Marconi Instruments Argus 2 User Manual

Marconi Applied Technologies

User’s Manual

Marconi Applied Technologies

Firefighters’ Solid State
Through Smoke
Vision System

User’s Manual and Warranty Terms

# 2001 Marconi Applied Technologies Limited DAS547191AA, Issue 4

ENGLISH

FRENCH

GERMAN

SPANISH

SAFETY NOTES

and CHARGER/BATTERY PACKS

Please read before use

This product is an aid to fire and
rescue operations in smoke and
darkness. It is not intended as a
replacement for standard firefighting
techniques. Users must ensure that all
established procedures are followed.

This equipm ent is not certified as
intrinsically safe and therefore must
not be operated in flammable or
explosive atmospheres.

Neglecting the above may result
in injury or death.

An auto iris adjusts sensitivity allowing
very hot scenes to be viewed. This
circuitry also protects the camera from
damage.

To avoid damage:

"

The camera should be switched on
before entering a fire situation and
remain on until after exit.

"

When switched off, the camera
should not be directed towards
very hot objects, e.g. the sun. We
recommend that it is stored in the
supplied case.

WARNINGS indicate a hazard. Failure
to appreciate the hazard could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed until the hazard is
understood.

CAUTIONS indicate a hazard. Failure
to appreciate the hazard could result
in severe damage to the unit. Do not
proceed until the hazard is
understood.

Notes provide useful information.

WARNINGS

Electrical hazards

Do not remove the cover of the
charger; there are no user serviceable
parts within the charger or the
rechargeable pack.

The charger conforms with IEC Safety
Class 1. To maintain this protection the
AC supply lead must only be
connected to the mains supply via a
socket with a grounded contact.

Charger misuse

The charger must only be used for
charging Argus rechargeable packs; do
not insert any other item into the
charger. The charger must not be used

to charge primary cells; the charger will
not accept the Argus primary cell pack.
Do not use a damaged charger. Do not
attempt to charge damaged packs.

Disposal

The Ni-MH cells contained within the
pack must be disposed of in
accordance with local regulations. Do
not incinerate. Do not attempt to
charge damaged packs.

Environmental

The charger conforms to sealing
specification IP20. The charger must
not be subjected to water spray, rain
or immersion.

CAUTION

Do not obscure or impede the operation
of the fan at the rear of the charger.

The Rechargeable Battery System is
despatched from Marconi Applied
Technologies in a safe condition. Any
unauthorised modifications may
compromise safety and invalidate the
warranty.

Marconi Applied Technologies’
products are designed to be safe when
used in accordance with the
instructions provided. Marconi
Applied Technologies does not accept
responsibility for damage or injury
resulting from failure to follow the
instructions provided.

All matters arising which relate to the
safety of products should be reported
immediately, in writing, giving full
details to The Product Safety Officer at
Marconi Applied Technologies.

Introduction

The Argus 2 solid state thermal imager
is brought to you by Marconi Applied
Technologies, the world leader in
through smoke vision systems.

Marconi Applied Technologies, with
over 15 years experience in firefighters’
thermal imaging, continues to
produce high quality, affordable
systems designed exclusively for the
fire and rescue services.

Argus 2 uses a new high resolution
solid state detector to provide superb
quality images under the most
arduous conditions while retaining the
class-leading ergonomics of the
previous Argus system.

Through the proper use of this Argus 2
system, the user will be able to see
through dense smoke and darkness.

By detecting and displaying the
relative temperatures of objects within
the scene, it assists the firefighter to
locate the seat and spread of the fire

and to move swiftly in search and
rescue of casualties. The ability to see
in zero visibility conditions significantly
improves firefighter safety and
mobility.

Argus 2 is designed to withstand the
high temperatures, knocks and driving
spray often encountered in the fire
fighting environment.

This manual contains information
covering operation of the system and
operating techniques, user
maintenance and care of the product,
complete with a full technical
specification.

1

Charger and

Battery Packs

These products have been designed
exclusively for use with the Argus
(P4438), Argus Plus (P4438P) and
Argus 2 (P4455R) cameras.

The Argus charger is designed to fast
charge Argus rechargeable packs
within 100 minutes, with fully
automatic operation.

The Argus rechargeable pack is
designed to power an Argus camera
for over 2 hours from a full charge.
Inside each pack is the ‘in-pack
intelligence’; a small circuit, which
continuously monitors the charge
state of the pack and provides an
output to the ‘battery status bar’ in
the Argus Camera. This battery status
bar provides a continuous real-time
indication of the remaining charge,
allowing the firefighter to avoid
unpredicted power loss. A built-in
discharge option is included to
recalibrate the rechargeable pack
when required.

This charger is compatible with all
Argus rechargeable battery packs,
Ni-Cd (DAS533206BA/CA) and Ni-MH
(DAS533206DA).

2

Contents

Page

1 Camera ....................... 4

1.1 GETTING STARTED ..................4

1.2 BATTERIES .....................6

1.3 DISPLAY GRAPHICS ..................8

1.4 OPERATING NOTES ..................9

1.5 CLEANING and MAINTENANCE ............ 12

1.6 SPECIFICATION .................. 16

1.7

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT (Optional, designated as /TP) . . 18

2 Charger and Batteries ................. 20

2.1 GETTING STARTED: Connecting Power to the Charger .... 20

2.2 OPERATION of the CHARGER ............. 21

2.3 ADDITIONAL OPERATING NOTES ............ 23

2.4 PROBLEM SOLVING ................. 27

2.5 SPECIFICATIONS .................. 28

3 Warranty Terms ................... 30

3.1 EXPRESS WARRANTY ................ 30

3.2 EXCLUSIVE REMEDY ................ 31

3.3 EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ....... 31

3

1 Camera

1.1 GETTING STARTED

1.1.1 In the case with this manual

you will find the camera, a
neckstrap and two battery
packs (cases may also contain
rechargeable batteries which
are optional). The battery pack
is inserted into the handle of
the camera.

1.1.2 Check that the battery packs

contain LR6 type batteries (if
using rechargeable batteries,
check they are fully charged
before use).
Open battery door and insert
the battery pack as shown. It
will only fit in the correct
orientation. Close the door.

4

1.1.3 Turn on the unit using the

switch on the rear. This will
latch in and illuminate a red
light in the centre.

1.1.4 From two seconds after switch

on the camera will display the
Argus 2 start up screen while
the system performs a self-test
routine.

1.1.5 After 20 to 40 seconds

(depending on ambient
temperature) the thermal
image, with battery status
display in lower left hand
corner, will appear.

5

1.2 BATTERIES

1.2.1 Recommended Batteries

&

AA Size The most widely

available battery.

&

Type LR6 This is essential to

achieve the specified
battery life. LR6
indicates an alkaline
manganese battery
which can supply the
power requirements
of the Argus 2. Labels
such as ‘long life’ or
‘super power’ are
manufacturers’ titles
and do not necessarily
imply LR6.

&

Change all 8 All batteries in a set

must be changed
simultaneously.

$

Disposal Batteries should be

disposed of in line
with their
manufacturers’
instructions.

Note: Rechargeable packs and
charger unit are availab le as an option
to primary cell operation.

1.2.2 Battery Changing

1.2.2.1 Open the cartridge by

pressing down on the contact end
while holding the outer. The inner will
slip out of the sleeve.

1.2.2.2 Remove the old batteries and
dispose of them safely.

1.2.2.3 Insert new batteries in the
orientation shown on the inner carrier.

1.2.2.4 In order to verify the pack is
ready for use it may be tried in the
camera. A fully charged battery will
show the status display as full (see
below).

6

1.2.3 Battery Indicator

1.2.3.1 The battery pack will power

the camera for typically two hours. It is
recommended that before each BA
team enters the fire the battery pack is
fitted with new batteries (or a fully
charged rechargeable battery).

Note: The operating life of LR6
batteries varies greatly between
manufacturers and is temperature
dependent. Marconi Applied
Technologies recommend the use of
rechargeable systems at ambient
temperatures of 5 8C or less.

1.2.3.2 With a new set of batteries,
the battery bar will be at its full status
with 15 bars showing. With high
quality batteries it may remain at this
height for some minutes. The number
of bars will then progressively decrease
as the batteries are consumed. When
the battery is low, the whole battery
display will flash slowly to alert the
operator. The time remaining will
depend on the type of batteries being
used but will typically be 10 minutes.

EMPTY FULL

15 BARS

7