Bacharach H-10PM User manual

Congratulations! You have just
purchased the most versatile, high
performance service leak detector
available in the industry today. It
will detect refrigerants with a sen-
sitivity to effectively pinpoint both
small and large leaks quickly and
efficiently.
We encourage your review of this
manual to assure satisfac-
tory performance and a long
service life.
Refrigerant
Leak Detector
H-10PM

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WARNING: This deviceis not to be
used in any application that is beyond its
intended purpose or beyond the scope of its
specifications. For details on appropriate
use, refer to the rest of this manual. Before
risking equipment damage or personal
injury, contact Bacharach if you are unsure
of the validity of a particular combustion
analyzer application.
How the H-10PM Works
The sensor in the H-10PM uses positive
ion emission technology, commonly known
as a heated diode. It is very sensitive to only
halon substances (refrigerants) making this
product highly resistive to false alarming,
while retaining superior sensitivity for pin-
pointing the most difficult to find refriger-
ant leaks.
A pump inside the unit draws air through
the sensor. Any presence of halogen gases
(such as refrigerants) causes an ionized
current to flow that sounds a speaker
and illuminates a neon light in the probe.
Sensitivity to pinpoint both large and small
leaks can be controlled by setting the three
position Leak Size switch.
Panel Operating Controls
Charger
Plug
Battery
Charge
Light
Calibration
Reference
Bottle
Sensor
Leak Size
Switch
Manual Balance
Control
Heater
Adjustment (turn
clockwise
to increase heat)
Power
Switch
Low Battery
Indicator
Heater Adjust
LEDs
Mode Switch
MANUAL /
AUTO

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Before you use the unit the first time . . .
1. Remove the sticky-label disc from the
cap of the Calibration Reference Bottle.
This disc can be reused to help seal the
vial when the leak detector is not in use,
or it can be discarded. DO NOT attempt
to unscrew the cap, you may damage the
bottle! It is filled with enough refrigerant
to last approximately six months.
2. With the Power switch in the OFF posi-
tion, charge the internal battery using the
furnished wall adapter. Charge time is
8–10 hours or, until the red Full Charge
LED turns green.
Adjusting the Sensitivity
Set the Leak Size switch as follows:
SMALL switch position is the highest sen-
sitivity. The unit will indicate 0.1 ounce or
greater leak rates and is used for fluorine
based gases like R134a and SF6. This posi-
tion also assures highest repeatability for
locating 0.5 ounce or greater R134a leaks
(per SAE Std. J1627 moving probe test con-
ditions). It must always be used to verify
performance and calibration when using the
Calibration Reference Bottle.
MEDIUM switch position is used for
chlorine and chlorine based gases like R12,
R22, R123, etc. and will indicate a 0.1
ounce per year or greater leak rate. This
position supports finding a 0.5 ounce or
greater leak during the moving probe test as
defined in SAE J1627. It is also useful for
locating larger R134a leaks of one ounce or
greater.
LARGE switch position is used to zero
in on large leaks of any refrigerant. If a
large leak is suspected, switch unit to its
Manual mode. Adjust the Manual Balance
control for 2-3 ticks per second and slowly

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approach the test equipment/area. Adjust
the Manual Balance control counterclock-
wise as necessary to maintain 2-3 ticks
per second. As you approach the vehicle
or equipment, the gas concentration will
increase, causing an alarm condition. Each
time an alarm occurs, readjust the Manual
Balance control. Continue this process until
the leak is located. Blowing out the test site
with shop air may enable you to locate the
leak more quickly.
NOTE: After the large leak is located and
repaired, blow out the area again with shop air,
set the unit on the small leak sensitivity and
double check equipment for small leaks.
Operating Instructions
1. Slide mode switch to AUTO position.
2. Slide power switch to ON position and
sensitivity switch to SMALL position.
3. Check Low Battery LED. If it glows red,
the battery needs charging, or you may
operate the unit from a 12VDC source, or
with optional AC Adapter of the correct
voltage and current.
4. Check for sufficient airflow by pointing
the probe tip toward the floor, covering
it with your finger, then releasing your
finger. If proper flow exists, the red ball
should noticeably rise up into the probe
when you uncover the probe tip. Note
that the actual height and final resting
position of the red ball are not important.
If the airflow ball does not rise:
- Tap the probe lightly to ensure the
ball is not sticking.
- Check the filter in the probe tip, as
described in the Maintenance
section.
If the flow is still insufficient, then the
unit should be forwarded for repair to the
nearest Authorized Service Center.

