Bacharach 0028-8000 User manual

The Measurable Difference

Ultrasonic Leak Detector

®

Tru Pointe® Ultra

Instruction 0028-9000

Operation and Maintenance

Rev. 1 - May 2010

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WARRANTY

The Bacharach Tru Pointe® Ultra is warranted for one year to be free of manufacturing defects
adversely affecting performance. Should an instrument fail within the one year warranty period,
the unit will be repaired or replaced provided in the opinion of the factory, the instrument has not
been tampered with or abused.

If defective, return to the factory for repair and re-calibration. Maximum liability of Bacharach
shall be limited to replacement of unsatisfactory product.

Recommendations and product information are believed to be accurate, but the furnishing of it
does not constitute the making of a good process warranty of Seller.

Bacharach warrants that this product conforms to the Product Description contained in this
literature. Bacharach makes no other warranty, whether expressed or implied, including
warranties of merchantability or of fi tness for a particular purpose or application. No
statements or recommendations contained herein are to be construed as inducements to infringe
any relevant patent, now or hereafter in existence. Bacharach neither assumes nor authorizes
any representatives or other person to assume for it any obligation of liability other than such as
expressly set forth herein.

Under no circumstances shall Bacharach be liable for incidental, consequential or other
damages from any alleged negligence, breach of warranty, strict liability or any other
theory, arising out of the use or handling of this product.

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Contents

1 About This Manual ................................................................................................1

2 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 2

3 Specifi cations .......................................................................................................3

4 Operation .............................................................................................................. 4

5 Care and Service ................................................................................................ 10

Warning Statements ......................................................................... 1

Caution Statements .......................................................................... 1

General Description .........................................................................2

What’s in the Kit ...............................................................................2

0028-8000 ........................................................................................2

0028-8010 ........................................................................................2

Features ...........................................................................................2

Physical ............................................................................................4

Taking Readings ............................................................................... 4

General ............................................................................................4

Airborne Leak Detection ................................................................... 5

Operating Tips ..................................................................................6

Electrical Arcing ................................................................................6

Electrical Corona ..............................................................................6

Using the Touch Probe .....................................................................7

Thermal Expansion Valves (TXV) .................................................... 7

Using the SoundBlaster

SoundBlaster® Applications ..............................................................9

Cleaning .........................................................................................10

Battery Replacement ...................................................................... 10

Service ...........................................................................................10

®

..................................................................8

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

1 About This Manual

Thank you for investing in a Bacharach Tru Pointe® Ultra Ultrasonic Leak Detector.

To assure operator safety and the proper use of the Tru Pointe® Ultra, please read the contents
of this manual, which provides important information on the operation and maintenance of the
detector.

Warning Statements

The use of the word WARNING (and the warning symbol
at left) in this manual denotes a potential hazard associ­ated with the use of this equipment. It calls attention
to a procedure, practice, or condition, or the like, which
if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
personal injury or death.

Caution Statements

The use of the word CAUTION (and the caution symbol
at left) in this manual denotes a potential hazard associ­ated with the use of this equipment. It calls attention
to a procedure, practice condition, or the like, which if
not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
damage to the equipment.

1

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

2 Introduction

General Description

The Tru Pointe® Ultra Ultrasonic Leak Detector is an electronic instrument that detects the
inaudible high frequency sound (ultrasound) of high pressure leaks and converts it to sound a
human can hear. Using patented technology, the Tru Pointe® Ultra guides the user to a leak by
quantifying the intensity of the ultrasound and converting it to sound the user can easily hear.

The Tru Pointe® Ultra has been specifi cally designed for air conditioning and refrigeration
(HVAC-R) leak detection. The Tru Pointe® Ultra is the only test system that can simultaneously
detect the vacuum and high pressure leaks that can occur in HVAC-R systems. Since the instru­ment detects only sound, it is gas-independent and can be used to detect leaks at the speed of
sound, without the delay seen with gas dependent “sniffers.”

