C. Crane CC Solar Observer User manual

PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS
COMPLETELY BEFORE USE AND SAVE THIS MANUAL
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CC Solar Observer Page 3
CAUTION:
• Before turning the unit on, set your volume control to a low setting.
• Slowly increase the sound until you can hear it comfortably and clearly without
distortion.
• Long-term exposure to loud sounds may cause hearing damage. It is best to
avoid high volume levels when using headphones/earbuds, especially for
extended periods.
For your future reference:
Serial No. (Found inside battery compartment): __________________________
Date of purchase / Name & address of dealer: ___________________________
________________________________________________________________
Unpacking
The box should contain the CC Solar Observer radio, a Radio-to-USB cell
phone adapter, and this manual. If anything is missing or damaged please
contact C. Crane immediately. We recommend you keep the box in the unlikely
event your radio needs to be serviced.
Owners Record

Page 4 CC Solar Observer
PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THE RADIO
• The internal battery pack will need to be fully charged and fully depleted
three consecutive times to build maximum battery life.
• If you plan to use the optional AC adapter for more than 12 hours,
disconnect the internal battery pack to avoid overcharging it.
• If you need to use the phone charger port, do not connect the AC adapter
at the same time to avoid damage to the AC adapter or cause phone
battery discharge.
• We recommend the internal battery pack to be fully depleted
and fully recharged every 6 months if the radio has not been
used. This will help maintain optimal battery life.
• .Keep these precautions and instructions where all who will use this radio
will read them.
Please read IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS on Page 4 before use.
It is important to read and understand all instructions.
product to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the radio
personnel.
THE LIGHTNING FLASH AND ARROWHEAD WITHIN THE
TRIANGLE IS A WARNING SIGN ALERTING YOU OF
“DANGEROUS VOLTAGE” INSIDE THE RADIO.
THE EXCLAMATION POINT WITHIN THE TRIANGLE IS A
WARNING SIGN ALERTING YOU OF IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
ACCOMPANYING THIS RADIO.
Introduction/Safety Instructions

CC Solar Observer Page 5
Introduction/Safety Instructions
READ BEFORE OPERATING EQUIPMENT
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
To prevent damage to your radio or possible injury to you or others, read these
safety precautions and instructions entirely before applying power to the radio.
Keep these precautions/instructions where all who use this radio will read them.
1) COMMON CARE
Check the radio and any accessories regularly. Do not use the radio if there
is any sign of damage. Only operate in accordance with the instructions in this
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Note: If the radio is unused for more than 6 months, we recommend winding
the crank for at least 30 seconds to keep the battery healthy. Thereafter we
recommend charging the battery fully before returning to storage.
2) DISCONNECT THE RADIO IN CASE OF MALFUNCTION
If you smell or notice smoke, disconnect the optional AC Adapter immediately,
taking care to avoid burns. Please contact C. Crane for inspection and service
before any future operation. Only use the AC-DC Adapter recommended with
the unit and replace it if any wires become frayed or exposed. It should have an
output of 5 Volts 300mA DC. Use only the recommended adapter. Otherwise it
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3) KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Dropping the radio can cause damage or injury. Keep the AC Adapter cord in
a position so someone cannot trip and cause the radio to fall.
4) KEEP AWAY FROM WATER AND MOISTURE
Keep the radio dry. Liquids and moisture can damage the radio. If a liquid
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5) KEEP AWAY FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES
Extreme temperatures can damage the radio. Do not leave or use the radio
where it can be subjected to high temperatures such as the inside of a car.
Caution: 6RPHZLQGRZVPD\LQWHQVLI\WKHVXQ¶VHႇHFWRQ\RXUUDGLRFDXVLQJ
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6) DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE RADIO
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appear to operate normally, exhibits a change in performance or the radio has
received damage. Never open the radio as this may expose you to dangerous
voltages and this will void all warranties.
7) OUTSIDE ANTENNAS OR CABLES
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Page 6 CC Solar Observer
Table of Contents
Owners Record/Unpacking..................................................
Introduction/Safety Instructions...........................................
Location of Controls - Front of Radio...................................
Location of Controls - Left Side and Top of Radio...............
Getting Started
Display Panel.................................................................
Powering Your Radio......................................................
Inserting the Batteries....................................................
Radio Operation
Tuning.............................................................................
Display Light...................................................................
Flashlight........................................................................
Listening with Earphones...............................................
Phone Charger Jack.......................................................
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7URXEOHVKRRWLQJ*XLGH.....................................................
Personal Station Log............................................................
3
4
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
11
11
12
13
14

