General Pipe Cleaners Gen-Ear LE Installation Manual
Operating Instructions for
Your Gen-Ear LE is designed to
give you years of trouble-free
service. However, no tool is
better than its operator. We
therefore suggest you read these
instructions carefully before using
your tool on the job. This will
enable you to operate the
Gen-Ear LE more safely and
effectively.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
®
General Gen-Ear LE
Water Leak Location System
Gen-Ear LE®
CAUTION
The Gen-Ear LE sensor is a ceramic piezoelectric element. It can be broken if it is
dropped onto concrete or other hard surfaces
from only 18 to 24 inches, or if it is physically
shocked in some other way. If the element is
broken due to harsh treatment, it must be
replaced at the owner’s expense, and it will
not be covered under warranty. The sensor
is covered under the Gen-Ear LE’s warranty
against manufacturing defects and against
failures during ordinary use and handling.
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Although the Gen-Ear LE is the most advanced
leak location system you can buy, it takes
patience and practice to master the art of
finding hidden water leaks. Read the
instructions carefully to save time in becoming a
leak location professional. Failure to follow
these instructions may cause personal injury to
the operator or damage to the equipment.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Avoid possible damage to your hearing by
always starting out with the volume control
at the lowest setting (counter-clockwise).
Use the Mute button to protect your hearing.
Release the Mute button when you
experience sudden loud noises.
Do not press the Mute button while sensor is
in motion. Wait to press the Mute button
until sensor is in place.
2. High Performance Headphones—
Designed to give the clearest sound with the
least interference from ambient noise. Note:
Amplifier will not work unless headphones
are plugged in.
3. Ground Sensor—3-point ground plate
locates leaks through hard surfaces,
concrete, tile, etc. Threaded nipple
accommodates sectional probe rods for
locating leaks under soft surfaces such as
grass or carpet. Magnet threads on to
Sensor to listen to above ground pipes,
faucets, and hydrants. Wind proof, shock
resistant housing protects against handling
noise interfering with locating process.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
COMPONENTS
1. Amplifier—Has built-in preset audio filters,
low battery indicator light, and volume
control housed in a heavy-duty case. Safety
mute button protects the operator from
sudden loud noises. Unit automatically
shuts down when the headphones are
removed to extend battery life. Power light
blinks when batteries are low. Operates on
two “AA” batteries.
4. Probe Rods— For water leak searches in
areas covered by loose soil, grass, or
carpeted floors over the water line. Three
one-foot probe rods thread into bottom of the
ground sensor to allow easy sound sampling
while operator is in a comfortable position.
To use, attach the probe rod to the brass
thread on the base of the ground sensor. If
only a short rod is needed, attach only the
pointed section of the probe rod to the
bottom of the ground sensor. For deep
brass valves at curb stops, use all three
sections of the probe rod. Push the point of
the contact rod firmly against the brass
valve.
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Gen-Ear LE®
5. Magnet Base for Hydrants and Valves –
The magnet base threads onto the ground
sensor to more easily survey leaks
at cast iron fire hydrants, water
mains, iron valves, or steel water
pipes and fittings. The magnet
base can be used with or without
the 3-pronged base. The magnet
should be hand-tightened only
onto the brass screw thread of
the ground sensor.
6. Sound Amplification Manifold (SAM)—
Module helps to amplify hard to hear leaks
by pressurizing the water line with air.
7. Carrying Case—Made of high-density
polyethylene. Designed to withstand heavy
use. Foam cutouts to hold all components
listed above.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES
Battery Power and Battery Check Light
The low battery indicator is integral with the
amplifier’s power light. The light will remain lit
as long as the unit is turned on and the batteries
are in good condition. If the battery power is
low, the light will flash on and off. Replace the
batteries immediately.
Mute Button
The mute button on the amplifier should be
depressed only when the ground sensor and
cables are completely stationary and you are
ready to hear the leak. Sound will not be heard
until the mute button is depressed. The mute
button must be released before moving the
ground sensor in order to protect your hearing.
The mute button is specifically designed for this
purpose.
Volume Control,
On/Off switch
and Built-In
Flashlight
Turn the volume
control knob
clockwise to
activate the unit
and increase the
sound level. Turn
the volume control
knob counter-clockwise to deactivate the unit or
to decrease the sound level. Always adjust the
volume control to a low level (10% to 25%)
when first putting on the headphones and
before depressing the mute button. Increase
the volume gradually until the water leak sounds
can be heard easily but without distortion.
Reduce the volume if there is distortion of the
sound. To turn on the built-in flashlight, depress
the control knob.
High and Low Frequency Filters
The Gen-Ear LE has a preset low frequency
filter set at 100 Hz and a high frequency filter
set at 1000 Hz. This enables the unit to filter
out all noises and sounds at 100 Hz frequency
and lower, and at 1000 Hz frequency and
higher. The filters eliminate most extraneous
noises, such as traffic and wind, which would
interfere with hearing a leak clearly.
INTRODUCTION TO LEAK
LOCATION
Leak sounds are created by three different
situations:
1. The vibration of the pipe caused by water
forced through a crack in the pipe. Pipe
vibration is the loudest and easiest to detect.
It sounds like a “whoosh” or a “hiss.”
2. Water forced through the crack and hitting
the surrounding soil, sounds quieter and is
affected by the type of material around the
pipe. If it’s rock or gravel, a “hammering” or
“knocking” sound may be heard. If loose soil
surrounds the pipe, it may be difficult to hear
anything at all.
3. Water flowing through the soil cavity will
create a “gurgling” sound like a small stream
or brook.
The loudness and frequency of leak noise is
affected by water pressure, pipe material, soil
density and type, depth of the pipe, and type of
surface (i.e. concrete, grass, etc.) The higher
the water pressure, the louder the leak sounds
will be. If you are having difficulty finding a leak,
use the Sound Amplification Manifold (SAM)
that injects air into the water line in order to
increase the water pressure at the site of the
leak. (See below).
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