Cooper LTL 730 User Manual

LTL 730

Dynamometer and Crane Scale

User’s Manual

Cooper Instruments and Systems

PH: 540-349-4746 • FAX: [phone]

www.cooperinstruments.com

CF 150 LTL 730 ii 5/16/06

CONTENTS

1.0 Specifications .................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 Safe Operation .................................................................................................................. 1

2.1 Radio Safety .................................................................................................................. 2

2.2 Radio Communications Reliability.................................................................................. 2

3.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 3

4.0 LTL 730 & Communicator Description............................................................................... 3

4.1 LTL 730 Front Panel ...................................................................................................... 3

4.2 LTL 730 Connector........................................................................................................4

4.3 Communicator Front Panel............................................................................................ 4

4.4 Communicator Keys....................................................................................................... 4

5.0 Power On and Annunciators.............................................................................................. 5

6.0 LTL 730 Setup................................................................................................................... 6

6.1 Setup Menu.................................................................................................................... 6

7.0 Configuration..................................................................................................................... 9

7.1 Configuration Menu...................................................................................................... 10

8.0 LTL 730 Operation...........................................................................................................14

8.1 Display Modes ............................................................................................................. 14

8.2 Force Measurement..................................................................................................... 14

8.3 Force Measurement Rezero ........................................................................................ 15

8.4 Displaying Peak Force................................................................................................. 15

9.0 Communicator Operation................................................................................................. 16

9.1 Powerup Display.......................................................................................................... 16

9.2 Setup Menu..................................................................................................................17

9.3 Config Menu.................................................................................................................18

9.4 Communicator Print Formats....................................................................................... 19

10.0 General Information....................................................................................................... 20

10.1 Changing Batteries .................................................................................................... 20

10.2 Battery Life................................................................................................................. 20

10.3 Care........................................................................................................................... 20

10.4 Radio Information....................................................................................................... 20

10.5 Installing Spacers....................................................................................................... 21

11.0 Common Configurations................................................................................................ 22

12.0 FCC Information............................................................................................................23

12.1 Modifications..............................................................................................................23

13.0 Troubleshooting............................................................................................................. 23

14.0 Weighing and Force Measurement Practice.................................................................. 24

14.1 Load Centering .......................................................................................................... 24

14.2 Alignment................................................................................................................... 25

14.3 Proper Pin Fit.............................................................................................................25

14.4 Torque and Bending .................................................................................................. 25

14.5 Certified Gear.............................................................................................................25

14.6 Good Force Measurement Practice ........................................................................... 25

15.0 Warranty Repair Policy.................................................................................................. 26

CF 150 LTL 730 iii 5/16/06

1.0 SPECIFICATIONS

Dynamometer Specifications

Enclosure: Designed to NEMA4X/IP55. Suitable for

continuous outdoor use.

Accuracy: 0.1% of capacity.*
Repeatability: 0.1% of capacity.*

*1 part in 1000 display mode with Cooper Instruments
provided shackles.
Factor of safety: 2.5K to 10K = 7:1 USF
25K to 100K = 5:1 USF, 220K to 330K 4:1 USF
Body Protection: Aluminum capacities are anodized. Alloy
steel capacities are electroless-nickel plated.
Bearings: Unmatched repeatability attained by needle
bearings in shackle pin holes up to LTL 730 10K. Shackle
pin acts as inner race.
Shackles: Forged industry standard anchor shackles.
Models up to LTL 730 10K use precision machined shackle
pin. Higher capacities use forged pin.
Display: 128 x 64 dot-graphic LCD display shows up to 6
digits 1.0” (26mm) high plus annunciators and softkeys.
Digits are .11 inches (7mm) thick for unmatched readability.

