Rice Lake TC Tuning Fork Compact Electronic Balance Operation Manual IMPORTANT • To ensure safe and proper use of the balance, please read this manual carefully. • After reading this manual, store it in a safe place near the balance, so you can review it as needed.
PREFACE Thank you for purchasing an RL-TC Series electronic balance. This is a precision instrument equipped with exacting mechanisms in a compact body. The RL-TC series provides enhanced functions, including a counting mode for stock control of parts, a percentage mode for comparative measurements given in percentages, and a limit function for measuring constant quantities by consecutive weighings. Despite its many functions, the balance is easy to operate and features user-friendly keys.
CONTENTS PREFACE ................................................. i CONTENTS .............................................. i 1. Precautions on the Use ....................... 1 2. Names of Component Parts ................ 4 2.1 Main Unit........................................ 4 2.2 LCD Indicators and Operating Keys 5 2.2.1 Symbols Displayed ................................... 5 2.2.2 Names and Functions of Operating Keys.. 6 3. Basic Operations ................................ 7 3.1 Installation ........
ii RL-TC Series Operation Manual
1. Precautions on the Use • This Section "Precautions Relating to Use" sets forth precautionary notes that the user should observe in order to prevent physical injury to the user and/or damage to property. • The nature of problems that may result in the event of improper operation, and consequential effects on the quality and performance of the balance, are indicated under the two categories of "Caution" and "Recommended," and explained using symbols.
Do not place the balance on an unstable base or use the balance in a location where it may be subjected to shock. • The loaded sample may fall off the measurement pan. • Accurate measurement may be rendered impossible. Do not lay the AC adapter cable in the path of traffic. • Somebody may trip on the cable, causing the balance to fall off, thereby causing injury and/or damage to the balance. Do not touch the AC adapter or balance with wet hands.
Avoid applying excess force or impact to the balance. • Place the sample to be measured on the balance carefully to prevent breakage or malfunction. Do not use the balance in a location were it may be subjected to abrupt changes in ambient temperature or humidity. • Accurate measurement may not be obtained. • Optimum operations occur when ambient temperatures range from 5°C to 35°C, and less than 80% relative humidity. Do not use the balance when [o - Err] (Overloaded) is displayed.
2. Names of Component Parts 2.1 Main Unit Round-pan types (TC-220, TC-420, TC-620) Square-pan types (TC-1200, TC-2200, TC-4200, TC-6200, TC-12K) Measurement pan Front View (round-pan type) Liquid crystal display (LCD) See page 6. Level for checking the level of the balance. Turn the adjusters until the bubble rests in the center of the red circle.
2.2 LCD Indicators and Operating Keys 2.2.1 Symbols Displayed ＨＩ 0 0 F Pcs # ＯＫ g％ ＬＯ Display Description g Grams →0← Zero point →T← Tare being subtracted ○ Indication of stable balance (If the light is off, the balance is unstable.) ＊ Balance powered up (Lights up when the power is turned off) or data transmitted Pcs Counting mode % Percentage mode Indication of judgement result (HI/OK/LO) when the limit function is active.
2.2.2 Names and Functions of Operating Keys Operating Key On/off key Function Key to turn on/off the unit power [Brief press] [Brief press] initiates print or output. saves the settings of the number of pieces or Memory key percentages (%), or the limit value when using the limit function. [Brief press] starts setting the number of pieces or percentages (%). Target key [Continuous press] starts setting the limit value when using the limit function.
3. Basic Operations 3.1 Installation 1 Positioning the measurement pan First, mount the pan base on the main unit of the balance and place the measurement pan on top of it. Be sure to mount the pan base in the correct direction, as illustrated below. 2 Securing the exact level of the balance Turn the adjusters (feet) until the bubble rests in the center of the red circle on the level.
3.2 Operation Check 1 Turning on the power When the balance has the AC adapter connected, it displays [＊]. Pressing the On/Off key The display section lights up, and the balance is ready for operation. 2 Checking the display Check to see if the display has any missing indications or unlit parts. A few seconds after startup, the indication is reset to zero. ＨＩ 0 0 F Pcs # ＯＫ ＬＯ g％ 3 Switching the measurement mode Press the Function key.
3.3 Operation for Tare Subtraction 1 Place the tare (container) on the balance. As you place the tare, the balance indicates its weight. 2 Reset read-out indication to zero. Press the Zero/Tare key. The tare is subtracted and the balance indicates zero. 3 Load the sample to be weighed. The balance will now indicate only the weight of the sample loaded in the tare. ☆ Weighing only the weight of an added sample 4 Resetting the indication to zero Press the Zero/Tare key.
☆ Key Points of the Procedure ☆ The following applies equally to all the measurement modes for weight measurement, counting, and percentages. 1. After the balance is switched off, there is still enough current to display [＊]. This indicates that the AC adapter is connected to an electrical outlet, but that the balance is turned off. When the balance is switched on again, [＊] will disappear. ※If the balance is running on batteries and the unit is switched off, the display does not display [＊].
