MONARCH INSTRUMENT 6235-010 User manual

Instruction Manual
Pocket LED Stroboscope
15 Columbia Drive
Amherst, NH 03031 USA
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.monarchinstrument.com

Safeguards and Precauons
1. Read and follow all instrucons in this manual carefully, and retain this manual
for future reference.
2. Do not use this instrument in any manner inconsistent with these operang
instrucons or under any condions that exceed the environmental specicaons
stated.
3. Certain strobe frequencies can trigger epilepc seizures in those prone to that
type of aack.
4. Users should not stare directly at the light source.
5. Prolonged exposure to the light can cause headaches in some people.
6. Objects viewed with this product may appear to be staonary when in fact they
are moving at high speeds. Always keep a safe distance from moving machinery
and do not touch the target.
7. There are no user serviceable parts in this instrument. Refer service to a qualied
technician.
8. Do not allow liquids or metallic objects to enter the stroboscope as this may cause
permanent damage and void the warranty.
9. Do not clean this instrument with alcohol or other cleaning solvents as these
may damage the LEDs.
10. The Pocket LED Strobe contains Lithium Ion baeries which must be disposed of in
accordance with Federal, State, & Local Regulaons. Do not incinerate. Baeries
should be shipped to a reclamaon facility for recovery of the metal and plasc
components as the proper method of waste management. Contact distributor
for appropriate product return procedures.
11. This instrument may not be safe for use in certain hazardous environments, and
serious personal injury or death could occur as a result of improper use. Please
refer to your facility’s safety program for proper precauons.
Monarch Instrument’s Limited Warranty applies.
See www.monarchinstrument.com for details.
Warranty Registraon and Extended Warranty Coverage informaon is available
online at www.monarchinstrument.com.

In order to comply with EU Direcve 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): This product may contain material
which could be hazardous to human health and the environment. DO NOT
DISPOSE of this product as unsorted municipal waste. This product needs to
be RECYCLED in accordance with local regulaons; contact your local authories for
more informaon. This product may be returnable to your distributor for recycling;
contact the distributor for details.
Manufactured in an ISO9001 facility.
For troubleshoong informaon and technical support visit:
www.monarchinstrument.com.
Monarch Instrument holds the following US trademarks and registraons, all rights
reserved: Track-It™, Nova-Pro®, Nova-Strobe™, Data-Chart™, illumiNova®

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1
2.0 USER INTERFACE ........................................................................... 2
3.0 GETTING STARTED ........................................................................ 3
3.1 Power .................................................................................. 3
3.2 Input/Output Connecons .................................................. 3
4.0 MODES OF OPERATION ................................................................. 4
4.1 Internal Strobe Mode .......................................................... 5
4.1.1 Adjusng the Flash Rate - RPM ................................ 5
4.1.2 Doubling or Halving the Flash Rate .......................... 5
4.2 External Mode ..................................................................... 6
4.3 Charging Mode .................................................................... 6
5.0 MENU OPTIONS ............................................................................ 6
5.1 MODE .................................................................................. 7
5.2 BRITE (Brightness) ............................................................... 8
5.3 SAVE .................................................................................... 8
5.4 LOAD ................................................................................... 9
5.5 UNITS .................................................................................. 9
5.6 BKLIT (Backlight) .................................................................. 9
5.7 DECPT (Decimal Point) ....................................................... 10
5.8 INPUT (INput Pulse Polarity) .............................................. 10
6.0 STROBE BRIGHTNESS .................................................................. 11
6.1 Calculang Blur ................................................................. 11
6.2 Brightness in Degrees of Rotaon ...................................... 12
6.3 Brightness in Pulse Duraon .............................................. 12
7.0 USING THE STROBOSCOPE TO MEASURE RPM ............................ 13
8.0 BATTERIES .................................................................................. 15
8.1 Low Baery Indicaon ....................................................... 15
8.2 Charging the Baeries ....................................................... 15
8.3 Baery Disposal ................................................................ 16
9.0 SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................... 17
9.1 Compliance ....................................................................... 18
10.0 SENSORS / ACCESSORIES and PARTS............................................. 19