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5. Allow two minutes for the sensor to
warm up, after which the flashing probe
light and sound indicator will idle at 2-3
clicks per second.
6. Test operation by quickly touching the
top of the calibration reference bottle
(make sure sticky label is removed). The
unit should respond with a rapid flash
rate and sound verifying correct opera-
tion and optimum sensitivity for detecting
all refrigerant leaks. During product life,
if unit does not respond correctly, see
“Heater Adjustment” section.

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YOU’RE READY TO FIND THE LEAK !
(You have a choice of two modes)
Auto Mode
This mode is preferred because the unit
effectively auto zeros to block out back-
ground levels of refrigerants and changes
in background contamination. This greatly
reduces and/or eliminates false alarms
while retaining sensitivity to quickly locate
small or medium size leaks. Pinpointing
leaks in this mode requires continuous
probe movement. (We recommend 2 inches
per second as specified in SAE J1627
and J1628). If the probe is held station-
ary over the leak the unit will zero out the
leak, going into the idle 2-3 ticks/second
condition. Briefly moving the probe away
from the leak, for 1-2 seconds, permits the
unit to re-establish sensitivity. Returning
to the leak site, the unit will alarm again.
Continuing this procedure will reliably and
repeatedly pinpoint the leak with each pass
over the leak site.
If a large leak is present, the auto zero cir-
cuit may reduce sensitivity to an unaccept-
able level to find small and medium sized
leaks. If this condition exists, the manual
mode will enable you to pinpoint the large
leak. The manual mode is also an effec-
tive means to determine if a large leak of
any refrigerant exists prior to searching for
leaks (see “Adjusting the Sensitivity”).
WARNING: Personal Injury Hazard
Do not use the H-10PM in an explosive or com-
bustible atmosphere. The ambient atmosphere is
drawn through the probe and through the sensor,
which operates at approximately 1472°F (800°C).
The resulting hot mixture of air and combustible
gas could explode.

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Manual Mode
In the Manual Mode the auto-zero
circuit is disabled. The unit will not zero out
the leak if the probe is held over the leak
site. This mode may require frequent read-
justment of the Manual Balance control to
maintain the required 2-3 ticks per second
that indicates proper adjustment and calibra-
tion for all three sensitivity switch positions.
In this mode you may notice sensitivity is
slightly greater (10-20%) than the auto-zero
mode. This is normal.
Heater Adjustment
(for optimum performance and calibration)
The Calibration Reference Bottle sensor
heater circuit controls the sensitivity of the
unit. A heat setting that is too high causes
instability due to excessive sensitivity
and shortens sensor life. The LOW / OK /
HIGH LEDs in conjunction with the Heater
Adjustment and Calibration Reference Bottle
is a unique system for setting the correct
sensor heat (sensitivity) for optimum perfor-
mance and long sensor life.
The unit is pre-set for optimum initial
operation. To check the setting, slide the
mode switch to AUTO, turn ON the unit and
allow it to stabilize (approximately 2 min-
utes). When stabilized, at 2-3 clicks per sec-
ond, briefly touch the Calibration Reference
Bottle with the probe (after removing the
sticky label disc from the top of the bottle).
If adjusted properly the red LOW LED will
go out and the green OK LED will briefly
glow. This indicates the sensor’s heat/sensi-
tivity is adjusted for optimum performance.
If the red LOW LED remains on when you
briefly touch the bottle, the sensor heat is
set too low and the Heater Adjustment must
be turned slightly clockwise. Allow unit to
stabilize about one minute and retest. Repeat