4. Functions 4.1 Setup and Checking of Functions 1 Invoking the function Press and hold down the Function key until the indicator changes to “Func,” then release the key. The function setup mode is activated, and the first item, [1.b.G. 1 (Bar graph) 1] appears. (See “4.2 Description of Functions” on page 13.) 2 Selecting the next item Press the Function key. The indication changes to the next item, 2.SEL 0 [(Limit function)].
4.2 Description of Functions Item Set Value 1..b.G.. Limit function 2.SEL Displayed only when limit function is activated Bar graph display Judgement 21.Co. condition Judgement 22.L range Number of 23.P points for judgement Auto-zero (zero-tracking) 3.A.O Auto power-off 4.A.P. Response speed 5.rE. Stability parameters 6. 5.d. Interface 7. 1.F.
4.2 Description of Functions (cont.) 4.3 Interface Section ☆ denotes a factory-setting ※ The data interval in continuous output mode is 0.1 to 1 second. (The interval varies depending on weighting conditions and other factors.
5. Switching Function for Units of Measurement Pressing the Function key allows the user to switch the unit of measurement to [g], [ct], [%], and so on. During setup, a maximum of five different units can be registered for use in function setup mode. 5.1 Switching Units of Measurement Switching the units of measurement to be displayed Press the Function key. Each press advances through the units of measurement to be displayed.
Pressing the the Target key will reset 3 Pressing the [Target] key to restore measurement mode. the measurement mode. 4 Pressing the [Function] key to change the units of measurement Press the Function key. Each press advances through the units of measurement to be displayed.
6. Counting Pieces To implement piece-counting, the specified samples are loaded on the balance, and their average unit weight (hereinafter, simply the “unit weight”) is entered and saved. The procedure for saving unit weights is called sampling. The counting procedure consists of loading articles that have already been sampled on to the balance. The number of pieces is then calculated by dividing the total weight of the loaded articles by the unit weight saved in memory.
4 Changing the sampling number, if necessary. 5 Loading samples 6 Saving the unit weight of samples If samples to be counted widely deviate in weight, or a higher measure of accuracy is desired, it is recommended that users change the sampling number to a larger value. Press the Zero/Tare key. Each press of the key changes the value on the right end. Select the desired value. If the sampling number need not be changed, go on to the next step. Load the number of samples displayed.
☆ Key Points of the Procedure ☆ 6.2 Increasing the Counting Accuracy (Memory Update Method) ※This procedure is the same as the sampling procedure described on the previous page up, to the point at which the sampling number is changed. 1 Loading samples 2 Saving the samples 18 RL-TC Series Operation Manual Load the number of samples displayed. Count the samples precisely and load them on to the center of the measurement pan. Press the Target key.
3 Adding samples Add approximately an equal number of samples as the number currently displayed. Add them gradually, in groups of approximately the same number, until the number of samples is approximately double. The additional samples need not be counted. 4 Saving the samples Press the Target key. After the unit weight of the samples has been saved, the display begins to flash, indicating that the Memory Update Method is still running.
7. Measuring Percentage The percentage measurement function operates by weighing an actual sample, selected as the reference, and saving its weight as the reference value and indexing it as 100%. When a measurement sample loaded on the balance is lighter or heavier than the reference, its weight is indicated as a percentage (%) value relative to the reference weight. 1 Activating the percentage mode Press the Function key to disaplay [%]. 2 Setting the reference value Press the Target key.
☆ Key Points of the Procedure ☆ RL-TC Series Operation Manual 21
8. Limit Function The limit function judges measurements according to a limit value saved in the balance. The function shows the judgement result by displaying the [◄] mark as either HI (excessive), OK (appropriate), or LO (insufficient). This function is very useful when discriminating between conforming and nonconforming articles. It is also useful when measuring a given constant quantity consecutively, in conjunction with a range of reference weights defined by upper- and lower-limit values.
8.1 Limit Function Setup (cont.) 2 Selecting a function item Press the Function key. The display changes to the next item [Limit Function]. 3 Setting the limit function Press the Zero/Tare key to set the value on the rightmost side to [1]. 4 Setting the judgement condition Press the Function key. The display changes to [Judgement Condition]. Press the Zero/Tare key to select the desired condition. 5 Setting the judgement range Press the Function key. The display changes to [Judgement Range].
8.2 Setup of Limit Values by Actual Quantity Loads 1 Starting the limit function Press and hold down the Target key. Release the key when [L. SEt] is displayed. The currently set lower-limit value flashes. 2 Loading the sample for the lower-limit value Load the sample of the lower-limit value on the measurement pan. 3 Saving the lower-limit value 4 The upper-limit value setup Press the Memory key.
