MONARCH INSTRUMENT Instruction Manual Nova-Strobe DBL and Nova-Strobe PBL Deluxe and Phaser LED Stroboscopes 15 Columbia Drive Amherst, NH 03031 USA Phone: (603) 883-3390 Fax: (603) 886-3300 E-mail: support@monarchinstrument.com Website: www.monarchinstrument.
Safeguards and Precautions 1. Read and follow all instructions in this manual carefully, and retain this manual for future reference. 2. Do not use this instrument in any manner inconsistent with these operating instructions or under any conditions that exceed the environmental specifications stated. 3. Certain strobe frequencies can trigger epileptic seizures in those prone to that type of attack. 4. Users should not stare directly at the light source. 5.
11. Nova-Strobe LED units contain Nickel Metal Hydride batteries which must be disposed of in accordance with Federal, State, & Local Regulations. Do not incinerate. Batteries should be shipped to a reclamation facility for recovery of the metal and plastic components as the proper method of waste management. Contact distributor for appropriate product return procedures.
3.0 LED STROBE OPERATION.................................................... 7 3.1 Adjusting the Flash Rate - RPM ................................... 7 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.1.5 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Using the Knob ............................................................... 7 Using the Keypad ........................................................... 7 Decade Adjustment ........................................................ 8 Multiply or Divide By 2 ....................................
1.0 OVERVIEW The Nova-Strobe Deluxe DBL and Phaser PBL LED (Light Emitting Diode) are rugged portable battery powered LED Stroboscopes used for inspection and to stop motion to determine the speed of rotating objects. The units have a pistol grip with lockable trigger switch and wrist strap for comfortable hand held operation or they may be mounted on a tripod using the integral ¼ -20 UNC thread at the base of the handle.
1.1.1 Internal Mode The strobe is in the Internal Mode when nothing is plugged into the input jack or when manually set using the INPUT button. In the internal mode the strobe generates its own timing signals and the users can enter the flash rate using several different methods – see Section 3.1. 1.1.2 External Mode In the External Input Mode the user can’t make any flash rate adjustments with the knob. The flash rate is a function of the input signal.
1.2 Brightness GLOSSARY: LED – Light Emitting Diode msec – millisecond = 1/1,000 of a second µsec – microsecond = 1/1,000,000 of a second ° = degree. One rotation = 360° The strobe’s brightness depends on how wide the LED flash pulse is; the wider the pulse, the brighter the visual output from the LEDs. Since the strobe is primarily used on reciprocating or rotating targets there is a downside to the wider flashes.
to take into account tangential velocity (rotational speed) – the further away the rotating point is from the center axis the faster the tangential velocity and the worse the blur appears to be – it is always the same number of degrees of rotation but the physical length of the blur gets bigger as the point moves faster. The strobe adjusts the width of the pulse automatically to keep the degree of rotation visible constant.
The strobe automatically adjusts these values as the flash rate is increased or decreased to maintain these limits at all times. For example - at a flash rate of 600 flashes per minute 14° of blur represents a flash pulse width of 3800 µsec. The Strobe will limit this value to 3000 µsec or 10.8° of rotation (blur). 2.0 PREPARATION FOR USE The Stroboscope may be hand held or mounted on a tripod or other user supplied bracket using the ¼-20 UNC bushing at the base of the handle. 2.
2.2 Input / Output Connections The strobe has input and output jacks on the left side of the stroboscope. These can be used for external triggering or synchronization (daisychaining two or more strobes). These jacks accept 1/8” (3.5mm) phone plugs (input - stereo, output - mono). The input and output signals are TTL compatible. See Figures 2 and 3 for connector connection detail.
The polarity of the input pulse can be set in the MENU options. In the external mode the knob cannot be used to change the flash rate. With no external input, the output jack (q pointing away from socket) provides a TTL compatible pulse from the strobe’s internal oscillator. If an external input is applied, the output pulse is in sync with the input pulse. This output pulse may be used to trigger a second stroboscope synchronously to illuminate larger areas. Many strobes can be “daisy chained”.
button. Note: The system will round the display to the nearest least significant digit displayed. If the display has no decimal places and you enter 1234.6 the display will show 1235 and the strobe will flash at 1234.6 flashes per minute. 3.1.3 Decade Adjustment The flash rate can be adjusted in decade steps eg: 1, 10, 100 etc. by pressing the button shown right. This will start a digit on the display blinking.
3.1.5 Fixed Increment N Adjustment The strobe flash rate can be incremented or decremented in fixed increments. To do this, adjust the flash rate to the required adjustment value, say 300, which we will refer to as N. Then press the ±N button shown right (Note: – N is the displayed value at the time the button is pressed). The display will show ALT in the bottom left hand corner which indicates the knob is in the ALTernate function mode.
the preset number of degrees provided this does not exceed the strobe specifications. Press any key other than BRIGHT to exit or press BRIGHT again to go to MICROSECOND adjustment. 3.2.2 Flash Duration - Microseconds To view or adjust the flash duration in microseconds press the BRIGHT button again after viewing degrees or press the BRIGHT button twice from normal operation. The display will show the current flash duration in microseconds (uSECS) – this may be calculated from phase degrees set above.
the display. There is also an ON TARGET INDICATOR shown right which illuminates when a valid external signal is received. If there is no external input and the TACH button is pressed the strobe will stop flashing but will still output a pulse at the rate indicated on the display. This rate may be adjusted as described in Section 3.1 above. To exit the Tachometer mode press the TACH button again. 3.
