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Tru Pointe® Ultra
Ultrasonic Leak Detector
Instruction 28-9000
Operation and Maintenance
Rev. 0 - May 2010
The Measurable Difference
®
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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.
Contents
1 About This Manual..................................................................... 1
Warning Statements ................................................................... 1
Caution Statements .................................................................... 1
2 Introduction ................................................................................ 2
General Description.................................................................... 2
What’s in the Kit .........................................................................2
28-8000 ...................................................................................... 2
28-8010 ...................................................................................... 2
Features ..................................................................................... 2
3 Specifi cations ............................................................................ 3
4 Operation ................................................................................... 4
Physical ...................................................................................... 4
Taking Readings ......................................................................... 4
General....................................................................................... 4
Airborne Leak Detection ............................................................. 5
Electrical Arcing ..........................................................................6
Electrical Corona ........................................................................6
Operating Tips ............................................................................6
Using the Touch Probe ...............................................................7
Thermal Expansion Valves (TXV) .............................................. 7
Using the SoundBlaster
® .......................................................................................................
8
5 Care and Service ....................................................................... 9
Cleaning ..................................................................................... 9
Battery Replacement .................................................................. 9
Service ....................................................................................... 9
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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 28-9000
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.
NOTES
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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 28-9000
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Tru Pointe® Ultra Instruction 28-9000
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
28-8000
Tru Pointe® Ultra ....................... 28-7000
Instruction Manual .................... 28-9000
Carrying Case........................... 28-0005
6” Wave Guide .......................... 28-0004
Touch Probe ............................. 28-0003
Folding Hi-Fi Headset
w/ Volume Control .................... 28-0002
9v Battery ................................. 204-0024
Warranty Card .......................... 06-8825
3 Specifi cations
Physical
Dimensions 4.15”L X 2.4”W X .875”D (105 mm
X 61 mm X 22.22 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
Detection Performance 1.5oz/year refrigerant
Ultrasound Converter Type Heterodyne
Frequency Response 36kHz 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
28-8010
Tru Pointe® Ultra ....................... 28-7000
SoundBlaster® .......................... 28-7006
Instruction Manual .................... 28-9000
Carrying Case........................... 28-0005
6” Wave Guide .......................... 28-0004
Touch Probe ............................. 28-0003
Folding Hi-Fi Headset
w/ Volume Control .................... 28-0002
9v Battery ................................. 204-0024
Warranty Card .......................... 06-8825
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. (28-8010 only)
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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.
Figure 2.
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.
NOTE: The On/Off Button must be pressed to continue
leak detection. Once the On/Off Button is released, the
detector will shut off.
Airborne Leak Detection
The Tru Pointe® Ultra is capable of detecting airborne leaks from over 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
®
Ultra detects the ultrasound a gas makes as it leaks. Similar to the familiar hiss
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.
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.
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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.
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 1/4” tubing to determine the leak location. Longer sections of 1/4” tubing can be used at the expense
of sensitivity.
3. Use as much pressure in the system as is safely possible to facilitate locating the
leak.
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.
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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 unites 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 (800-736-4666 or 724-334-
5000) to obtain an RMA number for service returns. When you receive your RMA number, return
the instrument, postage paid and insured to:
Bacharach, Inc.
9227 E. Lincoln Ave.
Suite 200
Lone Tree, CO 80124 USA
Email: help@mybacharach.com
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® inside a symmetrical
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.
SoundBlaster® applications include locating roof and window leaks, air/water leaks in automobile
windshields, trunk seal leaks, truck body leaks, and tanker leaks.
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NOTES
NOTES
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Bacharach, Inc.
Phone: 724-334-5000 • Toll Free: 800-736-4666• Fax: 724-334-5001
www.mybacharach.com • help@mybacharach.com
The Measurable Difference
®
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