CC Solar Observer Page 7
Display Panel
Tuning Dial
Dynamo Crank
Band Switch
Power Selection Switch
Volume Control
Weather Dial
Speaker
Location of Controls - Front of Radio

Page 8 CC Solar Observer
Location of Controls - Left Side and Top of Radio
LED Light
Headphone Jack
Phone Charging Jack
Battery Pack Charging Jack
Fold Out Solar Panel
Telescopic Antenna Display Light and
Flashlight Switch

CC Solar Observer Page 9
Getting Started - Display Panel
AM Frequencies
FM Frequencies
Dynamo Indicator Light
Power Indicator Light
Note: Before powering your radio, be sure to read the Safety Instructions on
Page 4.
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3RZHU8VLQJWKH6RODU3DQHOPlace the solar panel in direct sunlight. It is best
to angle the solar panel so that it is pointed directly at the sun. The solar panel is
hinged to allow for better positioning. Do not charge the radio in a hot area like
a car. To charge the internal battery pack with the solar panel, it is best to leave
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of playtime at medium volume, depending on the sun intensity. Set the “Power
Switch” to “Dynamo” to play.
Power by Winding - Unfold the Dynamo Crank (labeled ‘Power Generator’) from
the side of the radio and rotate in either direction. The green “DYNAMO” light on
the front of the radio will glow indicating proper winding speed. After 90 seconds
of winding the radio will play for about 15 to 25 minutes. This varies depending
on the winding speed, volume level and band selection.
Power using “AA” Batteries - When using “AA” alkaline batteries the radio
should play at normal volume for about 60 hours. When using nickel metal
hydride rechargeable “AA” batteries, about 55 hours of play can be expected.
This radio will not charge user-installed batteries. Note: Do not use Lithium type
batteries.

Page 10 CC Solar Observer
Getting Started - Powering Your Radio
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1. Position the radio face down on a soft surface to protect it.
2. Gently press and slide the battery compartment cover towards you. It will slide
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3. Insert the 3 “AA” batteries into the compartment, as indicated in the picture
below. Be sure the negative (-) end is against the spring. Refer to the picture
below to ensure correct installation of your batteries.
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the front of the radio, slide the “Power Switch” to “Battery” to turn the radio on.
Fold out
Solar Panel.
Install 3 “AA”
batteries as
shown here.
Internal
Battery Pack.
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CHARGING JACK” on the side of the radio. The green “DYNAMO” light will glow.
To fully charge the battery pack, plug the charging adapter in. We recommend
keeping it plugged in for no more than 12 hours.
Note: The AC charging adapter should only be used to charge the battery pack
and should not be used to power the radio on a constant basis. Leaving the
charging adapter plugged into the radio for long periods of time will shorten the
life of the internal battery pack (See Page 4).
Note: We do not recommend using the AC charging adapter while your cell phone
is connected to the radio. Many newer cell phones require more power than the
power adapter can supply. This can cause the cell phone to discharge and possibly
damage the power adapter.

