Alpha Dickson KT8P0 User manual

Phone: [phone] or 1-630-543-3747 | Fax: [phone] | Email: [e-mail] | Website:DicksonDate.com
KT8P0, KT8P2, KT8P3
8” (203mm) Temperature Chart Recorder
Quick Start
1. Remove the protective pen caps.
2. Connect Probes: Make sure the KTC probe is connected firmly to the Replaceable Sensor and that the Replaceable
Sensor is plugged in firmly to the chart recorder.
3. Insert batteries and if applicable.
• KT8P0: Four (4) AA batteries required
• KT8P2/3: Four (4) AA batteries as back-up power only. The unit will power on.
4. The instrument will move pen(s) to the appropriate readings.
5. Install the chart that matches the Dip Switch settings you have selected.
a. Press the PEN HOME key to move the pens to the outside of the chart. The pen is automatically raised off the chart.
b. Remove the old chart, place the new chart on the Chart Hub being certain that the edge of the chart slides under the
Chart Guide Clip located at the outside of the chart.
6. Set the appropriate time. There are two ways to adjust the chart and set the appropriate time:
a. Set the chart time manually by inserting a coin into the groove in the chart hub and turning clockwise until the correct
hour (and day if applicable) on the chart is referenced to the timing arrow (just to the right of the pen tip on the dial). Press
Pen Home to move the pen(s) back onto the chart.
The following feature should be used for fine adjustments only:
b. To adjust the chart time, press and hold Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down buttons located on the back of the unit next to the
dip switch.
The green LED will blink rapidly for about five seconds, then the LED will remain solid green. While in this state the
Adjust-Up button will move the chart backward (counter clockwise) and the Adjust-Down button will move the chart forward
(clockwise).
Rotate the chart until the correct hour (and day if applicable) on the chart is referenced to the timing arrow. Once you
have set your chart, press the Pen Home button to exit Chart Adjust Mode. The unit will take one minute to exit the Chart
Adjust Mode once Pen Home is pressed. Press Pen Home to move the pen(s) back onto the chart.
7. Place the KT8 recorder on a flat vibration-free surface. Be sure it is in a vertical position and level. For best performance
and longevity, the location should be a clean environment, free from dust and corrosive fumes. Do not exceed temperature
specifications. Wall Mount: Keyhole slots are provided on the KT8 recorder for wall mounting.

Button Operations
On/Off
The On/Off button turns the unit on and off.
Pen Home (Down Arrow)
If the pens are located on the outside edge of the chart, press the PEN HOME to move pen(s) to recording position. If the
pen(s) are located on the chart, press the PEN HOME key to move the pen(s) to the outside edge of the chart.
Alarm (Optional)
Pen1: Red Pen
1. To set the alarm, make sure the unit is on and press and hold the Alarm button. The LED will blink red rapidly for about
five seconds, then the LED will turn solid green. Release the Alarm button and the LED will turn solid red. At this point
the display will show "on" or "off." Pressing either the Adjust-Up or Adjust-Down buttons, located on the back of the unit
next to the dip switch, will toggle the alarm on or off.
2. Pressing Pen Home will scroll to the next alarm options:
a. Alarm "on" or "off"
b. Pen 1 alarm minimum
c. Pen 1 alarm maximum
3. In order to set pen alarm minimums and maximums, pressing Adjust-up will increase the alarm value, and pressing
Adjust-Down will decrease the alarm value. The numbers will scroll faster if you hold the Adjust-up button.
Repetitively pressing the Pen Home button will scroll through the five options until the alarm button is pressed to exit from
alarm adjust. Each press of the Pen Home or Alarm button will store the new settings. The unit will take one minute to
exit Alarm Set Mode once the Alarm button is pressed.
4. If the alarm is triggered, the LED will show as solid red and the alarm will sound. Press the Alarm button to silence the
audible alarm.
KT8P3
KT8P0/2
Power
LED
Power
LED
Alarm
On/Off
Pen
Home
On/Off
Pen
Home
Adjust Buttons
Dip Switches
Relay Contacts
(KT856)
Battery
Compartment
AC
Adapter
Jack
Channel 1 Channel 2

