HOLATRON SYSTEMS SureFire-1 Operating manual

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE GUIDE -
SureFire-1 High Energy Trigger
HOLATRON SYSTEMS, LLC
Honolulu, HI , USA
www.holatron.com

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WARNING
Holatron Systems specializes in the design and manufacture of standard and custom electronic
control systems where reliability and error free data communication are critical. The module
described in this manual is part of a system intended to remotely actuate pyrotechnic or other
hazardous devices, and the components of this system have been carefully designed to
minimize the possibility of accidental actuation of such devices. Holatron’s design goal is to
ensure that data communication errors due to radio interference or to insufficient signal
strength due to low battery, exceeding specified range, or conductive objects in the signal path
will result in failure of intentional actuation rather than unintended actuation. Techniques used
to achieve this design goal are described in section 1.8. Though the probability of unintended
actuation is extremely small, it cannot be guaranteed to be zero. Therefore, it is important that
the user not arm the module until all persons who might be harmed by accidental
actuation are in a safe area.
As a condition of purchase, the user must acknowledge awareness and agreement that
utilization of this product and participation in activities utilizing fireworks, rockets, and explosives
is an ultra-hazardous activity carrying implied and explicit risks of injuries and damages to the
user and to other participants. The user assumes the risk connected with the utilization of this
product and all risks of participation in the activities for which this product is sold. User
acknowledges that he/she/it has the necessary and required skill, expertise, training and
licensing, as may be applicable or necessary by custom, usage, trade or law, to engage and
participate in the ultra-hazardous activities connected with the use, purchase, transportation, or
employment of the products sold under this agreement. User acknowledges that Holatron
Systems, LLC, has not and will not conduct any investigation into the skill, expertise, training
and licensing, as may be applicable or necessary by custom, usage, trade or law, of the user or
of user’s agents, employees and assigns, to engage and participate in the ultra-hazardous
activities connected with the use, purchase, transportation, or employment of this product. User
specifically agrees that Holatron Systems, LLC, its officers, employees, and agents shall not be
liable for any claim, demand, cause of action of any kind whatsoever for, or on account of
death, personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind resulting from or related to user’s or
user’s employees’, agents’ or assigns’ use of this product, and user agrees to indemnify,
defend in any action at law, and hold harmless Holatron Systems, LLC, from same, whether
brought by the user, user’s agent, or assigns, or any third party.

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This manual is divided into five sections. The first is a description of the system hardware. The
second details techniques to minimize radio interference, the third lists system specifications,
the fourth describes operating procedure, and the fifth describes recommended maintenance.
1.0 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION.
The model RFLS-CD1 High Energy Trigger is a single output capacitor discharge firing
module which can be triggered by an onboard manual switch, wire command input, or
radio command input. The wire command input is applied to the red and black REMOTE
INPUT PyroClip terminals. The input accepts 9 VDC pulses (red is +, black is -) or
contact closures. The input is optically isolated from the internal high voltage firing
circuitry.
NOTE:
Due to safety concerns over the possibility of accidental manual firing, the MANUAL
FIRE position of the ARM switch is only enabled for 3 seconds after the switch is moved
out of the ARMED position. This ensures that the output cannot be fired manually by
accidentally pushing the ARM switch in the wrong direction after it has been in SAFE
position for 3 seconds or longer.
Radio commands are received by a highly sensitive narrow band (superhetrodyne) radio
receiver designed to be used for remote control applications where high reliability is
critical. When used with the Holatron model RFLS-6HSXT, XMTR12B, and similar high
speed remote control transmitters, a range of ½ mile (line of sight operation) is typical,
provided there are no intervening conductive objects such as automobiles, chainlink
fences, etc. Range increases as the receiver is elevated above earth or other
conductive objects (such as aluminum bleachers). Range will be even greater when
transmitting over water. The reception carrier frequency is fixed at 418 MHz by a PLL
frequency synthesized oscillator for exceptional stability. No alignment or tuning
procedures are ever required to maintain optimum performance.
The radio firing signals are digitally decoded from the transmitted digital code which is
amplitude modulated on a single carrier frequency of 418 MHz. The transmitted digital
code indicates to the trigger which of the transmit buttons is being pressed as well as
the current transmitter cue and channel number.
A 16 position digital switch inside the module is used to select radio pairing mode or one
of three firing modes (“radio-fire / fire-by-wire”, “fire-by-wire only”, or “radio only”), and
one of five output energy levels. The “fire-by-wire” modes also enable operation of the
manual fire switch. Switch position assignments are shown in the table in section 1.8.
Other custom switch assignments can be incorporated in software at time of
manufacture.
The digital channel switch has been initially set to position “5” at the factory for output of
12.3 joules in both radio and wire-fire modes. Charging to full energy takes
approximately 9 seconds and is initiated when the ARM switch is moved from SAFE to
ARMED position.

