Futura RD15 Operating Instructions Manual

Operating

Instructions

Remote Display

Model RD15

For use with

MCR

Laser Receivers

Warranty

The manufacturer's receivers and remote displays are warranted
to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of
two years. Electric cables and other allied equipment are warranted

for a period of ninety days.

Please return the included warranty card as this will expedite
any warranty service that may be required. Please retain your
warranty information and proof of purchase. If a warranty card is
not on le, proof of purchase must accompany your request for

warranty repair.

Any evidence of abuse, misuse, alteration, accident or negligent
use or an attempt to repair products by unauthorized personnel
or with parts other than those provided by the manufacturer
automatically voids the warranty.

The manufacturer's liability under this warranty is limited to
repairing or replacing any product returned to an authorized service
center for that purpose. The foregoing states the entire liability of
the manufacturer regarding the purchase and use of its product
and they shall not be held responsible for any consequential loss
or damage of any kind.

This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied,
and constitutes all of the manufacturer's liability with respect to
merchandise sold by it.

Table of Contents

Warranty ............................................................. Inside Cover

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

Installation ............................................................................ 3

Operation .............................................................................. 6

Specications ..................................................................... 12

Version Chart ...................................................................... 13

General Description

The RD15 is designed to work with MCR receivers. It is mounted
in the cab of the machine for easy viewing by the machine
operator. The LED's of the RD15 display grade information
similar to the LED's of the receiver. Please refer to the receiver
manual for specic displays and settings.

In addition to the standard grade, plumb, and tilt displays where
applicable, the RD15 provides functions to set an offset elevation
and a second temporary offset elevation on the receiver. An audio
jack is provided for earphones. Tilt indication can be displayed for
the MCR2+ and MCR3 receivers.

The RD15 power is supplied from the batteries of the receiver.
Optional cables supply power from the machine battery or a
machine power outlet.

Identication

1. LED Display

2. Mounting Strap Tabs

3. Mounting Plate Tabs

4. Power / Set Function Switch

5. Select Function Switch

1

2

4

6. Cable Connector

7. Communication Cable

8. Mounting Plate

2

9. Power Jack (3.5mm)

10. Audio Jack (2.5mm)

33

5

6

8

9
10

7

2

Installation

Position the RD15 in the machine's cab so the operator can
easily see the LED display during machine operation. Assure it
does not obstruct other operator functions. The RD15 includes an
assortment of mounting hardware including magnets, double-sided
tape, mating Velcro strips, and a rubber strap. Holes are provided
on the mounting plate for user provided hardware if necessary.
An optional swivel mount is available. Choose the appropriate
mounting hardware for your particular situation to secure the display
in a convenient viewing location. NOTE: The RD15 has a vented
drain hole in the bottom of the unit near the cable connector that
must face downward.

Magnet installation: Install the provided
screw through the magnet and through
the mounting plate tab as shown. Secure
with the provided nut and tighten. Repeat
for the other side.

Mounting strap: Install a hole of the

rubber strap around a mounting strap

tab. Wrap the strap around a suitable
support and secure the other end of
the strap around the other strap tab.
Ensure there is a snug t.

Tape / Velcro: Double sided sticky tape and mating Velcro strips
allow mounting on various surfaces of the machine. Peel off
the protective backing of the adhesive side(s) and apply to the
appropriate clean location on the back of the remote display and
then a clean machine surface.

310

Optional Swivel Mount installation:

Position the swivel mount in the machine's
cab so the operator can easily see the
LED display during machine operation.
Assure it does not obstruct other operator
functions.

Determine the best mounting option for the
swivel mount base. Hardware is provided
if a suitable location can be found on
the machine. Alternatively, the magnets
supplied with the RD15 can be attached
to the base of the swivel mount in the same manner they are
attached to the remote display mounting plate tabs for magnetic
attachment of the swivel base to the machine.