Alarm Relays
The SPST 24V 500mA relay contacts are normally open and will close on alarm conditions when the alarms are enabled.
Relay contacts are always functional when the alarm is enabled. The relay will close only during minimum and maximum
alarm conditions. Relays will not operate under battery only power conditions. Two pen models have 2 sets of relay contacts
which operate independently. Relays will not operate under battery-only conditions.
Dip Switch Set-Up
To set-up the KT8 recorder for your specific application, you might need to change some of the Dip Switches. The Dip
Switches are located on the back of the unit. Use a pen or small screw driver to flip the switches. Remember to install the
correct chart to match the corresponding Dip Switch setting.
Display Symbols
Slide toggle down for “off” position
Dip Switch
7 & 8 are
not active on
this recorder
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Slide toggle up for “on” position
CH1 = Pins 1, 2, 3
• Pins 1 and 2 make contact when CH1 is in Alarm
• Pins 1 and 3 make contact when CH1 is not in Alarm
CH2 = Pins 4, 5, 6
• Pins 4 and 5 make contact when CH2 is in Alarm
• Pins 4 and 6 make contact when CH2 is not in Alarm
1
2
3
4
5
6
Top
Relays:
1-6
Low Battery
Indicator
Alarm
Enabled
Thermocouple Type
Current Reading
or
Flashing “ALRN”
when in Alarm
Condition
For setting
Alarms only

Recording Time
All the KT8 recorders feature user selectable recording times. Note that the KT8P0 does not feature a 31 day recording time.
You can record in °F or °C with the KT8 by using dip switch #3.
Note: Remember to install the correct chart to match corresponding switch setting.
Temperature Ranges
Power
The KT8 operates on AC power with an optional four (4) AA battery backup. Depending on chart rotation selected and model;
battery backup will last.
KT8P0:
At 70°F
24 Hour Chart Rotation = 1 Month
7 Day Chart Rotation = 6 Months
At 32°F
24 Hour Chart Rotation = 3 Weeks
7 Day Chart Rotation = 4 Months
Note: Unit should not be placed in an environment
below 32°F
KT8P2/3:
24 Hour Chart Rotation = 1 Day Backup
7 Day Chart Rotation = 2 Day Backup
31 Day Chart Rotation = 1 Week Backup
Note: Alarm and relays will not operate under battery
only power

LED Indicators
• AC Power with Battery Backup - Solid Green
• AC Power with Low Battery or No Battery – Solid Red
• Battery Only - Blinks Green
• Battery Only (Low Battery) – Blinks Red
Note: KT8P0 operates on battery only and will blink on time every minute to conserve battery life.
User Calibration
Your instrument was carefully tested and calibrated before being shipped from the factory. Only the Replaceable Sensor is
calibrated. The sensor, and all calibration defaults and adjustments are stored on the Replaceable Sensor. Accuracy is strictly
controlled by the sensor –no adjustments are made by the Instrument. Readings are sent from the Replaceable Sensor to the
Instrument for storage purposes only. Certificates of Calibration / NISTs are only supplied for the Replaceable Sensor for this
reason. When a Replaceable Sensor is due for recalibration the existing Replaceable Sensor can be replaced with a new
Replaceable Sensor thus eliminating the need to return the entire instrument for recalibration. Replaceable Sensors can be
returned for recalibration as well. For greatest accuracy, we recommend replacing the sensor every 6-12 months. For re-
calibration, call customer service at [phone]. If you wish to do calibration yourself, follow these procedures:
1. To activate calibration mode, turn the unit on and press and hold both the On/Off button and the Adjust-Down button
(making sure to press the Adjust-Down button first so the unit will not turn off). The led will blink in amber rapidly for about
five seconds, and turn solid green. Release the On/Off button and the Adjust-Down button, the led will then blink amber
at which point only the pen being adjusted will show on the display.
2. To raise the unit of measurement, press the Adjust-Up button. To lower the unit of measurement, press the Adjust-
Down button. Pen home switches between the red and blue pens on a two pen unit and stores the current adjustment
value.
3. When calibration is complete, press the On/Off button. Calibration is stored in memory even after you turn the unit off.
User calibration information will not be lost if AC power fails.
Note: After two hours, if no buttons are pressed, the unit will time out of user calibration and resume normal operation. The
user calibration is stored separately from the factory calibration. If you wish to cancel out your user calibration, simply enter
calibration mode and toggle through the steps without adjusting displayed readings. Exit by pressing the On/Off button.
You have now restored factory calibration.
It is recommended that you use a controlled chamber when calibrating temperature and humidity. Calibrating in
an open room is not recommended as humidity can vary greatly within a very small area.
Need to Know
Pen adjust may be needed if the pen(s) and display do not match. While the unit is on, press and hold both the Pen Home
button and the On/Off button (making sure to press the Pen Home button first so the unit will not turn off). The led will blink
rapidly between amber and green for about five seconds. The LED will then turn green. Release the Pen Home and On/Off
buttons. The LED will flash amber and green for one second and the LED will turn off.
One-Pen Models:
The red pen will move to the outer edge of the chart and is ready to be adjusted. Use the Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down
buttons to move the pen to the maximum temperature line on the chart. Once the pen is set, the Pen Home button will move
the pen to reaffirm the new pen position. Press the On/Off button to exit Pen Home Adjust.
Two-Pen Models:
Both pens will move to the outer edge of the chart, and then the shorter red pen will move to the current position. Use the
Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down buttons to move the pen to the maximum temperature line on the chart. Once the shorter red
pen is set, the Pen Home button will move the shorter red pen to the outer edge of the chart and the longer blue pen will move

