Leak-Guardian 2500 User manual

Leak-Guardian®
2500 SYSTEM GUIDE
RADIO CONTROLLED LEAK DETECTION/
AUTOMATIC WATER SHUT OFF SYSTEM

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The Leak-Guardian®System
The Leak-Guardian System is activated upon sensing any leak where
a Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter is located.
Water coming from the main water supply will be cut-off.
Note: Residual water may flow down from pipes in the water
distribution system.
Reciever Actuator Sensor/Transmitter

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Leak-Guardian®Installation
The Leak-Guardian System installation is a simple procedure. Unlike
other systems that offer leak protection on a point-by-point basis,
where a shut off device must be placed at each potential leak site, the
patented Leak-Guardian requires only ONE plumbing connection.
The Leak-Guardian Actuator allows full flow of water in 3/4 or 1
inch water piping systems, when the valve is in the open state. In
the OFF state, it completely shuts off the water line to the pipeline
downstream from the Leak-Guardian Actuator.
The Leak-Guardian Systems requires these five installation steps:
1. Start by turning off the main shutoff valve for the water system
you will be installing the Leak-Guardian into.
2. Install the motorized water cutoff ball valve assembly (The
Acuator) onto the water supply line after the water meter and
after fire suppression sprinkler line. (See figure on opposite
page). Make sure that the plastic cover is oriented above the
ball valve and motor assembly.
3. Attach the Leak-Guardian Receiver to the wall within 8 feet of
the ball valve.
4. Remove cover from the Leak-Guardian Reciever, connect the 9-
volt battery, replace Receiver cover and plug the 9-volt AC
power supply into the receiver power connector (J2).
5. Remove cover from the Sensor/Transmitter. Pull the insulator
shim from the battery holder (see figure 3).
Once the installation has been accomplished, the system is ready to
protect your building. Place the Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter at
locations where the might be any possible flooding events: Water
Heaters, Boilers, Washing machines, Dishwashers, Ice makers, Com-
modes, or any other devices that use water from your water system
and is protected with the Leak-Guardian System.
IMPORTANT: There is no limit to the number of Sensor/Transmitters
that may be placed in a single application.
Test your Leak-Guardian system on a regular basis
(see text for test procedures)

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The Leak-Guardian Valve Actuator
Size: 3.4" x 4.3" x 6.0"
Power Requirement: 9-13 VDC @ 200mA.
Connection: 8' cable, 4 conductor IDC connector
The Valve Actuator is a low voltage, high torque control device created for
the express purpose of reliably shutting off the water line in response to
the shut off signal generated by the Model-2500 Leak-Guardian System.
Offered in 3/4" and 1" diameters, this valve allows full flow of water in
the open, or “ON” position, and is completely closed in the “OFF”
position.
The Leak-Guardian motorized actuator has been designed to offer a
controlled shutdown of a water supply unlike that of the common
solenoid valve that “SNAPS” closed when the signal to shut off is given.
The rapid “SNAP” action of the typical solenoid valve creates a danger-
ous side effect called “WATER HAMMERING”. Water hammering is
created when the flow of virtually any liquid is stopped very rapidly, and
this is especially dangerous with water due to it’s weight of 62.5 pound
per cubic foot.
Water hammering can generate hundreds of pounds per square inch
above the normal water line pressure of 65 to 90 PSI. Pressures of this
level are known to break solder joints, rupture hoses, and even cause
failures of pipes and water heaters.
The shut off valve of the Leak-Guardian System creates a slow, (2-3
seconds), shut off of water flow, eliminating the possibility of creating a
water hammering shock in the line.
Suggested installation of the Leak-Guardian Valve Actuator is done with
unions, so that the valve assembly can be inserted or removed from an
application without the use of a torch. The use of a pipecutter may be
the only tool you will need for this type of installation. Refer to the
installation drawing for further details of this suggested method of
placing the valve into an application.
Note: You must comply with your local plumbing code.
After installation of the ball valve in the water distribution pipeline,
note that the attached 4-wire cable ships inserted onto the 4-pin
connector (J1) of the Model 2500 Receiver unit, located adjacent to
the power connector (J2).

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Once the ball valve connector (J1) is attached, and after being
certain that the Reciever battery is in place, replace the cover of the
Receiver Unit and reconnect the 9VDC power cord of the power
supply.
Note: Do not remove the valve assembly cover.
The internal mechanism of the Leak-Guardian Motorized Ball Valve
Actuator has no user serviceable parts. The internal cams of the unit
have been precisely adjusted for the correct ON and OFF positions of
the ball valve. Any alteration of the cam setting will render the Leak-
Guardian System virtually useless.
Important notice:
Do not handle Leak-Guardian unit by the antenna
Do not pick up the units by the antenna. When installing and trans-
porting, hold only by the body of the units.
Do not operate this system without fresh batteries
This device is equipped with a battery level indicator that will inform
the user of a low battery. An alarm of about ½ second approximately
every three minutes will indicate the low battery.
There is no way to shut off the low battery level alarm beeping
condition, except for the removal of the battery. This override is
provided to the user as a shutoff for the beeper, and can only be
accomplished with the intervention and knowledge of the user.
Do not disable the low battery alarm for an extended period
of time
The Leak-Guardian Receiver module will not beep indicating a low
battery condition when the system is operated without a battery in
place. The system will also lack the capacity to shut off the water
system in the event of a flood during power failure.
Test your Leak-Guardian system once every month
Externally available “OPEN” and “CLOSE” pushbuttons are provided
for the user to test the system, as well as turning the water supply on
and off.

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When the Leak-Guardian system is installed, the system should be
tested (preferably once a month) by removing the 9VDC power plug
from the side of the Leak-Guardian Receiver module, (figure 6). Press
the “CLOSE” button (figure 4) while watching for the “SHUTOFF”
LED to illuminate. This should happen within 5 seconds. If it takes
longer than 6 seconds, it is an indication of a low battery power, and
should be replaced. Pressing the “OPEN” button will turn the water
supply back on and cause the LED to shut off.
After testing the system, be certain to replace the 9VDC
power plug back into the Leak-Guardian Receiver module.
Refer to figure 7 when replacing the battery
The Leak-Guardian Receiver module battery will back up your 120V
power for as much as 24 hours, in the event of a power failure. After
power has been lost for any extended period of time, the backup
battery should be replaced. The low battery voltage alarm may not
be the best indicator of the status of the battery. Always replace the
battery when power failures have extended beyond a period of
approximately 12 hours.
The Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter
Size: 2.675” square, height: .925”
Frequency of operation: 418mhz.
Power: +8 dbm max. (6.4 mw)
Batteries: 2 ea. 20mm coin (CR2032)
The Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter is equipped with a transistor-
ized circuit that is specifically designed to extend the life of the
internal batteries to their maximum capacity by not using any power
until it senses a leak.
When a leak is detected by the sensing pads of the Leak-Guardian Sensor/
Transmitter (figure 2), power is sent through the unit which then trans-
mits a radio signal to the Leak-Guardian Receiver module, closing the
incoming water supply, and eliminating a potential flood.

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Enabling the Sensor/Transmitter:
The Leak-Guardian is shipped from the factory with an insulator
shim (figure 3). The insulator shim must be removed from the battery
holder of the Sensor/Transmitter to initialize the unit.Failure to
remove this shim will render the leak Sensor/Transmitter unable to
detect a leak, and be unable to transmit a signal to the Receiver.
How to remove the Insulator shim form the Sensor/Transmitter:
1. Removing the four screws from the bottom of the Sensor/Trans-
mitter.
2. Gently remove the cover.
3. Gently pull out the shim from the battery holder (see figure 2).
4. Carefully replace the cover, and the four screws (do not over-
tighten).
Selecting an address:
The Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter and the Leak-Guardian Re-
ceiver module communicate using a radio linked data protocol that
requires the address selection switches on each respective unit to
contain matching addresses. Addresses are the patterns of the on/off
selections made for each of the switches numbered 1 through 8
(figure 9). The Leak-Guardian Receiver module is equipped with an
equivalent 8-position switch that must be set with the same switch
pattern as the Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter.
Due to the complete nature of the address selections available, your
factory set Leak-Guardian system address may match the address of
some other device as the Leak-Guardian (example: a remote garage door
opener, or another Leak-Guardian system in a neighbors home).
In such cases, a new address pattern will need to be set. The newly
selected transmitter address must be duplicated into the Leak-Guardian
Receiver module and all other Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitters. (See
“Leak-Guardian Receiver module” specifications.)

