Monarch Instrument Nova-Strobe vbx User Manual

Printed in the U.S.A.

Copyright 2009 Monarch Instrument, all rights reserved

1071-4220-111R

1209

MONARCH INSTRUMENT

Instruction Manual

Nova-Strobe vbx

Vibration Battery x Strobe

15 Columbia Drive

Amherst, NH 03031 USA

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.monarchinstrument.com

Safeguards and Precautions

CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

1. Read and follow all instructions in this manual carefully, and
retain this manual for future reference.

2. Do not use this instrument in any manner inconsistent with
these operating instructions or under any conditions that
exceed the environmental specifications stated.

3. Use of this product may induce an epileptic seizure in persons
prone to this type of attack.

4. Objects viewed with this product may appear to be stationary
when in fact they are moving at high speeds. Always keep a
safe distance from moving machinery and do no touch the target.

5. There are lethal voltages present inside this product. Refer to
the section on Lamp Replacement before attempting to open
this product.

6. Do not allow liquids or metallic objects to enter the ventilation
holes on the stroboscope as this may cause permanent
damage and void the warranty.

7. Do not allow cables extending from unit to come into contact
with rotating machinery, as serious damage to the equipment,
or severe personal injury or death may occur as a result.

8. This instrument may not be safe for use in certain hazardous
environments, and serious personal injury or death could occur
as a result of improper use. Please refer to your facility’s
safety program for proper precautions.

9. This product contains Nickel Metal Hydride batteries which
must be disposed of in accordance with Federal, State, & Local
Regulations. Do not incinerate. Batteries should be shipped to
a reclamation facility for recovery of the metal and plastic
components as the proper method of waste management.
Contact distributor for appropriate product return procedures.

As Manufacturer:

Monarch Instrument

Division of Monarch International Inc.

15 Columbia Drive, Amherst NH 03031 USA

declares under Monarch’s sole responsibility that the product:

Name: Nova-Strobe X Series
Models: bbx, dbx, pbx, vbx

to which this declaration relates is in conformity with the following standards:

EN61326:1997 EMC /A1:1998/A2:2001/A3:2003 Class A

Specifically CISPR 16-1:2003/CISPR 16-2:2003

EN55011:1998/A1:1999/A2:2002 EN61000-4-2 EN61000-4-3

EN61010-1:2001-2 Safety Regulation

and therefore conforms with the requirements of Council Directive 89/336/EEC
relating to electromagnetic compatibility and 73/23/EEC relating to the low voltage
directive with amendments, when operated in accordance with the user guide.
EMC testing of this product was performed by Retlif Testing Laboratories, NH, in
February of 2007 (File R-4702N-5).

14th February, 2007

Manufacturer (Amherst,NH) Alan Woolfson, VP Engineering (Authorized Signature)

10.0 OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES

C-4027 Set of mating 1/8 inch (3.5mm) stereo phone plugs (to

provide TTL signal and sensor power)

CA-4044-6 6 foot (1.8M) input / output cable, 1/8 inch (3.5mm)

male phone plug to male BNC connector

CA-4045-6 6 foot (1.8M) input / output cable, 1/8 inch (3.5mm)

male phone plug to 1/8 inch (3.5mm) male phone plug
for daisy chaining strobes together

CA-4046-6 6 foot (1.8M) Accelerometer input cable, 1/8 inch

(3.5mm) male phone plug to BNC with BNC union
connector

CC-7 Latching carrying case for Strobe with provision for

accessories

L-1903 Digital Stroboscope replacement lamp

SPC-1 Splash proof Protective Cover for battery model

Stroboscopes ONLY

ROS-P Remote Optical Sensor with 8 foot (2.5 m) cable for

triggering strobe

T- 5 Reflective tape. 5 foot (1.5 m) roll, 0.5 inch wide

MT-190P Magnetic Sensor/Amplifier with 8 foot (2.5 m) cable

for triggering strobe

IRS-P Infrared Sensor for use without reflective target at 0.5

inch (12 mm) gap with 8 foot (2.5 m) cable for triggering
strobe

Accelerometer 100 mV/g with 6 foot coiled cable, ¼” x 28 Tapped Hole

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10. This instrument is not user serviceable. For technical
assistance, contact the sales organization from which you
purchased the product.

In order to comply with EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): This product

may contain material which could be hazardous to human health
and the environment. DO NOT DISPOSE of this product as un­sorted municipal waste. This product needs to be RECYCLED in

for more information. This product may be returnable to your distributor for
recycling - contact the distributor for details.

Monarch Instrument’s Limited Warranty applies. See
www.monarchinstrument.com for details.

