Minelab F3 COMPACT Operation Manual
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Minelab F3 COMPACT Operation Manual

Minelab F3 COMPACT Operation Manual

Metal detector
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F3 COMPACT
Revision 02
Part No: 4901-0103

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Summary of Contents for Minelab F3 COMPACT

  • Page 1 F3 COMPACT Revision 02 Part No: 4901-0103...
  • Page 2 No part of this document may be used or reproduced by any means or by any process, in any form, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd of 118 Hayward Avenue, Torrensville, SA 5031, Australia.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..................3 2. General Description and Preparation ..........5 Mine Detecting Set F3 COMPACT Main Components F3 COMPACT Preparation 3. Functional Description ..............13 Functional Controls and Displays 3.1.1 On/Off Knob ..............13 3.1.2 Sensitivity Knob ............
  • Page 4 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Pinpointing Procedure 4.5.1 STEP 1 Mapping the Target ..........30 4.5.2 STEP 2 Determine Centre of Target ......32 Multiple Targets 4.6.1 STEP 1 Mapping the Target ..........33 4.6.2 STEP 2 Determining the Centre of Target ....34 Operating Multiple Detectors in Close Proximity Completion of Operations 5.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Bipolar technology also helps to eliminate the possibility of initiating a magnetic influence mine. Combined with ‘static coupling’ the F3 COMPACT does not require motion to detect a target thereby making pinpointing techniques fast and accurate. Figure 1: F3 COMPACT mine detector...
  • Page 6 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual The F3 COMPACT is a robust detector that is extremely simple to operate. When working in an environment that includes highly mineralised ground or electrical interference from overhead power lines or other sources, simple and quick semi-automatic procedures can be initiated by an operator resulting in the detector continuing to perform at maximum capability.

  • Page 7: General Description And Preparation

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual General Description and Preparation Mine Detecting Set The F3 COMPACT is supplied as a mine detecting set (Figure 2) comprising: • Operations Manual • Hard Case (optional) • Field Guide • Detector • Test Piece • Soft Carry Bag •...

  • Page 8: F3 Compact Main Components

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual F3 COMPACT Main Components Figure 3 identifies the main components of the F3 COMPACT. Armrest Armrest Strap Test Piece Battery Compartment Handle Assembly Earset Connector Main Body Shaft Hinge Controls Upper Camlock Upper Shaft Middle Shaft...
  • Page 9 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Test Piece – conveniently stowed on the Armrest to allow the operator to ensure the detector is working at its operational capability. Earset Connector – provides connection for the Earset and also the programming cable when using the configuration software to customise volume and sensitivity settings.

  • Page 10: F3 Compact Preparation

    Battery Lock Lever clockwise one-quarter turn. If the batteries are inserted incorrectly, the F3 COMPACT will fail to function when switched on. e. Using Figure 5 as a guide, unfold and adjust the F3 COMPACT. Figure 4: Removing the Battery Compartment Lid NOTE The F3 COMPACT requires 4 C cell batteries for operation.
  • Page 11 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual...
  • Page 12 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Figure 5: Guide to unfolding and adjusting the F3 COMPACT NOTE When the Handle Assembly is locked into position (Frame 3), it will also lock the Upper Shaft in position. To unlock the Handle Assembly and to allow the Upper Shaft to rotate when repacking the detector, gently but firmly impact the base of the palm against the top of the handle behind the LED display.
  • Page 13 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Figure 6: F3 COMPACT in the standing, kneeling or prone positions g. Undo the dust caps from the Earset plug and Earset socket on the detector. Gently hold the Earset by the rubber collar using thumb and index finger, the raised double arrow should be uppermost (see Figure 7).
  • Page 14 Do not attempt to connect or disconnect the Earset by pushing or pulling on the strain relief or wire at the rear of the rubber collar. The F3 COMPACT is now ready for use. Refer to Chapter 3 for Functional Description, and Chapter 4 for Operating Procedures.

  • Page 15: Functional Description

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Functional Description Functional Controls and Displays For ease of use, all controls and displays for the F3 COMPACT are located on the Handle Assembly and Main Body. Figure 8 illustrates the location of all controls. Ground Balance/...

