General PCT2236B User manual

PCT2236B

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

COMBINATION

CONTACT/

NON CONTACT

LASER TACHOMETER

USER’S MANUAL

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What’s in the Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 – 5

Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Install Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 – 15

Simulate Making, Storing and

Recalling RPM Measurements

in Contact Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 – 10

Measuring Rotating Speeds

in Contact Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 – 12

Measuring Linear Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Measuring Surface Dimensions . . . . . . . . 12 – 13

Making RPM Measurements in

Non-Contact Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 15

Storing and Recalling RPM Measurements

in Non-Contact Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 – 17

Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Warranty Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 - 19

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 2

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’

PCT2236B Combination Contact/Non-Contact Laser

Tachometer. Please read this user’s manual carefully and

thoroughly before using the instrument.

The PCT2236B is a general-purpose instrument that can

measure the rotational speed of a motor’s or generator’s

spinning shaft using either a contact or non-contact technique.

In non-contact measurement mode, the instrument bounces a

laser beam off a piece of reflective tape that has been affixed to

the shaft and uses an integrated photocell to count the number

of reflections produced per minute. In contact measurement

mode, the instrument uses dedicated fittings that measure the

speed of the shaft by rotating along with it. In contact mode, the

PCT2236B also can measure the linear speed of a moving

surface (such as a conveyor belt or the circumference of a

wheel) and the dimensions of stationary objects.

In both operating modes, measurements are displayed in real

time on a 0.7 in. (18mm) high backlit liquid-crystal display and

stored in memory. Up to 96 measurements of rpm or linear

speed can be stored, indexed and recalled, along with the last

value, the minimum value and the maximum value of a series.

In non-contact mode, the tachometer can measure the speeds

of shafts spinning at up to 99,999 rpm. In contact mode, the

instrument can measure rotational speeds from 0 to 20,000 rpm,

linear speeds from 5cm/min (2 in./min) to 2km/min (6,562

ft./min), and lengths from 5cm to 10km (2 in. to 6.2 miles).

The PCT2236B is powered by four “AA” batteries (included) or

an optional 6V AC/DC adapter.

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 3

KEY FEATURES

• Measures rotational speeds using contact or non-contact

technique

• Autoranging is automatic

• Includes fittings for measuring the speed of a rotating shaft and

the linear speed of a conveyor

• Wide measurement range and high resolution

• Backlit 0.7 in. (18mm) high display supports work in low light

• Stores and indexes up to 96 measurements

• Memorizes the last, minimum and maximum values of a series

of measurements

• Also measures any dimension of a stationary object, in meters

• One-handed operation

• Auto power off function extends battery life

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Spinning shafts and fast-moving conveyor belts can be

dangerous. When using the tachometer, take care not to let your

fingers, hands, hair or clothing make contact with moving parts.

LASER WARNING NOTE!

Do not point laser directly at eye.

Use caution around reflective surfaces.

Keep out of reach of children.

WHAT’S IN THE CASE

The PCT2236B comes fully assembled in a carrying case

along with the following accessories (see Figure 1):

•

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 4

• Three rubber fittings—called

rpm adapters

—for making

contact with the end of a rotating shaft of a motor or

generator. Two have cone-shaped rubber tips that fit into a

hollowed (concave) end of a metal shaft; one (B) has a large

cone compatible with a 1/2 in. diameter shaft, the other (J)

has a smaller cone that fits

into shafts 1/4 in. across. The

third (K) fitting has its own

hollowed end; it is designed

to fit over a 1/4 in. diameter

shaft with a flat or slightly

convex end.

• One rubber/plastic fitting (the

surface speed wheel A) for

making contact with a

surface in linear motion. The

surface speed wheel has a

1/8 in. slot into which moving

wire, cable or rope fits snugly.

• Three 24 in. (6mm) long

strips of 1/2 in. (12mm) wide

adhesive reflective tape

• Three spare Phillips head

screws

• Four “AA” batteries

• This user’s manual

Fig. 1

1/2" RUBBER RPM ADAPTER

INSERTED IN BLACK PLASTIC SLEEVE

SURFACE

SPEED

WHEEL

1/4" RUBBER

RPM ADAPTER

RPM ADAPTER WITH HOLLOWED END

FOR 1/4" DIAMETER SHAFTS WITH

FLAT OR CONVEX END

(A)

(B)

(K)

(J)

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 5

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Figure 2 shows all of the controls and indicators and other

physical features of the PCT2236B. Familiarize yourself with

their names and locations before continuing.

