Thunderbolt 300 series Instruction Manual

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model 300 series

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Summary of Contents for Thunderbolt 300 series

Page 1 300 series...
Page 2 CONTROLS & LCD TEXT SCREEN ENTER POWER ON/OFF SPEAKER...
Page 3: Scroll Up/Down
FEATURES WARNING & POWER ON LEDs SCROLL UP/DOWN TONE ON/OFF FIGURE 1...
Page 4: General Operation
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), the red and green indicator LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), and an audible tone. All of the opera- tions and functions for the ThunderBolt are selected from the main menu, and basic storm detection is automatic once the unit is powered on.
Page 5 This is especially important if the APPROXIMATE RANGES displayed are 20 miles or less! Once a storm approaches within 8 miles of the user location, the ThunderBolt warns that the storm is now LOCAL. It will...
Page 6 ThunderBolt accumulates over periods time. Thunderstorms can change both their intensity and activity on very short notice. The information displayed by the ThunderBolt must be used as an approximation that can change quickly as the storm changes.
Page 7: Installation And Setup
A special noise-test feature should be selected from the main menu when first installing the ThunderBolt in a new location. This routine will take 15 minutes to run, during which it detects and maps all the regular sources of electromagnetic noise in the vicinity.
Page 8: Basic Operation
BASIC OPERATION 1. Battery Installation The ThunderBolt operates on one standard 9V battery. Clip the connector over the terminals on the battery and securely close the battery compartment door on the back of the unit. (NOTE:...
Page 9 The battery should ALWAYS be replaced as soon as possible once the LOW BATTERY warning message is displayed. 2. External AC Adapter The ThunderBolt may be powered by an approved low-noise ™ external adapter. The adapter jack is labeled “9V DC” and is located on the back of the unit above the battery compartment door.
Page 10 ™ storm detection if no other button is pressed within 10 seconds. The ThunderBolt is programmed to automatically turn off after approximately five hours if no buttons are activated. This is meant to conserve battery life if the unit is accidentally stored while turned on.
Page 11: Storm Detection
on the front of the unit. To turn the tone off once storm activity has been detected, first power off the unit using the ON/OFF button. Then restart the unit and wait for the scanning screen to reappear before pressing the Tone ON/OFF button.
Page 12 ™ data indicates there is little or no possibility of a direct hit. For most storm situations, the ThunderBolt will be able to determine the likelihood of a direct hit or near pass from the storm by the...
Page 13 Once storm activity approaches within 8 miles of the user’s location, the screen displays a STORM IS LOCAL warning. The ThunderBolt then calculates the expected time for storm activity to clear the user’s location. (Clearing a location means NO detected storm activity within eight miles for 15 minutes.
Page 14: Alarm Range
ALARM MODE Selecting this option allows the setting of an additional trigger distance for an audible alarm with a faster tone rate. This feature allows the ThunderBolt to automatically increase its alarm ™ level as a storm approaches to a closer distance than the range selected for normal storm detection.
Page 15 50 miles of your location. Running the noise test with actual storm activity within range will introduce errors and inaccuracy to the normal operation of the ThunderBolt, and may decrease the operating sensitivity of the unit.
Page 16 Anatomy of a Thunderstorm Typical storm cell is 6-10 Areas of maximum convection in front and rear of storm cell produce highest rates of lightning and rain. Storm Motion 10-30 MPH 60% of lightning injuries occur from strokes thrown from the storm’s trailing edge. A clear sky can be a dangerous sky!
Page 17 Anvil cloud marks miles wide leading edge of storm Typical lightning strike may be 6-10 miles long 8 Miles Strikes may land 6-10 miles ahead of leading edge—under clear skies. Thunder is only audible 2-4 miles ahead of the storm cell!
Page 18 SCANNING SENSITIVITY HIGH ThunderBolt is scanning and has not detected any storm activity. This option provides the fastest possible information, sacrificing accuracy for speed. The information will gradually become more accurate as the unit gathers more data. Use this option in situa-...
Page 19 The next ™ screen will follow: CLOSEST ACTIVITY ______ MILES The ThunderBolt has detected storm and is in the process of initial ranging. The display represents the closest detected stroke during the period of initial data collection. STORM ACTIVITY ______ MILES ThunderBolt has plotted the storm location.
Page 20 (commonly referred as the Bolt out of the Blue), as the user’s common sense may disregard the ThunderBolt warning due to perceived conditions. WARNING: 30% of all lightning victims are struck on the front edge of the storm. Rely on ThunderBolt and other weather sources and seek safe shelter during this warning.
Page 21 (15, 15-30, and 30 minutes). Once this time appears, ThunderBolt internally begins a countdown of this time. If during this countdown, the ThunderBolt detects any new lightning strokes within the eight mile range, it will automatically reset the time back to the time it originally indicated. Therefore, the TIME TO CLEAR time can be greater than indicated as the unit detects new activity.
Page 22 Another possible reason may be the location of the ThunderBolt. Is the unit being used near a computer or other electronics? These and other high noise sources can cause the ThunderBolt to false trigger.
Page 23 (which will vary depending on the intensity of the storm) to gather enough data to provide accurate information. ThunderBolt will provide the most useful and accurate infor- mation when turned on and in use through the duration of all outdoor activity.
Page 24 ThunderBolt is in its countdown. To verify, you can turn the unit off for 30 seconds to reset and then turn it on. ThunderBolt will go into a scanning mode; if no activity is detected then the storm has...
Page 25: Care And Maintenance
If ThunderBolt is to be stored for an extended period of time, the batteries should be removed and the unit should be stored away from high temperature, high humidity, or corrosive substances.
Page 26: One-Year Limited Warranty
This warranty does not include any physical damage to the unit or any of its accessory items and does not cover damage to the ThunderBolt unit resulting from the use of accessories ™...
Page 27: Service Policy
UPS or Parcel Post freight only. If charges are not prepaid, the unit will be returned C.O.D. Repairs are war- ranted for ninety (90) days. The ThunderBolt Toll-Free number and address are listed on the back cover of this manual.
Page 28 ELECTRONICS PO Box 1729 Land O Lakes, FL 34639 Toll-free 877-738-7330 www.spectrumthunderbolt.com FCC REQUIREMENTS This product complies with the specifications of Part 15 of the FCC rules for a Class B digital device. 10/2002...