General Technologies FF300 User Manual

User’s Handbook

FF300

Electrical Circuits

Fault Finder

Table of contents.

1 - Check out list

1 Check Out list Page 1
2 Start-up Page 1
3 Switching On and Off The FF300 Page 1
4 Setting the sensitivity level Page 2
5 How to use the probe Page 3
6 Locating Short Circuits Page 3
7 Wire tracing Page 4
8 Locating Current Leaks Page 4
9 Locating Open Circuits Page 5
10 Wire Identification Page 5
11 Hook Up Reference Chart Page 6
12 General Procedures Page 7
13 Special Tracing Procedures Page 8
14 Technical specifications Page 11
15 Care of the unit Page 12
16 Warranty Page 12

Caution

Very Important: Read this first

• For use only with DC voltage. Do not connect to circuits exceeding 36 volts DC

under any circumstances.

• DO NOT USE on AC voltage.

• Do not use on any circuit directly or indirectly connected to AC lines or any other

AC power source.

• Do not use with any component or part of the ignition system.

• Before using this device check the vehicle’s electrical wiring and disconnect any part

or subsystem sensitive to voltage and current pulses such as air bags, electronic
control modules, etc.

• Always follow the instructions and procedures indicated in the vehicle’s service

manual before attempting to disconnect any part or subsystem of the electrical
circuit.

Exceeding the limits listed above when using this apparatus, or not observing the

precautions listed above can expose you to physical injury and permanently damage

your instrument and parts and components of the vehicle under test.

The FF300 set consists of:

o FF300R FaultFinder receiver.
o FF300T FaultFinder transmitter.
o Factory supplied 9- volt alkaline batteries, type Duracell MN1604
o Foam padded polypropylene carrying case.
o User’s handbook.

If any of these parts are missing please contact your dealer immediately.

2 - Start Up

Both the FF300R and FF300T are factory supplied with batteries. To install the batteries
follow the steps below:

1. Open battery drawer at back of each unit.

2. Factory supplied batteries are in reversed disconnected position.

3. Remove the battery, turn it around and connect the battery observing the polarity
on the label at the bottom of the compartment, on both units.

4. Press the On/Off button on the FF300T (FaultFinder Transmitter), green LED will
light up. If green LED does not turn on, check the battery polarity and reinstall if
necessary. To turn the unit off, press the On/Off button again.

5. Press the On/Off button on the FF300R (FaultFinder Receiver), green LED will start
flashing. If the green LED does not flash, check the battery polarity and reinstall if
necessary. To turn the unit off press the On/Off button again.

3 - Switching On and Off the FF300 set

The FF300T – FaultFinder Transmitter is turned on and off by momentarily pressing
the the “ON/OFF” button, and it must be turned off manually after use by pressing the
On/Off button. Before storing the unit check to make sure that all lights are off, failure to
do so will result in a much shorter battery life.

The FF300R – FaultFinder Tracer can be turned on and off manually by momentarily
pressing the “On/Off” button, however after 3 minutes of not being used, it will turn off
automatically to conserve battery power. Turning the unit off manually will prolong bat­tery life.

From time to time the batteries on both units will need to be replaced. When you notice a
dimming indicator light and level of the audio output, the batteries should be replaced with
a new set of 9-Volt alkaline batteries. To install the new batteries, replace the ones in the
units for the new batteries observing the polarity on the label at the bottom of the battery
compartment, and follow the instructions in the preceding section: 2 – Start Up.

Page 1

4 - Setting the sensitivity level

The FF300R has three user selectable sensitivity ranges: ‘Low’, ‘Medium’ and ‘High’.
These ranges allow the technician to choose the degree of sensitivity most suitable to the
particular detection being performed.

4.1 Procedure to select the FF300R’s range :

1. Unit should be on, if not, turn it on by momentarily pressing the “ON/OFF” button.

2. Press and Hold “ON/OFF” button for approximately 3 seconds until a beeping
and flashing following the pattern below indicates that the desired sensitivity level
is set:

I- Low Sensitivity: single (1) flash and beep.
II- Medium Sensitivity : double (2) flash and beep.
III- High Sensitivity : Tripple (3) flash and beep.

5 - How to use the probe:

The probe of the FF300R is built of coiled steel and can be bend as needed, in order to
reach wires in congested or difficult areas. Depending on the circuit characteristics and
sensitivity setting, the probe will pick-up the signal from the wire in a wide range of posi­tions . However for the best possible range the FF300R’s probe tip (yellow cap) should
be positioned perpendicular ( at 90°) to the wire being traced and either above or below
it, as shown in Fig. 1 below.

Fig. 1 - Probe positioning

The sensitivity level is selected in the following it sequence:

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

Sensitivity Adjustment Sequence

For example: If the FF300R unit is set to HIGH, in order to set the sensitivity to
LOW follow the steps described in 1. and 2. of this section (above).

4.2 Checking the current sensitivity setting:

The FF300R’s current sensitivity setting is displayed when the unit is in stand-by mode (unit
on, with no audible signal). The high sensitivity setting generates a quick tripple flashing
of the green LED, a double flashing in the medium sensitivity range and a single flashing
indicates a low sensitivity level setting..

Standby green LED flashing pattern:

Green LED shows a: FF300R Tracer set to:

Single (1) flash Low sensitivity
Double (2) flash Medium sensitivity
Tripple (3) flash High sensitivity

When turned off, the FF300R will retain the last selected sensitivity setting.

6 - Locating Short Circuits

Refer to the Hook Up Reference Chart in Pag. 6.

6.1 Observe the limits and safety precautions at all times (refer to the begining of this
handbook).

6.2 Connect the FF300T (transmitter) in series with the short-circuited wire, making sure
one of the unit’s clips is connected to the circuit’s positive supply (or vice versa for
vehicles with positive supply connected to chassis). A fuse socket (in place of the
blown fuse), connector, etc. provides a convenient place as shown in Fig.2 and Fig.3
in page 7.

6.3 Switch the transmitter on by pressing the On/Off button and observe if the Red LED
on the FF300T is lighted up. If not check connections, power supply, and in the case
of having connected the unit to any place other than the fuse socket, check that the
circuit’s fuse is installed and in working condition (not open). If necessary replace
with a new fuse with the same ratings.

6.4 Switch the FF300R (tracer) on, and check if green LED starts flashing.

6.5 Verify that the FF300R is set to the low sensitivity level (single green LED Flash).

6.6 Slowly sweep the wire, conduit, etc., with tracer, ensuring the tracer’s probe is per­pendicular and above or below the wire being traced and as close as possible to it
.

6.7 Follow the wire or check it at different points, starting from the transmitter and moving
towards the load (accessory, light , etc.) observing the positioning of the probe as
indicated above. Continue this procedure while the audio signal (beeping sound) and
visual signal (flashing Red LED light) indicates the integrity of the circuit. If beeping
and flashing slows or stops it indicates that the probe is either moving away from the
faulty wire or it has passed beyond the short circuit point.

6.8 If difficult or impossible to get the FF300R Tracer to pick-up any signal, then adjust
the sensitivity to HIGH, and check again if a signal is received.

6.9 Double check positioning the probe before and after the suspected place. If the short
circuit point has been found, the audio/visual indicators will show circuit integrity on
for one position, but not for the other.

Page 3Page 2