High Tech Pet humane contain HC-8000 User manual

INSTALLATION, OPERATING
AND TRAINING MANUAL
Please read this entire manual and study all illustrations
before you begin installing your system
HUMANE CONTAIN
Model HC-8000
Super Electronic Dog Fence

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Your new Humane Contain, HC-8000 Professional Series Electronic Dog
Fence represents the most advanced state of the art pet containment
technology available today. This all new product features a super
advanced transmitter, ultra-slim radio collar and our proprietary Pulsed
Proportional Stimulus System, a unique combination of progressively
increasing sound and shock stimuli to train your pet quickly and safely.
The HC-8000 is designed to be EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE and most of all,
HUMANE .
Effective: Because IT WORKS!
Reliable: Because it is manufactured to the highest quality
standards.
Humane: Because it uses a completely new type of stimulus that
focuses on teaching rather than punishing your pet.
Please read this manual thoroughly to learn how to most effectively,
and
safely use this advanced system to create a safer, more secure
environment for you, your family and your cherished pet.

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Table of Contents
PART 1 – INTRODUCTION ....................................... 4
SYSTEM COMPONENTS:....................................... 4
KEY FEATURES:.............................................. 4
PART 2 - DETAILED SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ........................ 7
TX-1 BASE STATION TRANSMITTER ........................... 7
RC-8 ULTRA-SLIM RECEIVER COLLAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
INSTALLING/REPLACING THE BATTERY PACK ..................12
BOUNDARY WIRE ...........................................13
PART 3 - STEP BY STEP INSTALLATION ..........................14
Planning Your System Layout ................................14
Assembling the Required Tools ...............................20
Setting Up the Base Station Transmitter ......................20
Testing the Receiver Collar Radio Function ....................21
Preparing Twisted Wire Lengths ..............................21
Laying Out the Boundary Wire................................21
Testing Your System ........................................22
Burying the Boundary Wire ..................................22
Placing the Boundary Flags ..................................23
Fitting the Receiver Collar to Your Dog ........................23
PART 4 - TRAINING YOUR DOG ..................................24
PART 5 – IMPORTANT CAUTION NOTICES ........................26
PART 6 – WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT ....................27
PART 7 – TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES .....................28
Testing Base Station Transmitter .............................28
Testing Humane Contain Collars ..............................28
Testing the Containment Loop ...............................29
Repairing a Broken or Intermittent Containment Loop...........30
ACCESSORIES..................................................30

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PART 1 – INTRODUCTION
SYSTEM COMPONENTS:
Your HC-8000 System includes the following items.
•(1) Model TX-1 Transmitter Base Station
•(1) Model RC-8 Receiver Collar
•(1) DC Adapter
•(500 feet) High Quality Boundary Wire
•(50) Boundary Flags
•(3) Improved Waterproof Wire Splices
•(1) Replaceable Receiver Collar Battery Pack
•(4) Mounting Screws (for your transmitter)
KEY FEATURES:
Pulsed Proportional Stimulus: Our unique Pulsed Proportional Stimulus
System is what makes the HC-8000 system stand apart from all other
systems made. A computer chip inside the RC-8 receiver collar actually
detects the distance of your pet from the boundary wire by measuring
the relative radio signal strength. It then applies a combination of
sound and shock stimuli in inverse proportion to the distance from the
boundary wire. In other words, the closer your pet is to the boundary
wire, the more sound and shock stimulus is applied.
Figure 1

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How Pulsed Proportional Stimulus Works:
The unique shock stimulus used by your HC-8000 system is delivered in
short, intense pulses, not a continuous shock. The pulsed stimulus gives
your dog a chance to think and avoids sending the animal into panic.
As your dog rst comes within the outermost boundary area, a slow
beeping tone is sounded and a short duration shock pulse is applied at a
slow pulse rate. This rst pulse is a FULL VOLTAGE stimulus but, it is of
very SHORT DURATION. It will immediately get your dog’s attention but,
it is so short that your dog will probably not perceive it as painful.
If, instead of retreating, your dog continues to travel closer to the boundary,
the shock pulse RATE continues to increase along with an increasing rate
of sound pulses, until they are delivered in such rapid succession as to be
unbearable to your pet, encouraging retreat from the boundary into the
“safe haven” of your yard. The use of progressively increasing shock pulse
rate is a very humane technique because it allows your pet to decide for
itself how much stimulus is required to initiate the retreat behavior.
(Note that some competing systems use a “tone only” warning zone before
applying shock. This sounds like a good idea, but we have found it to be
ineffective. Often the dog will stand in the warning zone waiting for the
tone to stop. The tone will drain the battery and stop when the battery
runs down, letting the animal know it is now safe to escape!) The HC-
8000 is not a zone type system. We apply a short shock stimulus at the
very rst correction along with the sound stimulus. This will discourage
your dog from standing in the boundary eld waiting for the tone to stop.
However, because we use pulsed stimulus, the initial shock will not be
traumatic to your pet. If your dog tries to move forward, pulse rate is
immediately increased to encourage retreat behavior.
Progressive Training Tones: The use of progressively increasing sound
pulses along with the shock pulses tends to psychologically intensify the
perceived stimulus, more quickly teaching your dog that the irritating
Figure 2
Pulses per Second
Pulses per Second
Buried Boundary Wire
Buried Boundary Wire
Stimulus Pulse Rate
(Increases as dog approaches the boundary wire)

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sensation increases as he (or she) gets closer to the boundary. That is
why you will nd that the tone generated by our RC-8 collar is louder than
the non-progressive tones used on competing systems and that the sonic
pulse rate increases just as the shock pulse rate does as your dog moves
closer to the boundary wire.
Digital Signal: The HC-8000 sends a digital code embedded in the radio
signal that is picked up and digitally decoded by a computer processor in
the receiver collar. This reduces the possibility of false shocks caused by
interfering radio signals.
Visual and Audible Cable Break Indicators: You are always assured that
your boundary wire is intact because the Base Station Transmitter is
equipped with both visual and audible cable status indicators to alert you
in the case of a cable break.
Optional Battery Back Up: An optional, rechargeable transmitter battery
may be purchased as an accessory from www.hightechpet.com. With this
option, if there is ever an electrical power failure, your TX-1 transmitter
will automatically switch over to battery power. This maintains the
boundary eld and keeps your pet contained throughout the power
outage. When power is restored, the battery will automatically recharge.
30 Acre Range: The powerful transmitter delivers enough energy
to activate a boundary wire nearly ONE MILE long. Allowing you to
surround up to 30 acres of property. Note that your system includes
500 feet of wire, enough to encircle approximately 0.4 acres. 30 acre
coverage is based on wire length of 5,000 linear feet and will require the
purchase of additional boundary wire from www.hightechpet.com.
Water Resistant Transmitter & Collar: Both the TX-1 Base Station
Transmitter and the RC-8 Radio Collar are internally sealed to resist
moisture. While we do not recommend full immersion for either of these
components, they are suitable for outdoor use in all weather conditions.
For Dogs 10 lbs. to 200 lbs. The HC-8000 system is suitable for nearly
all dog breeds. A common misconception is that larger dogs are more
resistant to shock stimulus than smaller dogs. In reality, the size of
your dog has little to do with the way the animal reacts to the stimulus.
Reaction depends mainly upon your dog’s temperament. The type of
shock employed by the HC-8000 is quite localized and affects only the
nerve receptors within about a ½ inch radius of the stimulus probes.
Your dog’s mass is not a signicant factor. It is also important to note
that the shock is high voltage but, very low current. It does not produce
enough energy to cause any damage to skin or muscle tissue. The
stimulus affects nerve receptors only and simply can not cause physical
damage regardless of your dog’s size.