8.3 Setting up Limit Values by Inputting Values 1 Starting the limit function Press and hold down the Target key. Release the key when [L. SEt] is displayed. The currently set lower-limit value flashes. 2 Opening the value input screen Press the Zero/Tare key. All the digits are displayed, with the one on the right end flashing. This flashing digit is the one that can be changed. 3 Entering a value Press the Zero/Tare key again.
8.3 Setting up Limit Values by Inputting Values (cont.) 8 Opening the value input screen Press the Zero/Tare key. Follow the same procedure as in “Step 2.” 9 Setting the upper-limit value Follow the same procedure as described for the lower-limit value and enter the upper-limit value. 10 Saving the upper-limit value Press the Memory key. After saving the upper-limit value, the balance displays it briefly and terminates setup.
9. Calibrating the Balance Since electronic balances are affected by gravity gravitational acceleration, they produce different values in various locations. Therefore, before use, balances must be calibrated at the location where they are installed. Calibration is also required after long periods without use, or if a balance begins to produce inaccurate values. Calibration of a balance, or “span adjustment,” is required to produce accurate measurements.
Calibrating the Balance (cont.) 4 Calibrating the capacity point Load the calibration weight in the center of the balance. The display flashes, indicating that capacity point calibration is in progress. 5 Terminating the span adjustment When the calibration of the capacity point is finished, the original measurement mode is restored.
10. Operating the Balance with the Battery This function can be used only when the balance is battery-operated. 10.1 Specifications • Built-in nickel-cadmium battery • Charging time:Approximately 12 hours • Drive time: Approximately 32 continuous hours • Number of charge/discharge cycles:300 or more 10.2 Charging Method ※While the balance is battery-operated, [ ] stays on. The indicator flashes [ ] (charging required) when battery ], charge the battery by following these steps: capacity decreases.
11. Troubleshooting ※ The numbers in ( ) indicate reference pages Symptom Cause There is no indication on • The AC adapter is not connected. the display. • The balance is subject to air currents or vibration. The display is unstable. • The balance is situated on an unstable [M] remains flashing surface. without changing. • An object is contacting the sample being measured, the measuring pan, or the tare. • An error was made in the tare subtraction procedure.
12. Specifications 12.1 Basic Specifications Model Capacity [g] Readability [g] TC-220 220 0.01 TC-420 420 0.01 TC-620 620 0.01 TC-1200 1200 0.1 Measurable unit weight in counting mode [g] Minimum weight in percentage mode [g] Weight measuring method 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.1 1 1 1 10 Tuning fork vibration method Calibration method Pan Size [mm] With external calibration weight φ140 170x140 Model Capacity [g] Readability [g] TC-2200 2200 0.1 TC-4200 4200 0.1 TC-6200 6200 0.
12.3 Minimum Display by Unit of Measurement Model TC-220 Unit_of measurement g (ct) (oz) (lb) (ozt) (dwt) ► (grain) (Hong Kong) TC-420 TC-620 TC-1200 220 420 620 1200 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.1 1100 2100 3100 6000 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.5 7.7 14 21 42 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.005 0.48 0.92 1.3 2.6 0.00005 0.00005 0.00005 0.0005 7 13 19 38 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.005 140 270 390 770 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.1 3300 6400 9500 18000 0.2 0.2 0.2 2 5.8 11 16 32 0.0005 0.
Minimum Display by Unit of Measurement (continued) Model RL-TC- RL-TC- RL-TC- RL-TC- 2200 4200 6200 12K Unit of measurement g (ct) (oz) (lb) (ozt) (dwt) ► (grain) (Hong Kong) 2200 4200 6200 12000 0.1 0.1 0.1 1 11000 21000 31000 60000 0.5 0.5 0.5 5 77 140 210 420 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.05 4.8 9.2 13 26 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.005 70 130 190 380 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.05 1400 2700 3900 7700 0.1 0.1 0.1 1 33000 64000 95000 2 2 2 58 110 160 320 0.
13. Conversion Table of Units Unit Gram carat Ounce Pound troy ounce Penny Weight 1g 1 5 0.03527 0.00220 0.03215 0.64301 1ct 0.2 1 0.00705 0.00044 0.00643 0.12860 1oz 28.34952 141.74762 1 0.06250 0.91146 18.22917 1lb 453.59237 2267.96185 16 1 14.58333 291.66667 1ozt 31.10348 155.51738 1.09714 0.06857 1 20 1dwt 1.55517 7.77587 0.05486 0.00343 0.05 1 1GN 0.06480 0.32399 0.00229 0.00014 0.00208 0.04167 1tl (HK) 37.429 187.145 1.32027 0.08252 1.
TC Series Limited Warranty Rice Lake Weighing Systems (RLWS) warrants that all RLWS equipment and systems manufactured and sold by RLWS and properly installed by an authorized RLWS Distributor or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will operate per written specifications as confirmed by the Distributor/OEM and accepted by RLWS. All systems and components are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for five years.
