Dogtrace d-balls User manual

electronic ball dropper
d-balls
d-balls
EN

2
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
We:
VNT electronics s.r.o.
Dvorská 605
563 01 Lanškroun
IČO: 64793826
declare under own responsibility that the product:
Electronic ball dropper
Dogtrace d-balls
is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
Directive 2014/53/EC meets requirements of General Licence of The Czech Telecom-
munication Oce according to general
licence no. VO-R/10/05.2014-3 and corresponds to the following standards:
ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.9.2
ETSI EN 301 489-3 V1.6.1
ETSI EN 300 220-2 V.2.4.1
ETSI EN 60950-1 ed.2:2006/A1:2010/A11:2009/A12:2011/A2:2014/Cor.1:2012
EN 62479:2010
The product is safe on condition of commonly used in conformity with instruction
manual. The Declaration of Conformity is based on following dates:
Measuring report no.: 6440-7600/2008 issued by certicated laboratory no.1103
VTÚPV Vyškov
Measuring report no.: 6440-697/2008 issued by certicatved laboratory no.1103
VTÚPV Vyškov
This declaration of Conformity is created in exclusive responsibility of producer.
In Lanškroun 1. 1. 2018
Ing. Jan Horák
executive director
Tel.: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.dogtrace.com
VNT electronics s.r.o., hereby declares that this Dogtrace electronic ball
dropper d-balls complies with the essential requirements and other relevant
provisions of Directive 2014/53/EC.
Thank you for purchasing Dogtrace d-balls product from
VNT electronics s.r.o.
Before using your product, please read the instructions in this user guide
carefully and keep it for future reference.

3
1 CONTENTS
dogtraceofficial
using of
d-balls
2 Introduction ..................................................................... 4
2.1 Package contents ................................................................. 4
3 Product description .............................................................. 5
4 Battery installation and replacement .............................................. 6
5 Turning ON/OFF ................................................................. 7
6 Programming (pairing) of the remote controller and the receiver ................... 7
7 How to use the remote controller ................................................. 8
8 For the best results ............................................................... 8
9 User instructions ................................................................. 8
10 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
11 Troubleshooting ................................................................. 9
12 Technical data .................................................................. 10
13 Warranty terms and conditions .................................................. 11
14 Certicate of warranty .......................................................... 12

4
The remote control training ball dropper d-balls is an excellent training device suitable for
the following exercises: sending the dog forward, running round dummies and checking
them, territorial training, overcoming obstacles and so on. The ball dropper is remote
controlled at distances up to 250 m. Up to 4 droppers can be operated by one remote
controller. Each of them has a container for 4 balls. It is not necessary to load them after
every use. The dog is rewarded after completing an exercise only in case it deserves it. The
ball dropper can also be used to attract the dog‘s attention with an acoustic signal. The
controller is compatible for d-balls ball droppers and at the same time for d-ball UP ball
throwing machines. Suitable for training centres as well as home use.
2.1 Package contents
d-balls (ball dropper)
remote controller (transmitter)
4 balls
4 LR6 AA 1,5 V batteries
1 CR2 3V battery
strap with loops for hanging
set of marking labels with numbers
lanyard for hanging the remote control around the neck
user guide and certicate of warranty
* the package contents refer to the transmitter and ball dropper set only
2 INTRODUCTION

5
REMOTE CONTROLLER BALL DROPPER
3 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
7
8
1
2
3
5
6
4
REMOTE CONTROLLER − 1 – Indication light, 2 – Sound alert for 1st to 4th ball dropper,
3 – Ball release for 1st to 4th ball dropper
BALL DROPPER − 1 – Ball dropper cover, 2 – Holders for hanging the belt with buckles,
3 – Indication lights, 4 – Marking number space, 5 – Hole for mounting the dropper on
the stand, 6 – Battery space cover, 7 – Extension for attaching attachments, 8 – Extension
(optional accessory)
3
2
1

