Tinker & Rasor Tristar User Manual

Web: www.tinker-rasor.com E-mail: [e-mail]

QMF-570 012-286

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MODEL TRISTAR

50 Amp, GPS Current Interrupter

User Manual

Inside this Manual:

• Parts List

• Getting Started

• Introduction

• Physical Connections of the

TRiStar

• Understanding the Panel of the
TRiStar Current Interrupter

• Using the Keypad

• TRiStar Menu System

• Programming the TRiStar

o Programming
o Features
o Settings

• Watchdog

• Maintenance

• Appendix A - Troubleshooting

• Appendix A - How do I…

• Appendix B – Menu System

Parts List

DESCRIPTION QTY DESCRIPTION QTY

Interrupter 1
Connection cables (set) 1
Data Transfer cables (USB A/B) 1

Power cable, AC 1
User Manual 1
Warranty Card 1

Unpacking

The instrument is housed in a 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 TRiStar 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 TRISTAR

Important Note Regarding Rectifier Spikes

Most rectifiers experience a voltage spike when cycling On and Off 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 TRiStar, 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 TRiStar is an advanced current interrupting instrument and includes many of the new
features found on the Model Quasar 100 Amp GPS Current Interrupter.

Main Features:

• 6,000 Watt interrupter (50 amps @ 120 volts, 25 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

• 4 line LCD allows more information per screen

• Garmin® GPS technology

• Movable GPS antenna

Physical Connections of the TRiStar Current Interrupter

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

Interrupt Connection Cables

The connection cable set included with the TRiStar is Black in color and has a locking connector
that fits into the outside of the instrument case (Right hand side). The locking connector is Black
with a Silver tab. The connector has a index that allows the connector to only insert into the
case at one point. The user may have to rotate the connector on the cables to find this index
point. Push the connector fully into the case connector and pull back to ensure the cables are
locked into the case. Depress the Silver tab to release the connector from the case.

When making the connections with the TRiStar there is no need to observe polarity. There is no
plus (+) or minus (-) issues when using the connection cables on a rectifier.

AC Power Cable
The Model TRiStar 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. For North American customers, the AC power cable included with the
Model TRiStar is designed for use on 120v AC sources. Outside of North American and for
areas where 240v AC is more common, Tinker & Rasor will include a suitable AC power cord for
your region. If a suitable AC power cord was not included with your TriStar, one will need to be
obtained, either from Tinker & Rasor or locally. The AC plug accepts standard PC computer

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MODEL TRISTAR

type power cables, and this additional power cord should be easy to find in most areas of the
world.

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

Data Transfer Cables
The Model TRiStar can synchronize its programming with other TRiStar and Quasar instruments

so that each instrument does not need to be programmed individually which can take time and
allow for errors.

The Data Transfer cables are standard A to B USB cables, 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 replacments throughout the world.

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

The TRiStar Data Transfer can be made by connecting the instruments in a “daisy-chain”
arrangement. The first TRiStar 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 TRiStar uses a GPS antenna which is magnetically mounted to the main panel. This

antenna has an 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. The antenna wire may be wound up and
stored in the cable storage area of the case when the antenna is attached to the main panel.

Understanding the Panel of the TRiStar Current Interrupter

The Model TRiStar panel features are shown below. The instrument is 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
turn 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 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 Left edge 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.

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MODEL TRISTAR

Cable Storage

GPS Antenna
(Movable)

16 Button Keypad

4 Line, 20 Character
LCD display

GPS Lock
Condition

Power On/Off
Circuit Closed LEDs

Data Transfer
In / Out

GPS Lock Condition
The GPS lock condition of the TRiStar 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.

Using the 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 TRiStar 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, TRiStar Menu
System.

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MODEL TRISTAR

Programming the TRiStar

The TRiStar 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:

01/01/14 for January 1, 2014.
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
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)