Align the RD15 mounting plate tabs and the swivel mount tabs
as shown. Install the provided screw through the mounting plate
and the swivel mount. Secure with the provided nut. Repeat for
each side.

Cable Installation

The RD15 power is supplied from the batteries of the receiver
via a receiver cable. Turn off the receiver prior to connecting
the receiver cable. Optional cables can supply power from the
machine battery or a machine power outlet.

A receiver cable is required to connect the RD15 and the receiver.
The cable can be a straight cable or a coil cord. Extension cables
are also available if additional lengths are required.

Plan the cable routing ahead of time for ease of installation.
Secure all cables with tie wraps or cable clamps avoiding cable
abrasion. Ensure there is excess cable at all moving joints
of the machine and near the receiver and remote display for

adjustment.

4

Cable Installation

Receiver Cable - Route the receiver cable from the RD15 to
where the receiver is mounted. Turn the receiver power off prior
to connecting the receiver cable. Connect the 7-socket connector
to the receiver. Connect the 6-pin connector to the RD15.

Optional Power Cable, Battery - Plug the 3.5 mm barrel
connector into the remote display power jack identied by the

lightning bolt ( ). Route the power cable with terminal ends to
the machine battery. Connect the red wire to the battery's positive
(+) terminal and the black wire to the negative (-) terminal. The
RD15 will operate off machine power ranging from 10 VDC to
30 VDC. Reverse voltage and over voltage protection are built in.

Optional Power Cable, Coiled Outlet Adapter - Select the 3.5
mm barrel connector. The positive (+) side aligns with the "TIP"

side. Plug the connector into the remote display power jack ( ).
Plug the adapter into an appropriate power outlet. The maximum
extended length of the coil cable is 8 feet (2.4 m).

Earphone Jack

An earphone jack is provided for audio output and is identied
by an earphone symbol (). User provided earphones with a
standard 2.5 mm barrel connector can be used. It is recommended
to use earphones that have a volume control adjustment. Fast
audible signal is receiver too high. Constant signal is receiver
on-grade. Slow audible signal is receiver too low.

5

Operation

The power on and off operation of the remote display and
receiver will depend on the manufacture date and version of
software in the receiver. The RD15 was released with receiver
software Version 5.xx

Receivers with Version 5 software enable the power to be
switched on or off at the RD15. If the receiver has older software,
the power switch and some additional functions will operate
differently. Refer to the chart on page 13.

Older versions of software will lock the receiver keypad, disabling
keypad switches. Ensure the receiver has the desired settings
selected prior to attaching the RD15.

The software version is identied by the serial number label
on the circuit board located on the back top of the receiver.
Receivers with Version 5.xx, released approximately September
2006, allow the power switch on the RD15 to act the same as the
power switch on the receiver.

Version 5 - Battery power: The power switch on the RD15 turns
the receiver and remote display on and off. Press the power
switch to turn on. Press and hold the power switch for 2 seconds

to turn off.

Version 5 - Machine power: The receiver and RD15 turn on
when the machine is turned on. Press and hold the power switch
for 2 seconds to turn off.

Prior Versions - Battery power: Power must be turned on and off

at the receiver.

Prior Versions - Machine power: The receiver and RD15 turn on
when the machine is turned on. The connector can be removed
from the power jack to turn the power off.

Power ON will be indicated by any grade or tilt display LED when
the receiver is in the laser beam. The on-grade LED will ash
once every 4 seconds if not in a laser beam.

6

Operation - LED Display

1. Above grade red LED's

- lower implement to get to
on-grade.

2. Offset elevation function

1

indication. Solid amber
light - Offset on. Flashing
amber light - Temporary

2

Offset on.

3. On-grade green LED.

4. Below grade red LED's

- raise implement to get to

3

on-grade.

5. Five light blade tilt display

for MCR3+ and MCR3.

Deadband indication for all

models.

6. Power switch on left side

4

5

6

icon.

