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Thunderbolt 350BL series Instruction Manual

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INSTRUCTION
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
MANUAL
MODEL 350BL SERIES
1 1

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Summary of Contents for Thunderbolt 350BL series

  • Page 1 INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTION MANUAL MANUAL MODEL 350BL SERIES...

  • Page 2: Thunderbolt ® Controls & Features

    WARNING & POWER /ON LEDs LCD TEXT SCREEN Displays the unit’s Menu informa- tion and current storm information during operation. ENTER Used to select items from the Menu and enter values from the unit’s Menu. Also used to immediately move from the Menu to normal scan- ning operation.

  • Page 3: Controls & Features

    9V D/C A/C Adapter jack for optional A/C power operation. BATTERY COMPARTMENT DOOR Compartment door for 9V battery. SCROLL UP The SCROLL UP or SCROLL DOWN buttons permit user to move through the unit’s Menu, as well as access the Menu when the unit is in normal scanning operation.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    PRODUCT SUPPORT...........28 Care and Maintenance.........28 Customer Service and Support ......28 One-Year Limited Warranty ........29 Service Policy............30 ThunderBolt Storm Detector Accessories....30 RECOMMENDED SETTINGS ........31 ® This Instruction Manual applies to the ThunderBolt Utility (TB-U1), ® ® ThunderBolt Personal (TB-CB1/CG2/CR1/CA1), ThunderBolt Desk ®...

  • Page 5: Product Overview

    However, thunderstorms can be a rapidly changing weather phenomenon, and the information provided by the ThunderBolt should, whenever available, be used in con- junction with other weather information sources. Remember that the ThunderBolt detects ACTIVE storms, and cannot predict when or where a particular storm may form, and/or where the first lightning stroke occurs.

  • Page 6: Installation And Setup

    5-7 hours. Always replace battery as soon as pos- sible when warning message is displayed. The battery should be removed if the ThunderBolt is to be stored for an indefinite period of time to avoid accidental leakage and corrosion of terminals.

  • Page 7: External Ac Adapter

    Release your finger from the ON/OFF button after the LED light has flashed. Within a few seconds after the unit powers on, the ThunderBolt model number will appear on the screen, replaced by TONE IS NOW ON, and then the Main Menu will appear on the LCD display and the green LED light will begin to continuously blink to indicate normal operation.

  • Page 8: Lcd Display Overview

    ENTER button (see page 1). Once initial UNIT programming has been completed, the ® ThunderBolt automatically begins a normal storm detection routine (SCANNING mode) if no other button is pressed within approximately 7 seconds.

  • Page 9: Storm Detect

    2. ALARM RANGE ALARM RANGE allows the user to determine, based on need and/or application, what distance ThunderBolt will begin providing approach- ing storm warning on its VISUAL ALARM (red LED) and AUDIBLE ALARM (Tone). See page 26 for recommended settings. Selecting this...

  • Page 10: Alarm Mode

    This option allows for the setting of an additional trigger distance for an audible alarm with a faster tone rate, which may be extremely useful for ® certain applications. This feature allows the ThunderBolt to automatical- ly increase its alarm level as a storm approaches to a closer distance than the range selected for normal storm detection.

  • Page 11: Noise Test

    Once the NOISE TEST is completed, the unit automatically returns to normal operation, and the ThunderBolt will then ignore these background sources of EMI. NOTE: Some environments may be too saturated with EMI emission for the unit to accurately function at all.

  • Page 12: Backlight On/Off

    6. BACKLIGHT ON/OFF In ThunderBolt’s Main Menu, the user has the option to turn the backlight ON or OFF. IMPORTANT! When the unit is turned on for the first time, the unit has been pre-set with the LCD backlight ON. When the backlight has been turned OFF in the Main Menu, the backlight cannot be activated by pushing the ENTER button.

  • Page 13: Audible Alarm Tone Operation

    OPERATION OF THE LCD SCREEN BACKLIGHT ThunderBolt’s LCD screen has a built-in backlight for use in low light situations. When the unit is on battery power, the user controls the use of the backlight. This has been done by design to minimize the battery drain caused by the required power consumption of the backlight.
  • Page 14 LCD text screen. AC POWER INSTRUCTIONS AC POWER: When ThunderBolt is running on AC power, the LCD backlight will be illuminated continuously, unless otherwise turned off through the Main Menu.