A. Surface Speed Wheel

B. 1/2" Rubber RPM Adapter

(shown inserted

in plastic sleeve)

C. Tachometer Shaft

Measurement

Button

(on right side)

E. Function Switch, labeled

“

m, m/min, rpm

”

MEM

Button

G. Display Window

H. Battery Compartment Cover

(in back)

I. Jack for 6-V AC/DC Adapter

(on left side)

J. 1/4" Rubber RPM Adapter

K. 1/4" Rubber RPM Adapter

with hollowed end

L. Refelctive Tape (on spinning

motor or generator shaft)

M. Reflected Laser Light

(to internal photosensor)

Fig. 2. The PCT2236B’s

controls and indicators

and other physical features

SURFACE

SPEED WHEEL

Fig. 2

1/2" RPM ADAPTER

INSERTED IN BLACK

PLASTIC SLEEVE

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 6

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

INSTALL BATTERIES

To gain access to the battery compartment, remove the

Phillips head screw securing its cover in the back of the

instrument (callout H of Fig. 2). Slide the cover down and away

from the unit. Then install four “AA” batteries in the correct

orientation, using the polarity marks on the inside of the

compartment as a guide. Don’t forget to install the batteries

over the ribbon, which makes it easier to remove them later.

Replace the battery compartment cover, tucking the end of the

ribbon under it, and secure it with the Phillips head screw.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

SIMULATE MAKING, STORING AND RECALLING RPM

MEASUREMENTS IN CONTACT MODE

Before using the PCT2236B on actual equipment, General

suggests that you familiarize yourself with the way the

instrument measures, stores and recalls speeds by spinning

the tachometer’s shaft by hand. By simulating readings you

can expect to see in practice, you will safely gain expertise

that will save you time later.

To get started, make sure the black plastic sleeve (see

Fig. 1 (B) ) is installed on the tachometer’s shaft (callout C of

Fig. 2), with the slot of the sleeve over the shaft’s metal pin.

Cradle the tachometer in your right hand. Move the function

switch (callout E of Fig. 2) to either the “

m/min

” or “

rpm

”

position. Then press the

Measurement button o

n the right

side of the instrument (callout D of Fig. 2) with your right

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 7

thumb. Note that this illuminates the display window. The

display should show “

”, either with the letters “

rpm

” directly

below it or with the letters “

m/min

” below it to the left,

depending on the position of the function switch.

To simulate a speed measurement

, keep the tachometer

cradled in your right hand and spin its shaft by “flicking” it

with the middle two fingers on your left hand while pressing

the

Measurement button with your right thumb. Note how

the display tracks the force of yo

ur flicks, and also how the

instrument powers off whenever the

Measurement button

if released (this “dead man switch” feature extends batt

ery

life considerably).

To simulate storing measurements

, keep the

Measurement button dep

ressed with your right thumb while

you make three simulated speed measurements, as follows:

• Flick the shaft with your left index finger once. Store the

displayed reading by pressing the

MEM button w

ith your

left thumb.

• Flick the shaft again to make another simulated

measurement. Store this reading by pressing the

MEM

button

aga

in.

• Flick the shaft a third time and store the third reading as

well by pressing the

MEM button.

After simulating and storing three measurements, release

the

Measurement button

and do not press it again until

instructed to.

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 8

To simulate recalling stored measurements

, press the

MEM

button once and hold it. This illuminates the display,

which now shows the highest of the three readings you have

just stored. Note that if you continue

holding the

MEM button

the display

alternates between showing the highest

value and the letters “

”, signifying the

maximum speed.

Also note that releasing the

MEM button

pow

ers off the display and the instrument.

Now press the

MEM button twice and

hold it. This again illuminates the display,

but now it shows the last reading you stored, indicated by and

alternating with the letters “

”.

Finally, press the

MEM button th

ree times and hold it. This

retrieves the slowest of the three speeds you measured and

stored. This value is shown alternating with the letters “

”,

signifying the minimum speed.

To try out other memory-related features,

you can now press the

Measurement

button o

n the right side. Now press the

MEM button

once, twice and three times (holding it in each

time) and note from the display that all three of your stored

measurements have been erased (indicated by “

0.0

” readings

for

and

). You can confirm this by pressing and holding

the

MEM button until

the display begins counting down from

20. When the count reaches 0, the display immediately switches

to showing the letters “

” on the left side and a number (in

this case, “

”) on the right. (The letters “

” are an

abbreviation for the Ancient Greek word for “recall.”)

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 9

To complete this simulation exercise and put your new

expertise to the test, make and store a set of five simulated

measurements by hand-spinning the tachometer’s shaft and

using the

MEM button. Then

, remembering not to press the

Measurement button, press

and hold the

MEM button as

ny times as needed to make the display go into countdown

mode.

Note that because you have stored five measurements, the

display will read “

AN 5

” once the countdown reaches zero. If

you release the

MEM

button and th

en press and hold it again,

the display will first read “

” and then the value of the first of

the five measurements you stored. If you release the

MEM

button

d then press and hold it again, the display will then

show “

”, followed by the value of your second measurement.

Release, press and hold again, and the display will show “

”,

followed by the value of your third measurement. By repeating

this sequence, you can retrieve up to 96 measurements in the

order in which they were stored. Once all of the stored

measurements have been displayed, the tachometer will

return to the mode in which pressing the

MEM

button once,

twice or three times calls up the minimum, maxim

um and

last values of the set of measurements you have stored.

With this simulated experience under your belt, you can now

confidently measure the rotational speed of a spinning motor or

generator shaft, or the linear speed of virtually any conveyor

belt.

PCT2236B Manual_FINAL_032211:awb 3/22/11 3:19 PM Page 10

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