasvensas ess Uieteaacotiecess Dealing with False Detections eeeeee eee Chapter V Maintenance and Troubleshooting Information Troubleshooting the Instrument ceeeeeceeestteeee es Maintenance reia errta e ate ese ees Chapter VI Service Information Warranties and Warranty Repair ccceeseeeeeeeeeeees Obtaining Service sn bier casein iene Measteattacnades GIOSSATY isos tes a E anise tienes Crystal ieee utes RMED Parts Eistar ai oe causa ene Conia RMLD Parts List Continued cece eee e eee Daly Log xissini a eae A Declaration of Conformity sssssseeeesseseeresss Heath Consultants Contact Information 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E 23 24 26 26 29 31 32 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Page 5 of 36 Overview The HEATH Remote Methane Leak Detector RMLD is a highly advanced technology capable of detecting methane lea
26. s causing the scanning distance to rapidly change e Overly strong returns due to strong reflectors The most common point that a false detection occurs is in the 50 ft 15 m range This is due to the beam footprint becoming very large Abrupt motion change in terrain or distance to an object may cause the DMD to give a short low detection To verify if the detection is due to a leak pause at this distance aim off to the side and re sweep across the area to determine if gas is present Scanning from a long range to a short range will also minimize false detections Strong reflections off certain types of surfaces e g black garbage bags water droplets glass polished surfaces stones license plates reflectors etc may give a false detection Rescan the area from a slightly different angle How Does the RMLD Measure Gas With the RMLD it is now possible to survey areas that are hard to reach or not easily accessible The RMLD does not have to be within the gas plume because it uses laser technology known as Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy As the laser passes through a gas plume the methane absorbs a portion of the light which the RMLD then detects This technology makes it possible to detect leaks along the sight line without always having to walk the full length of the service line Infrared Detector Laser Fig 4 3 The invisible Infrared IR detector laser beam is transmitted from the launch port With a
27. s measuring the methane concentration while the instrument is on 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 15 of 36 Turning On the Spotter Laser Caution The green spotter laser in under the control of the operator and is on only when the spotter trigger switch is depressed While using the green spotter laser be courteous to others by not shining it towards their eyes or causing vehicle drivers to be distracted This type of laser is commonly sold in retail stores and used for business presentations It is safe as long as the operator properly uses it Danger The visible green spotter laser is a Class IIIa laser product Do not stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments Spotter laser IR Detector laser Spotter trigger switch Fig 3 3 Turning the RMLD Off Depress the power switch located on the rear panel The instrument will power off The settings e g Alarm Detection Threshold Spotter On etc will be automatically saved Using the Menu The RMLD menu allows the operator to adjust certain operational values or to turn on off other functions The operator can change the following operational values 1 Volume 2 Alarm Detection Threshold The following functions can be turned on off or enabled 1 Self Test 2 Spotter 3 Backlight 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 16 of 36 By pressing the Select button the Menu options are scrolled through in the following order e Self Test
28. t the DMD detection mode is on Spotter icon indicating that the spotter laser is enabled Backlight icon indicating that the backlight is on Re try icon indicating that the self test failed and should be performed again Self Test icon indicating that the self test mode is enabled OK icon indicating that the self test successfully completed 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 14 of 36 Headphone port Charger port RS 232 port External Power Switch Power port Fig 3 2 RMLD rear panel Headphone port receptacle for the headphone plug Charger port receptacle for the battery charger plug Power Switch depress the switch to turn the instrument on off Ext Power receptacle for the external backup battery plug RS 232 port receptacle for a DB 9 connector for interfacing to a PC Used for factory calibration purposes only Turning the RMLD On Depress the Power Switch located on the rear panel When the unit first turns on the green Spotter laser will briefly flash and the display will shortly show all of the icons The display will then return to its run display mode showing the ppm m reading The Warning icon will also shortly display as the laser starts up This warning should turn off after a few seconds The instrument will turn on with the same settings e g Alarm Detection Threshold Spotter On etc as when it was turned off Note The Infrared detection laser is continuously on and the instrument i
29. tration levels The plume by nature is variable and dependent on the soil conditions temperature wind and leak rate 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 6 of 36 The RMLD consists of two main interactive components e Transceiver e Control Module Fig 1 3 The RMLD system consists of a Laser Emitter Receiver and a Control Module The Transceiver has two lasers The Infrared laser is non visible and is continuously on while the unit is turned on The operator turns on the visible green Spotter laser by depressing the trigger button The RMLD operates under a variety of environmental conditions including cold or hot weather and light rain Its rugged design will stand up to normal field use and operating conditions Its sensitivity or range is not affected by reasonable amounts of dust on the optics window The RMLD has built in Self test and Calibration functions that will assure that the instrument is operating properly Using the calibration cell built into the carrying case the operator can perform the self test and calibration as part of a daily start up routine While in operation the RMLD continuously monitors several parameters to ensure that the instrument is functioning properly Should any of these parameters go outside of the operational limits an audible alarm will sound and a Fault Warning error message will be displayed on the display A training video is provided with the instrument It is highly recommended that the user