What’s in the Kit

0028-8000

Tru Pointe® Ultra Kit

Tru Pointe® Ultra ....................... 0028-7000

Instruction Manual .................... 0028-9000

Carrying Case........................... 0028-0005

6” Wave Guide .......................... 0028-0004

Touch Probe ............................. 0028-0003

Folding Hi-Fi Headset

w/ Volume Control .................... 0028-0002

9v Battery ................................. 0204-0024

Warranty Card .......................... 0006-8825

0028-8010

Tru Pointe® Ultra Kit w/ SoundBlaster

Tru Pointe® Ultra ....................... 0028-7000

SoundBlaster® .......................... 0028-7006

Instruction Manual .................... 0028-9000

Carrying Case........................... 0028-0005

6” Wave Guide .......................... 0028-0004

Touch Probe ............................. 0028-0003

Folding Hi-Fi Headset

w/ Volume Control .................... 0028-0002

9v Battery ................................. 0204-0024

Warranty Card .......................... 0006-8825

Features

• Capable of detecting a 5 psi leak from a .005” hole from 20-30 feet (depending on back­ground noise.

• Capable of detecting any gas that generates ultrasonic sound during fl ow, including vacuum
leaks.

• Not affected by wind or high concentrations of leaked refrigerants.

• SoundBlaster® allows testing of items not under pressure. (0028-8010 only)

®

2

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

3 Specifi cations

Physical

Dimensions 4.15”L X 2.4”W X .875”D (105 mm

Overall Length 5.5” (140 mm)

Body Material ABS

Body Finish Blue ABS

Connector 3.5 mm Stereo

Weight 0.3 lb. (138 g) including battery

Electrical

Sensitivity -80 db/V-μbar

Ultrasound Converter Type Heterodyne

Frequency Response 34kHz to 42kHz

Heterodyne Oscillator Analog

Heterodyne Filter 4kHz

Controls 1 Button

Sensitivity Control Continually Variable Slide

Output, Audio 0Hz to 4kHz

Output, Visual 10 Element LED Bar Graph

Battery Type 9 Volt

Run Time 80-120 hours

X 61 mm X 22.22 mm)

3

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

4 Operation

Physical

To begin using the Tru Pointe® Ultra, fi rst take a moment to become familiar with the unit’s
controls in Figure 1 and 2.

Figure 1.

Taking Readings

General

1. Put on the Headphones and plug them into the Headphone Jack on the right side
of the detector.

2. Slide the Sensitivity Adjust toward the top of the instrument until it stops. The Tru
Pointe® Ultra is now at full sensitivity.

NOTE: Always begin testing at full sensitivity and adjust
as needed to reduce background noise.

3. Gently push and hold the On/Off Button to begin leak detection. Simultaneously
adjust the sensitivity level to pinpoint the location of the leak.

NOTE: The On/Off Button must be pressed to continue
leak detection. Once the On/Off Button is released, the
detector will shut off.

4

Figure 2.

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

Airborne Leak Detection

The Tru Pointe® Ultra is capable of detecting airborne leaks from up to 40 feet away. When an
ultrasonic signal generated from a leak is detected, it will be indicated by an increase in the LED
meter and a rushing sound will be heard in the headset. This sound will become more intense,
and the meter reading will increase as the instrument is drawn closer to the leak point.

The Tru Pointe
a leak makes, a gas leak generates ultrasonic sound that humans cannot hear. This ultrasonic
sound propagates like a microwave (in straight lines) and this property makes it possible to fi nd
its source. It is a listening device not a Sniffer. Because of this, the Tru Pointe® Ultra can function
in areas where strong winds or a concentration of fumes are present.

A leak is any unwanted fl ow of a substance out of a system, or with vacuum, into a system. The
sound made by leaks (refrigerant, compressed air, tire leak etc.) is mostly ultrasonic and cannot
be heard by humans.

