Kane International AUTO600 User manual

AUTO600
SMOKEMETER
Kane International Limited
Kane House, Swallowfield
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire, AL7 1JG
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.kane.co.uk
Stock No: 18863 February 2010
© Kane International Ltd

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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The AUTO600 is a ‘partial flow’ smokemeter that takes a sample of
exhaust gas through a flexible insertion probe into a heated tube.
A proportion of the sampled gas is then diverted into a heated measuring
tube along which light of calibrated intensity is directed. (The unused
sample gas is exhausted at the opposite end of the instrument)
The obscuration of this calibrated light gives an accurate measurement of
the density of the smoke in the tube.
Vectored air curtains are directed at the lenses at each end of the
measurement tube to mitigate against sooting up of the lenses.
A fresh air fan is used to clear any smoke from the measurement tube at
the end of a test sequence.

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BATTERY CHARGING:
The AUTO600 has an integrated NiMh battery pack that can be recharged
by
a) using a mains powered battery charger
b) using the optional charger lead from an in-vehicle 12 V dc supply
c) using the optional charger lead from a portable 12 V dc supply
The first charge should be for 12 hours continuously. When an external
charger is connected and power is detected the green LED above the
charger socket flashes.
NiMh batteries are suitable for top up charging at any time, even for short
periods. The charger can be left connected to the Smokemeter
continuously.
An in-vehicle charger can be used to top up the analyser's batteries from a
12 volt vehicle battery. The part number is KMCU450/12. Alternatively
proprietary automotive battery packs can be used.
The Handset uses 2 x AA cells and is supplied with non-rechargeable
alkaline cells. If required these can be replaced with rechargeable NiMh
cells which must be recharged outside the handset.
Time/date are held for 60 secs with batteries out. When batteries are
changed in the handset always re-check for correct date and time.
NOTE: Please ensure that used cells are recycled according to local
environmental legislation.

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PREPARING FOR USE
TIP: For maximum battery operating life it is strongly recommended
that the Smokemeter is connected either to a mains adapter or
to an in-vehicle power supply so that the heavy current demands
needed during the warm-up phase are supplied from an external
source. This will increase operational battery life by over 50%.
Attaching the probe:
CAUTION: Wear gloves as the probe will be dirty after use.
The probe attaches to the analyzer body using a metal screw thread
attachment. This only needs to be hand tight. Take care not to over
tighten or cross thread it.
Do not insert the probe into the vehicle exhaust until:
a) the vehicle’s engine is up to the required temperature
b) the smokemeter has completed its warm up sequence and has
auto-calibrated itself.
Only insert the probe into the exhaust when instructed to do so by the
handset

Page 5
THE MAIN SWITCH
There is a master ON/OFF switch located on the underside of the
Smokemeter main unit. This must be switched on before use. The OFF
position is provide for when longer term storage is anticipated to ensure
that the batteries are not discharged

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The Handset
There are 7 buttons on the handset
0/1 the on/off button
Backlight: press the button for four contrast levels then the backlight
will switch on. Press the button for four levels of contrast with the
backlight on, then the backlight will switch off.
UP : used to scroll or increment
Print/down: also used to scroll or decrement
ENTER: used to select functions
MODE: toggles between operating modes.
UNITS: toggles between /m and hu
Operating the Handset:
Operating the ON/OFF button on the handset initiates the handset and
main analyser start up sequence. The three LEDs on the main unit will
flash slowly between dim and bright until operating temperature has been
reached then the flash rate will change.
KANE
Auto 600
Bluetooth
connected
The handset screen will display the system status and changes to it. The
warm-up sequence counts up for up to 25 minutes and will jump out of
this sequence as soon as the main heaters have reached temperature.

Page 7
After 2 minutes or so the air curtain pump is initiated as part of the auto
zeroing calibration process.
KANE
Auto 600
Sys Init
24.50 min
As the system comes close to temperature the internal fan is operated for
a few seconds to ensure that the measurement tube is completely free
from residual smoke particles.
Once correct operating conditions have been achieved the display shows
KANE
Auto 600
0.00/m
The smokemeter is ready for use.
TIP: Press the UP key and the display will show date and time on its
bottom lines for about 5 secs.
Communication between the handset and the main analyser is normally
achieved using Class1 Bluetooth devices which have a nominal range of
100 metres in free air.

Page 8
Test Sequence:
TIP: Sometimes it is obvious that the emissions from a diesel engine
are unacceptable even without using a smokemeter to make a
measurement. Under such circumstances it is strongly
recommended that remedial action is taken on the engine before
any measurements are made. This will prevent premature
fogging of the smokemeter’s optics.
The AUTO600 Smokemeter operates using a Single Peak test mode. So
that on a single acceleration it is looking for the peak level of smoke
emission over a period of at least 3 secs. The start of the test is detected
automatically by a rising threshold of smoke level. (The sensitivity of this
threshold can be adjusted in MENU … TRIGGER. 3 is the standard
default setting.)
In fresh air the display will be 0.00 but inside an exhaust the background
level of smoke will be detected and displayed 0.2 or 0.3 / metre is typical.
The accelerator must be fully depressed in a smooth motion in under one
second and held at full acceleration for at least 3 seconds. The engine
must be at running temperature at the start of this test.
If the vehicle has been idling for some time it is normal to conduct a
‘dummy’ run with the probe outside the exhaust to pre-condition the
engine.
After 3 secs of operation above the threshold the peak reading is
displayed. There are 32 samples per second taken and these are displayed
on the screen.
Units of display can be Hartridge units (hu) or per metre (m).
After a test the test results can be printed using the KMIRP portable
printer. Always ensure the printer is switched on and there is a clear line
of sight between the printer and the handset.

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MODES
1) Continuous: the level of smoke in the tube is measured and
displayed.
2) Zerocheck: turns the fan on for 45 secs to clear the tube of any
smoke.
NOTE: the probe must be in fresh air at this time.
The handset prompts REMOVE PROBE FROM EXHAUST…PRESS
ENTER TO CONTINUE
KANE
Auto 600
Zero Chk
Underway
KANE
Auto 600
Zero Chk
Complete
3) Peak: this is the standard 3 second peak hold mode
Smoke
Peak
0.09/mP
The Smokemeter detects the change in level of smoke and holds the
highest reading that it sees. This result can then be printed.
To exit this mode press MENU.
NOTE: If ENTER is pressed this initiates a re-zero. Always remove the
probe from the exhaust before pressing ENTER in this mode.

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4) Menu:
Use up and down key to scroll through selections.
TRIGGER
TIME
DATE
Serial No.
Press ENTER to select:
TRIGGER
The default setting for the trigger level is 3. In low smoke situations if the
PEAK MODE fails to trigger increase the sensitivity. The range is 0 to 5.
0 should only be used in high smoke situations when absolutely
necessary. High smoke situations risk dirtying the optics.
Trigger
Sens 3
UpKyIncs
DownDecS
TIME
Time
08:08:24
Use up or down to change the time setting.

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DATE
Date
15/02/10
Use up or down to change the date setting.
SERIAL NO
Serial
No
2506
10092
This is provided for information.
To EXIT press MODE button.
5) Zerosmoke: takes base unit back to its start up condition ie. it self
calibrates.
Smoke
BaseZero
Enter
To Cont.
Smoke
BaseZero
Mode
To Exit.

Page 12
Continue
Remove
Probe
From
Exhaust
Press enter when done
Remove
Probe
Pls wait
zeroing
Once zeroing has been completed the display shows:
KANE
Auto 600
Zerosmoke
0.0 hu
SAFETY WARNING
This analyser extracts exhaust gases that may be toxic in relatively low
concentrations. These gases are exhausted from the top and the base of
the Smokemeter.
This analyser must only be used in well-ventilated locations by
trained and competent persons after due consideration of all the
potential hazards.

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CALIBRATION
The Smokemeter’s calibration is automatically adjusted after every test
sequence. This is done by accurately measuring the light being received
by the detector. If the light level is too low the lenses require cleaning.
Since the smoke density measurement is directly related to the level of
light obscuration this process serves as an automatic re-calibration.
Should automatic recalibration not succeed it may indicate an electronic
failure or a failure to properly remove residual smoke after a test
sequence. In extreme cases, after extensive use with high smoke output
engines, there may be a build up of soot in the measurement tube
obscuring the light path.
See below for details of how to correct for these situations.
Calibration Verification
For regulatory emissions programmes some authorities still require that
calibration is regularly verified using neutral density filters.
The AUTO600 is currently unapproved (approval to UK standards
pending) and so is only intended for use in pre-compliance testing
situations.
With future approvals in mind the AUTO600 has been designed to allow
such calibration verification to be performed.
When required this can be achieved as follows:
Remove an End Cap as detailed below and then withdraw the air curtain
applicator. Insert a neutral density filter in place of the air curtain and run
a static test to confirm calibration.
Note: Tthe neutral density filter must be perfectly clean to give
repeatable results. You must also confirm the accuracy limits of
the filter and apply these as appropriate to local regulations
Neutral density filters are an optional extra as different regulators
mandate different densities of filters and different accuracy levels.

