Armada Pro900 Digital Wire and Valve Locator

• AC Wall Outlet or Battery Powered
• Two Direct Connection Frequencies (2 kHz, 33 kHz)
• Wireless Inductive Antenna or Clamp Modes
• Audible (Speaker or Stereo Headset) or Visual Bar Graph

Introduction: Theory of Locating

Cable locators consist of a transmitter and a receiver. In the case of the Pro900 model, the transmitter is in the long gray box and the receiver is a yellow and black wand. In operation, a transmitter places a specific tracing signal onto the metallic conductor you are trying to locate. This placing of an AC signal onto a cable produces an electrical current and an electromagnetic field around that cable. If the wand is close enough, this signal is received and amplified by the wand.

It is very important to understand that the circuit you are creating follows the laws of physics and electricity. A cable transmitter creates an electrical current (AC) that travels down the cable, through grounding to the earth, and then back to the transmitter through the ground stake. The tracing signal will always travel on the path of least resistance. If there is too much resistance or no circuit path, no current will flow and no locate will be possible. So keep in mind that when a signal is heard, it is because the signal has a complete path that is creating an electrically friendly way for the signal to travel back to the transmitter. The signal doesn't just randomly wander through the dirt. It follows a path provided for it, whether it is a pipe, wire, reinforcing bar, etc.

It is also important to note that in the tracing circuits, a return path needs to be present. Basically, the return path completes the circuit. In most cases, this will be the earth's ground as the signal transmits down the cable and returns to the ground stake. However, any return is possible, so a common wire could work. Or if you have a looped wire, like a dog fence, the loop itself returns to the start and therefore provides a 'ground' instead of the ground stake. You don't have to use a ground stake but you do have to give the signal a way to return to the transmitter.

Power

The Pro900 has two options for powering the transmitter; AC mains power or internal batteries. The AC adapter is useful when 120 Vac power outlets are available nearby. The adapter provides constant power and does not diminish batteries. To use the AC adapter, simply insert the round plug of the adapter into the “12 V” external power receptacle on the transmitter panel and the traditional bladed end into a wall outlet. The transmitter is then powered by AC mains voltage instead of batteries.

The Pro900 transmitter also can use 8 “D” (LR20) alkaline batteries that are installed inside the transmitter battery compartment. Remove the battery compartment cover and install the batteries, paying particular attention to the positive and negative poles.

A 9-volt square (6LR61) alkaline battery is needed for the Pro900 receiver. To install this battery, remove the battery compartment cover located on the back top portion of the Pro900 receiver. Install the 9-volt battery by connecting it to the battery snap boot inside the battery compartment. Don't yank or pull hard on the battery boot. Finally, replace the battery cover.

To test that the batteries have been correctly installed, turn each unit on. The control panel LCDs will come on if the batteries have been connected correctly. If not, repeat the installation procedures. The battery compartment is designed to hold the batteries tightly so if you do not get a signal for power, try adjusting the batteries by rolling them or moving them forward and backward until the power does come on.

Battery Condition Indicators

There are low battery indicator symbols on the left edge of both the transmitter and receiver display panels. These “fuel gauge” battery symbols will be solid when fresh and diminish to empty as the batteries are depleted.

Pro900 Transmitter Controls

Pro900 Transmitter Displays Screens

Pro900 Transmitter Controls Transmitter Operation

Turn the Transmitter ON. After a momentary banner screen, you will see the HOME display. From here you can elect to use the Broadcast or Clamp connectionless-mode or the Direct Clip-on mode.

DIRECT CLIP - ON: Be sure that any equipment such as irrigation controllers, lighting transformers or telecom equipment are disconnected from wires that are to be traced by direct connection. The output voltage on the Direct Connect leads can be in the hundreds of volts. Before selecting Direct C lip - on connecting the red alligator lead to the wire you want to trace ( target wire ) and the black alligator lead to the included ground stake. Insert the ground stake into the soil or earth ground perpendicular to the path of the wire and as far from the transmitter as possible. Do not use common grounds such as pipes or electrical grounds unless you have no choice. An independent ground stake usually works better than common ground.

Pro900 Receiver Controls

Pro900 Receiver Displays Screens

Receiver Operation

Turn on the receiver. From the “Ready” screen select which tracing mode you will be using (connectionless, or direct clip-on LO - F or HI - F, matching the mode of the Transmitter. When Start is then selected, the receiver becomes active, with the display indicating the signal level detected. The controls can also be used to increase the receiver volume.