Spectra 1.5PL User Manual

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www.trimble.com

1.5PL

Precision Multi-Line Laser

User Guide

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Spectra Precision® 1.5PL from the Trimble® family
of precision products. This simple-to-use tool allows you to perform leveling
or vertical plumb work. You can also use the laser outdoors for leveling and
aligning applications (optional HR220 receiver required).

Before using the laser, be sure to read this operator’s manual carefully.
Included in it is information about setting up, using, and maintaining the
laser. Also included in this manual are CAUTIONS and Notes. Each of these
words represents a level or danger or concern. A CAUTION indicates a hazard
or unsafe practice that could result in
Note indicates important information unrelated to safety.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome; please contact us at:

Trimble Spectra Precision Division
8261 State Route 235
Dayton, Ohio 45424 U.S.A.
Phone: [phone]
[phone]
FAX: [phone]
Internet: www.trimble.com/spectra

minor

injury or property damage. A

– 2 –

Features

2

4

9

8

10

5

1

1. Handle

2. Laser Line Exit Windows
Horizontal and Vertical

14. Battery Door Knob

15. Recharge Jack

16. Adjustable Legs

3. Unit ON/OFF Compensator
Lock / Manual Mode Knob

4. Fine Alignment Knobs

3

5. Power On / Low Battery LED

6. Manual Mode Button

14

15

7. Manual Mode On LED

8. Receiver Mode Button

13

9. Receiver Mode On LED

10. Vertical (front) Beam Button

16

11. Horizontal Beam Button

12. Vertical (left/right) Beams
Button

13. Vial (Red/Green)

6

17. Plumb-Down Beam Exit
Window

18. ⅝x 11 Mounting Thread

12

7

11

– 3 – – 4 –

17

18

HR220 Receiver

1. Power and Audio Button – turns the
receiver ON and OFF and changes the
audio to LOUD, LOW or OFF.

a. Automatic Shutoff - If the photocell

does not detect the laser beam for 30
minutes, the receiver shuts off
automatically.

2. Marking Notches (both sides) – align
with the on-grade portion of the
photocell and are used to mark elevation
readings. The marking notches are 50
mm (2 in.) from the top of the receiver.

3. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) –
displays the elevation, power, audio and
battery status.

4. Bubble vials - aids in keeping receiver
level in both horizontal and vertical
planes.

5. Photocell – detects the laser beam when
it strikes the receiver.

6. Audio Port – is the opening the sound
comes out of.

7. Clamp-Tab Recess – is the area that the
general-purpose clamp’s release tab fits
into.

– 5 –

HR220 Receiver (cont.)

4

8. Label – shows the serial number and manufacturing date.

3

2

5

9. Magnet—holds the receiver on a wall molding, cross-T, runner, etc.

10.LEDs – show the position of the receiver relative to the laser beam (above

1 M (4 Ft) Marks Using a Tripod

grade [red], on grade [green] or below grade [blue]).

1

11.Battery Housing – holds 2 AA alkaline batteries.

12. Battery Door Latch– opens the battery compartment.

6

Over Tall Floor Track or Obstacles

Using the Extendable Legs

Ceiling with (optional) Wall Mount

General-Purpose Clamp

The C61 clamp allows the receiver to be attached to a survey rod or wooden pole.

9

8

7

10

11

1. Release Tab – allows the receiver to be locked onto or released from the

general-purpose clamp.

2. Jaws – close/open so that the general-purpose clamp can be attached to or

released from a survey rod or wooden pole.

3. Jaws Screw – controls the closing/

opening of the jaws.

4. Reading Edge – aligns with the

receiver’s on-grade marking notches.

5. Bubble Screw Holes – are where the

1

2

3

optional 1277-6251S rod bubble kit
is mounted.

12

– 6 –

5

4

– 7 –

Tile Laying with Angle Alignment

Columns with Mounting Strap

– 8 –

Batteries/Charging

Installation/Removal

CAUTION: The batteries should be removed when storing the laser more
than 30 days.

1. Turn the battery door knob counterclockwise to release the battery pack.

2. Install/remove the 4 x AA batteries.

Note: When installing the batteries, be sure to note the positive (+) and

negative (–) diagrams molded on the battery housing.

3. Put the battery pack in place and lock it by turning the knob clockwise.

Battery Charger

1. Plug the battery recharger’s plug into the
laser’s battery recharging jack.

2. Plug the battery recharger into the wall
outlet.

Note: A full charge will be reached in 4-5

hours.

– 9 –

Basic Operation

1. Unlock the laser’s compensator by turning the
compensator lock/ unlock knob to the LEFT.
The Power On/Low Battery LED illuminates
RED and the vial lights GREEN when the unit
has been set up inside its self-leveling range.

