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 sensitivity 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.
For technical support call:
1-800-850-0044
Refrigerant
Leak Detector
H-10PM

2
How the H-10PM Works
The sensor in the H-10PM uses posi-
tive 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 retain-
ing superior sensitivity for pinpointing the
most difficult to find refrigerant 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 posi-
tion Leak Size switch.
Panel Operating Controls
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 dis-
carded. DO NOT attempt to unscrew
the cap, you may damage the bottle!
It is filled with enough refrigerant to
last approximately six months.
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

3
2. With the Power switch in the OFF
position, charge the internal battery
using the furnished wall adapter.
Charge time is 8–10 hours or, until
the red Full Charge LED turns green.
Note: Unit will not operate from AC power
using the furnished battery charger wall
adapter. For continuous operation on
120VAC, 220/230VAC or 240VAC, use factory
available or equivalent, optional wall adapter
with a 1.7 amp/13.5 VDC output.
Adjusting the Sensitivity
Set the Leak Size switch as follows:
SMALL switch position is the high-
est sensitivity. The unit will indicate
0.1 ounce or greater leak rates and
is used for fluorine based gases like
R134a and SF6. This position 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 approach the test equip-
ment/area. Adjust the Manual Balance
control counterclockwise as necessary
to maintain 2-3 ticks per second. As you

4
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 point-
ing the probe tip toward the floor and
observing the red airflow ball in the
probe tip. It should be floating inside
the probe tip.
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 operation and
optimum sensitivity for detecting all
refrigerant leaks. During product life,
if unit does not respond correctly, see
“Heater Adjustment” section.

5
NOW . . .
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
background 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 stationary over
the leak the unit will zero out the leak,
going into the idle 2-3 ticks/second con-
dition. Briefly moving the probe away
from the leak, for 1-2 seconds, per-
mits 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 circuit may reduce sensitivity to
an unacceptable level to find small and
medium sized leaks. If this condition
exists, the manual mode will enable you
to pinpoint the large leak.
WARNING: Personal Injury Hazard
Do not use the H-10PM in an explosive
or combustible 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.

6
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”).
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 readjustment of the Manual
Balance control to maintain the required
2-3 ticks per second that indicates
proper adjustment and calibration 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 sen-
sor heater circuit controls the sensitiv-
ity 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 conjunc-
tion 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 minutes). When stabilized, at 2-3 clicks
per second, 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

7
red LOW LED will go out and the green
OK LED will briefly glow. This indicates
the sensor’s heat/sensitivity 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 this pro-
cedure 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 counterclock-
wise. 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 neces-
sary 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 counter-
clockwise then plug in the new sensor and
test and adjust as described above to cali-
brate the instrument.

8
Application Notes
1. Start leak checking anywhere and
continue in a logical progression
through the entire system to locate all
leaks. If surfaces are particularly dirty,
or wet, wipe them off with a clean,
dry cloth to reduce 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 set-
ting 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 sufficient to verify
that the system is free of leaks that
require repairing.
Caution: Equipment Damage Hazard
A. Submerging the probe in liquid will dam-
age the air pump.
B. Exposing the probe to a stream of pure
refrigerant 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 refrig-
erant may require adjustment of sensor
heat. To check, repeat the test procedure in
“Heater Adjustment” section.

9
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 moderate use (15 to 30 min-
utes 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

10
Replacing the Sensor:
The sensor is a plug-in unit that can be
thrown away when expended. It needs
replaced when the H-10PM no longer
responds to the Calibration Reference
Bottle, even with the Heater Adjustment
turned fully clockwise (make sure the ref-
erence bottle contains some refrigerant).
1. Turn the leak detector OFF.
2. Unplug the power cord if the unit is
plugged in and open the sensor cover.
3. Allow the sensor to cool before
touching it.
4. Unplug and discard the sensor.
5. Insert a new sensor and close the
sensor cover.
6. Turn the Heater Adjustment to its full
counterclockwise position.
7. Apply power to the unit and adjust
the sensor’s heat setting (see “Heater
Adjustment” section).
Troubleshooting
Problem Responds to reference
leak in LARGE leak switch
position
Cause Heat Adjustment set too high
Solution Readjust heater (see “Heater
Adjustment” section)
Caution: Personal Injury Hazard
Sensor surface temperature may reach
390°F (200°C) during operation, and may
cause a burn if not allowed to cool.
continued on next page