to its current position. The Adjust-Up and Adjust-Down buttons will adjust the longer blue pen position. Once the pen is set,
the Pen Home button will move the longer blue pen to the outer edge of the chart and the shorter red pen will move to its new
position. Each time pen home is pressed the two pens will switch positions (moving the most recently adjusted position) until
the On/Off button is pressed to exit pen adjust mode.
The blue pen has a longer pen arm the red pen has a shorter arm. The pens are offset to allow the red pen to glide under the
blue pen. The blue pen indicates the correct time and the red pen precedes it by 3/16 of an inch.
Note: Pressing the On/Off button will exit the adjustment and return the unit to normal operation. Each time the Pen
Home or On/Off button is pressed, the adjustment currently in progress will be stored. The unit will take one minute to exit Pen
Adjust Mode once the On/Off button is pressed.
Warranty
Dickson warrants that the products it sells will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service
for a period of twelve months after delivery. In the event of a claim under this warranty, the product or part must be returned to
the factory for repair or replacement (shipping pre-paid) with a Return Authorization Number (see Return Information above). It
will be repaired at Dickson’s option without charge. This warranty DOES NOT cover routine calibration, pen, chart and battery
replacement. The foregoing warranty and remedy are exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties either expressed or implied.
Dickson shall not be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from failure or malfunction of its products. Dickson
makes no warranty for products not manufactured by it or for any products modified by buyer, or subject to misuse or neglect.
Factory Service & Returns
Contact the factory (630-543-3747) for a Return Authorization (RA) Number before returning any instrument. The model
number, serial number and a purchase order number will be requested before an RA number is issued. Carefully repack the
instrument, label the outside of the box with the RA# and return the instrument (freight pre-paid) to Dickson.
All instruments that do not have the RA# clearly marked on the outside of the box will be refused.
When returning instruments for credit, please include all accessories in shipment. Calibration/Freight charges are non-
refundable.
NOTE: Dickson shall not be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from failure or malfunction of its products
Replacement Sensor Certificate of Validation
Dickson ensures that the Replaceable Sensors / Instruments listed below were developed, tested and validated together.
Replaceable Sensor / Instrument:
KT8P0/KT8P2/KT8P3
Operation
The Instruments and Replaceable Sensor models listed above were specifically designed to work together. No other sensors
will work with the Instrument models listed. No other Instrument will work with the Replaceable Sensors listed. The
Replaceable Sensor must be connected to the Instrument for the Instrument to operate properly.
Customer Satisfaction
Dickson takes pride in providing you, the customer, with the highest quality instrumentation. We welcome the opportunity to
help you in any way possible. Whether it be a question or a new idea in documentation,
the Dickson Company would like to hear your response. Please call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-323-2448 or
[phone] (in Illinois).
Software Return Policy
IMPORTANT - Read your Software License Agreement carefully before installing software. Dickson will accept returns for
replacement of defective disks and CDs only.