When the batteries need to be charged/changed the Power On / Low

Battery LED flashes RED.

Note: For added mechanism protection always lock the laser when not in use

by turning the compensator lock/ unlock knob to the RIGHT.

Automatic Mode

1. Turn the compensator knob to the On-Position- the Power On / Low
Battery LED illuminates RED and the vial lights GREEN when the unit
has been set up inside its self-leveling range.

2. The beams can be activated/deactivated using the buttons

V1

V line

3. When the unit is tilted out of its self-leveling range the vial lights RED, all
beams flash and the unit beeps a warning tone.

Manual Mode

1. The laser can be taken out of automatic self-leveling mode to perform
slope work by turning the compensator lock/ unlock knob to the RIGHT.

2. Press the MANUAL button. The Power On / Low Battery LED illuminates
RED. The Manual LED flashes RED and the vial lights RED.

Receiver Mode

1. To operate the laser with the HR220 receiver press the RECEIVER button.
The RECEIVER LED will illuminate RED.

H line

H

– 10 –

V lines

Left/Right

V2

Basic Operation (cont.)

Note: The receiver mode can be used in automatic self-leveling and in manual

mode.

2. To turn OFF the receiver mode, PRESS the RECEIVER button again.
To turn OFF the unit and the beams, PRESS the buttons V1, H and V2 again

and turn the compensator lock/ unlock knob to the RIGHT.

Applications

General Leveling and Aligning

1. Place the laser on a flat surface. The laser must be level within its self­leveling range.

2. Adjust the position of the lines and plumb point so they are at the desired
positions.

3. Mark the position of the wall, elevation,
floor or ceiling.

Installing and Plumbing a Wall

1. Place the laser so the Vertical Line Beam

is positioned over the desired wall location
(usually indicated by 2 floor marks).

Note: If the floor track is already installed

the laser should be setup using the
extendable legs so the Vertical Line can
be positioned over the edge of the track.

2. Use the Vertical Line Beam to position
the top track.

3. Use the Vertical Line Beam to position
the floor track.

– 11 –

Applications (cont.)

4. To locate the plumb point over a wall corner or other point place the
Down Point Beam over the corner or mark. Use the intersecting cross lines
to determine the top track corner location.

Note: If the floor track is already installed use the extendable legs to position

the Down Point over the corner.

Installing a Ceiling

1. Measure up from the floor (or other reference mark) to the finished ceiling
height.

2. Install the first piece of wall molding.

3. Mount the (optional) wall mount with the attached laser to the wall molding.

4. Adjust the elevation of the wall mount slider so that the level beam is at wall
molding height. Install the rest of the wall molding.

5. Lower the laser 5 cm (2.0 in.) on the wall mount so that the level beam is at
the horizontal target elevation.

6. Install the ceiling’s cross Ts and main Ts.

Performing Layout for Angles Other than 90°

1. Set up the unit over the 1st base-line reference point

2. Use the handle to make a rough alignment to the 2nd base-line reference
point, then use the fine adjustment knobs for final alignment

3. Use the angle ring to set the 0-mark on the reference line

4. Use the handle to roughly align the unit to the required angle position

5. Use the fine adjustment knobs to adjust the unit until the required angle is
positioned exactly above the reference line.

– 12 –

Learning the Receiver Functions

Turning On/Off the Receiver

1. Press the power/audio button
to turn on the receiver.

Note: When the receiver is

initially turned on/off, all LCD
symbols, LEDs, and the audio
signal are turned on for one second.

Audio On

2. Press and hold the power/audio
button for one second to turn off
the receiver.

Selecting the Audio Function

The receiver always starts up with the audio mode (loud) active.

1. Press the power/audio button repeatedly to cycle the audio level - loud, low

or off.

Note: If the audio function is on, the receiver beeps quickly when the

receiver is above the laser beam, slowly when below it, and continuously
when centered in the laser beam or on grade.

– 13 – – 14 – – 15 – – 16 –

Above Grade

On Grade

Low Battery

Below Grade

Using the Receiver with a Laser

1. Press the power/audio button to turn on the receiver. Also make sure the
Receiver Mode LED on the 1.5PL laser is RED (if not, press the
RECEIVER button on the 1.5PL).

2. Position the receiver so that its photocell faces the laser.

3. Move the receiver up/down until the LCD and LEDs show an on-grade
reading.

Note: The LCD shows a down arrow when the receiver is above the laser

beam, an up arrow when below it, and a horizontal line when centered in
the laser beam. The LED is red for above grade. green for on grade, and
blue for below grade.