Function Indicators (7-13) - The LED will indicate what function
is selected when the select function switch is pressed and cycled.

7. Set offset elevation.

8. Set temporary offset elevation.

9. Return to offset elevation.

10. Return to receiver default elevation.

11. Receiver LED's on or off.

12. RD15 LED brightness selection.

13. Set deadband for MCR2E.

14. Photosensor - automatically adjusts LED brightness.

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

7

Operation - LED Display

Deadband Indication

Wide

Deadband

Fine

Deadband

Standard

Deadband

receiver. The deadband indication LED will always blink.

Note: If a set-up deadband is included in the receiver, the set­up and the ne deadband will both be indicated by the Fine

Deadband LED.

Blade Tilt Indication - MCR2+

If the MCR2+ has Version 5 software and the tilt indication
is on, the RD15 LED's will mimic the receiver tilt display and
provide 5 channels of tilt indication. If the MCR2+ receiver has
Version 4 software, the tilt display will always be on and shown
in the ne tilt accuracy. Refer to the receiver operating manual
for specic blade tilt indicator settings.

Blade Tilt Indication - MCR3

Although there is no provision for displaying blade tilt on the
MCR3 receiver itself, the function can be activated if the receiver
has Version 5 software. Activation requires simultaneously
pressing the power switch, plumb switch, and deadband switch of
the receiver. When successfully activated, the receiver's outside
green on-grade LED's will blink, the center green LED will be on
and the RD15 tilt display will become active. Repeat the three
button procedure to turn the display off. The receiver's outside
green on-grade LED's will blink and the center green LED will be
off. The blade tilt deadband is ne, or ± 0.5°. If the MCR3 receiver
has Version 4 software, the tilt display will always be on.

The 5 light blade tilt indication
functions as a deadband
(accuracy) indicator. Pressing
the right side select function
switch will temporarily activate
a tilt display LED to show the
current accuracy selection of the

8

Operation - Function Switches

The right side Select Function switch is pressed one or more
times to select a function. When selected, the appropriate LED
will light and a 4 second time period is available to set the
function with the left side Set Function switch. If the function is
not set within this time, the LED will go off and the switches will
be deactivated.

Set Offset: The Set Offset function allows a current
laser strike location to become the on-grade location.
This is useful for raising or lowering the initially set on-

desired offset elevation while receiving a laser strike. Press the
right side Select Function switch once. The rst LED from the top
will light. Press the left side Set Function switch one time to set
(press for less than 2 seconds to avoid turning off).

Each receiver has a range over which it will accept this function
depending on the model and deadband selected. Approximately
1 inch (2.5 cm) from the edge of the photocell array is the
acceptance limit on proportional receivers so that both above
and below grade information can be displayed. Refer to the
chart on page 13.

NOTE: The Offset function will not operate when a MCR3 is in the
angle compensation (ACE) mode.

for less than 2 seconds to avoid turning off). The amber Offset
Elevation LED will turn off conrming the return.

grade location. To activate, position the receiver to the

The grade indication will now show green on-grade and
the amber Offset Elevation LED will turn on solid if the
command is accepted. No changes or indications will be
shown if the command is not accepted.

To return to the default on-grade location, press
the right side Select Function switch four times.
The fourth LED from the top will light. Press the
left side Set Function switch one time to set (press

9

Operation - Function Switches

Set Temporary Offset: The Set Temporary Offset
function allows a current laser strike location to
become the second temporary on-grade location.
This is useful for temporarily raising or lowering the

receiver to the desired temporary offset elevation while receiving
a laser strike. Press the right side Select Function switch 2 times.
The second LED from the top will light. Press the left side Set
Function switch one time to set (press for less than 2 seconds
to avoid turning off).

NOTE: The Temporary Offset function will not operate when a
MCR3 is in the angle compensation (ACE) mode.

(press for less than 2 seconds to avoid turning off). The amber
Offset Elevation LED will turn solid conrming return to the offset
location.