  • Page 15: Basic Unit Operation

    This makes it important to have the ThunderBolt operating for as long as possible before storm activity is nearby. Don’t wait until you think storms are close before...
  • Page 16 Also note that storms may form directly over your location, and that advance warning of these storms may be very limited. The ThunderBolt continuosly analyzes the intensity of the storm activity it detects, and attempts to provide additional warning about the presence and approach of both squall lines and super-cells.
  • Page 17 (the rear edge of the storm cell) recedes to a distance of more than 8 miles. Once a storm has become LOCAL, ThunderBolt will calculate and display an estimated TIME TO CLEAR. Clearing a location means NO detected storm activity within eight miles for 15 minutes.

  • Page 18: Text Messages

    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 time it has closed to within 15-20 miles. Storms that display a range of less than 20 miles and an ETA of less than 30 minutes are HIGH LEVEL threats and should trigger maximum safety responses.
  • Page 19 The number indicated is the number of miles the lightning stroke occurs from the user. ThunderBolt has plotted the storm location. Storm approach and ETA will follow if the storm is approaching. The number indicated is the distance in miles the storm is occurring from the user.
  • Page 20 The unit is limited to four time frames ( LESS THAN 15, 15- 30, 30-45, and MORE THAN 45 MINUTES). Once this time appears, ThunderBolt internally begins a countdown of this time. If during this countdown, the unit detects any new lightning strokes within the 8-mile range, it will automatically reset the time back to the time it originally indicated.

  • Page 21: Points To Remember

    /or where the first lightning stroke occurs. Thunderbolt detects and analyzes storm activity within 75 miles from user location. ThunderBolt continuously accumulates data from the ongoing storm activity and that more accurate information can be displayed with more data in the computer memory.

  • Page 22: Anatomy Of A Thunderstorm

    ANATOMY OF A Areas of maximum convection in front and rear of storm cell produce highest rates of lightning and rain. 60% of lightning injuries occur from strokes thrown from the storm’s trailing edge. Anvil Cloud 4-6 Mi Downtown Ne 10 Miles Lightning can strike out of a clear blue sky!
  • Page 23 A THUNDERSTORM A Thunderstorm’s “Point of Danger” is Invisible and Inaudible iles ewark, NJ Empire State Building, NYC 10 Miles Strikes may land 6-10 miles ahead of leading edge UNDER CLEAR SKIES...

  • Page 24: Types Of Lightning

    (rain only storms do not constitute a dangerous storm situation and will not register on a ThunderBolt). These three types of cloud-to-cloud lightning can be deceptive to the human eye, and may have the appearance of...
  • Page 25 ThunderBolt. Remember, in-cloud lightning may appear to be close and dangerous and may appear like cloud-to-ground because of its spectacular appearance in the sky, but trust ThunderBolt to warn you if it’s cloud-to-ground lightning.

  • Page 26: Common Questions About Operation

    Also check the location of the Thunderbolt unit. If the unit is near a comput- er or other electronic source, the high noise generated by such equipment can cause the Thunderbolt to “false-trigger,”...
  • Page 27 - a common occurrence in subtropical or tropical climates, or any region similar to Florida. This is a situation when too little data has occurred, due to the low intensity of the activity, for the ThunderBolt to respond quickly. Again, this is a situation when common sense and precaution should be exercised.

  • Page 28: Product Support

    Storage: If ThunderBolt is to be stored for an extended period of time, remove the batteries and store the unit away from high temperatures, humidity, or corrosive substances.

  • Page 29: One-Year Limited Warranty

    LIMITED WARRANTY ThunderBolt International, Inc agrees to repair or replace a defective unit at no charge for up to three years (Utility) or two years (PRO, Storm Chaser) from the original date of purchase. This warranty does not include any physical damage to the unit or any of its accessory items and ®...

  • Page 30: Service Policy

    ThunderBolt units returned to our service facility in Georgia and is subject to change without notice. ThunderBolt International, Inc. reserves the right to deem any product unserviceable when replacement parts are no longer reasonably available or impossible to obtain. After the original warranty period, a standard service charge will be assessed for each repair (physical damage and missing parts are not included).

  • Page 31: Recommended Settings

    Certain kinds of buildings, particularly large, all-metal structures, can cause a loss of signal on the frequencies used for storm detection. If you are using the ThunderBolt in such a building, it is recommended you use the HIGH SENSITIVITY setting. This is selected from the Main Menu.
  • Page 32 PO Box 46506 Tampa, FL 33646 Toll-free 800-244-2202 Outside of the US 813-442-8598 FAX: 813-948-0345 www.tbi-usa.com FCC REQUIREMENTS This product complies with the specifications of Part 15 of the FCC rules for a Class B digital device.

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