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A 1720A MP3 Tone Generator &
Message Player Module
Operating Instructions
The A 1720A is an MP3 based message player and tone
generator designed for public address, security, customer
direction or emergency evacuation announcements.
Installation
Power requirements: The A 1720A needs a minimum of
12VDC at 300mA to work correctly. Maximum working
voltage is 30VDC, do not exceed 30VDC as it will cause
permanent damage to the unit. A good working voltage is
between 12 and 24VDC. The power is connected via 2 way
terminal block (see fig 1).
Output: Stereo output is via screw terminals and RCA
sockets. Output level is nominal 500mV but is related to the
recorded level of the MP3.
Input triggers: The input triggers are activated by closing
contacts whether by a normally open switch or a timer or
controller.
Switched output: The switched output terminal is triggered
when any zone is activated. The voltage is the same as the
power supplied to the unit. ie if the A 1720A is powered by
12V the switched output voltage will be 12V.
Play modes
Alternate: When the A 1720A is in Alternate mode (DIP1 switch1 OFF) (see fig 1) the closing contact must be held for the duration of the MP3 play time,
if it is released before the MP3 ends the MP3 will stop playing immediately. If the contact is held closed continually the MP3 will continue to loop over
and over until the contact is released.
Momentary: In Momentary mode (DIP1 switch1 ON) (see fig 1) a momentary closing contact or pulse on the trigger pins will activate the MP3. The A
1720A will continue to play the MP3 till it finishes and will stop playing and wait for another trigger activation.
To stop an MP3 playing when in Momentary mode the Cancel trigger is used. A momentary closing contact on the Cancel trigger will stop the MP3
playing (it is recommended that the Cancel contact be held up to 2 seconds to ensure the MP3 stops playing).
Putting MP3’s on to the player
You will first need to remove power from the A 1720A then remove the SD card from the front of the A 1720A. To remove the SD card push the card in
and it will eject itself.
The SD card will then need to be connected to a PC (Windows XP or Vista recommended). You will need a PC equipped with a SD card reader to do
this (not supplied).
Step by step guide to put a MP3 into Trigger1 with Windows XP installed PC
Step 1: Make sure the PC is on and card reader connected and correctly installed. Then insert the SD card into the reader.
Step 2: Go to “My Computer” (figure 2) and open the SD card which is usually marked “Removable disk”. In this case it is named “Removable disk (G)
FRONT PANEL
1. Stereo audio output
2. Left & right RCA outputs
3. Switched power output
4. Trigger 1-8 inputs
5. Evac input
6. Alert input
7. Cancel input
8. SD card slot
9. DIP switch
10. BCD switch
11. Power input (12-24VDC)
Figure 1.
4
1
-
Left
+
-
Right
+
8
765
10
- +
11
2
3
9
. Step 4: You should see an MP3 file XXXXXX.MP3 if you have never changed the
trigger1 MP3 file then it will be named Trigger1.MP3.
This MP3 file needs to be deleted and replaced by the MP3 file you want to play when you
activate trigger1. The MP3 file name is not important only that there is one MP3 file in the
trig1 folder. Make sure you delete the old MP3!
The folder should look something like figure 5a.
NOTE the new MP3 file cannot be “Read only” to check this right click on the MP3 file and
scroll down and select Properties, you will get a window that looks like figure 5b. Make
sure the “Read Only” box has no tick in it.
The new MP3 is now installed on the card and the card can be removed from the PC
following windows safe card removal procedures. Make sure the A 1720A is OFF and
insert the SD card into the slot in the front; it will click when fully inserted. The A 1720A is
ready to go on Trigger1.
Repeat these steps for Trigger2 to Trigger8 if you need to.
Please note: that the ALERT and EVAC folders and the MP3 files inside these
folders should not be deleted or renamed in anyway this will cause the A 1720A to
stop responding.
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Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Trigger 1 folder
Open
Removable Disk
You should get a window that looks like figure 3.
Figure 4.
Delete this file
and replace it
with a new MP3.
Figure 5a.
Step 3: Open folder named “trig1” you should get a window that looks like figure 4.
Figure 5b.
Emergency tones (Alert and Evacuation)
The Alert and evacuation tones conform to Australian Standards AS1670.4 and are used to notify building occupants of an emergency situation.
Alert: The Alert tone is activated by a closing contact on the ALERT trigger (Trigger10) and can be used in Alternate or Momentary setup as mentioned.
The Alert tone comes with a change over option which forces the A 1720A to switch from Alert to the Evacuation tone after a prescribed time. Use the
BCD switch to adjust this time or switch off completely (see table 2).
Evacuation: The Evacuation tone is activated by a closing contact on the Evac trigger (Trigger9) and can be used in Alternate or Momentary setup as
mentioned early in the instructions.
Evacuation message: A message (repeated twice) can be inserted every three evacuation cycles as per the Australian Standards. Voice message
could be something like “please evacuate the building by the closest exit”. To install a Evacuation message on the A 1720A follow the Step by step guide
to put a MP3 into Trigger1 with Windows XP installed PC but replace Trigger1 with Voice i.e. put the message into the Voice folder on the SD card and
delete any other MP3 file located in the voice folder.
Priority: The Emergency tones have priority over other triggers (1 to 8) and if activated will stop any other MP3 and activate the selected emergency
tone. Evacuation also has priority over Alert.
Troubleshooting
NO Power (Power LED does not illuminate):
Power supply voltage is 12-30VDC.
Power supply is a DC input, not AC.
Emergency tones do not work:
Switch DIP1 switch 2 ON to activate emergency tones.
Specifications
Power supply: ............................................12VDC to 30VDC 300mA (idle/maximum current draw 50mA)
Output: ............................................................................................................Stereo RCA 500mV nominal
MP3 sample rate: ..............................................................................................................................44kHz
SD card size: ......................................................................................................................256MB to 16GB
Trigger Activation: ..............................................................................................................Closing contact
MP3 info:
Length/size: ....................................Limited by card size (100mins @ 128kbps, 44kHz on supplied 1GB)
Bit rate: ..........................................................................All standard MP3 rates (128kbps recommended)
Sample rate: ......................................................................All standard MP3 rates (44kHz recommended)
Channels: ............................................................................................................................Stereo or mono
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