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Placement of the Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter:
The Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter should be placed in positions
on the floor near any potential source of a water leak (example: at
the base of a water heater, a washing machine, dishwasher, ice
maker, etc.). Be sure to place the Sensor/Transmitter in a dry place
that is at the lowest level possible where any leaking water will tend
to collect (See below for examples of placement).
Testing the Leak-Guardian:
The battery operated Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter, requires
that it be tested on a monthly schedule in order to insure that it is
always functioning properly.
Testing the Leak-Guardian is as simple as picking the unit up, wetting
the tip of a finger, and placing the wet fingertip between the main
sensing pad and the two active screws (the two screws that are
sectioned off from the main sensing pad) on the bottom of the unit
(figure 2). The red LED on the Leak-Guardian will illuminate and the
Leak-Guardian Receiver module will respond by shutting off the
water supply.
If the system fails to respond, change the Leak-Guardian
batteries immediately.
How to replace the battery in the Sensor/Transmitter:
1. Remove the cover from the Sensor/Transmitter by removing the
four screws from the bottom of the Sensor/Transmitter.
2. Gently remove the cover.
3. Remove the two coin batteries from holder (see figure 2).
4. Replace with two new coin type batteries.
5. Replace the cover, and the four screws (do not over-tighten).
Note: See P.14 for battery replacement instructions for
Reciever Module

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Note: Do not handle the Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter by
the antenna
Electronic devices are sensitive to static electrical discharges.
Walking on carpets, wearing certain clothing, and numerous other
sources can generate very large static charges. Always pick up
the Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter by the plastic body and touch
the bottom grounding surface first. This will reduce the risk of
discharge damage.
FIGURE 1 - TOP VIEW FIGURE 2 - BOTTOM VIEW
FIGURE 3 (COVER REMOVED)
ANTENNA
ALARM LED
SCREWS
MAIN
SENSING
PAD
INSULATOR
SHIM
ADDRESS
SWITCH
ALARM LED
Batteries: (2) CR2032 3 Volt Lithium
Note: Place both cells with the Plus (+)
side facing up, when replacing
the batteries.
ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH BATTERIES.
Always check that the antenna-to-an-
tenna clip connection is tight. Use caution
when tightening the connection, as it is
possible to break the antenna clip off of
the printed circuit board. This will result
in the unit being unable to operate nor-
mally and require factory repair that is not
covered under the warranty.
Never operate the unit without
the antenna in place.
LEAK-GUARDIAN SENSOR/TRANSMITTER MODULE
ACTIVE
SCREWS

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Picking up the Leak-Guardian by the antenna can cause an accumu-
lated high voltage static discharge to be conducted directly into the
Leak-Guardian electronics via the antenna lead, and cause perma-
nent damage to the unit.
Damage to Leak-Guardian units caused by antenna-induced
discharge failures are not covered under the warranty.
The Leak-Guardian Receiver module:
Size: Width: 4.6” depth: 3.0” height: 1.1”
Frequency of operation: 418MHz. / -97dBm
Power input: 9VDC @ 300mA.
Internal battery: 9VDC 625mA
The Leak-Guardian Receiver module is a low voltage system that is
tuned to the transmitting frequency of the matched Leak-Guardian
Sensor/Transmitter.
When the Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter senses a leak, power is
sent to its internal transmitting unit which then transmits a radio
signal to the Leak-Guardian Receiver module. The Leak-Guardian
Receiver module decodes the properly addressed radio transmission
and closes the incoming water supply by energizing its internal drive
circuit. This controls the Leak-Guardian motorized ball valve, which is
connected to J1 of the Leak-Guardian Receiver module.
The Leak-Guardian Receiver module incorporates an internal 9VDC
battery for power loss backup for up to 24 hours. The battery must be
replaced with a high-energy 9VDC/ 625mA capacity, or better.
Do not use a 9VDC Ni-Cd or Ni-MH Rechargeable batteries.
Selecting an address (figure 9)
The Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter and Receiver module commu-
nicate using a radio linked data protocol that requires the address
selection switches on each respective unit to contain matching
addresses. Addresses are the patterns of the on/off selections made
for each of the switches numbered 1 through 8 as can be seen in
figure 9. The Leak-Guardian Sensor/Transmitter is equipped with an
equivalent 8-position switch that must be set with the exact pattern
set in the Leak-Guardian Receiver module.
Due to the many address selections available, your factory set Leak-
Guardian system address may match the address of some other device as
the Leak-Guardian (example: a remote garage door opener, or another
Leak-Guardian system in a neighbors home).