1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Pocket LED Strobe (PLS) is a rugged, portable baery powered LED
(Light Eming Diode) stroboscope used for inspecon and to stop moon
to determine the speed of rotang objects. The unit is ergonomically
designed for comfortable handheld operaon or it may be mounted on a
tripod using the integral ¼ -20 UNC bushing on the underside of the unit.
1/4-20
Bushing
Charger
Jack
Battery
Cover
Input
Jack
Output
Jack
Figure 1 Pocket LED Strobe

2
2.0 USER INTERFACE
The Pocket LED Strobe has a two-line backlit alpha-numeric liquid crystal
display (LCD) and a four-key keypad that enables the user to control the
operaon of the unit. The user interface is described in Figure 2 and the
table below.
EXT
MENU
Figure 2 Pocket LED Strobe User Interface
Pocket LED Strobe User Interface
15-digit display used to display ash rate and other numeric values
2Baery icon: acve when the baery is low
3On-Target Indicator: acve when the input is locked on to a target
4Star icon: Used to indicate current selecon in the menus
5POWER / LEFT Arrow buon: turns the unit on and o. Also used as LEFT
Arrow for adjustments
6MENU buon: allows access to the menus; also used to conrm selecons
7UP/DOWN buon: used to adjust ash rate and menu navigaon
8RIGHT Arrow: used to adjust ash rate and menu navigaon
95-digit alphanumeric display used to display units and other statuses
10 EXT icon: acve when an external source is plugged into the unit

3
3.0 GETTING STARTED
The Stroboscope may be hand held or mounted on a tripod or other user
supplied bracket using the ¼-20 UNC bushing on the underside of the unit.
3.1 Power
The LED Strobe is battery powered and has internal rechargeable
baeries. The unit should be charged before use (8.0 BATTERIES). The
actual operang me of the stroboscope depends on the ash pulse
width. Narrower ash widths increase the operang me.
To turn on the stroboscope, depress and hold the POWER buon
unl the display shows the rev level - RVXxX then release the buon.
The unit will start up with the same sengs in which it was last le. To
turn the power o, hold the POWER buon unl the display shows
OFF then release it.
3.2 Input/Output Connectors
The strobe has input and output jacks on the
right side of the stroboscope. These can be
used for external triggering or synchronizaon
(daisy-chaining two or more strobes). These jacks
accept 1/8” (3.5mm) phone plugs (input - stereo,
output - mono). The input and output signals are
TTL compable. Connecon details are shown in
Figures 3 and 4 on the next page.
Input Jack
Output Jack

4
Signal Input
+3.2V Out to
Sensor
Common (GND) Signal Input
+3.2V Out to
Sensor
Common (GND)
Signal Output
Common (GND)
Common (GND)
With no external input, the output jack provides a TTL compable pulse
from the strobe’s internal oscillator. If an external input is applied, the
output pulse is in sync with the input pulse. This output pulse may be
used to trigger a second stroboscope synchronously to illuminate larger
areas. Many strobes can be daisy chained. The output jack of one strobe
is connected to the input jack of the next strobe causing all the strobes to
ash together and be controlled by the rst strobe in the chain.
Note: Cables should not exceed 8 feet or 2.5 meters in length in order to
comply with the CE rang of this product.
4.0 MODES OF OPERATION
The stroboscope has two basic modes of operaon – INTERNAL and
EXTERNAL. The unit does not operate when in the Charging Mode.
Figure 3 Input Connector Detail (Stereo Plug)
Figure 4 Output Connector Detail (Mono plug)