LCD/LED/Audio Information

LCD Readout Function Audio Output

Down arrow High Fast beeping tone Top red LED:

Center bar &

Fine-high Fast beeping tone Top red LED:

down arrow
Center bar On-grade Continuous tone Middle green

Center bar
& up arrow

Fine-low Slow beeping

tone

Up arrow Low Slow beeping

tone

Battery Low battery N/A Flashing symbol
Horn Audio Loud Loud Solid symbol

Audio Low Low Flashing symbol
Audio Off None No symbol

LED
Indication

solid

flashing

LED: solid
Bottom blue

LED: flashing
Bottom blue

LED: solid

LCD
Indication

Attaching the Receiver to a Grade Rod

1. Slide the general-purpose clamp into
the receiver until it “clicks” into
position.

2. Turn the jaws screw counterclockwise
to open the clamp’s jaws.

3. Slide the survey rod or wooden pole
between the clamp’s jaws.

4. Turn the jaws screw clockwise to hold
the general-purpose clamp securely in
place.

Laser Setup with a Tripod

1. Set up the tripod in the middle of your work area (or wherever is best for
your application needs). Make sure the setup is stable.

Note: The typical operating radius of the system is 75 m (250 ft).

Note: For best system performance, do not set up the laser within 6 m

(20 ft) of a wall. Also do not use the receiver within 6 m (20 ft) of the
laser or within 1.5 m (5 ft) of a wall. At these close ranges, the receiver’s
electronics may give incorrect beam elevation information due to the laser
beam reflecting off of the walls.

2. Attach the laser directly to a ⅝ x 11 tripod. Use the optional adapter (p/n
0002-3430) for ¼ x 20 tripods.

3. Turn on the laser and receiver.

6 m (20 ft)

minimum

6 m (20 ft)

minimum

–

17 – – 18 –

5 ft (1.5 m)

minimum

Determining the Height of Instrument (HI)

The height of instrument (HI) is the elevation of the laser’s beam. The HI
is determined by adding the grade-rod reading to a benchmark or known
elevation.

1. Set up and level the laser.

2. Attach the receiver to a grade rod and turn on the receiver.

3. Place the grade rod on a job-site benchmark (BM) or known elevation.

4. Slide the receiver up/down the grade rod until the LCD shows an
on-grade reading.

5. Add the grade-rod reading to the benchmark to determine the height of
instrument.

Example:

Benchmark elevation = 30.55 m (100.23 ft)
On-grade rod reading = + 1.32 m (4.34 ft)
Height of instrument = 31.87 m (104.57 ft)

6. Use this HI as a reference for all other elevations.

Height of Instrument (HI)

Rod Reading

1.32 m (4.34 ft)

Benchmark

30.55 m (100.23 ft)

HI = Rod Reading + Benchmark
HI = 1.32 m + 30.55 m = 31.87m (4.34 ft + 100.23 ft = 104.57 ft)

Specifications

Laser

Horizontal and Vertical

1,2

Lines
Down Point Beam Accuracy
Self-Leveling Range ± 3° from level
Out-of-Level Indicator Beam Flashes, Vial lights RED and Beeping

Visual Working Range 30 m (100 ft)
Manual Mode and

Compensator Lock Indicator
Laser Class / Type 3A/3R; 635 nm
Line Beams Fan Angle 200° Horizontal / 120° Vertical (200°+ total of

Power Source NiMH-recharge pack + backup 4 AA alkaline
Battery Life

1

Low-Battery Indicator POWER LED flashes RED
Operating Temperature Range –10 °C to 45 °C (14 °F to 113 °F)
Size H24.0 x W13.8 x D12.1 cm (9.45 x 5.4 x 4.77 in)
Weight (Transmitter w/

Batteries)

1) at 21° C (70° F)

2) along the axis

± 1.0 mm @ 5 m (± 1/32 in. @ 17 ft)

1,2

± 0.4 mm @ 1 m (± 1/32 in @ 3 ft)

Warning Tone

LED On and Vial lights RED

both lines)

> 7 hours, All beams on (NiMH/alkaline)

1.54 kg (3.39 lbs)

– 19 – – 20 –

Receiver

Accuracy ±1.0 mm (±⅓ in.)
Elevation Readout Front LCD and simultaneous rear corner LEDs (red,

green, and blue)
Audio Control Loud / Low / Off
Capture Height 50 mm (2 in.)
Marking Notches 50 mm (2 in.) below top of receiver
Power Source 2 AA alkaline batteries
Battery Life 50+ hours
Low-Battery Indicator Flashing battery symbol on LCD
Automatic Shutoff 30 minutes after last laser strike or button press
Drop Resistance 1.5 m (5 ft) onto concrete at room temperature
Water Proof / Dust Proof Yes - IP67
Operating Temperature –20 °C to 60 °C (–4 °F to 140 °F)
Storage Temperature –40 °C to 70 °C (–40 °F to 158 °F)
Regulatory Conformance 2004/108/EC; 2002/95/EC; 2002/96/EC