CC Solar Observer Page 11
Radio Operation
TUNING
The CC Solar Observer features three bands: FM, AM and WEATHER.
1. Position the power switch to “BATTERY” or “DYNAMO”.
2. Select band by positioning the “BAND SWITCH”.
3. Adjust TUNING dial to desired frequency. For tuning Weather, position the
“WEATHER” dial to the desired channel (1 through 7).
4. Adjust volume by rotating the “VOLUME CONTROL”.
DISPLAY LIGHT
To turn the display light on, move the light switch to the “DISPLAY” position
(see Top of Radio diagram on Page 8). The display light will remain on until you
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FLASHLIGHT
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three bright LEDs (see Side of Radio diagram on Page 87RWXUQWKHÀDVKOLJKW
on move the light switch to the “LIGHT” position. The special LED bulbs last
more than 10,000 hours and use very little electrical energy.
HEADPHONE JACK
You can use stereo or mono headphones with a 1/8” (3.5mm) plug. When you
insert the headphone plug, the speaker is disconnected.
PHONE CHARGER JACK
In an emergency, you may need to power your
cell phone to make an important call. Cranking the
radio for just 90 seconds should give you enough
time to make a few quick calls. This of course will
depend on the make and model of your cell phone.
Attach the included Radio-to-USB Adapter to your
cell phone’s USB charging cable (not included),
then plug it into the jack on the radio labeled
“PHONE CHARGER”. If you do not have a USB charging cable for your cell
phone, you can usually purchase one from your cell phone provider.
Your phone will start charging as soon as you plug it into the radio. If the CC
Solar Observer is fully charged, it will charge your cell phone battery for about
20-40 minutes. If the Observer’s batteries are low or dead, a message may
appear on your phone saying the charger is incompatible.
Note: Do not use the optional AC Charging Adapter when charging your cell
phone.

Page 12 CC Solar Observer
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FREQUENCY COVERAGE:
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POWER SOURCE:
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Internal Battery Pack: NiMH 2/3 “AA” 800 mAh
Battery Pack Charging Jack: Internal Battery Pack can be charged with optional
AC Adapter - 5V 300 mA DC
Winding Generator: 300-500 mA (DC depending on RPM)
Solar Panel: 20-40 mA DC (Depending on sunlight intensity)
POWER CONSUMPTION AT MODERATE VOLUME:
AM: 38 mA
FM: 45 mA
Weather: 45 mA
Flashlight: 23 mA
Display Light 5 mA
AUDIO:
Speaker: 2.5”
ANTENNA:
FM and Weather Band: Telescopic whip antenna
AM Band: Built-in Ferrite Bar
WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS:
Weight: 1 lb.
Dimensions: 7.25” W x 5.5” H x 2” D
HEADPHONE JACK:
1/8” (3.5 mm) - Will accept stereo or mono plug.
Note:6SHFL¿FDWLRQVDUHVXEMHFWWRFKDQJHZLWKRXWQRWLFH

CC Solar Observer Page 13
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LED functions work. How come?
In some cases, if your radio is left on for an extended amount of time after the
battery pack is fully depleted, the microprocessor inside the radio may have
locked up and disabled the radio functions. It will be necessary to unplug the
battery pack, remove any “AA” batteries and cover the solar panel for 15 minutes
(or place the radio in a dark area). This will allow a reset of the processor.
Re-insert the battery pack and “AA” batteries (if desired), then using the hand
crank, wind the radio at a good pace for 90 seconds and then try the radio
functions.
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The rechargeable battery pack may be depleted. Charging the unit for a few
minutes should clear up the sound.
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The simple answer is to “exercise” the batteries to condition them for an optimal
charge. To do this, charge the batteries to full and then discharge them
completely. Performing this procedure about 3 times will bring your batteries to
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No. Lithium batteries can damage the radio.
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No. We do not recommend having the AC Adapter connected to the radio while
charging your cell phone or other devices.
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Hard winding of the Dynamo Crank on the CC Solar Observer is usually due to
a low charge on the internal battery pack. For best results, continue winding the
Dynamo Crank and try winding at a rate of two full turns per second. Another
option is to use the optional AC Charging Adapter (sold separately) to fully charge
the internal battery pack.

Page 14 CC Solar Observer
PERSONAL STATION LOG
Please feel free to copy this page.

CC Solar Observer Page 15
PERSONAL STATION LOG
Please feel free to copy this page.

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Web: ccrane.com
All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, in any form or
means whatsoever, without permission in writing from C. Crane.
R20-2020
Model: CC Solar Observer
ANSI C63.4: 2003
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.
OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
1.) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND
2.) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,
INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED
OPERATION.
NOTICE:$Q\FKDQJHVRUPRGL¿FDWLRQVQRWH[SUHVVO\DSSURYHGE\WKHSDUW\
responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the
equipment.