5
4.1 Internal Mode
The strobe is in the Internal Mode when nothing is plugged into the
input jack. In the internal mode the strobe generates its own ming
signals and the user can adjust the ash rate as described below.
4.1.1 Adjusng the Flash Rate - RPM
The ash rate can be adjusted by pressing the large UP/DOWN
buon. Pressing the UP end of the buon ▲ will increase the ash
rate and pressing the DOWN end of the buon ▼will decrease the
ash rate. The ash rate can be adjusted in decades by pressing
the LEFT ◄ or RIGHT ► buons which will change which digit is
adjusted. The acve digit will blink. As the ash rate is increased
or decreased, the acve digit will roll over to the next signicant
digit. The LEFT and RIGHT digit selecon will wrap around as shown
below.
4.1.2 Doubling or Halving the Flash Rate
The strobe ash rate can be instantly doubled (x2) or halved (÷2)
by pressing the MENU buon. The lower display will show X2/2.
Pressing the UP/DOWN buon will double ▲ or halve ▼ the ash
rate. This is useful in determining actual rotaonal speed – refer
to the secon on speed measurement (Secon 7.0). Note that if
doubling or halving the ash rate will cause the strobe to exceed
its capability, the unit will be limited to the highest or lowest value
it can generate respecvely. To exit this mode, press the LEFT
◄ buon.
888888
> > > > > > > >
888888
> > > > > > > >
888888
< < < < < < < <

6
4.2 External Mode
In the External Input Mode the user can’t make any ash rate
adjustments. The ash rate is a funcon of the input signal. This mode
is used to synchronize the ash to an external event (for example, from
an opcal sensor) to stop or freeze moon. The ash will be triggered
on the rising or falling edge (menu selectable) of the external input
pulse.
The input jack enables an external signal to trigger the strobe. Inserng
a plug into the input jack will automacally put the strobe into the
External Mode. When the strobe is in the External Input Mode, EXT
will be displayed.
When an external input is applied to the unit and the strobe is put in
the Tachometer Mode, the unit will read the signal from the external
input (sensor) and display the reading on the LCD display without
ashing the lamp. When there is a valid external signal the on target
indicator will turn on. The strobe will not ash in the Tach
(Tachometer) Mode.
To exit the External mode, remove the device from the input jack and
the strobe will be put back into the Internal Mode.
4.3 Charging Mode
The Charging Mode is when the strobe has the baery recharger
plugged into it. The strobe will not operate while charging. The status
of the charge is indicated by the LED on the charger. While charging the
LED on the charger is RED; when the charge is complete the LED will
turn GREEN. USE ONLY THE CHARGER SUPPLIED WITH THE STROBE -
Model LBC-U.

7
5.0 SETUP MENU OPTIONS
To enter the Setup Mode it is necessary to press the MENU buon twice.
The rst press will enter the x2 /2 mode as described in Secon 4.1.2; the
second press will enter the Setup Mode. The top line of the display will show
SEtUP and the boom line will show the setup opons. Use the UP/DOWN
buon ▲▼ to scroll through the setup opons. Press the MENU buon at
any me to select that setup opon. Note that currently selected opons
are indicated by the star icon .
Setup opons are in order as follows:
MODE > BRITE > SAVE > LOAD > UNITS > BKLIT > DECPT > INPUT
These opons are described in the following secons. Note that the order
of the opons within each setup opon may change depending on current
operang sengs.
5.1 MODE
Set the strobe into ash (strobe) mode or the tachometer (no ash)
mode. When the display shows:
SETUP
MODE
Press the MENU buon to enter. The mode can be set to Tach or Strobe.
Tach - No LED ash - use external input to show RPM
TACH
MODE
Press MENU to save and return to the main menu, or use UP/DOWN
buon ▲▼ to change to:
Strobe - Internal generator - ash LEDs
STRBE
MODE
Press MENU to save and return to the main menu or press ◄to return
to the main menu without saving. The unit will indicate DONE when the
value has been changed.