6
Installation (replacement) of the battery in the
remote controller
Unscrew the battery space cover screw on the back side
of the remote controller and litt the cover carefully. Insert
a new 3V CR2 battery. Mind the polarity marked on the
battery cover (see the picture). Put the cover back and
tighten the screw using adequate force.
When the battery gets weaker, the remote controller
performance (radio signal coverage) decreases. The
battery needs to be replaced. Discharged battery is
indicated by red LED diode which is lit up by pressing any
button on the remote controller. Prepare a spare battery
and follow the instruction above for replacing batteries in the remote controller.
Installation (replacement) of the battery in the ball dropper
Remove the screw from the ball dropper battery space cover with a cross-head screwdriver.
Take the battery holder out carefully. Insert 4 LR6 AA 1,5V batteries. Mind the polarity
marked on the battery holder.
Before putting the battery space cover back to its place make sure that the battery holder
is seated in the battery space correctly. Tighten the screw on the battery space cover using
adequate force.
Battery space cover Battery holder
Checking the battery status
Look at the indicator light on the front panel of the ball dropper to check the battery status:
The battery is fully charged: the LED indicator blinks slowly in green in on-state.
The battery is weak: the LED indicator blinks in red in on-state. Prepare 4 spare LR6 AA 1.5
V batteries and follow the previous paragraph Installation of the battery in the ball
dropper.
4 BATTERY INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT
TIP: The device can also be operated using LR6 rechargeable batteries.
TIP: You can remove the batteries more easily using a small screwdriver inserting it
carefully under the edge of the battery.
Battery compartment
Make sure the remote controller is working correctly. By pressing any button, the green
LED diode lights up.

7
Turning on: Place the lower part of the remote
controller to the marked arrow (see the picture).
The ball dropper indicator blinks in red (The ball
dropper is recognised). Remove the remote
controller when the LED diode lights up in red
permanently. The diode starts blinking in green
indicating the ball dropper is ready for use.
Turning o: Place the lower part of the remote
controller to the marked arrow (see the picture)
again. The receiver indicator lights up in red.
Remove the remote controller. The red LED
diode goes out. The ball dropper is turned o.
To prolong the battery lifetime, the ball dropper is
always to be turned o after training. If the ball
dropper is not used for a longer period of time,
removing batteries is recommended.
Every remote controller has its own RF operational code. Programming of the remote
controller with the ball dropper will be performed during the rst use of the Dogtrace
d-balls set or with a new remote controller or ball dropper (in case they get lost). This
operation enables you to match your remote controller with the delivered ball dropper.
5 TURNING ON / OFF
6 PROGRAMMING PAIRING OF THE REMOTE
CONTROLLER AND THE RECEIVER
Position when switching on/o the ball
dropper and when pairing the transmitter
with the ball dropper
IMPORTANT: Before programming (pairing) is started, make sure no one else is using
d-balls ball dropper or another Dogtrace product close to you. Your ball dropper could
randomly receive a code from another remote controller and set itself to it. If this happens,
program your ball dropper once again using your remote controller.
If you have inserted balls into the container, replace them.
Place the lower part of the switched-o remote controller to the arrow marked on the ball
dropper (see the picture on page 7). The red LED diode blinks, the green LED diode lights
up for 3 seconds. Then the red as well as the greed LED diode starts blinking. The ball
dropper is ready for pairing. Now move the remote control away and press the sound
button 1 to 4 on the remote control keypad to control the ball dropper. The ball dropper
should beep when the sound button is pressed.
Use the same procedure for pairing more ball droppers.

8
The Dogtrace d-balls remote is designed to work with 4 d-balls droppers or d-ball UP
throwing machines. A signal can be sent to these devices for an sound alert or to release/
throw the ball.
Commands for balls ejection are sent from the transmission unit to the ball dropper on radio
waves. Radio wave propagation is inuenced by many factors. The reach of this device is
approximately 250 m at common circumstances (depending on geographical conditions
and surroundings).
Follow the instructions below to get the best results with this device:
To get the best connection, hold the remote controller in your hand not covering its front
part (the antenna is installed in this part).
The reach is increased by holding the remote controller with your hand outstretched in
front of you.
Check the battery status in the remote controller as well as in the ball dropper before
using the set. Replace the batteries if necessary.
Battery performance decreases moderately at temperatures below 0 °C. If possible, keep
the remote controller warm in your pocket and take it out only when using.
Don’t put the remote controller close to objects sensitive to magnetic eld to avoid
causing permanent damage to them.
Don’t expose the d-balls set to high temperatures.
It is necessary to replace the batteries every two years, even in case the set has not been
in use for a longer period of time. Don’t leave discharged batteries in the device to avoid
potential damage.
The set is designed to be used with four balls maximally. Don’t use any extenders to
increase the capacity. It could cause damage to the device.
Use only balls delivered with the set or recommended by the manufacturer. Using dierent
balls than recommended can cause damage to the device.
7 HOW TO USE THE REMOTE CONTROLLER
8 FOR THE BEST RESULTS
9 USER INSTRUCTIONS

