Observint RATTLER2 User manual

1
RATTLER2 Field Surveillance Recording System Quick Start Guide
RATTLER2_SQ
© 2012 Observint Technologies
The RATTLER2 Field Surveillance Recording System is a small, lightweight and easy to conceal monitoring
system that includes a day/night camera and two wireless motion sensors. It is specially engineered to be
easy to install, and provide very high image clarity, extended battery life, and superior reliability. Features
include:
• 700 TVL high resolution, low lux (0.0001), IR sensitive day/night camera (PC338HR)
• Records video at 704 x 576 @ 30 fps maximum
• 2 wireless passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors that trigger recording
• External 12 Vdc power plug and cable for a supplemental IR illuminator
• Weather-resistant case protects mobile DVR and power system
• Extended battery life gives about 8 weeks of standby time or 2 days of continuous recording.
• Ideal for monitoring areas of infrequent activity, such as trespassing, illegal dump sites, etc.
• Includes a color setup monitor and 8GB SD card
PIR Sensor (2)
Power
switch
Battery
Charger
connector
Power
reset
button
RATTLER2 system
control box
LCD0250SM monitor
PC338HR camera
DVR Power adapter/
charger with cable
Camera
video/
power
cable
12 Vdc
power
cable
How the system works
The camera is mounted in the optimal position for the best eld of view, and the wireless PIR sensors are
positioned to detect motion in the eld. When motion is detected by a PIR sensor, a signal is sent to the
system control box causing it to power on (8 second delay), record video for 30 seconds, then shut o
unless re-triggered by a PIR sensor. Power is also applied to the 12Vdc power cable at that time to activate
a supplemental device, such as a 940 nm IR illuminator.
Video is recorded by the DVR in MPEG4 format and saved on an 8GB SD card (provided). The card can be
removed from the DVR and played on any SD compatible reader with an MPEG4 le player.
The power reset button is used to reset the circuit breaker that trips when an over-current condition
occurs anywhere in the system.
Package contents
Your RATTLER2 system includes the following:
• “Rattler” system control box with an MDVR25HR DVR
• PC338HR color CCTV camera. This camera is compatible with a 940 nm illuminator (not provided).
• RREC-KIT PIR motion sensors (2)
• LCD0250SM color monitor (for DVR and camera setup)
• 25 ft CCTV camera video and power cable (connectorized)
• 25 ft 12 Vdc power cable (connectorized)
• 8GB SD card (not shown)
• Power adapter/charger module
• Quick Installation Guide (this document)
I. SYSTEM SETUP
Setup of the RATTLER2 system includes:
• Charging the system control box
• Charging the monitor
• Conguring the DVR
Step 1. Charge the RATTLER2 system control box
1. Set the power switch on the system control box to O.
2. Attach the power cable to the adapter
module. Match the polarity indication on
the cable with the polarity of the terminals.
3. Reinstall the terminal cap.
4. Connect the power adapter/charger module
to the Battery Charger connector on
the system control box (see photo), then
to a standard 120 Vac outlet. Allow the
RATTLER2 system control box to charge for
at least 16 hours before use.
Polarity
indicators
Power
cable
Adapter
module
5. When charging is complete, disconnect the power adapter/charger.
Step 2. Charge the LCD0250SM monitor
1. Using the instructions provided with the monitor, install the battery in the monitor, then fully
charge the unit. Initially it takes 4 – 6 hours to charge the monitor battery.
2. Connect the monitor to the DVR as shown the photo below using the BNC adapter cable provided.
Connect the BNC adapter cable to the VIDEO out connector of the DVR.
DVR
video out
jack
Step 3. Configure the DVR
The DVR (MDVR25HR) is mounted on the deck inside the system control box. Follow the instructions
below to congure the DVR for normal operation of the RATTLER2 system. Additional features of the DVR
are included in the MDVR25HR documentation provided.
1. Ensure that the power switch on the system control box is O, then insert an SD card into the SD
card slot on the DVR. Push the card in until it locks into place.

2
SD card slot
O/On
switch
Menu button
Menu
navigation
and OK
buttons
2. Set the power switch on the system control box to On.
3. Set the power switch on the DVR to ON.
4. Power on the monitor. Set the brightness and color levels of the monitor as needed.
5. Press the MENU button on the DVR. The SET UP menu will appear.
6. Use the p or q navigation buttons to highlight System Setting, then press OK.
7. Use the p or q buttons to highlight Time, then press OK.
8. Use the u or t buttons to move to a eld in the time display, then use the p or q buttons
change the value of the eld. After changing each elds to show the correct date and time, press
OK.
9. Use the p or q buttons to highlight Format, then press OK.
10. In the Format menu, press u, use p or q to highlight Yes, then press OK.
11. Allow the format operation to complete, then press the MENU button to return to the SET UP
menu.
12. In the SET UP menu, use p or q to highlight Image Setting, then press OK.
13. In the Image Setting menu, use the p or q navigation buttons to highlight Quality, press u,
use p or q to highlight the quality level (H, M, N) you want to record, then press OK. NOTE:
Higher quality recordings produce better results, but consume more storage space.
14. Use the p or q buttons to highlight Frame Rate, press u, press p or q to highlight the
frame rate you want to record, then press OK. NOTE: 30fps produces a realistic video recording,
but consumes more storage space.
15. Use the p or q buttons to highlight Resolution, press u, press p or q to highlight D1,
then press OK.
16. Press the ESC button to return to the SET UP menu.