8
5.2 BRITE (Brightness)
Adjust the ash pulse width and consequently the brightness. See
Secon 6.0. When the display shows:
SEtUP
BRITE
Press the MENU buon to enter. Width can be set in degrees or
microseconds.
DEG - Set the ash width in degrees from 0.1° to 10.0°. Use the UP/
DOWN buon ▲▼ to change the degrees in 0.1° steps. Note that the
decade being edited can be changed using the LEFT ◄ or RIGHT ►
buons.
.6
DEG
Press the MENU buon to move to microseconds.
uSEC - Set the ash width in microseconds from 0.5 to 1300 µsec. The
display will default to a conversion of the degrees to microseconds for
the current ash rate.
124
uSEC
To accept this press MENU again. To adjust the ash rate in
microseconds, use the ▲▼ buon. Note that the decade being edited
can be changed using the LEFT ◄ or RIGHT ► buons.
Press MENU to save and return to the main menu.
5.3 SAVE
Saves the current ash rate to a memory locaon. When the display
shows:
SEtUP
SAVE

9
Press MENU to select, use the UP/DOWN buon ▲▼ to select a
memory locaon, press MENU to select the locaon. The ash rate
is shown on the top row, memory locaon on the boom row (see
below).
600
SM 3 (SM = Save Memory)
Press MENU to save and EXIT OUT OF MENU. The unit will indicate
DONE when the value has been changed.
5.4 LOAD
Loads the saved ash rate from a memory locaon. Press MENU to
select, use the UP/DOWN buon ▲▼ to select the memory locaon,
press MENU to select. The ash rate is shown on the top row, memory
locaon on the boom row (see below).
600
RM 3 (RM = Recall Memory)
Press MENU to recall ash rate and EXIT OUT OF MENU.
5.5 UNITS
Selects the engineering units for the display. When the display shows:
SEtUP
UNITS
Press MENU to select, use the UP/DOWN buon ▲▼ to select the
units. The units depend on the MODE of the unit. The opons are RPM/
RPS (Revoluons per Minute/Second).
Unit
RPM
Press MENU to save and exit back to the main menu or press ◄to
return to the main menu without saving. The unit will indicate DONE
when the value has been changed.
5.6 BKLIT (Backlight)
Turns the display backlight on or o. When the display shows:
SEtUP
BKLIT

10
Press MENU to select, use the UP/DOWN buon ▲▼ to select on or
o. As the status changes, the backlight will acvate accordingly.

BKLIT
Press MENU to save and exit back to the main menu.
5.7 DECPT (Decimal Point)
Set the number of decimal places to display. When the display shows:
SEtUP
DECPT
Press MENU to select, use the UP/DOWN buon ▲▼ to select none,
1 or 2.
nonE
DECPT
Press MENU to save and exit back to the main menu or press ◄to
return to the main menu without saving. The unit will indicate DONE
when the value has been changed.
5.8 INPUT (Input Pulse Polarity)
Set the acve edge of the input pulse. When the display shows:
SEtUP
INPUT
Press MENU to select, use the UP/DOWN buon ▲▼ to select
NEGave or POSive.
nEg
EDGE
Press MENU to save and exit back to the main menu or press ◄ to
return to the main menu without saving. The unit will indicate DONE
when the value has been changed.
At the MAIN MENU press the LEFT ◄ buon to exit to the operaonal
condion.