9
11 TROUBLESHOOTING
10 MAINTENANCE
Don’t use any essential substances such as diluents, petrol or various cleaners to clean the
d-balls. Use a soft wetted cloth, eventually a neutral cleaning agent.
The remote controller is not water resistant. Protect it from water and humidity as much
as possible. If dropped into water, the device will probably be damaged permanently.
The ball dropper is designed to be able to stay in the rain for a short time after closing the
cover of the ball container.
The set remembers the conguration settings (autocoding). It stays in the last selected
mode after you switch it on again.
Do the following before you consider your device defective:
Read the user’s guide again and check whether the problem isn’t caused by weak batteries
or incorrect use.
Check the correct polarity and position of batteries.
If it doesn’t help, reprogram the ball dropper according to the instructions in this user’s
guide.
If the problem prevails, try to initialize the system by removing batteries from the holder
in the ball dropper and from the remote controller. Create a shortcut to the contacts using
a steel tool (screwdriver, scissors for instance) for about 2 seconds. Insert the batteries
again and carry out matching.
If the problem still prevails, contact your dealer.

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12 TECHNICAL DATA
Transmitter
Reach .....................................................approx. 250 m in an open space
Power supply ....................................................... 3V CR2 lithium battery
Battery lifetime ............................................6–12 months depending on use
Frequency (performance) ............................................869,525 Mhz (25 mW)
Antenna ....................................................................... integrated
Radio connection security and coding ..................................... microcontroller
Number of connectable ball droppers .................................................... 4
Working temperature ..................................................... –10 °C to +50 °C
Weight ..............................................................63 g (without battery)
Dimensions ............................................................ 110 × 52 × 29 mm
Ball dropper
Power supply ......................... 4 LR6 AA 1,5 batteries (or rechargeable LR6 batteries)
Battery lifetime .................................................6 moths depending on use
Frequency ....................................................................869,525 Mhz
Antenna ....................................................................... integrated
Covering ............................ against short rain with the ball container cover closed
Radio connection security and coding ..................................... microcontroller
Working temperature ..................................................... –10 °C to +50 °C
Weight ..............................................................................750 g
Dimensions ........................................................... 327 × 184 × 84 mm

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VNT electronics s.r.o. guarantees the product in case of manufacturing defects for two
years from the date of purchase. The warranty does not cover the following items:
batteries
belt with loops for hanging
direct or indirect risks during transportation of the product to the retailer
mechanical damage of the product caused by user‘snegligence or an accident (eg. biting,
breaking, impacts, excessive pulling of d-ring etc.).
1. The warranty period commences on the date of purchase. The sales receipt or your
purchase invoice showing the date of purchase of the product, showing the serial number
and date of purchase of the product, is the proof of the purchase date.
2. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from:
a) improper installation or breach of instructions from the manufacturer‘suser guide
b) improper use of the product
c) improper storage or maintenance of the product
d) modication by a non authorized person, or a repair made without
manufacturer‘sknowledge
e) natural disaster (wind, earthquake, lightning storm, etc.)
f) alternation of the goods made by the consumer if such an alternation resulted in
adamage of the product
g) due to aconsumer’smechanical damage
h) other customer‘s process, which would be in a contrary to the Warranty terms and
conditions and the User guide
3. The warranty can not be claimed if the goods is not completely paid, or when purchased
on asale.
4. The claimant is obliged to prove the defect and to enable the manufacturer to check the
legitimacy of the product faults and assess the extent of the product faults. Otherwise is
loosing the right arising from the manufacturer’sresponsibility for product defects.
5. Consumer demands arising from the producer‘sliability for defects are regulated in the
general legislation. In the event of a proven manufacturing defect in the material, the
manufacturer is obliged to replace the defective product with a faultless one.
6. Goods submitted for complaint must be properly cleaned. The Complaints Department is
entitled to refuse to accept goods for complaint if they do not comply with the principles
of general hygiene.
7. In the case of sending an item for complaint by post or forwarding company, the goods
must be suciently packed and secured against damage. For this purpose, we recommend
keeping the original packaging (not a condition for accepting the complaint).
8. For shipping, please choose the most suitable method and carrier for you with regard to
availability and speed of delivery. We are not responsible for the loss of goods sent by you.
9. Other rights and obligations of the manufacturer and the person entitled to claim are
regulated by the relevant generally binding legislation of the Czech Republic.
The information contained in this manual may be subject to change due to developments
without further notice.
Copying of this user guide is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of
VNT electronics s.r.o.
13 WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS