Tinker & Rasor Quasar User Manual

MODEL QUASAR

100 Amp, GPS Current Interrupter

Inside this Manual:

 Parts List

User Manual

 Programming the Quasar
 Getting Started
 Introduction
 Physical Connections of the

Quasar

 Understanding the Panel of the

Quasar Current Interrupter

 Using the Keypad
 Quasar Menu System

 Watchdog

 Maintenance

 Appendix A - Troubleshooting

 Appendix A - How do I…

 Appendix B – Menu System

o Programming
o Features
o Settings

Parts List

DESCRIPTION QTY DESCRIPTION QTY

Interrupter, with battery 1
Connection cables, Large 1
Connection cables, Small 2
Data Transfer cables (USB A/B) 2

9v Watchdog batteries 2
Power cable, AC (120v/240v) 1
User Manual 1
Warranty Card 1

Unpacking

The Quasar Current Interrupter comes in a cardboard box with an insert to help protect the instrument
during shipment. If possible, retain these items for future use in the event the instrument needs to be
shipped.

The instrument is housed in a large thermoplastic resin case which includes a storage area for all the
cables. Please open the case and remove all cables to ensure that the Model Quasar has shipped with
all included parts, as listed above.

If any parts are missing, please contact Tinker & Rasor immediately. If the instrument has been
damaged in shipping, do not delay in filing a claim with the carrier.

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MODEL QUASAR

Important Note Regarding Rectifier Spikes

Most rectifiers experience a voltage spike when opening and closing, due to a capacitance effect in the
system that can be quite large and very fast. Depending upon the magnitude and duration of the spike,
the Quasar, and most other current interrupters made today, can become significantly damaged.

It is recommended that an oscilloscope be connected to a rectifier and the rectifier be manually cycled
to see what type of spike may be present, prior to using an interrupter. This step is suggested for all
rectifiers, but is a recommendation if the DC output of the rectifier is 50% or more of the maximum
current the interrupter can handle.

To better understand this issue, please see Technical Appendix A (attached to this document).

Introduction

The Model Quasar is an advanced current interrupting instrument and has many new features not found
on previous versions of the Quasar.

After many years of feedback from customers, Tinker & Rasor has added new functionality to the
Quasar and updated and upgraded other essential elements of the 100Amp GPS Current Interrupter.

Main Features:
12,000 Watt interrupter (100 amps @ 120 volts, 50 amps @ 240v)

Desert Tan case to blend in with surroundings
Lockable case (with lid locked closed, or able to open)
120v / 240v auto sensing AC power supply
In-case storage for all accessories
6v battery lasts up to 80 hours
4 line LCD allows more information per screen
Garmin® GPS technology
Small connection cables for systems with less than 5amp circuits
Movable GPS antenna

Physical Connections of the Quasar Current Interrupter

The Model Quasar is an advanced current interrupting instrument and has many features that may not
exist on other, similar instruments.

Interrupt Connection Cables

The Model Quasar offers two (2) methods of connecting the circuit to be interrupted. The main
connection points are located on the side of the instrument case, on the Right when facing the panel.
The large connection cables push into the large plugs on the side of the case.

NOTE: You may notice that the connectors do not fit entirely into the plug. This is normal and not
a cause for alarm.

The large connection cable set is Orange in color and has large clamps on the opposite end.
This is the set of cables to use for most connections and applications.

For small current interruption, the large cables and clamps may be inconvenient, and a smaller
set of cables have been included for this type of use. The cables come with banana jacks and
plug into the same side of the case as the larger cables, just above the plugs.

NOTE: The small cables with banana jacks are meant for use on circuits with less than 5 amps of
current to be interrupted.

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MODEL QUASAR

When making the connections to the Quasar there is no need to observe polarity. There is no
plus (+) or minus (-) issues when using either set of connection cables.

AC Power Cable
The Model Quasar is designed to operate on AC power. The internal AC Power Supply will

automatically sense and use either 120v or 240v AC when plugged into an AC power source,
often found on rectifiers. The AC power cable included with the Model Quasar is designed for
use on 120v AC sources. Outside of the United States and for areas where 240v AC is more
common, a suitable AC power cord will need to be obtained for use with the Quasar. The AC
plug accepts standard PC computer power cables, and this additional power cord should be
easy to find in most areas of the world.

NOTE: The Quasar will automatically accept either 120v OR 220v AC (single phase) and no
switch or adjustment is required.

For instances where there is no available AC power supply, the Model Quasar is equipped with
an internal 6v battery which will allow the Quasar to operate up to 80 hours in most conditions.

Data Transfer Cables
The Model Quasar can transfer programming to other Quasar units.
The Data Transfer cable is a standard A to B USB cable, frequently used to connect a printer to

a computer. The instrument is not USB compliant, and cannot be connected to a printer or a
computer. This cable is used simply because it is easy to find throughout the world.

NOTE: Do not connect the Quasar to a computer or USB device, such as a flash drive, etc.

The Data Transfer is done by connecting the instruments in a “daisy-chain” arrangement. The
first Quasar in the line becomes the lead instrument. This is the only instrument that does not

have a cable inserted into the “B” USB connector, the square type. Communication is made

using the “A” or rectangular USB connector as an Output and the “B” or square connector as an

Input.
The data transfer operation is done using the keypad, and this is covered later in this manual, in

the section titled, Special Features.
GPS Antenna
The Model Quasar uses a GPS antenna which is magnetically mounted to the main panel. This

antenna has a 8’ (2.5 m) lead wire, and may be moved outside of the instrument case to allow
the instrument a better view of GPS satellites. The antenna is hardwired into the interior of the
case and the antenna cannot be taken off entirely. A small wire cleat is attached to the side of
the panel, in the storage area for winding the antenna when it is attached to the main panel of
the Quasar.

Watchdog System
The Model Quasar has a feature called Watchdog. This feature of the Quasar requires two (2)

9v batteries. These batteries are supplied in a plastic bag inside the of the storage area of the
case. They are installed in a battery compartment accessed on the side of the inside panel.
Using the D ring connector, turn clockwise a ¼ turn and the door will pull open. Inside of the
compartment are the two (2) battery connectors. Install each battery in its own battery clip, with
the connectors installed. Best fit for the batteries is to have the batteries installed with the
connectors pointing down. More information on the Watchdog feature is provided later in the
manual, under the Watchdog section.

NOTE: Do not open the watchdog battery compartment when the Quasar is operating or

connected to an active circuit.

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MODEL QUASAR

Cable

GPS
Antenna

16 Button

4 Line, 20
Character

GPS Lock

Power On/Off
Circuit Closed LED

Data
Watchdog battery

Understanding the Panel of the Quasar Current Interrupter

The Model Quasar panel has new features not seen before on previous versions of the Quasar.
The Model Quasar panel features are shown below.

The instrument is now turned on
using a push button switch. The
switch is located in the upper Left
corner of the panel, and must be
held for 3 seconds to the
instrument ON and OFF. The
instrument cannot be accidentally
turned ON or OFF. An LED will
show if the instrument is turned
ON.

Next to the Power Button is the
Circuit Closed LED. This LED will

light during the interrupt cycle to show when the circuit is ON (Closed).
The Sync / Data transfer connections are on the inside side panel, and the main panel indicates where

they are located.
The magnetic mount GPS antenna area is near the bottom of the main panel, and is where the GPS

antenna should be mounted and kept when not outside of the case.
The LCD screen on the panel is a four line, twenty character display which shows much more

information per screen than other instruments.

NOTE: Previous Versions

Previous versions of the Quasar included the 12 volt Aux. DC battery charger jack on the panel, next
the Battery Charging Status LEDs. Customer feedback showed that this was an inconvenient location
for this port and the short cable to connect to a vehicle powerpoint was not feasible for use, so this
option is no longer available. Some Model Quasar instruments may have the older graphic overlays
that show the old location of the charging jack.

Also on a previous version of the Quasar, the main 6v battery of the Quasar was disconnected for
shipping and maintaining battery levels. Newer versions of the Quasar do not use this disconnect
switch, as the internal battery connections are sufficient for keeping the battery in a non-shortable
condition for shipping purposes. However the panel graphics continue to show this information. If your
Model Quasar has a serial number greater than 1000, it DOES NOT have a battery disconnect switch
installed. For serial numbers less than 1000, the battery disconnect switch might be installed, and

therefore needs to be moved to allow the instrument to run.
GPS Lock Condition
The GPS lock condition of the Quasar will be displayed in the upper Right hand corner of the LCD

display and will show a “0” for no lock to a GPS satellite, a “1” to show minimal, but sufficient lock to

three GPS satellites and a “2” for optimal lock on four or more GPS satellites.
Below the LCD display is an indicator pointing to the interrupt connections on the outside of the case.

Near the bottom Right hand side of the main panel is another indicator pointing to the AC connection on
the outside of the case.

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MODEL QUASAR

Using the Keypad

Between these indicators is the sixteen button keypad. The keypad is the main user interface with the
instrument and used for all programming and access to all features. Besides the 1 – 9 and 0 keys, there
are six other programming keys included with the keypad. They are: OK (Accept), DEL (Cancel), 
(Forward),  (Back), _-> (Up), and . (Decimal). These keys are used to interact with the Quasar during

programming and viewing of features. Most are self explanatory, with the possible exception of the “Up”

key. This key will allow the user to move up through the menu tree (See Appendix B). This is better
described in the section below titled, Quasar Menu System.

Programming the Quasar

The Quasar is programmed by entering settings via an easy to use menu system. The menu system
consists of a Main Menu, Sub Menus, data entry screens and confirmation screens.