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The user has access to the following components (refer to figures 1 & 2):
1.1 THE ANTENNA.
The RF signal is received by a quarter wave antenna which screws onto the top
of the module. The antenna should be removed for storage.
The antenna need not be tight to achieve a good electrical connection. It should
be hand-tightened only to the point where resistance to further rotation is felt. It
should never be tightened with pliers or other tools.
Note that reception is better when the antenna is elevated at least 12” above
earth ground or nearest conductive surface. This is necessary to achieve
specified range.
1.2 THE POWER, ARM, & TEST SWITCHES.
These miniature toggle switches are located on the top panel.
The POWER switch turns on power to the module but does not initiate charging.
After a delay of a couple of seconds, the BATTERY / ACTIVATE light will flash
amber to indicate the channel number to which the radio receiver has been
paired. The flashing pattern will consist of a series of flashes equaling the
channel number for channels 1 through 9, or a short-flash followed by a delay
and then a long-flash for channel 10, or short-flash / delay / short-flash for
channel 11, or short-flash / delay / 2 short-flashes for channel 12. The light will
then begin the normal battery level flash indication described in section 1.3.
The ARM switch has SAFE, ARMED, and MANUAL FIRE positions. In the SAFE
position, the output cannot be fired, even if fire commands are received from the
radio or wire terminals. It is recommended that the module always be
powered up in SAFE mode if devices are connected to the output. The
operator can then verify that the BATTERY / ACTIVITY light does not
indicate that any wire or radio signal reception is occurring before
switching to ARMED. A prolonged or erratic illumination of this light may
indicate the presence of an active fire-by-wire or radio input which could
cause the output to fire as soon as the ARM switch is placed in the ARMED
position with a charge present on the capacitors.
If not in “radio-only” mode, full energy level is reached within 0.5 to 9 seconds,
after switching to ARMED, depending upon the energy level selected. Capacitor
charge is then maintained until the output is fired or the ARM switch is moved to
SAFE position. Length of charge time is a function of the energy level. Firing into
a load will immediately discharge the capacitors to a lower value, but not to zero.
Switching to SAFE will merely stop charging, but the firing energy will remain in
the capacitors until the PWR switch is turned off. The capacitor bank is slowly
discharged while the power switch is off. This process takes approximately one
minute for complete discharge from maximum energy to zero.

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The MANUAL FIRE position is a momentary spring return position which, if not in
“radio-only” mode, causes the output to fire when actuated within 3 seconds of
having been in ARMED position. Switching to SAFE for more than 3 seconds
disables the MANUAL FIRE function until the switch is again placed in ARMED
position. To conserve battery life, capacitor charging is stopped whenever
MANUAL FIRE is activated. It will not resume until this switch is moved from
SAFE to ARMED position.
The TEST switch is a spring-return switch which activates the module’s output
continuity test function. Operation of the “TEST” switch is described in section
1.4.
1.3 THE BATTERY / ACTIVATE INDICATOR.
While power is on, this indicator, located just above the POWER switch, will flash
periodically in bursts of one, two, or three flashes at a time if the battery has
enough capacity to power the module. If the capacitor bank is discharged, it will
flash green, if partially charged, it will flash orange, and if charged fully to the
selected energy level, it will flash red.
If no flashing occurs, the batteries will need to be replaced before the module
can be used reliably. Three flashes per burst indicate that the batteries have full
capacity, two flashes indicate that their capacity is beginning to diminish, and
one flash indicates that they are near the end of their useful lifetime in which
case they should be replaced immediately after the current use. Adequate
module power is available as long as the battery voltage is above approximately
5 volts, but the battery voltage will drop rapidly after this point. While this
additional time should be adequate to complete the current operation, it is not
absolutely predictable, and so all batteries should be replaced at the very next
opportunity.
This indicator will also light while a wire-fire input signal, or a radio signal that
matches the expected preamble and sync code of the system communication
protocol, is being received, even if it is from a transmitter set to a different digital
channel, different system code, or firing a different cue than the one to which the
receiver has been paired. It will light green if the reception does not match the
selected cue, channel, and system code, and it will not fire the output. It will
light red if the received command is capable of firing the output. This
includes the wire-fire and manual-fire commands. This feature is useful for
warning of the presence of firing signals before the arm switch is turned on and
for indication of activity on other digital channels.
At power-on, this indicator will flash amber to indicate the channel number to
which the radio receiver has been paired. This flashing pattern is described in
section 1.2 above. It will then begin its normal battery flashing cycle.