3.
Camera video/power cable
12 Vdc power cable
5. If you are using a 12 Vdc device such as a 940 nm illuminator, secure the 12 Vdc power cable to the
connector on the side of the system control box, then connect it to the illuminator.
6. Set the system control box power switch to On.
7. At the camera, connect the LCD0250SM monitor to the camera drop cable video connector, then
power on the monitor.
8. Adjust direction and horizontal line of the camera video to produce the best view of your
surveillance area.
9. Power o the monitor and disconnect it from the camera drop cable.
10. Set the system control box power switch to OFF.
11. Connect the video/power cable video lead to the camera drop cable video connector.
12. If the camera is located where it might be exposed to moisture (rain, etc), seal the cable video and
power connectors to prevent contamination.
13. Determine the best location for the PIR sensors, considering the speed of objects entering the
surveillance eld, the 8-second startup delay, and the 40-second record time. Note that PIR sensors
can be positioned strategically to trigger and later re-trigger the recorder.
14. Congure each PIR sensors for the location where they will be installed:
a. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws on the back of the PIR sensor, then lift
o the back cover. Be careful to not change the DIP switch settings.
Screws
17. In the SET UP menu, use the p or q buttons to highlight REC. Mode, press u, use p or q
to highlight Power up Rec., then press OK.
18. Use the p or q buttons to highlight EXIT, then press OK.
19. Power o the monitor and disconnect the video cable from the DVR. Remove the monitor from the
system control box.
20. Set the system control box power switch to O.
II. System Installation
Before installing your RATTLER2 system, plan the installation carefully. Consider the following:
• PIR sensors can detect people and vehicles up to 50 feet away or more, and must be located at least
4 feet above the ground. It can transmit a signal to the system control box as far as 1/2 mile away,
shorter distances if the signal is obstructed by hills, trees, metal siding, etc. PIR sensors must be
mounted on a rigid and stationary structure.
• After a signal is received by the RATTLER2 system control box, it requires about 8 seconds to power
on and begin recording. Consider the speed of objects entering the surveillance eld of view when
determining where to locate your PIR sensors and your camera.
• A 25 foot cable is provided for the connection of the camera to the system control box. If a longer
distance is required, an extension cable must be used.
1. Place the system control box in an obscure location, close enough to the location of the camera for
the interconnecting cable to reach.
2. Mount the camera using the in-box instructions provided, in a location providing the best eld of
view.
3. At the camera, connect the video/power cable power lead to the camera drop cable power
connector.
12 Vdc power
connector
Video
connector
4. Route the video/power cable from the camera and the system control box. Remove the cap on the
side of the system control box for the video cable, then plug the cable into the connector. Tighten
the collar nut enough to ensure a water-tight connection.

4© 2012 Observint Technologies.
f. Attach the sensor unit to the bracket as shown below, with the sensor LED at the top.
Gimballed
mounting
bracket
15. Set the power switch in the system control box to Sensor to activate the RATTLER 2 system.
16. Close the RATTLER2 system control box and lock the latches.
III. Test the RATTLER2 system
Testing the RATTLER system veries that objects moving through the surveillance eld are recorded,
and that the video recorded can be retrieved from the DVR.
1. Open the RATTLER2 system control box.
a. Verify that the system control box power switch is set to Sensor (normal operating
position).
b. Verify that the DVR OFF/ON switch is set to ON.
2. Allow a surveillance target object (what you want to record) to pass through the surveillance
eld. If the PIR sensor LEDs are enabled, verify that they ash when the objects are within the
Range setting of the sensor.
3. Repeat the previous step, with objects moving through the surveillance eld in all expected
directions. Repeat several times.
4. At the RATTLER2 system control box, ensure the system is not recording (DVR lights are o), then
set the system control box power switch to O.
5. Remove the SD card from the DVR. NOTE: Never remove the SD card from the DVR if the DVR is
on (LEDs are lit).
6. Insert the SD card into a compatible reader that will play MPEG4 les. Verify that the RATTLER2
system recorded the motion within the surveillance eld.
7. Erase unnecessary les from the SD card, reinstall it into the RATTLER2 DVR, set the system
power switch to Sensor then close and lock down the latches on the RATTLER2 case.
DIP switches
(do not change)
LED, Filter, Reset
jumpers
Battery
Range jumper
b. Set the Range jumper for the distance between the sensor location and the objects you
want to detect. See the table below. The jumper is shown here in the Medium range
position.
Range jumper position Distance
Low Less than 20 feet
Medium 20 – 50 feet (default)
High More than 50 feet
c. Set the LED, Filter, Reset jumpers as follows:
Switch Jumper position Function
LED
On* LED ashes when motion is detected
(default)
O LED is always o
Filter
On For outdoor use (default)
O For indoor use or Range jumper set to Low
Reset
On Resets unit 10 seconds after activation
O Resets unit 120 seconds after activation
* NOTE: Setting the LED jumper to ON is useful when testing the PIR sensors for motion detection.
d. Reinstall the back cover using the four screws removed earlier. Tighten the screws until snug.
Do not overtighten the screws.
e. Install the PIR sensor mounting bracket in the sensor location using appropriate fasteners.
Note that both a xed mounting plate bracket and a gimballed mounting bracket are
provided. If using the xed mounting plate bracket, orient the bracket so that the sensor LED
(behind the pinhole near the lens) will be at the top. The mounting bracket must be installed
securely on a rigid, non-moving surface.