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PART 2 - DETAILED SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
TX-1 BASE STATION TRANSMITTER
General Description
The Model TX-1 Base Station Transmitter is an FCC approved radio
device. (FCC Approval No. QP4HC-5000). The signal emitted by the Base
Station Transmitter contains a special, digital code that must be received
and recognized by the receiver collar before the collar will administer
any stimulus to your pet. The TX-1 is the only electronic fence, base
station transmitter designed for indoor or OUTDOOR use. The many super
advanced features of your TX-1 Transmitter are as follows.
System Status Display
The fully illuminated display panel gives you the complete status of your
Base Station. On the display, the left column tells you the function being
monitored. The middle and right columns tell you the status of that
function.
CABLE BREAK ALARM FIELD WIDTH CONTROL
ON / OFF SWITCH
POWER BOOST SWITCH
SYSTEM STATUS DISPLAY
10
Figure 3

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DISPLAY FUNCTIONS:
SYSTEM: This is the overall status of your base station. If
everything is functioning normally the “OK” lamp to the right of
the “SYSTEM” lamp will illuminate. If there is any malfunction, the
“FAIL” lamp will illuminate.
BATT: Back-up battery charge indicator. This indicator is only
functional if there is an optional, rechargeable back-up battery
installed. When the base station is in battery mode and the battery
has a full charge, the “OK” lamp will illuminate. If the charge is low
the “LOW” lamp will illuminate indicating that the battery is charging.
LOOP: Continuity of your boundary wire loop. The “OK” lamp
indicates that there is no break and your boundary wire is
conducting current in a continuous loop. If there is a break in your
boundary wire, the “LOOP” and “BREAK” lamps will ash and the
audible alarm will sound indicating that the boundary eld is not
functioning and needs repair.
POWER: This indicates the power mode, either AC or Back-up
Battery. The TX-1 Base Station uses a “smart” power system. If
you have the optional Back-up Battery installed and there is a
power failure, the system automatically switches to battery mode
to keep the boundary eld energized and your dog contained. In
this mode all indicator lamps ash to conserve battery power. When
power is restored, the system automatically switches back to AC
mode and begins recharging the Back-up Battery. The operating
time of the Back-up Battery depends upon your eld strength
setting and the length of your boundary wire. Typical installations
will operate for a full day in Battery Back-up mode.
Field Strength Control
You can control the distance from the boundary wire at which the
receiver collar will begin to activate by use of the “FIELD STRENGTH
CONTROL” dial. Turning the dial clockwise increases transmitter output
power and therefore, increases eld width. The maximum eld width
possible will depend upon your particular installation. It is affected by
the depth at which you bury the wire and the total length of wire used.
The greater the wire depth and length, the less maximum eld will be
available. Generally, we recommend that you bury your boundary wire
no more than 4 inches deep and use no more than 5,000 feet of total
boundary wire. Typical installations yield a maximum possible eld width
of approximately 10 feet. We recommend that you set the Field Width
of at least 5 feet. The wider your boundary eld, the more time and

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distance your dog has to properly react to the system. However, if space
limitations require a eld width of less than 5 feet. You can reduce the
overall eld width by turning the Field Width dial counter-clockwise.
When you vary the effective eld width of your system, the HC-8000’s
unique Pulsed Proportional Stimulus System will automatically adjust to
the new eld strength setting.
Power Boost Switch
This feature boosts the output power of your transmitter for very large
areas or to overcome special environmental conditions. We recommend
that you use the TX-1 in “NOR” (normal) mode for wire lengths less than
2,000 feet. If you are using more than 2,000 feet of wire you may nd
the “MAX” mode useful in increasing the maximum possible eld width.
In some cases, rare environmental conditions such as a high content of
iron in your soil may reduce your eld width. If you nd your system
does not achieve acceptable eld width in your particular installation,
using the “MAX” setting, even for smaller areas, may overcome the
problem.
Quick Connect Wire Terminals
At the bottom of the Base Station Transmitter you will nd a hinged
door which gives you access to two quick connect wire terminals. The
boundary wire easily plugs into these terminals by simply depressing the
tab and inserting the wire end. The wire should be stripped by ¼ inch at
the end before insertion. No other preparation is required.
Optional Rechargeable Back-up Battery
An optional, rechargeable Back-up battery is available as an additional
purchase. Use of the Back-up Battery will ensure that your HC-8000
system continues to contain your dog during a power outage. When
power is restored, the system will automatically recharge the battery, so
you never have to worry about changing batteries. The Back-up Battery
option is available from
www.hightechpet.com. If you choose not to purchase the Back-up
Battery option your system will work perfectly with the AC adapter as
long as you have uninterrupted household wall current available.

