Datamax-O'Neil APEX 3 User Manual

7A300020-2 Rev. A

APEX 3

User Guide

Contents

General Precautions......................................................................................................1

Safety ...........................................................................................................................1

1 Getting Started ....................................................................................................2

1.1 Unpacking the Printer..........................................................................................2

1.2 Installing and Charging the Battery Cartridge .........................................................3

1.2.1 Installing the Battery ....................................................................................3

1.2.2 Charging the Battery.....................................................................................4

1.3 Reading the LED Status.......................................................................................5

1.4 Using the Belt Clip .............................................................................................. 6

2 Loading Supplies.....................................................................................................7

2.1 Adding Paper or Labels........................................................................................7

2.2 Tearing Paper.....................................................................................................8

3 Using the Printer.....................................................................................................9

3.1 Initial Power-Up and Self-Test .............................................................................. 9

3.2 Connecting the Printer....................................................................................... 10

3.2.1 Dip Switch Location..................................................................................... 10

3.2.2 Setting Dip Switches ................................................................................... 10

3.2.3 Dip Switch Functions................................................................................... 11

3.3 Serial Communication ....................................................................................... 12

3.4 Infrared Communications Mode (IrDA)................................................................. 12

3.5 Bluetooth and 802.11g Communications .............................................................. 13

3.6 Magnetic Strip Reader ....................................................................................... 13

3.7 USB Communications........................................................................................ 14

3.8 Programming Information.................................................................................. 14

4 Printer Maintenance..............................................................................................16

4.1 Print Head Cleaning Instructions ......................................................................... 16

4.2 Charging the Printer Battery............................................................................... 16

4.2.1 Important Notes on Charging Batteries.......................................................... 16

4.2.2 Important Notes on Replacing Batteries ......................................................... 17

4.3 Verifying Battery Charge State ........................................................................... 17

4.4 Battery and Safety Information........................................................................... 18

4.5 Recycling your Batteries .................................................................................... 18

4.6 Troubleshooting................................................................................................ 18

4.7 Printer Supplies................................................................................................ 19

i

5 Specifications........................................................................................................ 20

5.1 Printer Specifications......................................................................................... 20

5.2 Supply Specifications ........................................................................................ 20

5.3 Regulatory Notes.............................................................................................. 21

5.3.1 FCC Part 15 Class B .................................................................................... 21

5.3.2 Warranty................................................................................................... 21

5.3.3 Warranty and/or Repair Service.................................................................... 21

6 Customer Support .................................................................................................22

ii

General Precautions

 Before using this product be sure to read through this manual. After reading please keep the

manual in a safe place for future reference.

 The information contained herein is subject to change without notice of any type.
 Datamax-O’Neil is not responsible for any operational results regardless of missing

information, errors or any misprinting in this manual.

 Datamax-O’Neil is not responsible for problems created as a result of using options and

consumables not approved by them .

 This product is designed for servicing at an Authorized Service Center. Other than routine

maintenance described in this manual the user should not attempt to repair, service or
disassemble this product.

 Incorrect operation, handling, improper supplies and operating environments may cause

damage or otherwise affect the proper operation of this product. Such actions invalidate the
product warranty.

Safety

In this manual, on the printer, and on the accessories we make use of internationally recognized
safety symbols as follows:

Caution! Refer to the explanation in this Manual

Caution! Risk of electric shock

Double Insulation or Reinforced Insulation

DC, Direct Current or Voltage

1

AC + DC, Current or Voltage

1 Getting Started

1.1 Unpacking the Printer

The APEX 3 portable printer is a full featured portable receipt printer designed for a number of
environments and uses including field service, field sales, hospitality and restaurants, ticketing,
etc. where point of service receipts are required. The package contains:

 Printer
 Battery Cartridge
 Universal AC adapter (US, UK, European or Australian plugs) for charging the battery

inside the printer

 Belt Clip
 Roll of paper supply (already loaded in the printer)

Both cabled and wireless communication is possible.

Overview

FIGURE 1: PRINTER OVERVIEW

2

1.2 Installing and Charging the Battery Cartridge

Note: One battery cartridge is included with the printer. Similar to a cordless phone
battery, the printer’s battery must be charged before use.

Datamax-O’Neil batteries must be cycled several times to achieve maximum capacity.
To cycle a battery, fully charge it and then allow a full discharge through normal use.

1.2.1 Installing the Battery

Note: Refer to Figure 2 below to install the battery pack in the printer.

 Unlock the battery door by sliding the battery door locking tab down.
 Open the battery door.
 Insert the battery as shown. The battery side with two contact terminals should be facing

down to make contact with the two spring probes inside the battery compartment.

 Close the battery door.
 Lock the battery door by sliding the battery door locking tab up.

FIGURE 2: INSTALLING THE BATTERY CARTRIDGE

3

1.2.2 Charging the Battery

 Plug the battery charger adapter output cable into the battery charger connector as shown

in Figure 3.

FIGURE 3: CHARGING THE BATTERY CARTRIDGE

 Plug the battery charger adapter into the appropriate AC line voltage socket.
 The Yellow/Amber charging LED will illuminate indicating that the battery is charging.
 The battery will be fast charged and, after approx. 180 minutes, the LED will turn off.
 To remove the battery cartridge, open the battery door and tip the battery out of the

printer

Note: To ensure a full charge do not operate th e p rint er while charging.

Note: The wall mounted charger is Class II equipment (
comply with most international standards. The wall mounted charger is not supplied with
plugs for use in Korea.

.

)

. Multiple plug configurations

 The wall mounted charger has the following specifications:

Model APEX 3
Input Voltage/Current 100-240 VAC/0.55A
Input Frequency 50-60 Hz

Output Voltage/Current ( )

10VDC/2.4A

Do not use a charger not approved by Datamax-O’Neil for use with the APEX 3. Use of
an unapproved charger could damage the battery pack or the printer and will void the
warranty.

The battery terminals are well recessed inside the printer. Do not allow them to contact
conductive material since this may create a short circuit which could cause injury or
start a fire.

4

1.3 Reading the LED Status

Table 1 explains the LED indicator status. Re fer to Figure 1 for the locations described for

<ON/OFF> and <FEED> push button switches and AC adapter socket. Figure 4
location of the status LEDs on the front of the printer.

provides the

FIGURE 4: LED STATUS

Table 1 - Reading the LED Status

LED Status Condition Function

LED # 1

Communication

LED # 2

Battery

LED # 3

Magnetic Card

Reader

&

Printer Error

GREEN

BLUE

AMBER

RED Steady Low power indication.

AMBER

GREEN

RED

Flashing

Steady Communicating with host.

Flashing Power is ON and the printer is in Bluetooth mode.

Steady Transmitting/receiving

Flashing Power is ON and the printer is in 802.11b/g mode.

Steady Transmitting/Receiving

Steady

Steady

Steady

Flashing Indicates the print head is hot and printing is paused.

Power is ON and the printer is in RS232, USB or IrDA
mode.

Battery being charged. The LED will turn off when the
battery is fully charged.

 Indicates that MCR is ready to accept data.
 Indicates that SCR is ready to accept data.

 Printer Error. The printer is out-of-paper or Paper

door is open.

 MCR/SCR faulty condition.

Note: Refer to the troubleshooting guide to determine error or fault condition.

5