Page 14
Low Battery Indication
The handset indicates that its batteries are low by a message on the
screen.
The Smokemeter indicates that its batteries are low by flashing its three
LEDs bright and then dim. A warning is also displayed on the handset.

Page 15
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
WARNING: Some internal parts of the Smokemeter are heated to
temperatures in excess of 70
o
C. Switch the
Smokemeter off for 30 minutes or so before touching
the internals or wear suitably protective thermal
gloves.
How to remove the end caps:
The end caps are each held in place by two captive Philips headed screws.
Once these have been completely undone the end caps are removed by
sliding them horizontally away from the main case assembly.

Page 16
How to remove the light source
The light source is marked with an identification label (1). A matching
label is attached to the correct end of the main case assembly.
Disconnect the light source’s connector by gentling pulling on the cable
where it enters the body of the main case assembly.
The connector is non-locking so it just pulls out. Note the orientation of
the connector. The key way lugs face outwards.
Hold the body of the light source assembly and rotate it anticlockwise
until the marker point is at the 12 o clock position. (a rotation of approx.
15 degrees) The light source can now be removed by withdrawing it
horizontally along the main access of the case assembly.

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How to remove the detector assembly
The detector assembly is marked with an identification label (0). A
matching label is attached to the correct end of the main case assembly.
Disconnect the detector assembly’s connector by gentling pulling on the
cable where it enters the body of the main case assembly. The connector
is non-locking so it just pulls out. The key way lugs face outwards.
Hold the body of the detector assembly and rotate it anticlockwise until
the marker point is at the 12 o clock position. (a rotation of approx. 15
degrees) The assembly can now be removed by withdrawing it
horizontally along the main access of the case assembly.

Page 18
How to clean the lenses:
It is important to use a lens cleaning fluid that leaves no residue with an
optical quality microfiber cloth to minimise the risk of damaging the lens
surfaces. These are readily available for use with camera lenses etc.
NOTE: Always apply the cleaning fluid to the cloth not to the lens.
After cleaning leave in a warm dry place for enough time for all of the
cleanser residue to evaporate.
How to clean the measurement tube.
The measuring tube is coated with black paint and care must be taken if
cleaning this tube to ensure that this surface is not degraded by the
cleaning process.
The tube can be cleaned using a soft ‘bottle’ brush. It needs to be pushed
in and pulled out a few times and be rotated whilst doing so to loosen any
soot that has attached itself to the wall of the measurement tube. A
vacuum cleaner (not supplied) can be used to extract any loosened
particles. The use of compressed air is not recommended.
How to refit the light source:
Check that the identification label on the assembly matches that on the
main case body.
Slide the source assembly onto it spigot with the marker at 12 o clock and
when it is fully home rotate the assembly clockwise to its stop. The cable
should now be at the 6 o clock position of the source assembly.
Carefully re-fit the connector ensuring that it is fully mated.

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How to refit the detector assembly
Check that the identification label on the assembly matches that on the
main case body.
Slide the detector assembly onto it spigot with the marker at 12 o clock
and when it is fully home rotate the assembly clockwise to its stop. The
cable should now be at the 6 o clock position of the detector assembly.
Carefully re-fit the connector ensuring that it is fully mated.
How to refit the end caps
The probe end cap goes to the left hand side of the main case when
viewed from the side facing the three LEDs. Align the end caps in turn
with the main case and slide them horizontally checking that they are
correctly mated. Tighten the two screws a little at a time, in turn, until
the end caps are symmetrically aligned in all plains. Now tighten the
screws to provide firm attachment without risking stripping the screw
threads.
How to clean the case
Always disconnect the Smokemeter from any charger and switch the
main switch off.
The main case material is Polypropolene. It can be cleaned using a
proprietary non-solvent foaming cleanser and a soft cloth or tissue. Take
care to avoid applying too much liquid particularly near the connector and
switch. Follow the cleanser manufacturer’s instruction.
After cleaning leave in a warm dry place for enough time for all the
cleanser residue to evaporate before re-applying power to the instrument
The Handset materials: PC – ABS with a rubber over-moulding.

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How to remove the Smokemeter’s battery module
Turn the Smokemeter on its side on a suitable surface and unscrew the
four screws.
Note: These screws are not captive.
The battery pack’s connector is a locking connector and it must be
unclipped prior to disconnection.
Note: The battery pack’s connecting cable is positioned at the right
hand side of the main case when viewed from the side facing the
three LEDs.