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RC-8 ULTRA-SLIM RECEIVER COLLAR
The heart of our Humane Contain electronic fence technology lies here in
the super advanced, Model RC-8 Radio Receiver Collar. The miniaturized,
microprocessor-driven circuitry is protected by a rugged, water resistant
casing. Shock stimulus is delivered through the STIMULUS PROBES at
the back of the unit. A TONE SPEAKER at the front of the unit delivers
the tone stimulus.
Test Button: Pressing this button tests the battery and veries
operation of the shock circuit. NOTE: THE TEST BUTTON TRIGGERS ACTUAL
STIMULUS OUTPUT. DO NOT USE WHEN THE COLLAR IS ON THE ANIMAL. Do not
touch the probes when depressing the Test Button.
Test Lamp: This lamp illuminates whenever a shock pulse is being
generated.
Tone Speaker: Emits an audible training tone whenever a shock pulse is
being generated.
Shock Stimulus Probes: Contact the skin of the pet’s neck to administer
the shock training stimulus.
TEST LAMP TONE SPEAKER
STIMULUS PROBES
TEST BUTTON
Figure 4

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TESTING YOUR RC-8 RADIO COLLAR
Caution: This test generates actual shock pulses so make sure you
remove the collar from your pet and do not unintentionally touch
the shock probes!
Periodically, remove the collar from your pet and perform the following
Self Test with the power switch ON. Hold the collar by the case
without touching the shock probes, and press the TEST button. This
initiates a self-test of the battery and shock circuitry, with the following
indications.
TEST LIGHT:
• If the test light is SOLID Red the battery is OK.
• If the test light is BLINKING Red the battery is LOW. Replace the
battery soon.
• If the test light is NOT ILLUMINATED the battery is dead.
TONE SPEAKER:
• If the speaker produces an audible tone or beep, the shocking
circuit is functioning properly.
• If there is no tone or beep, the shocking circuit is not working
and the unit should be repaired .
The water resistant casing is moisture sealed for safe operation in most
weather conditions. If the TONE SPEAKER gets wet, you will notice that
the tone output becomes mufed or stops altogether. This is due to water
on the outside of the speaker face. It does not mean that the inner works
have gotten wet. Once the unit dries, the sound will return to normal.

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INSTALLING / REPLACING THE BATTERY PACK
The replaceable battery pack installs at the bottom of the unit, between
the STIMULUS PROBES. Note that there is a small tongue on the battery
pack that lines up with a groove in the collar casing. This is to ensure
that the battery pack is installed correctly. Line up the tongue with the
groove and push rmly. You will hear two clicks as the battery pack
snaps into place.
To remove the battery pack, squeeze together the two nger tabs on
each side of the battery pack and pull it out of the casing.
Battery Life
The battery life of your RC-8 collar depends upon how often your pet
strays into the boundary eld. It will operate for several weeks in the
absence of any required shock output. If your pet is receiving corrections
very often, it may be necessary to replace the battery after only one or
two weeks. In addition, you should expect to use at least one battery
during the initial training.
Where to Purchase Replacement Batteries
Extra battery packs may be purchased online at www.hightechpet.com.
To locate the item go to www.hightechpet.com and search on the key
words “High Tech Battery”.
Figure 5