11
6.0 STROBE BRIGHTNESS
The strobe’s brightness depends on how wide the strobe’s ash pulse is;
the wider the pulse, the brighter the ash from the LEDs appears to be.
There is however, a downside to the wider pulses. All strobes work by
giving short bursts of light (the pulse width) at a rapid repeon rate (the
ash rate). Strobes rely on the persistence of the human eye (the ability to
remember and image) and its response to bright light to give an apparent
stop moon image. Imagine a sha rotang at 6000 RPM or one rotaon
every 1/100 of a second (10 msec). If the strobe ashes once every 10 msec
for a brief moment, the user sees the ash at the same spot in the rotaon
of the sha and the persistence of the eye remembers this unl the next
ash making the sha appeared to be stopped. As the target is rotang
there is some movement evident during the strobe ash. The longer the
ash duraon, the more obvious the rotaon is and this increases the blur.
6.1 Calculang Blur
Blur can be calculated– if the sha is turning at 6000 RPM, it takes 10
msec to complete one revoluon. If the strobe ash duraon is 100
µsec (1/100 of a millisecond), the sha will turn: (ash duraon/me
per rotaon) x 360°, which is (.0001/.01) x 360 = 3.6°. So you will see
the sha appear to move 3.6°.
As the ash pulse widens, you will see greater degrees of rotaon
which results in more blur and a brighter perceived illuminaon (the
LEDs are on longer so the average light the eyes see is greater). The
trade o is blur versus brightness. The further away the rotang point
is from the center axis the faster the tangenal velocity and the worse
the blur appears to be.

12
When seng the pulse duraon in degrees,
what you set is what you get. Refer to
the image on the right for the dierence
between a 1° and 5° (of rotaon) ash
duraon.
There are two methods of adjusng the
ash pulse width and hence the brightness
and consequently the blur.
6.2 Brightness in Degrees of Rotaon
The rst method is to adjust the ash
pulse width for degree of rotaon visible
(blur). The user can set this from 0.1 to 10
degrees out of 360. The higher the seng,
the brighter the strobe appears to be but
the more blurred the target is. Opmal
seng to stop moon is 1 to 3.6°. The
number of degrees is a proporonal amount
and remains constant as the ash rate increases or decreases. The
strobe automacally calculates how wide the pulse width should be
at dierent ash rates to keep the blur constant – the faster the ash
rate, the narrower the pulse width. The pulse width equals: (seng in
degrees/360) x (1/ash rate in Hz).
Thus the blur remains constant no maer what the ash rate*.
6.3 Brightness in Pulse Duraon
The second method is to adjust the ash pulse width to a xed
number of microseconds. Here the user sets the ash pulse width in
microseconds not degrees. As the ash rate increases, the pulse width
stays the same* and the image will get brighter and more blurred
as the ash width remains constant*. The degree of rotaon visible
changes to keep the pulse width of the ash constant*.

13
*Note: There are two limits maintained by the strobe – the pulse can
never be greater than 1300 µs nor can it exceed 10° of rotaon. The
strobe automacally adjusts these values as the ash rate is increased
or decreased to maintain these limits at all mes.
7.0 USING THE STROBOSCOPE TO MEASURE RPM
The primary use for a stroboscope is to stop moon for diagnosc
inspecon purposes. However the stroboscope can be used to measure
speed (in RPM/RPS). In order to do this several factors need to be
considered. First, the object being measured should be visible for all 360°
of rotaon (e.g. The end of a sha). Second, the object should have some
unique part on it, like a bolt, key way or imperfecon to use as a reference
point. If the object being viewed is perfectly symmetrical, then the user
needs to mark the object with a piece of tape or paint in a single locaon
to be used as a reference point. Look only at the reference point.
If the speed of rotaon is within the range of the stroboscope, start at a
higher ash rate and adjust the ash rate down. At some point you will
stop the moon with only a single reference point of the object in view.
Note that at a ash rate twice the actual speed of the image you will see
two images (reference points). As you approach the correct speed you
may see three, four or more images at harmonics of the actual speed. The
rst SINGLE image you see is the true speed. To conrm the true speed,
note the reading and adjust the stroboscope to exactly half this reading, or
just press the ÷2 buon. You should again see a single image (which may
be phase shied with respect to the rst image seen).
For example, when viewing a sha with a single key way you will see one
staonary image of the key way at the actual speed and at 1/2, 1/3, 1/4,
etc. of the actual speed. You will see 2 images of the key way at 2 mes
the actual speed, 3 key way at 3 mes, etc. The FPM equals the shas
Revoluons Per Minute (RPM) at the highest ash rate that gives only one
staonary image of the key way.

