Dwyer Instruments RVM Specifications-installation And Operating Instructions

Model RVM Portable Radar Wave Velocity Meter

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Specifications - Installation and Operating Instructions

Bulletin TE-RVM

he Model RVM Portable Radar Wave Velocity Meter uses Doppler Radar

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technology to accurately measure surface velocity of open channel flow. The
“point-and-shoot” design along with automatic vertical angle compensation
provides easy to use operation. Model RVM also has user-adjustable horizontal
angle compensation of 5° increments to further reduce measurement error. Flow

elocity can be measured bi-directionally with user-selectable directional modes

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flows away, towards, or both in direction). Model RVM features a backlit LCD that

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ndicates flow velocity in feet per second or meters per second. Model RVM

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includes the meter, rechargeable batteries, 12 VDC car charger, and a rugged
case.

*Wireless Guidelines in Accordance with FCC:
Changes not expressly approved by Dwyer Instruments, Inc. could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.

This product complies with FCC OET Bulletin 65 radiation exposure limits set forth
for an uncontrolled environment.

Pursuant to FCC 15.21 of the FCC rules, changes not expressly approved by
Dwyer Instruments, Inc. might cause harmful interference and void the FCC
authorization to operate this product.

Canadian Government Guidelines:

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.

INFORMATION TO THE USER
Power Output: 7 mW nominal.
Power Density: ≤ 1 m/W/cm.
Operating Frequency: 24.150 GHz nominal (K band).
Beam Width: 12° nominal.
Polarization: Linear.
Power Density: ≤ 1 m/W/cm.

SPECIFICATIONS

ervice: Water.

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ange: 0.1 to 43 FPS (0.3 to 13 m/s).

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isplay: Single-line, 5-digit, backlit LCD.

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Accuracy: ±5%.
Power Requirements: 6.1 to 8 VDC, (6) 1.2 V rechargeable AA NiMH batteries,

installed and functional, user replaceable (12 VDC lighter plug power cable
included).

ower Consumption: 0.18 A max.

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Serial Communications: RS232.
Temperature Limits: -22 to 158°F (-30 to 70°C).
Enclosure Rating: IP55.
Humidity Limit: 90% RH @ 98.6°F (37°C).
Enclosure Material: ABS polycarbonate blend.
Angle Compensation:

Vertical: automatic via tilt sensor;
Horizontal: adjustable from 0 to 60° in 5° increments for cosine angle error.

Weight: 2.1 lb (907 g).
Agency Approvals: *FCC compliance.

NOTICE

• Do not over voltage the radar velocity meter - it can damage
the unit! See notes.

• If battery replacement is necessary, all 6 batteries should be replaced with new
batteries even if only one cell is suspected to be defective.

• Use rechargeable Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries only.

• Model RVM is designed to operate off of conventional +12 VDC (+10.8 to +16.5
VDC) from the power cable. In addition, it is also designed to operate at 7.2 VDC
from the internal batteries. Over voltage to the power cables or incorrect batteries
can cause damage.

• Do not expose Model RVM to excessive moisture. Never submerge the device. If
the device should accidently get submerged, remove the batteries immediately.

• Do not drop Model RVM on hard surfaces since damage could occur.

DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC.

Phone: [phone] www.dwyer-inst.com

P.O. BOX 373 • MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA 46360, U.S.A. Fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

ntroduction

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odel RVM Portable Radar Velocity Meter is a hand-held surface velocity radar gun

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pecifically designed to measure the surface velocity of water. Features such as

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Recall allow the review of previous measurements. Other features are selectable
through the menu option.

he radar gun features a tilt sensor system, which internally compensates for the

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osine angle effect of the vertical (pitch-down) angle of the gun to the target. It is not

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ecessary to manually set the tilt sensor.

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Battery Charging

Model RVM is designed to operate off of six (6) rechargeable Nickel-Metal-Hydride
batteries (or off the DC power cord). Upon initial procurement, the batteries will need

o be charged. Once the batteries have been fully charged, and if Model RVM is not

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sed for 3-4 weeks, recharging of the batteries before use will be necessary in order

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o get the full run time.

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Removing the Battery Holder

The battery holder is located inside the handle of Model RVM and is accessed by
means of a sliding door. When first received, the holder will have batteries pre-

nstalled. To remove the battery holder, slide the battery cover to the right until the

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attery holder is released as shown in Figure 1. The door can be completely removed

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rom the slide.

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igure 1

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harging the Batteries

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he power cable included with Model RVM can be used to either power the unit

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irectly from a vehicle receptacle or to charge the batteries. Once the batteries have

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been properly installed into the holder and inserted into the handle, plug the power
cord into the power connector at the base of the handle by aligning the red dot on the
power cord’s plug with the red dot on the connector. Failure to align the plug with the

onnector properly will result in damage to the pins of the jack. Reference Figure 4 for

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roper alignment.

p

igure 4

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Charge Status Indicator (LED)

The status of the charge can be determined by the Charge Status Indicator LED
located on the bottom of the handle (See Figure 5). The LED indication status is

escribed below.

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ast blinking green light = checking battery condition

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Medium blinking green light = charging battery
Solid green light = charged
Solid red light = charging error

Battery Installation

Insert the batteries into the battery holder following the polarity guide that is on the
inside of the battery holder (Figure 2). Notice that the negative side of each battery
goes to the spring contacts of the holder.

Figure 2

Inserting the Battery Holder

The battery holder is designed so that it can only make contact with the power
connections inside the meter if the battery holder is slid into the handle properly. The
battery holder has positive and negative terminals which need to be inserted into the
meter with the terminals located at the top as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5

The normal charging sequence is fast blink for 60 seconds, medium blink until
batteries are fully charged (approximately 2 hours for fully discharged batteries) and
solid green once batteries are charged.

Model RVM can be left to charge indefinitely. The charging circuit will automatically
shut off once charging is complete. The unit must be OFF or the batteries will not
charge. You can not operate the unit and charge the batteries at the same time. Best
performance from the batteries is obtained when recharged at temperature between
50ºF (10ºC) and 113ºF (45ºC). Recharging outside of the specified temperature range
may result in reduced battery life or incomplete charging.

Battery Run Time

The length of time Model RVM can operate between recharges depends upon several
factors including the milliamp hour (mAh) capacity of the batteries, age of the
batteries, and how the unit is used. Generally a set of 6 new 2500 mAh batteries fully
charged should run for approximately 1 week between recharges given normal use.

Auto Power Off

If no key press is detected, the Model RVM will automatically power off after 5 minutes
in order to conserve battery life.

Replacing Batteries

When replacing the batteries, only use rechargeable Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries
and replace ALL the batteries at the same time, even if only one battery is suspected
to be failing.

Figure 3

Once the batteries have been properly loaded into the holder and the holder has been
inserted into the handle of the gun, then the door can be put back in place and slid
closed. If the holder has been placed incorrectly into the handle, the door cannot be
put back in place and closed.

Connecting the Power Cord

If you choose to run off the power cord instead of the internal batteries, connect the
power cord to the receptacle on the bottom of Model RVM being sure to properly align
the plug on the power cord to the connector on the bottom of the unit’s handle. Model
RVM will automatically switch from the internal batteries to the power cord for power
when the unit is turned on.