Display update rate: 2 times per second.
Connector: Recessed sealed connector may be used for

serial communications or connection to a Communicator
remote.
RS-232 / RS-485 communication: Print or extract data
easily. Continuous output can drive a scoreboard.
Configurable poll character.
Calibration: Traceable to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. Certificate included with curve
of readings. Passes only with three consecutive confirming
runs, with all points in specification.
Battery life: 320 hours typical use with two C-cell alkaline
batteries. 40 hours typical with Radio Link system.

Operating temperature: -4° F to 140° F (-20° to 60° C).
Included with instrument: Carry case, batteries, manual

and certificate of calibration. LTL 730 50K and LTL 730
100K with shackles include shackle crate and spacers.

Options: Shackles. 2.4 GHz radio board. Display backlight.
Approval: FCC ID: KQL-PKLR2400

CAN ID: CAN2268391158A
CE #: 89/336/EEC, 98/37/EEC, EN61000-4
Registration: 595129

2.0 SAFE OPERATION

Communicator Specifications

Enclosure: Designed to NEMA 3 / IP44 with optional sleeve.

Suitable for protected outdoor use.

Instrument size: 9.0 x 4.6 x 1.8 inch (228 x 117 x 45mm).
Accuracy: Not applicable. Only sends and receives digital

information.
Display: 128 x 64 dot-graphic LCD display can show full
readings up to 5 instruments.
Battery life: 60 hours wireline, 20 hours radio using four AA
alkaline batteries under typical use.

Operating temperature: -4° F to 140° F (-20° to 60° C).
Connectors: Sealed connectors may be used for serial

communications and wired connection to an LTL 730
dynamometer.
RS-232 communication: Print or extract data easily.
Continuous output can drive a scoreboard. Configurable poll
character.

Included with remote: Carry case and batteries.
Accessories: Rubberized case protector sleeve. Remote

wall mount bracket. Serial and remote cable assemblies.

Radio Specifications

FCC Certified: For unlicensed low power devices. No radio

licensing or permits required for normal operation.* (In the
US and Canada. Check local ordinances in other countries.)
Frequency: 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum operates between

2.402 – 2.478 GHz. Continuously and automatically changes
frequencies many times per second for consistent, reliable
communications.

Output Level: 10 mW (20 dBm)
Display Update Rate: 2 times per second with single

dynamometer. Multi-instrument networks result in reduced
updates.
Number of networks: 63 remotes can operate
independently in the same airspace with unique channels.
Number of links remote can control: Up to 15 addresses
are available per network channel.
Configuration: Address and Network channels are front
panel configurable.

Antenna: Integral antenna.
Range: Open-air – Up to 300 feet, line-of-sight.

Indoors – Dependent upon installation site with 150 feet
common.

If you overload this dynamometer you could suffer severe injuries or death. The
total load on the dynamometer should NEVER exceed the rated capacity!

CAUTION: Remove batteries from instrument when using the external AC power
supply.

Keep all the following in mind as you use the LTL 730 dynamometer.
The system capacity is equal to the rating of the dynamometers. The shackle rating should not be used to

determine lift capacity of the system.
The shackles are rated in metric tons. Thus the 12-ton shackles are rated to 26,450 lbf and ar e suitable for use

on the 25,000 lbf dynamometer.

CF 150 LTL 730 1 12/08

Any zeroed deadload must be considered as part of the ultimate load.
Although this instrument has a substantial overload protection rating, the instrument should not be used above

the rated capacity. Doing so can significantly impact fatigue life of the instrument and cause premature and
abrupt failure. If a higher capacity reading is needed, Cooper Instruments insists that a larger instrument be
used.

Safety is always a concern in overhead lifting and tensioning applications. To limit your liability always insist
upon factory supplied shackles and pins and factory tested and certified safe optional equipment. All COOPER
INSTRUMENTS products are designed to meet the published Safe Working Load (SWL) and Ultimate Safety
Factor (USF) standards of the United States Military.

Do not grind, stamp, drill or deform the metal on the dynamometer body in any way. Protect the instrument from
impact in use and storage.

Any significant damage or deformation to the loading element is cause for evaluation by Cooper Instruments,
particularly in the element side members to the right and left of the display.

