TrakPower Temperature Gauge with Stopwatch User Manual

™

Infrared Temperature
Gauge with Stopwatch

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

The TrakPower ITG (Infared Temperature Gauge) is a non-contact infrared temperature gauge with a built-in stopwatch
specifi cally designed for use with R/C engines, batteries, and motors. Simply aim the ITG at the target and press the
MEASURE button to quickly and easily display the surface temperature. The distance to target ratio is 1:1. Therefore, the
temperature gauge should be positioned as close to the target as possible.

Special Features

● Large, easy-to-read backlit LCD screen

● Built-in stopwatch feature to check lap times

● Soft rubber grips

● Battery level indicator

● Reads temperatures in Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C)

● Adjustable Emissivity

● Easy push-button control for setup and measurement

● Auto power-off feature to extend battery life

● Protective belt pouch for easy access and portability

● Compact and lightweight

Important Precautions

● Electromagnetic/Radio Frequency Interference (EMC/
RFI): Readings may be affected if the unit is operated
within a radio frequency electromagnetic fi eld strength of
approximately 3 volts per meter, but the performance of the
instrument will not be permanently affected. Care should
be taken to keep the ITG at least 6 inches away from R/C
transmitters to avoid radio frequency interference.

● Avoid setting the ITG in direct sunlight which can cause
overheating and erratic temperature readings. Keeping your
ITG in its protective pouch or a pocket will help protect it
from overheating.

● Avoid keeping the ITG too close to objects that continuously
generate high heat (like a hot plate) for long periods of time,
which can cause overheating of the ITG.

● Do not allow water or moisture to come in contact with
the ITG.

● Replace battery ONLY with a CR2032 lithium non­rechargeable battery.

The ITG Advantage

Nitro engines should last a long time if they are well maintained.

To assist with extending the life of your engine as well as getting

it to perform its best, TrakPower suggests using the ITG to
monitor engine temperatures. With the ITG, you can measure

engine temperatures quickly and easily to ensure you don’t

cause permanent damage to your engine by allowing it to
overheat. In addition, the ITG can assist with the fi ne tuning
of your engine by helping to fi nd the proper temperature
before you start any needle adjustments. Adjusting the needle
settings properly can only be done on an engine that is running

Specifi cations

● Temperature Reading Range: –27° to + 428°F (–33° to
+ 220°C)

● Infrared Accuracy: 4°F (2°C) or +/– 2% of reading,

whichever is greater

● Ambient Temperature Operating Range: +14° to +122°F

(–10° to + 50°C)

● Adjustable Emissivity: 0.05 to 1.00 (1.00 default)

● Display Resolution: 0.1° F or C

● Response Time: 1 Second

● Field of View: 1:1 optics ratio

● Battery Life: 960 (15 sec) readings or 1 hour continuous

● Battery Type: CR2032 Lithium (3V)

● Dimensions: 3.4 × 1.9 × 0.9 inches (85 × 48 × 23 mm)

● Weight: 1.53 oz (43.6 g)

at normal operating temperature. The ITG is also great for
checking lap times with the built-in stopwatch to see if the
adjustments you have made on your engine are paying off

with faster lap times.

Note: Most two-stroke engines run properly between

200ºF and 270ºF. However, you should consult your engine
manufacturer for the appropriate temperature range for your
specifi c engine.

Warning: Avoid setting the ITG in direct sunlight which can

cause the ITG to overheat and give erratic temperature

readings. Your ITG should always be stored in its protective

pouch. After the unit has been removed from direct sunlight
and allowed to cool, all functions will return to normal.

Taking Temperature Measurements

Point the ITG at the glow plug by inserting the sensor into

the engine head cavity as far as possible as shown on
page 2. It is best NOT to allow the ITG case to actually
touch the engine head, as this could adversely affect the
accuracy of the temperature readings.

Press and release the MEASURE button to turn on the ITG

and immediately begin measuring temperatures. If you press
and hold down the MEASURE button, the temperature reading

will continuously update until the button is released.

Note: As shown in the diagram on the following page, the

small digits at the top of the screen update the MAXIMUM
temperature the ITG reads while the MEASURE button is
being pressed. The big digits at the bottom of the screen
show the current temperature reading.

Helpful Hint:

temperature readings, always insert the sensor into the engine
head cavity 3mm to 8mm, making sure not to allow the ITG
case to come into contact with the head. Aim the ITG directly
at the tip of the glow plug, because this is the hottest area of
the engine, and then press and hold the MEASURE button
for three to fi ve seconds.

Last

Reading

As shown in the diagram, for the most accurate

Maximum

Reading

Do Not

Allow ITG

to Contact

the Engine

Head

Minutes Seconds

Stopwatch
Icon

Hundredths
of Seconds

This screen shows

3 and 36 one-hundredth seconds.

This changes when the stopwatch reaches 30 minutes at

which time the small digits at the top show hours and minutes,

and the large digits at the bottom of the screen show seconds
and 1/10 of a second.

This screen shows

47 minutes, 36 and 8 tenths seconds.

Insert

Sensor

3mm to

8mm

Stopwatch

1. Press the MEASURE button to turn on the ITG.

2. Press the MODE button once and the stopwatch icon
will start to fl ash.

3. Press the MEASURE button to start the stopwatch
counting up from 0:00:00.

4. Press the MEASURE button to pause the stopwatch.

5. Press the MEASURE button to re-start the stopwatch
from where it was paused.

6. Pressing the MODE button will reset the timer to 00:00
whether the stopwatch is running or paused.

7. Pressing the MODE button while the stopwatch is paused
will return you to the main (thermometer) screen.

Notes:

● Backlight does not illuminate while in stopwatch mode, to

extend battery life.

● Stopwatch will run continuously if it is not stopped manually.

● Minutes and whole seconds are displayed in small digits

at the top of the screen. Fractions (1/100) of a second are
displayed in large digits at the bottom of the screen.

Temperature Scale & Emissivity

Press MEASURE button to turn on unit.

Temperature Scale - °F or °C

Press the MODE button twice. The °F icon will fl ash. Press

the MEASURE button once to change the setting. The setting

will change from °F to °C or °C to °F and immediately return

to the main screen. This setting will be retained for future use
until changed manually.

Emissivity

The emissivity can be adjusted to allow the ITG to be used for

a variety of other uses other than taking temperature readings
of nitro engines. The emissivity must be set correctly for the
material being measured or the temperature reading may
not be accurate.

A search of the internet will show many links for ‘emissivity

tables’. Keep in mind these tables are for different types of
materials in general, and are not geared directly for R/C
products. In most cases, only minor adjustments to the

emissivity setting might be needed for different types of engine

heads. If unsure what emissivity setting to use, the default
setting of 1.00 (100E) typically provides the most accurate
temperature reading for nitro engines when used as shown in
the illustration at left. The emissivity of the temperature gauge
can be changed from 0.05 (5E) to 1.00 (100E). To change
the emissivity setting, press the MODE button 3 times. Then
press the MEASURE button once to advance the setting
one at a time. Holding down the MEASURE button will scroll
through the entire range of settings. Once the unit reaches

100E, it will start over at 5E and go through the entire range

again. Once the desired emissivity setting is reached, press
the MODE button once to lock in the setting and immediately

return you to the main screen. This setting will be retained for

future use or until it is changed manually.

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