The following describes how to effectively determine the location of an airborne leak using the Tru
Pointe® Ultra.

®

Ultra detects the ultrasound a gas makes as it leaks. Similar to the familiar hiss

1. Press the On/Off Button. If there is signifi cant background noise and the LED
Bargraph Display reads ‘10’, reduce the sensitivity until the LED’s disappear.

2. While pressing the On/Off Button, scan the area of the suspected leak in a side-to­side motion.

3. While scanning, listen to differences in the sounds detected.

Mechanical Noise: Usually synchronized to machine
motion in the system and easy to identify

Leak Noise: A harsh hissing sound or bird song.
NOTE: To become familiar with the different sounds

detected by the Tru Pointe® Ultra, listen to the sound of
an air hose at low pressure or an aerosol cleaning spray,
then shake a set of keys. This demonstration allows the
user to distinguish between mechanical noise and leak
noise.

4. If there is leak noise in the area and the display is at ‘10’, slowly reduce the sensi­tivity until the display reads ‘0’.

NOTE: The LED Bargraph Display is only for relative
measurements. If a scan of the system reveals an area
with a reading of ‘2’ and an area with a reading of ‘10’,
that can mean the detector is far from a leak, or there
are two leaks of differing sizes in the same area.

5. Approach the suspected leak. If the LED Bargraph Display reading increases,
reduce the sensitivity.

6. When the general location of the suspected leak is determined, adjust the sen­sitivity to so that 4-5 lights are illuminated when the leak area is scanned. This
technique allows the user to accurately determine when the instrument is pointed
at an area of increased ultrasound. If the LED Bargraph display increases, then
the leak source is getting closer. If the display decreases, then the leak source is
getting further away.

5

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

Operating Tips

1. If the test area is large, remove the nose cone. Without the nose cone the detec­tion area of the Tru Pointe® Ultra increases from 15° to 90°.

2. If the leak is in a tight, or inaccessible area, use the supplied Wave Guide to deter­mine the leak location. Longer sections of 1/4” tubing can be used at the expense
of sensitivity.

3. When searching for vacuum leaks, you may need to pressurize the system with
dry nitrogen to facilitate locating the leak under pressure.

4. Use as much pressure as permissible for the system. Increasing the pressure will
multiply fl ow through the same orifi ce, increasing the ultrasound created by the
leak.

5. Interference may be experienced from electronic ballasts, computer monitors, or
other electronic devices. Place your body between the source of the sound and
the leak point.

Electrical Arcing

Electrical arcing is an electric current fl ow in air and can be a very destructive and dangerous oc-
currence in electrical systems.

To search for electrical arcing, use the same methods described to search for airborne leaks, but
scan around switches and electrical panels.

NOTE: Electrical arcing sounds like frying, including the
occasional popping sound.

CAUTION! Observe all all safety precautions when
working around electrical equipment. Arcing can lead to
explosions.

Electrical Corona

Electrical corona is usually observed in higher voltage systems than electrical arcing. Corona
usually occurs in insulators, substations or transmission towers.

To search for electrical corona, use the same methods described to search for airborne leaks.

NOTE: Electrical corona sounds like frying or sizzling.
CAUTION! Observe all safety precautions when

working around electrical equipment.

6

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

Using the Touch Probe

The patented Touch Probe accessory is a device that converts solid-borne sounds into airborne
sound the Tru Pointe® Ultra can detect. For example, the sound of an internal leak in a water
valve will travel to its surface. Touching the surface of the valve with the Touch Probe transfers
the ultrasound into the probe and converts it to airborne ultrasound.
To install the Touch Probe:

1. Unscrew the nose cone from the Tru Pointe® Ultra.

2. Screw the Touch Probe onto the sensor.

3. The Tru Pointe® Ultra is now ready to detect solid-borne sound.

Thermal Expansion Valves (TXV)

The following steps can be used to detect leaks in a TXV using the Touch Probe.