3.7 Phase Delay The DELAY button adjusts the phase shift of the flash with respect to time. There are two modes: INTERNAL and EXTERNAL (PBL model only). 3.7.1 Internal Phase Delay Also referred to as JOG. Once the flash rate has been adjusted to give a stopped motion image, the PHASE DELAY button may be used to increase or decrease the phase of the image with respect to its original position. Use the PHASE DELAY button to bring a reference mark, such as a key way, into your line of sight.
In the External Time Delay mode the flash is delayed 0.01 to 1000 msec after each external trigger pulse. The display will show the TIME icon, the delay in milliseconds on the top line and will indicate MSECS on the lower line. The knob adjusts the amount of delay in milliseconds, counterclockwise to increase and clockwise to decrease.
3.8.2 Backlight Enables the display backlight to be turned on or off. After pressing the MENU button rotate the knob until the display bottom line shows BLITE and press the MENU button again. The top line of the display will show Yes or No selected by rotating the knob counterclockwise (yes) or clockwise (no). The backlight will turn on and off accordingly. Press the MENU button to select, then any other key to exit. The display will show DONE and return to the normal readout. 3.8.
3.8.5 Blanking Blanking is used to reject the strobe’s own flash when using an external optical sensor and prevent double triggering. After pressing the MENU button rotate the knob until the display bottom line shows BLANK and press the MENU button again. The top line of the display will show Yes or No selected by rotating the knob counterclockwise (yes) or clockwise (no). Yes enables blanking, no disables it. Press the MENU button to select, then any other key to exit.
button. You should again see a single image (which may be phase shifted with respect to the first image seen). For example, when viewing a shaft with a single key way you will see one stationary image of the key way at the actual speed and at 1/2,1/3,1/4, etc, of the actual speed. You will see 2 images of the key way at 2 times the actual speed, 3 key way at 3 times, etc. The FPM equals the shafts Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) at the highest flash rate that gives only one stationary image of the key way.
If a Remote Optical Sensor or Magnetic Sensor is used to sense one pulse per revolution (External mode), the readout will display directly in RPM (FPM) without any adjustment required. In instances when you can shut down the device and install a piece of reflective tape, then an optical tachometer is easier to use for RPM measurement. Stroboscopes must be used when you can’t shut down the device.
5.1 Low Battery Indication When the batteries are charged, there will be no battery icon indication. When the batteries are low, the Low Battery icon will blink in the display. The strobe may still be used for a short time. Low Battery Icon = Outline blinking (very little time left) The strobe has a protection feature that prevents the strobe from operating if the battery voltage is too low. This condition is indicated by no flash and the display shows “LO BAT”.
Allow the recharger to charge the batteries until the display shows DONE for peak battery life performance. If the batteries are not charged to 100% regularly, the batteries will lose capacity. 5.3 External Power Supply/Charger (PBL only) The PBL will run continuously from the external power supply/charger (PSC-PBXU) powered by the AC mains (115 – 230 Vac). To run the PBL from the external power supply/charger (PSC-PBXU): 1. 2. 3. 5.
6.0 SPECIFICATIONS Internal Mode: Flash Range 30 - 500,000 FPM (Flashes Per Minute), 0.5 to 8333.33 Hz Flash Rate Accuracy 0.004% of setting or ± last digit Flash Rate Resolution 0.01 to 1 FPM (menu selectable), 0.1 FPM resolution above 9,999.99 FPM, 1 FPM resolution above 99,999.9 Display Update Rate Instantaneous External Modes: Flash Range 0 - 500,000 FPM (Flashes Per Minute) 0.5 to 8333.33Hz Tachometer Mode 5 to 500,000 RPM Accuracy: ±0.001% of reading or ± last digit Display Update Rate 0.
Memory Input Power Light Output Flash Duration Run Time Charge Time Weight Last setting before power down is remembered and restored on next power up. 5 user settable flash rates. Battery powered: Internal Rechargeable Batteries 6 Vdc, External AC Power Supply PBL only (100 Vac to 240 Vac, 50/60 Hz) Average: 3000 Lumens @6000 FPM 12” from lens Adjustable 0.5 to 3000 microseconds or 0.
7.0 OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES / SENSORS PSC-2U Universal Recharger, 115/230 Vac with USA, U.K., AUS, Euro Adapter Plugs for battery operated Nova-Strobes (included with DBL) PSC-PBXU Universal Power Supply/Charger, 115/230 Vac with USA, U.K.
ROS-P-25 Remote Optical Sensor with 25 foot [7.6 m] cable for triggering strobe IRS-P Infrared Sensor with 8 foot [2.5 m] cable for use without reflective target at 0.5 inch [12 mm] gap for triggering strobe MT-190P Magnetic Trigger Sensor/Amplifier with 8 foot [2.5 m] cable for triggering strobe T-5 Reflective tape - 5 foot [1.5 m] roll, 0.5 inch [12.
Printed in the U.S.A.
