Transtech PQI 301 Operator's Handbook Manual
Pavement Quality Indicator
Model 301
2.0 Controls and Components
4
4
3
7.0 Warranty
FAQ’s
TransTech’s third generation Pavement Quality Indicator™ (PQI)
utilizes state
primary features are:
moisture.
The density of asphalt pavement is directly proportional to the
measured
uses electrical waves to measure dielectric constant using an innovative, toroidal
PQI convert the field signals into material density readings and displays the
results. Once calibrated direct density readings can be consistently obtained.
This handbook is intended to be both a training manual and a
reference source
for the operation, care and maintenance of the TransTech Pavement Quality
Indicator. You must read through the entire manual completely to familiarize
yourself with the unit’s features, controls and operating modes before starting to
take readings and analyze data.
The PQI is intended primarily for use on newly-laid asphalt
pavements with lift
thickness ranging from 1 inch to 6 inches. Once calibrated the PQI will provide
reliable and consistent density measurements.
Every effort has been made to make the Pavement Quality Indicator
to use and inherently safe. The PQI uses no nuclear elements, and is instead
based on a safe, low-voltage direct current electrical measurement techniques.
Like any instrument, however, the user should exercise care and common sense
in its use to prevent mishaps.
Warning- Do not use the unit on or near exposed electrical wiring. A shock
hazard potential exists if contact is made with the exposed wiring.
Warning-
Use care in handling the unit. Personal injury can occur through
improper handling. Take proper precautions to prevent accidental dropping of
the unit.
Caution- Turn the unit off when not in use and during transport.
Caution- Unauthorized disassembly of the unit will void the warranty.
2.1 External Controls and Components
Prior to learning how to operate the PQI, we recommend that you
familiarize
yourself with the PQI unit’s operating controls and components. Illustrations and
listing of the main components and their basic functions are shown below.
Display
3
2.2 Receipt
The PQI shipment package includes the items listed below. Report
12 VDC - Fast Charge
2.3 Charging The Battery
Important- Before using the unit for the first time the internal battery must be
fully charged. Follow the unpacking and setup instructions below.
The third generation PQI unit is powered by nickel metal hydride
batteries
which weigh less and are smaller than equivalent lead-acid cells. The new
microprocessor controlled battery charger will usually charge the PQI unit
in a couple of hours. For first use and after a fully discharged battery pack a
minimum of 5 hours should be allowed
for charging.
Under normal operation, the PQI unit can operate in excess of 13 hours
Warning- Attempting to recharge the unit in any other way than with the
recharger
supplied with the unit can result in damage to the unit and can present
a safety hazard. Use of any charging means other than the recharger supplied
with the unit will void the unit’s warranty.
The figure below shows the battery charger supplied with the PQI.
PQI unit.
4. When charging is complete, unplug the charger from the power source
first then from the connector on the PQI unit.
Battery Voltage is displayed on the Continuous Reading Mode Screen. A fully
charged battery will read approximately 12.9-13 volts. The battery voltage will
go down as the PQI is used. At 11.5 volts, it is time to get the PQI re-charged.
When the PQI voltage gets to 11.0 volts, the PQI will display a “low battery
warning” and will not take any further readings. It is important to re-charge the
battery after each use.
3.1 General Operation Overview
The Pavement Quality Indicator is designed to be an extremely flexible
unit,
with several useful modes of operation. Each mode of operation is accessed
through the keypad controls. The number, letter and arrow keys have several
functions. The immediate function is shown by the text in the display panel.
The display can show four lines of text at a time called a page. The display tells
the operator what the PQI unit is ready to do or indicates that a reading is being
taken or that more key setting information is needed from the operator. Pressing
TransTech Systems
PQI V3.3ae1
Initializing………
Figure 3.1 first or “bootup” screen display.
Figure 3.2 Keypad
A summary of the keypad codes used to set date and time, change measurement
modes, enter values for the Maximum Theoretical Density (MTD) value and
following sections of this handbook.
Function
The number keys have different
upon the menudisplay.
Mode/↑
Used as to switch among the four
measurement
modes or to scroll in the up direction.
Diag/↓
Used to display the DIAGNOSTICS
in the down direction.
Menu/←
This key brings the unit back to the
MAIN MENU.
Works as a back space key when it’s necessary to
Enter
The ENTER key functions like a return key
in that
it tells the PQI unit to accept information or to take
Used to enter calibration mode when in one
measurement modes.
Works as a decimal point when entering
values.
3.2 Starting and Self Test
Important
Before using the unit for the first time the internal battery must be fully charged.