  • Page 16: Sensitivity Knob

    (refer to section 3.2 for a description of the alarm tones). To turn the F3 COMPACT off, pull up the On/Off Knob and rotate counter-clockwise to the Off position. Release the switch back to the locked position.

  • Page 17: Ground Balance/Audio Reset Button

    Easily identifiable as the Green Button located on top of the Handle Assembly, this dual action button carries out the following functions: a. Ground Balance. A key feature of the F3 COMPACT is its ability to detect metallic mines in all ground conditions. False alarms due to mineralised (magnetic/lateritic) soils are automatically removed through the Ground Balance procedure.

  • Page 18: Led Display

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual 3.1.5 LED Display A display of nine red LEDs provides a visual indication of target size and proximity. The display can be switched On and Off by pressing the LED On/Off button. When the LED display is switched on, a minimum, of one LED will illuminate representing the Threshold Tone (see Figure 10).

  • Page 19: Battery Status

    3.1.7 Earset Socket The F3 COMPACT has an internal speaker located inside the Main Body, however, it can also be fitted with an Earset via the Earset Socket. The procedure for connecting the Earset is described in section 2.3.g.

  • Page 20: Functional Tones

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Functional Tones The F3 COMPACT emits tones that vary in pitch and volume to alert the operator to targets, automatic detector functions or equipment alarm conditions. The following table summarises the tones that an F3 COMPACT can produce.

  • Page 21: Test Piece - Functional Test

    Battery Compartment. Test Piece – Functional Test The F3 COMPACT is supplied with a Test Piece designed to confirm that the detector is working to correct specifications. The sensitivity of the detector should be checked with the Test Piece when the Sensitivity Knob is at Position 4 (default).
  • Page 22 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual NOTE When switched on, maximum sensitivity is available 30 seconds after the Threshold Tone commences. Do not test the detector with the Test Piece until 30 seconds after the Threshold Tone begins. * WARNING * The Test Piece functional test must be conducted with the...

  • Page 23: Operating Procedures

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Operating Procedures Introduction The F3 COMPACT is designed to ensure that operation of the detector is as simple as possible. Additionally, the F3 COMPACT is extremely capable, robust and safe to use, eliminating the need for lengthy training requirements.

  • Page 24: Standard Procedure

    12 seconds Figure 14: Switching on the detector The F3 COMPACT will emit a series of four or five rising tones over 12 seconds (internal diagnostic checks occurring). At the completion of the Start-Up Tones a low volume Threshold Tone will remain...

  • Page 25: Step 2 Ground Balance

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual b. If the Threshold Tone is steady continue with STEP 2. If the Threshold Tone is noisy or uneven when the coil is stationary, perform a Noise Cancel (section 4.3.1). c. If the Threshold Tone is steady but seems louder than normal when the coil is away from the ground and metallic targets, perform an Audio Reset (section 4.3.2).

  • Page 26: Step 3 Test Piece

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual If the Ground Balance OK tone is not heard within 20 seconds of starting the procedure, release the Ground Balance button and repeat this procedure. If there is metal in the ground under the coil whilst Ground Balancing, the detector will not Ground Balance correctly.
  • Page 27 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual NOTE Maximum sensitivity is only available 30 seconds after the Threshold Tone commences. Do not test the detector with the Test Piece until 30 seconds after the Threshold Tone begins. If the Test Piece cannot be heard, conduct an Audio Reset and recheck. If the Test Piece fails to be detected the detector must be considered faulty and must not be used.

  • Page 28: Optional Procedures

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Optional Procedures If after Step ONE the Threshold Tone is not low and steady, conduct one or both of the following procedures: a. Noise Cancel (see 4.3.1) b. Audio Reset (see 4.3.2) 4.3.1 Noise Cancel If the Threshold Tone is noisy or uneven when the coil is stationary, conduct Noise Cancel as follows: a.

  • Page 29: Audio Reset

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual NOTE The detector cannot be used for clearing operations during Noise Cancel. The coil should not be moved during this procedure nor should metallic objects be brought near the coil. 4.3.2 Audio Reset Whenever the Threshold Tone sounds louder than normal perform the Audio Reset procedure as follows: a.