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BOUNDARY WIRE
Even the boundary wire used on your HC-8000 system is unique. The
copper alloy wire and insulating coating are all made specially to our
custom specications. We have designed it to be an efcient radio
frequency broadcast conductor, with a mechanically strong core and an
extra thick, extra tough, outdoor grade insulation that resists sunlight
and moisture. If you need to expand your boundary eld, it is acceptable
to purchase standard 18 or 20 gauge “hardware store” quality wire.
However, we recommend that you use our custom wire to ensure the
best quality and performance at the best value pricing. Boundary
extension kits are available from www.hightechpet.com and contain
a 500 foot spool of wire, 50 extra boundary ags and 2 improved
waterproof wire splices. To locate the item go to www.hightechpet.
com and search on “Wire Flag Kit”.

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PART 3 - STEP BY STEP INSTALLATION
STEP 1: Plan Your System Layout
This is the most important step. Be sure to take the time to plan
carefully. This will avoid time consuming corrections to your installation.
Before beginning installation of your system we recommend you make
an aerial sketch of your yard such as the one shown in Figure 6. Your
sketch should include all buildings, large plants, trees, walks, driveway,
pool and other important details. Then sketch in where you plan to place
the boundary wire. Make sure the wire makes a continuous loop.
SAFETY TIP:
Since you will only be burying the cable 4 inches deep at maximum,
it is unlikely that you will disturb power or phone lines. Still, we
recommend that you contact your utility companies to nd out the
location of all buried wires, mark them on your sketch and avoid
running the boundary cable in these areas.

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Figure 6
TYPICAL LAYOUT FOR
BOUNDARIES WITHIN BOUNDARY
Twisted
To Pond
Twisted
To Pool Pool
Boundary Wire
House
Garden
Property Line Twisted
Wire
Pond
Transmitter
Mounted in
Garage
Splice Splice
Twisted Wire
Cancels Field
Garage
Pond

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Calculate the total length of wire required to ensure that you have
enough to complete the installation. Remember that twisted wire counts
as twice its length since there are two strands. Figure 7 shows a basic
wire length calculation.
In preparing your layout, note that you will need to allow for a eld
width of at least 3 feet (preferably 6 – 10 ft.) on each side of the
boundary wire. Your dog will need at least another 5 to 10 ft. for a safe
roaming area. Avoid making passageways too narrow or your dog may
be hesitant to use them. 11
WIRE LENGTH CALCULATION
30’
190’
100’
220’
15’
85’
8’
TWISTED
WIRE
BURIED WIRE
Length of Field Wire = 15’ + 85’ + 220’ + 100’ + 190’ + 30’ = 640’
Length of Twisted Wire = 8’ x 2 = 16’
Total Wire Required 656’
Figure 7

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For the system to work properly, the wire must make a continuous loop.
The signal is transmitted from one terminal of the transmitter through
the wire and back to the other terminal. Twisting two adjacent sections
of the wire loop cancels the signal along the twisted length. So use
the twisted wire from the transmitter out to the exterior loop as shown
in Figure 8. This allows the dog to cross the area without receiving
a correction. Use other lengths of twisted wire to connect smaller
boundaries around plants, pools and other pet restricted areas.
Single Loop Limitations
Note however that the basic single loop containment layouts shown in
Figure 8, cannot have a gate or opening in the fence where the dog can
walk or be transported out of the loop. To let the dog out of the basic
containment eld, you must turn off the base transmitter, or interrupt
the electrical signal owing through the wire by inserting a switch in the
loop. Using a switch in the loop creates a break in the wire which will be
detected by the base transmitter and will result in an audible alarm as long
as the switch is open. However it does work and the dog will learn that
the sound of the alarm means the containment eld is off.
TWISTED WIRE
FIELD WILL CANCEL
BASIC CONTAINMENT FIELD
TWISTED WIRE AS LEAD IN FROM
TRANSMITTER TO ACTIVE FIELD
FIELD WITHIN A FIELD
USE OF TWISTED WIRE TO PROTECT
SMALL AREAS WITHIN THE MAIN BOUNDARY
TWISTED WIRE
FIELD WILL CANCEL
TWISTED WIRE
FIELD WILL CANCEL
Figure 8