Notice to Our European Union Customers

For product recycling instructions and more information,
please go to: www

To recycle Trimble WEEE, call: [phone], and ask for the “WEEE

associate,” or

mail a request for recycling instructions to:

Trimble Europe BV
c/o Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Meerheide 45
5521 DZ Eersel, NL

.trimble.com/environment/summary.html

Recycling in Europe

Request for Service

To locate your local dealer or authorized Trimble Service Center outside
the U.S.A for service, accessories, or spare parts, contact one of our offices

listed below.

North & Latin America

Trimble Spectra

Precision Division

8261 State Route 235

Dayton, Ohio 45424

U.S.A.

[phone] (Toll Free)

[phone] Phone

[phone] Fax

Europe

Trimble Kaiserslautern GmbH

Am Sportplatz 5

67661 Kaiserslautern

GERMANY

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

Africa & Middle East

Trimble Export Middle-East

P.O. Box 17760

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai

UAE

[phone] Phone

[phone] Fax

– 21 – – 22 – – 23 –

Asia-Pacific

Trimble Navigation Singapore

PTE Ltd.

80 Marine Parade Road, #22-06

Parkway Parade

Singapore, 449269

[phone] Phone

[phone] Fax

China

Trimble Beijing

Room 2805-07, Tengda Plaza,

No. 168 Xiwai Street

Haidian District

Beijing, China 100044

[phone] Phone

[phone] Fax

www.trimble.com.cn

Maintenance and Care

Handling Precautions

When transferring the laser from a very low temperature to a warmer
environment or visa versa, always allow time for the laser to reach the new
temperature before using. Allowing this time is especially important when
transferring the laser from an extremely heated/cold vehicle to the job site.

System Cleaning

For maximum performance and accuracy always keep the windows clean.
When cleaning, apply very light pressure and use only a good quality glass
cleaner on a soft cloth to clean the exterior of the laser and its windows.

CAUTION: A dry cloth or abrasive organic cleaner could scratch or damage
these surfaces.

CAUTION: Do not submerge the laser.

Storage

When you’re not using the laser, store it in its pouch/carrying case.

CAUTION: Do not store the laser in a wet pouch/carrying case. If the
pouch/carrying case gets wet, let it dry before storing the laser in it.

Calibration

Before each use, be sure to check the laser for signs of damage. If the laser has
been dropped or subjected to other rough treatment, it should be checked for
accuracy. For instruction on checking calibration, please visit our website

support list at www.trimble.com/support.shtml

Warranty

Trimble warrants the 1.5PL to be free of defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year. Trimble or its authorized Dealer or
service center will repair or replace, at its option, any defective part, or the
entire product, for which notice has been given during the warranty period.
This warranty period is in effect from the date the system is delivered by
Trimble or its authorized Dealer to the purchaser, or is put into service by a
Dealer as a demonstrator or rental component.

Customers should send products to the nearest Authorized Factory, Dealer,
or Service Center for warranty repairs, freight prepaid. In countries with
Trimble Service Subsidiary Centers, the repaired products will be returned
to the customer, freight prepaid.

Any evidence of negligent, abnormal use, accident, or any attempt to repair
equipment by other than factory-authorized personnel Trimble certified or
recommended parts, automatically voids the warranty.

Special precautions have been taken to ensure the calibration of the laser;
however, calibration is not covered by this warranty. Maintenance of the
calibration is the responsibility of the user.

The foregoing states the entire liability of Trimble regarding the purchase
and use of its equipment. Trimble will not be held responsible for any
consequential loss or damage of any kind.

This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, except as set forth above,
including an implied warranty merchantability of fitness for a particular
purpose, is hereby disclaimed. This warranty is in lieu of all other
warranties, expressed or implied.

Laser Safety

Use of this product by people other than those trained on this product may
result in exposure to hazardous laser light.

• Do not remove warning labels from the unit.

• The 1.5PL is a Class 3A/3R (635 nm) laser.

• Never look into the laser beam or direct it to the eyes of other people.

• Always operate the unit in a way that prevents the beam from getting into

people‘s eyes.

Trimble Spectra Precision Division
8261 State Route 235
Dayton, Ohio 45424-6383
U.S.A.

www.trimble.com/spectra

© 2011, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved.

Reorder PN 1213-0803 (2/11)