Alternatively, to return to the default on-grade location, press the
right side Select Function switch four times and press the left
side Set Function switch one time to set.

offset on-grade location. To activate, position the

The grade indication will now show green on-grade and
the amber Offset Elevation LED will ash if the command
is accepted.

To return to the initial offset on-grade location,
press the right side Select Function switch three
times. The third LED from the top will light. Press
the left side Set Function switch one time to set

Operation - Function Switches

Receiver LED's On/Off: This function allows the
receiver's LED's to be turned off and on. Turning
off the receiver LED's will conserve battery life
when the receiver is powered by batteries.

To turn the receiver LED's on or off, press the right side Select
Function switch 5 times. The fth LED from the top will light.
Press the left side Set Function switch one time to set. The
receiver LED's will turn off if they were on or on if they were off.

RD15 LED Brightness: The remote display
brightness can be adjusted to suit user preferences
and light conditions. The default setting is medium
(6/8) brightness. To adjust, press the right side

the top will light. Press the left side power switch to change the
brightness. 8 levels of brightness are selectable. Each press will
increase the brightness one level. The brightness will roll over to
the dimmest display after the maximum display. After 4 seconds
of no switch activity, the brightness will be set at the last selected
brightness.

Press the left side power switch to cycle through ne, medium
and coarse. The tilt display LED's will blink to indicate which
deadband is selected.

Select Function switch 6 times. The sixth LED from

Deadband Selection (for MCR2E only): The deadband
for the MCR2E with Version 5 software (which is normally
adjusted by a control box) can be adjusted using the
RD15. To adjust, press the right side Select Function
switch 7 times. The seventh LED from the top will light.

11

Operation

Low Battery Display: The left LED of the tilt display
will blink to indicate a low battery condition. The
tilt display will no longer operate. Replace or
recharge the batteries of the receiver.

Lost Communication Display: The second above grade and
second below grade red LED's and the green on-grade LED of
the grade display will alternately blink indicating communication
between the receiver and the remote display has been
interrupted. Check all connections.

Lost Beam Display: If the receiver moves vertically beyond the
laser signal for a short period of time, a sequence of LED's will
indicate which direction to move the blade or implement to pick
up the laser beam.

Specications

Compatible Receivers MCR1+, MCR2+, MCR3, MCR2E

(refer to the Software Version

Operation Chart on page 13)

Power Options Receiver cable & receiver batteries
Machine battery cable, 10-30V
Machine power outlet cable, 12V

Battery Life Alkaline ~ 40 Hours
(MCR LED's Off) Ni-MH ~ 26 Hours

Operating Temperature -4° F to 140° F (-20° C to 60° C)

Storage Temperature -40° F to 158° F (-40° C to 70° C)

Size 4.5 x 2 x 1.1 inch (11.4 x 5.1 x 2.8 cm)

12

Software Version Operation Chart

RD15 / MCR

Feature

MCR Power On

MCR Power On 1, 2 Not Available

Disable lost
beam display

Plumb mode

ash to indicate

out of range

LED down

indications

Tilt indication 2+ Mimics receiver

Tilt indication 3

Locks Keypad

Locks Keypad 1, 2 Not Available Yes

Offset

Functions

Compatibility 2E Yes No

MCR

Model

2+, 3

2+, 3

2+, 3

Current Version

5.xx

1+,

Can turn on/off

All Can turn on/off Can not turn off

Flashes same as
receiver

3 7, same as MCR

Can turn On or Off
Displays Fine tilt

accuracy

1+,

No Yes

Limited range due to 2 inch (5 cm)

1+

proportional photocell array

Does not turn
on/off

Does not turn
on/off

Does not ash

5 LED down

indications

Always On - Displays

Fine tilt accuracy

Always On - Displays

Fine tilt accuracy

Prior Version

4.xx

13

P/N ATI-010944-15 Rev B