Relieve all torsional and off axis loads.
Apply load in the center of the shackle bow with this instrument. Off center loading results in substandard

performance.
Instrument requires time to stabilize when changing temperatures.
Use only the hardware supplied with this instrument. If no hardware was supplied, insure that the mating pin and

shackle bow is equivalent to the hardware used at calibration. Otherwise substandard perfo rmance or failure
can result.

Cooper Instruments recommends only using qualified rigging hardware and cannot be responsible for
unapproved hardware.

This instrument is not designed for the following:

• Applications that see rapid, dramatic temperature swings or thermal shock. Wide variation in readings
can occur.

• Environments with high electromagnetic fields such as cranes employing electromagnets to lift metal.
These induce trace voltages that are picked up within the load cell lead wiring and appear as inaccurate
loads.

• Intrinsically safe environments. This unit has not been Factory Mutual tested.

2.1 Radio Safety

The radiated output power of this device is far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the
device shall be used in such manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized.

When connecting an external antenna to the device, the antenna shall be placed in such a manner to minimize
the potential for human contact during normal operation. In order to avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC
radio frequency exposure limits, human proximity to the antenna shall not be less than 3 inch (7.5 cm) during
normal operation. The antenna is located at the connector panel on the Communicator.

2.2 Radio Communications Reliability

Low power radio systems should not be used in applications where timely updates of
readings are required for safety purposes.

CF 150 LTL 730 2 12/08

Radio systems are vulnerable to interference, resulting in delays between the dynamometer scale and remote.
In some instances of interference, the display shown on the remote may be several second s old. This can result
in a hazardous situation when the system is used as the reference for acceptable loads in cases such as pr oof
loading and monitoring of binding or overload. In these applications where timely updates are critical, a
communication cable should be used to physically connect the LTL 730 and Communicator remote (see setup
of RS-485 communications). Alternately, the LTL 730 display can be observed directly.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

The LTL 730 electronic dynamometer from Cooper Instruments is a force measurement load sensor and digital
readout in one instrument. The LTL 730 can be used to measure tension or weight. It can operate stand-alone
or be coupled with a remote Cooper Instruments Communicator, via radio communication or direct wire
connection, for improved convenience, functionality and safety.

This manual covers the setup and operation of the LTL 730 and optional Communicator.
This manual covers the following:

• LTL 730 & Communicator Description

• LTL 730 Setup

• Communicator Setup

• LTL 730 & Communicator Operation

• Troubleshooting

Be sure to read the safety precautions found in the Safe Operation section.

If you overload this dynamometer you could suffer severe injuries or death. The
total load on the dynamometer should NEVER exceed the rated capacity!

4.0 LTL 730 & COMMUNICATOR DESCRIPTION

4.1 LTL 730 Front Panel

The LTL 730 comes in several weight capacities. All have the same front panel, shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. LTL 730 front panel

LTL 730 Keys

There are four “hard” keys and four “soft” keys. The hard keys are permanently labeled and the soft keys are
just below the display. The soft key functions change and the key label appears above each key on the display.

Sometimes the individual soft keys are referred to as the F1, F2, F3 and F4 keys as numbered from left
to right.

If you press and hold the ZERO key for five seconds, the LTL 730 display will show the zero reference
calibration point.

On/Off key Use this key to turn the unit on and off.

CF 150 LTL 730 3 12/08

Zero key Use this key to zero the force indicated on the display.

ESC key
Arrow key Use this key to access any available soft keys not currently viewed.

Use this key to escape from portions of the menu structure and return to previous
choices or displays.

4.2 LTL 730 Connector

The connector on the LTL 730 is recessed for protection. It is used to connect the instrument to a Communicator
remote display/controller, printer or external power supply. Contact Cooper Instruments for details.

4.3 Communicator Front Panel

Figure 2 shows the Cooper Instruments Communicator. This i s a battery powered, radio-linked (or wired) remote
display and control unit.