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1.4 THE TEST INDICATOR.
This indicator, located just above the TEST switch, lights green when the switch
is momentarily pressed upward if there is a device connected between the yellow
output terminals. This test uses a one milliampere current to perform a
galvanometer function that verifies continuity through the device connected to
the output, ensuring that a successful firing will occur when the module is
actuated. The test current is well below the minimum fire current of electrically
actuated devices, and it is only applied while the TEST switch is actuated. The
test can be performed safely in both the SAFE and ARMED positions of the ARM
switch.
1.5 THE REMOTE INPUT CONNECTORS.
When the ARM switch is in the ARMED position, a contact closure or a 9 VDC
pulse applied to these terminals will cause the output to fire. If triggering with a
DC pulse, the pulse’s positive wire should be connected to the red terminal, and
the pulse’s negative wire should be connected to the black terminal. The input is
protected from accidental reverse polarity connection, but the output will not fire
in this case.
1.6 THE OUTPUT CONNECTORS.
The device to be fired is connected between the yellow “PyroClip” spring
terminals located at the end of the top panel.
CAUTION: The pulse applied to these terminals may be as high as 315
volts when the output is fired. This will result in a painful, and possibly
lethal, electric shock to a person touching these terminals at the moment
they are fired. BE CAREFUL! Do not touch their metal contacts unless the
ARM switch is in “SAFE” position and/or the power switch is off. To be
sure no charge remains on the capacitors, wait at least one minute after
turning off the power switch. This is especially important before opening
the module’s enclosure, as it is possible to accidentally make direct
connection to the stored capacitor voltage, even in SAFE mode, while the
enclosure is open.

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1.7 THE BATTERIES.
All power is supplied from four AA alkaline batteries, contained in a compartment
in the bottom of the plastic box as shown below:
The batteries should be replaced when required by conditions described in
section 1.3 above. Be careful to observe the positive and negative polarity
markings in the battery compartment when installing batteries. In order to
prevent irreversible damage to the module, the batteries should be removed
before storing the module for long periods of time. To prevent battery depletion
and resulting leakage, be sure the power switch is turned off when the
module is not being used.
1.8 THE DIGITAL SWITCH.
A 16 position rotary switch inside the module, accessed as shown above, is used
to select radio pairing mode or one of three firing modes (“radio-fire / fire-by-
wire”, “fire-by-wire only”, or “radio-only”) and one of five output energy levels.
Digital Switch Access Hole

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The digital switch has been initially set to position “5” at the factory for operation by
radio, wire-fire, and manual-fire, with energy level of 12.3 joules (316 VDC output pulse).
Access to this switch is gained by removing the adhesive seal over the hole in the
bottom cover shown in section 1.7 above. The digital switch can then be set by turning it
with a miniature flat blade screwdriver. The possible selections are shown in the
following table:
Switch Position
Output Energy / Max Voltage
Mode
1
1.14 joules / 96 volts
Radio / wire-fire
2
3.16 joules / 160 volts
Radio / wire-fire
3
5,55 joules / 212 volts
Radio / wire-fire
4
8.67 joules / 265 volts
Radio / wire-fire
5
12.3 joules / 316 volts
Radio / wire-fire
6
1.14 joules / 96 volts
Manual / wire-fire only
7
3.16 joules / 160 volts
Manual / wire-fire only
8
5,55 joules / 212 volts
Manual / wire-fire only
9
8.67 joules / 265 volts
Manual / wire-fire only
A
12.3 joules / 316 volts
Manual / wire-fire only
B
1.14 joules / 96 volts
Radio only
C
3.16 joules / 160 volts
Radio only
D
5,55 joules / 212 volts
Radio only
E
8.67 joules / 265 volts
Radio only
F
12.3 joules / 316 volts
Radio only
0
Pair with transmitted cue,
channel, and system code.
(Factory setting shown in yellow)
Other combinations of output energy level, cue number, and radio channel can
optionally be provided by the factory.
Charging does not start when power is turned on.
If “manual / wire-fire only” (no radio) is selected by setting the switch to positions 6 –A,
output capacitor charging will begin upon switching from SAFE to ARMED. It will take
approximately 9 seconds to charge from 0 to 12.3 joules. Charge will then be
maintained until a wire-fire or manual-fire command input, at which time charging will
cease in order to conserve battery life. The ARM switch must be set to SAFE and then
back to ARMED to restart charging in this mode.
If “radio-only” mode is selected by setting the switch to positions B –F, output capacitor
charging will not begin until the module is armed and a transmitter is turned on. Holatron
transmitters output a “Reset” command automatically when they are turned on. So the
High Energy Trigger can be left on and armed, but its power will be conserved until the
transmitter is turned on and charging commences. Charging ceases upon output firing
in order to further conserve battery life. Charging can be restarted by turning the
transmitter off and then back on in this mode.
All other switch positions allow firing by wire, manual, and radio command. Charging is
initiated by switching from SAFE to ARMED in these modes.