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Adding a GATE
If you want a permanent opening or gate in
the containment eld, you must use what
is commonly called a double loop, as shown
in Figure 9. Carefully follow the current
around the wiring and you will realize that
this layout is actually still a single loop of
wire that is folded back upon itself. If the
gate is narrow, you may have to reduce the
boundary eld next to the gate. This can
be done by triangulating or folding the wire
back on itself for a short distance as shown
inside Figure 9. Do not bury the wire near
the gate until after the entire system is
working and adjusted for the proper eld
strength in all areas of the installation.
In double loop installations, it is very
important to have the inside and outside
wires separated by at least 6 feet
all around the containment area
if you want a normal containment
eld width of 3 to 10 feet. Use
12 feet of wire separation if you
desire a wider containment eld
width – up to 20 feet. Using less
wire separation reduces the eld
strength and requires the dog
to be closer to the wire before
receiving a correction. Whatever
wire separation you choose,
maintain a consistent separation
between the inside and outside
wires if you want a consistent
correction distance. Remember
the double loop requires almost
twice as much wire, and burying
of that wire, as a single loop, so
plan accordingly.
Once you have chosen to use
the “double loop” layout, you
can place as many other openings/gates in the boundary eld as you wish
by twisting the inner and outer wires together, or simply bringing the two
wires together tightly. This concept, shown in Figure 10.
TIP: The amount of twist and the direction of the twist is of little
importance, as long as the wires are touching each other along the
entire “gate” section.
TX
MAKING A CONTAINMENT FIELD WITH A GATE
WIDE
GATE
Wire Wire
Wire Wire
NARROW
GATE
TWISTED WIRE
FIELD WILL CANCEL
6 FOOT
SEPARAT ION
RECOMMENDED
Figure 9
MAKING A CONTAINMENT FIELD WITH MULTIPLE GATES
TX
TWISTED WIRE
FIELD WILL CANCEL
GATE
GATE GATE
6 FOOT
SEPARATION
RECOMMENDED
Figure 10

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A common error is trying
to replace a section of
single loop wire with a
piece of twisted wire to
create a gate as shown in
Figure 11. This will not
work. In order to create
a gate, you must run a
double loop as shown in
Figures 9 and 10 above.
TX
A VERY COMMON ERROR
OK
Section 1 & 2
Twisted Together
SECTION 1 SECTION 2
INCORRECT
SINGLE SECTION OF WIRE LOOP
FIELD WILL
NOT
CANCEL
DO NOT DO THIS!
Figure 11

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STEP 2: Assemble the Required Tools
Here is the list of tools you will need.
1. Straight edge spade or power edger
2. Wire cutter/stripper
3. Power drill with 1/8” drill bit
4. Phillips screwdriver or Phillips driver bit for your drill
STEP 3: Set Up the Base Station Transmitter
Mounting:
Indoor mounting of the TX-1 Base Station Transmitter is preferred.
However, if your layout prohibits indoor mounting, it is acceptable to
mount the TX-1 outdoors. Although the casing is water-sealed, you
should still choose a location that is not directly exposed to rain, wind
and other adverse weather.
FIGURE 12
A. Separate Mounting Base From Electronics Console. B: Mount the Mounting Base to Your Wall.
C: Install Optional Rechargeable Battery if Desired. D. Reassemble Mounting Base and Electronics Console
by Pushing the Two Pieces Together Firmly.