Warranty Registration and Extended Warranty coverage available
online at www.monarchinstrument.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

accordance with local regulations, contact your local authorities

1.0 OVERVIEW ............................................................................. 1

1.1 Display Panel / Definition of Buttons ........................... 2

2. 0 PREPARATION FOR USE ........................................................ 4

2.1 Power............................................................................ 4

2.2 Input / Output Connections .......................................... 4

3.0 MENU ...................................................................................... 6

4. 0 OPERATION ............................................................................ 7

4.1 Internal Mode - Standard Strobe Operation ............... 8

4.2 Internal Mode - TACH Frequency Generator ............. 10

4.3 External Input Mode ................................................... 11

4.4 Tachometer Mode - External Input Required............ 11

4.5 External Delay Modes (Phase Shifting) .................... 12

4.6 Lock Modes - Accelerometer Input Required .......... 12

4.7 Power Up Features .................................................... 14

5.0 APPLICATIONS .................................................................... 15

5.1 Using the Stroboscope to Measure RPM ................. 15

5.2 Balancing and Phase Measurement ......................... 17

5.3 Phase Analysis ........................................................... 19

5.4 Motion Studies ............................................................ 21

6.0 LIMITATIONS OF REMOTE OPTICAL SENSORS .................. 22

7. 0 LAMP AND FUSE REPLACEMENT ....................................... 23

7.1 Lamp Replacement .................................................... 23

7.2 Fuse ............................................................................. 25

8.0 BATTERY AND POWER SUPPLY SPECIFICS ....................... 25

8.1 Low Battery Indication ............................................... 2 6

8.2 Charging the Batteries ............................................... 26

8.3 External Power Supply/Recharger ............................ 27

8.4 Battery Disposal ......................................................... 27

9.0 SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................. 28

10.0 OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES ............................................ 30

General:
Time Base Ultra Stable Crystal Oscillator
Display LCD display with 6 numeric 0.506 inch [12.85 mm] high

digits and 5 alphanumeric 0.282 inch [7.17 mm] high digits

Indicators Battery level, On Target, TIME, AUTO, ALT, TACH, LOCK,

and EXT icons

Knob Adjustment Digital Rotary switch with 36 detents per revolution;

velocity sensitive

Memory Last setting before power down is remembered and

restored on next power up. 9 user settable flash rates.

Output Pulse 40 µsec positive/negative pulse (menu selectable),

3.3 Vdc typical

Input Power Internal Rechargeable Batteries 6 Vdc, External AC

recharger (115 Vac to 230 Vac)

Light Output Average: 11 Watts at 3000 FPM, >13 Watts above

3450 FPM
Instantaneous (per flash): 230 mJoule typical to
3450 FPM

Flash Duration 10-25 microseconds (auto adjust with flash rate)
Flash Tube (Lamp) Life 100 million flashes
Run Time 2 hours typical at 1800 FPM, and over 1 hour at

6000 FPM with fully charged batteries

Charge Time 4-5 hours typical with PSC-pbxU
Weight 1.875 lbs [0.8505 kg] including batteries

This product is designed to be safe for indoor use under the following
conditions (per IEC61010-1).

Operating Temperature 32-104 ºF [0-40 °C]
NOTE: Safety thermal feature will set unit into TACH Mode (stops

flashing) in the event of internal overheating.

Humidity Maximum relative humidity 80% for temperature up to 88 °F [31

°C] decreasing linearly to 50% relative humidity at 104 °F [40 °C]

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9.0 SPECIFICATIONS

1.0 OVERVIEW

Internal Mode:
Flash Range 30 - 50,000 FPM (Flashes Per Minute)

Flash Rate Accuracy 0.004% of setting or ± last digit

Flash Rate Resolution 0.01 to 1 FPM (menu selectable), 0.1 FPM

max resolution above 9,999.99 FPM

Display Update Rate Instantaneous

External Modes:
Flash Range and Display same as internal mode - External flash rates to

0 are acceptable

Tachometer Measurements 5 to 250,000 RPM

Accuracy: ±0.001% of reading or ± last digit

Display Update Rate 0.5 second typical
Trigger to Flash Delay 5 µsec typical
Phase Delay Phase: 0.1 to 359.9 degrees, Time: 0.01 to 1000

milliseconds, Auto: 0 to 200 VRPM

External Input TTL Compatible (24V pk max), 500 nanosec min pulse

width, Positive or Negative edge triggered (menu selectable)

Tracking (Accelerometer) Mode:
Flash Range 100 - 50,000 FPM (Flashes Per Minute)
Tachometer Measurements 100 to 50,000 RPM

Accuracy: ±1 RPM

Display Update Rate 0.5 second typical
Trigger to Flash Delay 5 µsec typical
Phase Delay Phase: 0.1 to 359.9 degress, Time: 0.01 to 1000

milliseconds, Auto: 0 to 200 VRPM

Tracking Filter Selectable Wide and Narrow Bandwidths. The filter

may not lock below 100 FPM

External Input 10 or 100 mV/g accelerometer sensitivity (menu selectable)

Positive or Negative edge triggered (menu selectable)

Accelerometer Power 18 Vdc ±10% @ 2mA (menu selectable: on=yes, off=no)

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The Nova-Strobe vbx is a truly portable, battery-operated stroboscope
that is suited for a wide range of industrial, institutional, and educational
applications, and is able to interface with several of the Vibration Data
Collectors that are currently available. Several interface cables are available.
Sturdy and compact, the strobe can be operated anywhere in the plant or
field to permit visual inspection (freeze motion), phase shift studies, and
digital measurement of rotary, reciprocating, or linear motions of various
equipment while it is in operation.

The Nova-Strobe vbx has a special “tuning” circuit that allows it to track
vibration transducer (accelerometer) signals. This capability makes it
different from general-purpose strobe lights. It also has a Narrow and Wide
Bandwidth filter selection to discriminate fundamentals from harmonics.
The Narrow Bandwidth filter limits the influence of harmonics around the
selected frequency, providing a more stable phase reading.

The Nova-Strobe vbx requires an input signal to synchronize the flash rate
with an external source, typically a vibration transducer in the tracking
mode or optical pickup in the external mode. This signal is applied, using a
special cable, to the Input (S pointing into socket) jack connector on the
side of the strobe light. The Nova-Strobe vbx generates a tachometer signal
that is on the Output (T pointing away from socket) jack. Information
about the use of these signals is given in other sections of this manual.
Special adapter cables are available to suit several commercially available
Vibration Analyzers.

The Nova-Strobe vbx is ideally suited for:

1. Balancing

2. Inspection of High Speed Rotating Parts

3. Motion Analyses, or Phase Shift Measurement

4. Over speed Trip Tests

5. Online coupling Inspections

6. RPM/RPS Measurements

1

7. All applications suited to a general purpose, phase shifting
stroboscope (Nova-Strobe pbx)

The Nova-Strobe vbx can also be used as a highly accurate, remote electronic
digital tachometer for direct measurement of RPM/RPS (speed) without
special reflective tape or markings. RPM results are updated and displayed
approximately every ½ second on the LCD display.

When charging, the strobe will indicate CHRGE in the bottom right of the
display. The recharger will fast charge the batteries for about 4-5
hours and then trickle charge the batteries.

Allow the recharger to charge the batteries until the display shows
DONE for peak battery life performance. If the batteries are not
charged to 100% regularly, the batteries will lose capacity.

1.1 Display Panel / Definition of Buttons

The display panel consists of
a backlighted liquid crystal
display with six numeric digits
on top and five alphanumeric
digits on the bottom, which
indicate modes, flash rates,
etc. (see Figure 1).

Additional information
displayed include:

PHASEPHASE

PHASE Indicates Phase

PHASEPHASE

Delay Mode is
active

TIME Indicates Time Delay Mode is active

AUTO Indicates Auto Phase Shifting Mode (virtual RPM) is

active

ALT. Indicates alternate function of each button (lower section)

and knob will be used

TACH Tachometer Mode active (strobe won’t flash)

LOCK Lock onto the accelerometer signal for input

EXT External Input Mode active

2

Figure 1 Display Panel

8.3 External Power Supply/Recharger

The external power supply/recharger (PSC-pbxU) can also be used to
run the stroboscope continuously from the AC mains (115/230 Vac).

To power the strobe with the external power supply/recharger
(PSC-pbxU):

1. Plug the power supply/recharger cable into the recharger socket
(located below the display panel behind the handle).

2. Plug the power supply/recharger into an AC mains wall outlet.

3. Press (and lock) the trigger switch to operate. If the trigger switch
is not pressed, the unit will start charging.

8.4 Battery Disposal

Prior to disposing of the Nova-Strobe vbx, the user must remove the
Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries. To do this, remove the lens, reflector and
lamp as detailed in the Lamp Replacement section. This will expose four
(4) screws that must be removed so the reflector housing can be dismantled.
There are four (4) additional screws in the case half opposite the input and
output jacks that must be removed. The case halves can now be separated,
exposing the batteries. Remove the cables from the batteries and place
tape over the battery terminals to prevent them from shorting. The
batteries should be sent to a recycling center or returned to the factory.
The rest of the parts may now be disposed of.

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