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2.0 RADIO INTERFERENCE REDUCTION.
. For obvious safety reasons, Holatron's design goal is to ensure that data communication
errors due to radio interference or to insufficient signal strength due to low battery,
exceeding specified range, or conductive objects in the signal path will result in failure of
intentional actuation rather than unintended actuation. This goal is achieved by
transmitting a 64 bit noise-rejecting code repeatedly while a transmitter button is
depressed. 60 of these bits must match the pattern expected by the receiver. Thus,
there is one chance in (2 to the 60th power) of an actuation occurring due to reception of
a random signal. Expressed in decimal numbers, this is (1.1529 times 10 to the 18st
power, or 11529 followed by 14 zeroes). This is a probability of 8.6736 times 10 to the -
19th power (or a decimal point followed by 18 zeroes followed by 86736). Though this
probability of unintended actuation is extremely small, it cannot be guaranteed to be
zero. Therefore, it is important that the user not power up and arm the trigger with
device(s) connected until all persons who might be harmed by accidental
actuation are in a safe area.
Additional protection is offered by use of 418 MHz as the operating frequency. This
frequency is used only by low power transmitters with a maximum range of
approximately 100 yards. It is not commonly used by auto security systems, garage door
openers, radio control models, cordless or cellular telephones, wireless microphones, or
two way communications equipment. Because this system operates in the UHF region,
interference from lamp dimmers, electrical discharges, and other natural sources is also
minimal. In case of 418 MHz interference problems, we recommend use of our 315 MHz
systems, and this little used frequency has never produced any complaints of
interference problems.
No instances of unexpected actuation with this communications technology have been
reported to date, but the user must consider that radio is a shared medium. It is very
important to know what other wireless devices are operating in the vicinity of this
equipment. Interference from non-Holatron equipment can result in diminished range or
failure-to-fire, and interference from other Holatron devices operating on the same
channel and with the same system code can result in unexpected actuation. To be
protected from this possibility, the user must request a proprietary system code from
Holatron when ordering a transmitter.

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3.0 SPECIFICATIONS.
Parameter
Minimum
Typical
Maximum
Carrier Frequency, MHz.
417.96
418.02
418.08
Range
(line-of-sight with XMTR12B or RFLS-1XT xmtr)
½ mile
Delay from start of transmission to fire output
100 msec
Charge-up time from pwr-on to max energy level
9 sec
Average battery drain, (1.14 joules)
Average battery drain, (12.3 joules)
Instantaneous battery drain, (charging)
20 mA
45 mA
500 mA
Continuous battery life, (not charging)
Continuous battery life, (1.14 joules, charging)
Continuous battery life, (12.3 joules, charging)
4 months
4 days
2.5 days
Low Battery Detect Threshold
5.0 V
Battery Input Voltage
4.0 V
6.0 V
6.5 V
Output Fire Voltage
96 V
316 V
Output Fire Energy (standard trigger)
1.14 joules
12.3 joules
Output Test Current
1 mA
Height of box
1.0 in
Width of box
4.0 in
Length of box
7.5 in
Weight of receiver, including batteries
13 oz
4.0 OPERATION AND PAIRING.
This section describes the recommended operating and pairing procedure for the High
Energy Trigger module.
4.1 OPERATION.
4.1.1 If firing by radio signal, turn on and arm the transmitter, and with
the module’s ARM switch in SAFE position and no devices
connected, perform a range test by observing the BATTERY /
ACTIVITY light on the module while pressing a transmitter fire
button. An assistant may be needed to observe the module activity
light while you operate the transmitter. There should be no
intervening conductive objects for most reliable operation. Module
antenna must be elevated 12” or more above earth ground level or
nearest conductive surface to achieve full specified range. When
transmitting over water, range will normally exceed the specified
value.
4.1.2 With the transmitter off and in the possession of the operator, the module
power off, and its ARM switch in SAFE position, connect the device to be
fired to the yellow output terminals.