Figure 2. Cooper Instruments Communicator

4.4 Communicator Keys

The Communicator has the same keys as the LTL 730 but also some extra ones. They are all explained bel ow:

If you press and hold the ZERO key for five seconds, the Communicator will reset the active LTL 730 to the zero
reference calibration point.

On/Off key

ZERO key

ESC key

Arrow key Use this key to access any available soft keys not currently viewed.

Up and Down key

Use this key to turn the unit on and off. Also, when in Radio Mode, this
key will access a menu for further options.

Use this key to zero the force indicated on the LTL 730 and
Communicator displays.

Use this key to escape from portions of the menu structure and return
to previous choices or displays.

Use these arrow keys to move through menu choices, when
applicable. Also scrolls through any active links.

Remote Setup key

CF 150 LTL 730 4 12/08

Use this key to access the Setup menu.

Display Mode key

Use this key to cycle between Communicator display modes. They are
LTL 730 specific force value, LTL 730 specific peak value, multiple
display of force values and multiple display of peak values.

Keypad keys

Use these keys to enter numeric characters. Use for address
assignments and other miscellaneous data entry.

Communicator Connectors

The Communicator may have between 2-3 connectors. CELL is for wireline comm unications with an LTL 730.
COM1 is for serial communications. AUX is not presently used and is either nonfunctional or not installed.

5.0 POWER ON AND ANNUNCIATORS

When you power up the LTL 730 you will see a display similar to the example shown on the left in Figure 3.

Depending on permission settings and/or revision of firmware, various soft keys may be in a different location or
not visible.

Figure 3. Initial displays

The display sample above shows several symbols you may see on your display but usually not all at the same
time.

lbf and kgf are units of force, not weight. They will be close to their mass counterparts, lb and kg, for most
applications and at most locations. See Config>Units for more information.

Force

lbf

~

Y

(Y) (Y)

This tells you that the display is showing live force measurement at the moment. Will show Peak
when viewing Peak Mode.
Current unit of measure is lbf in this example. May also be kgf, N, or up to 2 other custom units.
Motion symbol. This appears when the force is in motion. This symbol disappears when motion
ceases.
This shows the radio is configured ON but is not in communications with any Communicator.
The battery in the device is low and the radio section has been turned off. The device will continue to
display (LTL 730 will display force applied and Communicator will display dashes) but will be unable
to communicate by radio or, LTL 730 or the Communicator are improperly configured for RF
communications on Comm port #2 with no RF PC board installed.
2 Ys indicate the Communicator is in communications with an active LTL 730.
Battery annunciator. This shows approximate remaining battery life.

Capture of a new peak value. This annunciator will remain lit for a few seconds.

Press the Arrow key to move between the two displays in Figure 3. In the display on the
right in Figure 3, one of the soft keys is labeled Setup. Press this and you gain access to the
soft keys shown in the Setup Menu in Figure 4.

CF 150 LTL 730 5 12/08

6.0 LTL 730 SETUP

To begin using the LTL 730, it is recommended that you set it up to suit your specific needs and equipment. You
can access the SETUP menu with the softkeys. Refer to section 11.0 for some comm on configurations.

Same as
Communicator

Same as
Communicator

Name of
LTL 730

Figure 4. Operator setup menu for the LTL 730

6.1 Setup Menu

Press the appropriate soft key shown in Figure 4 to accomplish the functions listed on the following pages.

Setup Ptfmt

Press the Ptfmt soft key to select the print format that will be sent to a peripheral printer when you press the
Print soft key. Choose from the formats below. Data sent is shown below. The default is format #1.

Format #1 Current displayed value (peak or live force) plus unit of measure

104.5 lbf (live force example)

302.5 lbf (peak force example)

104.5 lbf (dual mode example)

302.5 lbf

Format #2 Live force value plus unit of measure on 1st line

CF 150 LTL 730 6 12/08