1. Have a glass of ice water ready.

2. Remove the TXV capillary tube.

3. Rest the Touch Probe of the Tru Pointe® Ultra on the TXV and listen. Hold the
capillary. The TXV should open and the sound of fl owing refrigerant should be
heard.

4. Place the capillary in the ice water. The TXV should close and the refrigerant fl ow
diminishing should be heard. If the fl ow binds or makes too much noise, there
may be a problem with the system.

7

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

Using the SoundBlaster

Some Tru Pointe® Ultra kits include Bacharach’s ultrasonic sound generator, the SoundBlaster®.
The SoundBlaster® is used to artifi cially pressurize items and detect potential leaks using a 115dB
ultrasonic tone. The Tru Pointe® Ultra can detect the tone as it escapes in areas that are not
under pressure.

To use the SoundBlaster®:

1. Press the On/Off Button once on the SoundBlaster®.

2. Place the SoundBlaster® inside the item to be tested.

3. Use the Tru Pointe® Ultra to detect the leaked ultrasonic waves generated by the
SoundBlaster® using the same method as detecting a standard airborne leak.

NOTE: Using the SoundBlaster
object (i.e. a cylindrical tank) can cause standing waves,
which can result in hot and cold spots. For these situa­tions push the ‘Mode’ button to turn the SoundBlaster®’s
burst mode on.

®

®

inside a symmetrical

Tips on Use:

8

1. Sound waves lose strength with distance, so when checking a building for leaks,
do not place the SoundBlaster® in the basement and attempt to fi nd leaks in the
roof.

2. It is best to remove the nose cone from the SoundBlaster® when checking roofs

3. If the SoundBlaster®’s tone is too strong, place a piece of sponge or foam in the
nose cone.

4. DO NOT place the nose cone fl at on a hard surface, as the refl ection of the gener-
ated sound could damage the SoundBlaster®.

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

SoundBlaster® Applications

The SoundBlaster® is an excellent tool for weatherizing buildings by detecting leaks in windows,
doors and roofs. To effectively use the SoundBlaster® and Tru Pointe® Ultra to check for building
leaks:

®

1. Place the SoundBlaster

2. From outside the room begin scanning for leaks with the Tru Pointe® Ultra around
the perimeters of the doors and windows.

3. If the Tru Pointe® Ultra reading is at ‘10’, reduce the sensitivity until the detector
reads 4-5 and begin scanning again. Readings above the 4-5 threshold indicate a
larger leak and should be fi xed prior to leaks that register under the threshold.

4. A clear pattern of high and low readings should develop and pinpoint the location
of the highest priority leaks.

Other SoundBlaster® applications include locating, air/water leaks in automobile windshields,
trunk seal leaks, truck body leaks, and tanker leaks.

in the room to be leak tested and turn it ON

9

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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 0028-9000

5 Care and Service

Cleaning

Both the Tru Pointe® Ultra and SoundBlaster® can be cleaned using dish soap and a damp cloth.
Remove the batteries and close the Battery Door before cleaning. Do not allow water to enter the
unit, especially near the sensor. After cleaning, the units can be dried with a paper towel. Any
automotive vinyl cleaner will restore the units luster.

If you plan to store the units for an extended period, remove the batteries.

Battery Replacement

When it is time to replace the batteries, use only high quality 9 volt alkaline for both the Tru
Pointe® Ultra and the SoundBlaster®, and use the following instructions.

1. Hold the unit with the Battery Door facing up.

2. Press lightly on the middle of the Battery Door and slide it toward the bottom of
the instrument.

3. Remove the old battery and replace it.

4. Slide the Battery Door back on the instrument, making sure it is securely attached.

Service

If you need service, please contact Bacharach Customer Service to obtain an RMA number for
service returns. When you receive your RMA number, return the instrument, postage paid and
insured to:

10

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