Follow the setup instructions in Section 2.2 above.
3.2.1 Starting the PQI unit for the first time.
A.
Turn the PQI on by flipping the POWER switch. After a few seconds
the
display will show the TransTech boot up screen. After the boot up screen
clears the PQI will display the SELECT PAVEMENT TYPE screen. From the
main menu option #2 also allows changing of this setting. The selection of a
“Pavement Type” / stone size in the mix which the PQI is going to be used on
is required as part of the initial calibration of the unit.
B.
The PQI will prompt the user for the correct unit of measurement
inches or mm. The PQI 301 asks the user to input the depth of the pavement
being laid out by the paver.
Lift Thickness
Enter Units
Lift Thickness
Enter Thickness ( in or mm)
Press the number 1 to show the first page of the MAIN MENU (also called
setup menu). Press 2 to return to an operating mode if setup was performed
earlier in the day.
ENT) Exit (Scroll)
D.
Press the Down arrow to show the second MAIN MENU page.
4) Data Log
ENT) Exit (Scroll)
E.
Press ENT) Exit or (Scroll) Press the Down arrow to return the display to the
first page of the MAIN MENU as above.
3.3 Setting the Date and Time
The following steps check the date and time of the clock inside the PQI.
At the
first screen of the MAIN MENU, pressing the 1 key enters the Date and Time
mode.
ENT) Exit
3.3.1 Setting the Date
A. Pressing the 1 key prepares the PQI for setting the month, day and
year. The
first line of the display indicates the date presently stored in the PQI. If this date
MENU.
Enter Date
MM/DD/YYYY
XX/XX/XXXX
ENT) OK “.” ) Cancel
The MM is the first portion of a two digit month representing the 12 months of
the year. For example 01 is January.
The DD is the second portion of a two digit day indication with a value from 01
to 31.
The YYYY is the third portion of the date representing a four digit year.
For
B.
Notice the flashing cursor beneath the MM letters. Using number keys
enter the value for the current month, 01, 02, etc. At this time using the
(backspace) key will move the cursor between the two MM spaces so
that the month value can be changed.
See that the underline cursor has moved to the DD position. Using
number keys enter a two digit value for the current day of the month,
01, 02, etc. Using the ← (backspace) key will move the cursor between
the two DD spaces so that the day value can be changed if a mistake is
made.
D.
The underline cursor has moved to the YYYY position. Using number
keys, enter a four digit value for the year. Using the ← (backspace) key
will move the cursor between the four spaces so that the year value can
be changed if a mistake is made. Pressing the ENT key sets the new
date. Pressing the “.” key cancels and returns the PQI to the change
date or the time screen without making any changes to the current
date.
Option #3 “Date Format” allows the date format to be changed from
M/D/Y to D/M/Y.
3.3.2 Setting the Time
A. From the Main Menu press the 1 key. Press the 2 key and the PQI is
ready
to have the time set. The HH is the hour portion of the time in a 24 hour format
Enter Time
HH:MM:SS
XX:XX:XX
ENT) OK “.” ) Cancel
The MM is the minute portion of the time display with a range of 00 to 59
minutes.
The SS is the seconds portion of the time also with a range of 00 to 59 seconds.
B.
See that the underline cursor is under one of the HH letters. Use number
keys to enter the new hour of the day. Using the ← (backspace) key will move
the cursor between the four spaces so that the year value can be changed if a
mistake is made.
The underline cursor has moved to the MM letters. Use the number keys
to enter a new minute value. Using the ← (backspace) key will move the cursor
between the two paces so that the minute value can be changed if a mistake is
made.
D.
The underline cursor has moved to the SS letters. Use the number keys to
enter the new seconds values. Using the ← (backspace) key will move the
cursor between the two spaces so that the seconds value can be changed if a
mistake is made.
E.
Pressing ENTER sets the new time. Pressing the “.” key cancels and returns
the PQI to the change date or time screen without making any changes to the
current time. Pressing Enter returns the PQI to the Main Menu Screen
ENT) Exit (Scroll)
3.4 Setting the Mix Information
A. From the MAIN MENU press the 2 key.
ENT) Exit
3.4.1 Setting the MTD value
The Maximum Theoretical Density (MTD) value is provided from the asphalt
mix designer.
A.
Pressing the 1 key prepares the PQI unit to accept or change the current MTD
value.
B.
Pressing the 1 key will return the display to the Mix Information MENU
without any change to the stored MTD value. Pressing the 2 key changes the
display to the Set MTD menu.
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