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4.1.3 Turn on the module power switch, and verify that the batteries are not
depleted and that no radio or wire-fire signals are being received by
observing the “BATTERY / ACTIVITY” indicator as described in section
1.3.
4.1.4 Momentarily press the TEST switch upward and verify continuity through
the output device by observing that the TEST indicator lights green.
4.1.5 When the area around the device to be actuated is clear of persons who
might be harmed by an accidental actuation, and after verifying that the
module’s activity light is not erratic or illuminated continuously (radio or
wire-fire signal being detected), move the ARM switch downward into its
ARMED position. If the module’s digital switch is not in a “radio-only”
position, charging will begin immediately. Otherwise, it will wait for a
transmitter turn-on signal. Allow 9 seconds for full 12.3 joule charge to be
achieved, as indicated by a red flashing BATTERY / ACTIVATE light.
WARNING:
If the module’s activity light is not green and is erratic or on
continuously, its output may be actuated immediately upon
switching to ARMED.
Never arm (or power up) the module with a connected device if it
has been internally contaminated with water or any other substance,
as unexpected actuation could occur due to conductive residues
remaining on the circuit board. Contact Holatron Systems first.
4.1.6 If firing by radio, move to a safe distance and wait until you are ready to
fire before turning on the transmitter. This causes the transmitter to
automatically signal the module to begin charging. In order to conserve
module battery life, the module will not charge up until signaled that the
transmitter has been turned on.
4.1.7 If possible, verify that the module output capacitors are fully charged by
observing that the flashing activity light has changed from green to red.
(Orange flashes indicate partial but not full charge.) If unable to view the
flashing module charge indicator, wait at least 10 seconds before firing.
4.1.8 The module charge will be maintained until it is fired, disarmed, or
powered off. Since battery consumption is relatively high during the
charge / maintenance period, you should fire the module soon after
charge-up is complete in order to maximize battery life.
4.1.9 Fire the module by transmitting the cue and channel number and system
code to which the module has been paired. Reception of these paired
parameters when firing by radio, whether the module is armed or not, will
immediately stop capacitor charging in order to conserve battery life.
Charging can be restarted by turning the transmitter off and back on.

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4.1.10 Alternatively, if not in “radio only” mode, you can fire manually or by wire
by applying a contact closure or 9 VDC signal to the remote input
terminals. Red is positive, and black is negative. The remote input
terminals are optically isolated from the high voltage output for safety.
If not in “radio-only” mode, charging can be restarted by setting the
module’s ARM switch to SAFE for at least 3 seconds and then back to
ARMED. In “radio-only” mode, charging can only be restarted by turning
the transmitter off and back on.
4.1.11 When finished firing, power down the transmitter and then the module(s).
If a module was flashing green, it is OK to disconnect its output wires
immediately. If it was not green, wait at least one minute before
disconnecting its output wires.
4.2 PAIRING WITH A TRANSMITTER.
Three parameters determine the transmitters to which the module will
respond:
Proprietary System Code (0-255),
Digital Channel (1-12),
Cue Number (1-12)
With the digital switch set to position 0, a single transmission will cause
the module to grab all three parameters and pair itself with the transmitter
that sent them. This pairing will be saved in non-volatile memory even
when the module power is off. After power is cycled and the switch is
subsequently set to a non-zero position, the module will respond only to
this saved system code, channel, and cue number.
The default factory setting is system code 0, channel 1, cue 1.

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5.0 MAINTENANCE.
Since there are no calibration or tuning adjustments in the module, the only
maintenance required is periodic replacement of the AA batteries. They should be
replaced with a pair of new batteries at least once every two years, at the next
opportunity if the battery level indication is flashing 1 flash per burst, or immediately if
there are no flashes.
The face of the High Energy Trigger, which is sealed, may be safely cleaned by wiping
with a damp cloth. The battery compartment door and the junction between the front and
back panels are not water tight, however. The High Energy Trigger must never be
immersed in water.
For prolonged storage or shipping, the batteries should be removed. The antenna can
also be removed by unscrewing it.
If further information or service is required, contact:
Holatron Systems, LLC.
2800 Woodlawn Dr., Ste. 138
Honolulu, HI 96822-1864
808-372-0956
www.holatron.com