  • Page 30: Ground Balance

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual STEP 1 SWITCH ON 60cm 60cm (24 in) 12 seconds (24 in) 12 seconds Optional Procedure NOISE Threshold Noisy/Uneven CANCEL Threshold AUDIO Louder than RESET Normal STEP 2 Beep Beep GROUND BALANCE 150mm (6 in) STEP 3...

  • Page 31: Sweeping Procedure

    Sweeping Procedure The F3 COMPACT should be swept with a smooth even motion at a speed of 0.6 m/s (2 ft/s). If the detector is swept too fast or too slow, small or deep targets may be missed. The coil should always be kept...

  • Page 32: Pinpointing Procedure

    (local Standard Operating Procedures take precedence). When a target is initially detected, an operator should stand in place and continue to sweep the F3 COMPACT beyond the target in an attempt to find clear ground. In doing so the operator will: a.
  • Page 33 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual At the change of the Threshold Tone, the operator should mentally mark the position on the ground, move the coil away, and approach the target from another angle. This process continues until the operator achieves a mental picture of the target area.

  • Page 34: Step 2 Determine Centre Of Target

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual 4.5.2 STEP 2 Determine Centre of Target In Step 1, the area of a target was determined. If the metal in the target is sufficiently small, the area mapped will also be small and therefore it is a relatively simple matter to pinpoint the centre of the target.

  • Page 35: Multiple Targets

    For example, small anti-personnel mines may be laid in a cluster, or a large anti-tank mine may be surrounded by smaller anti-personnel mines or booby-traps. Regardless, the pinpointing procedure for the F3 COMPACT can be used to effectively map a suspicious area. 4.6.1 STEP 1 Mapping the Target Using the procedure described in section 4.5.1, an area enclosing...

  • Page 36: Step 2 Determining The Centre Of Target

    Figure 24: Multiple targets Operating Multiple Detectors in Close Proximity On occasion it may be necessary to operate F3 COMPACT detectors in close proximity. In normal circumstances, an F3 COMPACT detector can operate as close as two metres (seven feet) to another without suffering excessive mutual interference.

  • Page 37: Completion Of Operations

    2 metres Figure 25: Operating detectors in close proximity Completion of Operations At the completion of operations, the F3 COMPACT should be checked with the Test Piece before switching off to ensure satisfactory performance before being packed away. Once completed: a.
  • Page 38 F3 COMPACT Operations Manual d. Disconnect the Earset. e. Retract the Middle and Lower Shafts rotating the coil to the stowed position. f. Collapse Handle and pivot the retracted shafts securing in position with the Armrest Strap. g. Stow the detector in the Soft Carry Bag and Hard Case if available.

  • Page 39: Care And Troubleshooting

    Do not use solvents to clean the F3 COMPACT. If any part of the detector comes into contact with corrosive substances (including salt water), wash the detector with clean fresh water and dry with a clean cloth.

  • Page 40: Troubleshooting

    Table 2 provides several troubleshooting procedures in response to a variety of possible problems. Problem Recommended Procedure F3 COMPACT will not switch 1. Check batteries have been inserted correctly into the Battery Compartment, or 2. Replace batteries. After switching on there is a 1.

  • Page 41: Specifications

    F3 COMPACT Operations Manual Specifications Length Operating Length 1490 mm/59 ins – 950 mm/37 ins Weight Operating weight with 2.57 kg/5.7 lbs batteries (complete) Operating weight without 2.40 kg/5.3 lbs batteries Shipping weight (in hard 7.4 kg/16.3 lbs case with batteries)
  • Page 42 Patents and trademarks may apply to this product. Patents: www.minelab.com/patentmarking Disclaimer As a world leader in metal sensing technology, Minelab strives to continually improve its product range. Minelab reserves the right to introduce changes to the design, technical features and accessories...
  • Page 44 Contact Details: Minelab Electronics Pty Ltd tel: +61 8 8238 0888 Minelab Americas Inc tel: +1 630 401 8150 Minelab International Limited tel: +353 21 423 2352 email: countermine@minelab.com.au www.minelab.com...

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