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this procedure until the green OK LED
briefly glows.
If the red HIGH LED glows, the heat is set
too high and the Heater Adjustment should
be turned slightly counterclockwise. Allow
the unit to stabilize and then repeat the test.
Continue this procedure until the proper
green OK LED indication has been achieved.
NOTES:
A. After initial check for correct adjustment,
disregard the LOW / OK / HIGH LEDs. Their
indication is meaningless during subsequent leak
testing activity.
B. Check for proper heat adjustment the first time
the unit is turned on and repeat on a daily basis.
This assures the product is calibrated for the correct
sensitivity in all leak size switch positions for your
daily test activity.
C. Frequency of sensor heat adjustment is a
function of how much exposure the sensor has
to refrigerant. Adjustment may be required every
couple of weeks for heavy duty service and once
every few months for light duty
service. The sensor LED status indicators will
accurately tell you when adjustment is necessary
during the daily check.
D. Over the usable sensor life, when heater
adjustment is fully clockwise and the green OK
LED will not come on, it is time to replace the
sensor. Before plugging in a new one, turn the
Heater Adjustment fully counterclockwise then
plug in the new sensor and test and adjust as
described above to calibrate the instrument.
Application Notes
1. Start leak checking anywhere and con-
tinue in a logical progression through the
entire system to locate all leaks. If sur-
faces are particularly dirty, or wet, wipe
them off with a clean, dry cloth to reduce

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filter clogging and extend sensor life. DO
NOT allow the unit to ingest moisture.
Use of the supplied rubber probe tip helps
prevent moisture from being drawn into
the unit. Check ports for moisture before
inserting the probe.
2. After locating and repairing any leaks
requiring the use of the LARGE switch
setting, switch to the MEDIUM setting
and verify the system is free of leaks. For
HFC refrigerants only (such as R134a),
you also must verify the system is leak
free using the SMALL setting. For CFC
and HCFC systems (such as R11, R12,
R22, R123), the MEDIUM setting is suf-
ficient to verify that the system is free of
leaks that require repairing.
Caution: Equipment Damage Hazard
A. Submerging the probe in liquid will damage
the air pump.
B. Exposing the probe to a stream of pure refrig-
erant coming out of a tank will severely reduce
the life or destroy the sensor. Life of this rare-
earth sensor technology is directly proportional to
the amount of refrigerant that passes through it.
With normal intermittent service, the sensor can
last for one year or longer.
C. Exposure to high concentrations of refrigerant
may require adjustment of sensor heat. To check,
repeat the test procedure in “Heater Adjustment”
section.

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Maintenance
(replacing the filter and airflow indicator)
To protect the air pump from damage due
to foreign particles and moisture, replace
the filter as it becomes dirty. With mod-
erate use (15 to 30 minutes a day), it is
recommended that the filter be replaced
once a month. In dirty environments or
with heavy use, replace the filter more
frequently. Always replace the filter when
it is
visibly dirty or wet.
Replacing the Filter:
1. Remove the black rubber probe tip.
2. Pick out the filter with a pin or tweezers. A
fine screen will remain in the tip of the
probe.
3. Insert the new filter in the probe tip.
Make sure that the filter is firmly seated
against the fine screen.
4. Replace the rubber probe tip.
Replacing Airflow Ball Indicator:
1. Remove the clear plastic section of the
probe tip by gently pulling and twisting
the white grip.
2. Turn the probe tip upside-down and tap
on it to remove the old airflow indicator
ball.
3. Insert the new airflow indicator ball into
the tip.
4. Reattach the probe tip to the probe
assembly.
Filter
Rubber
Probe Tip
Airflow
Indicator Ball
Probe Tip