30. ully recharge with out interruption Battery indicator bars are flashing on and off Battery level calibration error Run unit until it shuts off then fully recharge with out interruption 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 30 of 36 Maintenance In order to maintain the RMLD in good working condition the following maintenance should be performed as indicated Maintenance Item Frequency Clean outer surfaces with damp rag As needed Clean Transceiver window with damp As needed to prevent dust or water stain KemWipe or equivalent none abrasive build up lens tissue Self Test and Calibration Daily to insure that the instrument is functioning properly Internal battery recharge Recharge to full capacity after each use 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 31 of 36 Chapter VI Service Information Warranties and Warranty Repair The RMLD is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for one 1 year from date of shipment The warranty on authorized repairs in the Houston Factory Service Center FSC is ninety 90 days materials and labor This repair warranty does not extend any other applicable warranties Our warranty covers only failures due to defects in materials or workmanship It does not cover failure due to damage which occurs in shipment unless due to improper packing It does not cover failures which result from accident misuse abuse neglect mishandling
31. und causing inconsistent readings In some cases the gas plume may be large enough that localization is not very accurate Self Test and Calibration The RMLD has a built in function to perform a Self Test and Calibration of the laser wavelength The self test feature should be used on a daily basis to ensure that the instrument is in proper working order HEATH recommends that the self test function be performed prior to the beginning of your survey day Each Self Test amp Calibration should be recorded into a daily log An example daily log has been included at the end of this manual for your convenience To perform the Self Test and Calibration the following procedure should be performed 1 2 3 4 5 6 Remove the controller from the carrying case Turn on the instrument and allow it to warm up for 2 to 3 minutes Place the transceiver in its position in the carrying case making sure it is all the way in place and flat Press the SELECT button until the SELF TEST icon is shown on the display Note the Retry and OK icon are also displayed Fig 3 7 Press the UP button to initiate the self test The number 255 will then be displayed When the OK icon is displayed the instrument passed the self test a Ifthe RETRY icon is displayed then the instrument failed the self test 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 20 of 36 Press the UP button to return to the beginning of the SELF TEST and refer to the next section
32. utton Harness hooks are provided to allow the unit to be suspended from the harness Carrying Strap The RMLD is provided with a single carrying strap with shoulder pad An optional dual strap harness is also available Battery Charger The battery charger is provided to recharge the instrument after use The charger is a universal 110 240 VAC 50 60 hertz with charger indicator Adaptors are provided to convert the style plug for different types of receptacles Instruction CD The Instruction CD contains the following items 1 Instruction Manual that provides instructions on the uses and operation of the instrument 2 Training Video that illustrates proper use and techniques to fully utilize the instrument 3 Additional HEATH product information 4 HEATH contact information Carrying Case The carrying case provides protection for the instrument during storage or transportation The instrument should be kept in the case while not in use Integrated into the carrying case is a calibration gas cell Headphone Allows the operator to listen to the audible tones through a headphone instead of the external speaker 101515 0 RMLD MANUAL REV E Page 10 of 36 Optional Accessories Dual Shoulder Strap Harness The dual shoulder strap harness provides extra comfort and support for carrying the instrument for an extended time The built in lanyard is used to carry the weight of the transceiver and provide additional stability an
33. y instruments available However should you experience problems with the instrument or suspect that the instrument is not operating properly do not use the instrument for leak survey work until the problem is resolved Only a qualified RMLD repair technician should attempt to repair or adjust the instrument There are no user serviceable components in the RMLD that can be repaired or replaced Most often a problem has a simple cause The following table provides a list of common problems cause and solution Should you have a problem not listed or the solution doesn t work please contact HEATH for further assistance Symptom Probable Cause s Solution Readings are higher than normal at short range and lower than normal for long range Laser calibration has drifted Run Self Test Concentration reading low and will not pass the Self Test Have to use Self Test override each time the Self Test is performed Laser calibration has drifted Laser calibration has drifted Laser calibration drift rate is too high Run Self Test and use the override function Perform the Self Test on a daily basis Contact HEATH Unit will not turn on Low battery Recharge internal battery or Use the External Power Supply Keep getting a warning Scanning at a distance Move closer to the sound or icon when beyond the RMLD target or scanning range Change angle to the Background surface is ta
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