14
Stopped Image 1/4 times 1/2 times 1 time 2 times 3 times 4 times
Flash Rate (FPM) 1250 2500 5000 10000 15000 20000
Example: Object Rotang at 3000 RPM
If the speed is outside the full scale range of the stroboscope (300,000
FPM), it can be measured using the method of harmonics and mulpoint
calculaon. Start at the highest ash rate and adjust the ash rate down.
You will encounter mulple images so be aware of these. Note the ash
rate of the rst SINGLE image you encounter, call this speed “A”. Connue
decreasing the ash rate unl you encounter a second SINGLE image. Note
this speed as “B”. Connue decreasing the speed unl you reach a third
SINGLE image at speed “C”.
For a two point calculaon the actual speed is given by: RPM = AB/(A-B)
For a three point calculaon: RPM = 2XY(X+Y)/(X-Y)2 where
X = (A-B) and Y = (B-C)
If a Remote Opcal Sensor or Magnec Sensor is used to sense one pulse
per revoluon (External mode), the readout will display directly in RPM
(FPM) without any adjustment required.
In instances when you can shut down the device and install a piece of
reecve tape, then an opcal tachometer is easier to use for RPM
measurement. Stroboscopes must be used when you can’t shut down
the device. The human eye is not easily tricked into seeing a stopped
image by a stroboscope when the ash rate is slower than 300 FPM.
Therefore, stroboscopes are just about impossible to use below 300 FPM
for inspecon or to measure RPM.

15
8.0 BATTERIES
The Pocket LED Strobe is ed with a rechargeable Lithium Ion baery
pack. These baeries are prone to self-discharge over me. For maximum
performance, charge the baeries prior to use and do not store in hot
locaons. The strobe uses an external charger. Allow 3-5 cycles of charging
and discharging for baeries to reach full capacity. When not in use, the
baeries should be charged at least every three months, otherwise the
baery capacity will be reduced or the baeries may become unusable.
The enclosure contains control electronics to properly protect and safely
charge the baeries. Never remove the baeries from the enclosure and
aempt to charge externally. Always use the charger supplied – LBC-U.
8.1 Low Baery Indicaon
When the baeries are charged, there will be no baery icon indicaon.
When the baeries are low, the Low Baery icon will appear in the
display. The strobe may sll be used for a short me.
Low Baery Icon = Outline blinking (very lile me le)
The strobe has a protecon feature that prevents the strobe from
operang if the baery voltage is too low. This condion is indicated
by no ash and the display shows “LO BAT”. At this me the baeries
must be recharged.
8.2 Charging the Baeries
The unit may be recharged at any me. You do not need to wait unl
the low baery condion is indicated.
To charge the strobe with the recharger:
1. Turn the strobe o.
2. Plug the Li-Ion charger cable into the recharger socket on the le
of the keypad.
3. Plug the recharger into an AC mains wall outlet (115/230 Vac).

16
CAUTION: Use of rechargers other than the one supplied (Model
LBC-U) will damage the stroboscope and void the warranty. DO
NOT LEAVE A CHARGER THAT IS NOT PLUGGED INTO THE AC
POWER CONNECTED TO THE STROBE.
When charging, the strobe will indicate CHRGE in the boom right of
the display when turned on and then it will shut o. The recharger will
fast charge the baeries for about 4-5 hours and then trickle charge
the baeries.
The charger has an LED to indicate charge: LED Red = baeries charging.
LED Green = baeries charged or charger not connected.
The baery pack may be replaced by removing the baery cover and
unplugging the baery pack. The new baery pack can be inserted and
plugged into the unit. Replace the baery cover.
8.3 Stroboscope Disposal
Prior to disposing of the baery-powered strobe, the user
must remove the Lithium Ion baeries. To do this, remove the
baery cover, unplug the baery pack and dispose according
to local laws governing baery disposal. The rest of the parts
may now be disposed of.