The Main Menu is the top level screen and gives you the following options:

1. Program

2. Manual Cycling

3. Settings

Each of these choices is accessed by pushing the appropriate number button on the keypad; 1 =
Program, etc.

Program Sub Menu

Pressing #1, Program, will bring you to the Program Sub Menu, consisting of the following options:

1. View Programs

2. New Program

3. Upload Programs

Pressing #1, View Programs, will show the programs that have been stored in memory. All program
data is shown on a single screen. The program data consists of the Program number (#1, #2, #3, etc.) in
the upper Left corner of the screen, the Start and Stop Date, the Start and Stop Time and the On and
Off Times. Use the FWD (Forward) and BCK (Back) buttons on the keypad to scroll through all the
stored programs.

NOTE: A program can be deleted in the View Program screens by pressing the Cancel (Delete)
button on the keypad. A confirmation screen will come up when the Cancel (Delete) button is
pressed to confirm you wish to delete the program. Once the delete program has been confirmed,
the program is erased and cannot be retrieved.

If there are no programs stored in memory, the screen will show No Programs Stored.
Pressing #2, New Program, will access the data entry screens to store a new program. Each step of the

programming will ask for confirmation of the data entered.
Screen 1: Enter Start Date (mm/dd/yy), Press Ok button.

NOTE: mm/dd/yy = two digit month/two digit day/two digit year, example:

01/01/09 for January 1, 2009.
Confirm: Press OK or Cancel to re-enter the data.
Screen 1: Enter Stop Date (mm/dd/yy). You will see that the Start Date is displayed on the same

screen.
Confirm: OK or Cancel

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MODEL QUASAR

NOTE: At any screen during the programming process you can use the Up button on the keypad to go
back to the Program Sub Menu. Pressing the Up button again will take you to the Programs sub Menu.
Pressing the Up button again will take you to the Main Menu.

Screen 2: Enter Start Time (hh:mm:ss).
NOTE: Time is entered and displayed as two digit Hour: two digit minute: two digit second. Time is

entered and displayed on the 24 hour clock. Two o’clock and ten minutes and zero seconds is entered
and displayed as 14:10:00.

Confirm: OK or Cancel
Screen 2: Enter Stop Time (hh:mm:ss)
NOTE: Start and Stop times can be set to happen each day a program runs OR Start Time can happen

only on the Start Date and the Stop Time will happen only on the Stop Date. This setting is called
Cycling Mode and can be set under the Settings Sub Menu. Start and Stop daily is referred to as
Periodic and only on Start and Stop Dates is referred to as Continuous. See Settings Sub Menu for
more information.

Confirm: OK or Cancel
Screen 3: Enter ON Time. This screen will show a blinking cursor and the time may be entered

easily with up to three digits before the decimal place and up to three digits after the decimal. For
example, an ON time of three seconds can be entered as 3 followed by pressing the OK button. An ON
Time of half a second would be entered as 0.5, followed by pressing the OK button.

Confirm: OK or Cancel
Screen 3: Enter OFF Time.

NOTE: ON and OFF are used throughout the Quasar and it is important to understand their
meanings. ON refers to the time the Quasar has the circuit Closed, meaning the current is flowing
through the interrupter. OFF refers to the time the Quasar has the circuit Open, meaning the
current is not flowing through the interrupter.

ON = Closed = Protection
OFF = Open = No Protection

Confirm: OK or Cancel
After pressing the Confirm: OK button, the screen will show confirmation that the program was added

and stored to memory. Pressing the OK button again will bring you back to the Programs Sub Menu.
After adding a program to memory you will notice that most Sub Menu screens will now show the time

until the start of the program at the bottom of the display. When there are more than one programs in
memory, the program with the nearest Start Date and Start Time will be displayed. Depending on how
far in the future the next program to run is, the time may be displayed with a three digit hour in the
format hhh:mm:ss.

Upload Programs
The Model Quasar can sync with other Quasar interrupters via USB cable. The Quasar can be used to

sync the clock of non-GPS versions of the Quasar and also to transfer the program data of one Quasar
to as many other Quasars as needed. This feature not only saves a lot of time that would otherwise be
spent programming, but also removes the possibility of an error in programming on one or more of a

group of Quasars that are meant to operate together. The USB cable (supplied) has an “A” and “B”

connector at either end. The “A” connector (rectangular) is connected to the Output port of the Quasar

and the “B” connector (square) is connected to the Input port of the Quasar. The Quasar that does not

have anything plugged into its Input, or “B” port is the Controlling unit in the transfer. The ports are

located on the inside side panel, in the storage area of the case.
On the Controlling Quasar, Choose #3 in the Programs Sub Menu, Upload Programs. The next screen

will ask that you check all connections and press the OK button to start the transfer. Press OK or

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