Intermec EasyCoder PL4 User manual

EasyCoder PL4
Printer
User's Guide

Intermec Technologies Corporation
6001 36th Avenue West
Everett, WA 98203
U.S. service and technical support: 1-800-755-5505
U.S. media supplies ordering information: 1-800-227-9947
Canadian service and technical support: 1-800-668-7043
Canadian media supplies ordering information: 1-800-268-6936
Outside U.S.A. and Canada: Contact your local Intermec service
supplier.
The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely
for the purpose of allowing customers to operate and/or service
Intermec manufactured equipment and is not to be released,
reproduced, or used for any other purpose without written permission
of Intermec.
Information and specifications in this manual are subject to change
without notice.
2003 by Intermec Technologies Corporation
All Rights Reserved
The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, MobileLAN, JANUS, Trakker
Antares, EZBuilder, Data Collection Browser, dcBrowser, EasyCoder,
EasyLAN, TE 2000, Universal Access Point, UAP, IRL, and CrossBar
are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Intermec
Corporation.
Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A.
Throughout this manual, trademarked names may be used. Rather
than put a trademark (or ) symbol in every occurrence of a
trademarked name, we state that we are using the names only in an
editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no
intention of infringement.
There are U.S. and foreign patents pending.

EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide iii
Contents
Introducing the EasyCoder PL4 Printer......................................... 5
Unpacking and Inspecting .............................................. 5
Reporting Damage.......................................................... 5
Learning About the Printer............................................................ 6
Installing the Battery ..................................................................... 7
Charging the Battery ..................................................................... 8
Using the Single Battery Charger .................................... 8
Using the 4-Pack Charger ............................................. 10
Understanding the Control Panels............................................... 13
Standard Control Panel................................................. 13
LCD Control Panel ...................................................... 14
Loading the Media ...................................................................... 17
Loading Fanfold Media ............................................................... 21
Verifying the Printer Is Working................................................. 22
Establishing Communications With a Terminal.......................... 27
Serial Cable Communications....................................... 27
Bluetooth Communications.......................................... 30
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Communications ..................................................... 32
Setting Up the Software .............................................................. 44
Downloading Firmware............................................................... 45
Using the Accessories .................................................................. 46
Using the Belt Clip ....................................................... 47
Using the Adjustable Shoulder Strap ............................. 48
Maintaining the Printer............................................................... 49
Extending Battery Life .................................................. 49
Cleaning the Printer...................................................... 50

iv EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide
Troubleshooting.......................................................................... 52
Understanding the Standard Control Panel LEDs ......... 53
Understanding the LCD Control Panel Icons................53
Troubleshooting Printer Problems................................. 54
Using Communications Diagnostics Mode ................... 57
Specifications............................................................................... 58
Printing Specifications................................................... 58
Memory/Communications Specifications...................... 58
Label Specifications....................................................... 59
Font/Bar Code Specifications ........................................ 60
Physical/Environmental/Electrical Specifications ...........60
Communications Port................................................... 61
Accessories .................................................................... 62

EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide 5
Introducing the EasyCoder PL4 Printer
Thank you for choosing the Intermec EasyCoder®PL4 Printer.
This rugged printer is sure to become a productive and efficient
addition to your workplace thanks to its innovative design.
Intermec ensures world-class support for all of your bar code
printers, software, and supplies.
This user’s guide gives you all the information necessary to
operate the PL4 printer.
The PL4 uses the CPL programming language. To create and
print labels using the CPL language, refer to the EasyCoder
PL-Series Printer Programmer’s Reference Manual (P/N 073210).
You can also use our Intermec PL-Series Utility Software™
(PLUS™) to create labels and send files to your printer. The
manual and Intermec PLUS are available on the CD that came
with your printer and on our web site at www.intermec.com.
Unpacking and Inspecting
Inspect the printer for possible shipping damage:
• Check all exterior surfaces for damage.
• Open the media cover (refer to “Loading the Media” later in
this guide) and inspect the media compartment for damage.
In case shipping is required, save the carton and all packing
material.
Reporting Damage
If you discover shipping damage:
• Immediately notify and file a damage report with the
shipping company. Intermec is not responsible for any
damage incurred during shipment of the printer and will not
cover the repair of this damage under its warranty policy.
• Keep the carton and all packing material for inspection.
• Notify your authorized Intermec reseller or sales
representative.

6 EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide
Learning About the Printer
The EasyCoder PL4 printer is a rugged, portable label and
receipt printer that provides:
• Print resolution of 203 dpi
• Print speeds up to 7.62 cm (3 inches) per second
• Serial or wireless communications options
Use the next two illustrations to familiarize yourself with the
printer.
Platen
roller Black mark
sensor
Rear
media slot
Media support
(2 places)
Self-strip
bar
Media
cover
Media support
disks (2 places)
Printhead
Control
panel
Latch
Latch
release
button
"D" rings
Media rollers
(2 places)
PL4U002.eps
Front view of the EasyCoder PL4

EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide 7
Communications
port
Belt clip
Battery
Charger
jack PL4U003.eps
Back view of the EasyCoder PL4
Installing the Battery
Note: Batteries are shipped uncharged.
1 Unwrap the battery.
2 Rotate the belt clip to allow access to the battery
compartment.
3 Insert the battery into the printer.

8 EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide
Belt clip
Battery
Charger
jack
PL4U006.eps
4 Press the battery into the printer until it locks in place.
When the battery is first installed, the Control Panel indicators
may briefly turn on and then go off which indicates the battery
is not fully charged. For help, see “Using the Single Battery
Charger” and “Understanding the Control Panels” later in this
guide.
Charging the Battery
This section explains how to use the following chargers:
• Single battery charger (P/N AT15759-1) that comes with an
AC contact adapter for the U.S.A. (110V). You can also order
a set of international contact adapters (P/N AN16740-1).
• 4-pack battery charger (P/N AT16305-2) that is designed to
charge up to four PL4 batteries simultaneously. You must
remove the batteries from the printer to charge them.
Using the Single Battery Charger
Using the single battery charger, you can charge the battery
while it is in the printer or when it is removed. If the battery is
in the printer, the printer must be turned off to charge the
battery.

EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide 9
Do not attempt to charge batteries with the charger while
printing. Attempting to print while charging can result in
improperly charged batteries.
Attention: Ne pas essayer de charger des batteries à l’aide du
chargeur pendant l’impression. Toute tentative d’impression
pendant le processus de charge risque de produire des
batteries mal chargées.
To use the single battery charger
1 (Optional) Install the battery in the printer. For help, see the
previous section.
2 Insert the AC contact adapter into the single battery charger.
3 Plug the single battery charger into an AC wall receptacle.
4 Insert the charge cable into the charger jack.
Single
battery
charger
AC
contact
adapter
Charger
jack
PL4U008.eps
Charger
LED

10 EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide
5 The charger LED will indicate the status of the charger as
follows:
Charger LED Status Description
Steady on light The battery is undergoing a fast charge.
Slow blinking light The charger is in trickle mode. The battery
is ready for use.
Rapidly blinking light There is a problem with the battery. It may
have an internal short or its charge
monitoring circuitry may be
malfunctioning. Do not use the battery.
Using the 4-Pack Charger
Please follow these guidelines when situating the 4-pack charger:
• Do not place the charger in locations where liquids or
metallic objects may be dropped into the charging bays.
• Do not block the ventilating slots on the top and bottom
covers.
• Make sure the charger is plugged into a power source that
stays on for overnight charging.
To charge the battery with the 4-pack charger
1 Make sure the charger has been installed properly. See the
guide that came with your 4-pack charger for help. The
power indicator on the front panel should be on.