PCE Instruments PCE-LD 1 User manual

380-00 JUN. 2007
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

CONTENT Page
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ------------------ 2
2. FEATURES ---------------------------------------- 2
3. SPECIFICATION ---------------------------------3
4. OPERATION GUIDE --------------------------- 4
5. PART & CONTROL------------------------------ 5
6. GETTING STARTED---------------------------- 7
6-1 Installing Batteries----------------------------7
6-2 Automatic Circuit/Reset Feature---------8
6-3 Feature Sensitivity Adjustment---------- 9
7. OPERATING PROCEDURE----------------- 9
8. REPLACING NEW SENSOR-------------- 11
9. CLEANING --------------------------------------- 12

Refrigerant Leak Detector
2
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Thank you for purchasing Refrigerant Leak Detector.
Read though the instruction manual before operation
for correct and safe usage. Please store and retain
this instruction manual for future reference.
2. FEATURES
Refrigerant Leakage Detector is the perfect tool for
maintaining the air-condition or a cooling system with
compressor and Refrigerant. This unit used newly
developed semi-conductor sensor which is extremely
sensitive to variety of general used Refrigerant.
Microprocessor Control with advanced digital
signal processing.
Multi color visual display.
High-Low leak sensitivity selector.
Low battery indication.
Semiconductor gas sensor.
Detection of R-134a, R-410A, R-407C, R22…
Freon gas.
Carrying case included.
15” (39 CM) flexible stainless probe.
Reference Leak source included.
Ambient concentration reset.

Refrigerant Leak Detector
3
3. SPECIFICATION
Detectable Gases:
R-134a, R-404A, R-407C, R-410A, R-22 etc.
Sensitivity:
H L
R-22.134a 6g/year 30g/year
R-404A,407C,410A 8g/year 40g/year
Alarm Method:
Buzzer, Tricolor LED bar Indicator.
Power Usage:
4 AA size (6V DC) Alkaline Batteries
Snake Tube length: 390mm ( 15” )
Dimension / Weight:
173 x 66 x 56 mm ( approximately 400g )
Accessories:
Alkaline batteries ( AA) X 4 pcs
User manual, leak check bottle, carry case.
Battery Life:
Approximately 40 hours normal use.
Auto power OFF:10 minutes
Warm-Up Time: Approximately 90 seconds
Operating Temperature & Humidity:
0 ~40 °C, < 80% RH

Refrigerant Leak Detector
4
Storage Temperature & Humidity:
-10 ~60 °C, < 70% RH
Altitude: < 2000M (6500’)
4. OPERATION GUIDE
(1) The refrigerant leak detector unit is not equipped
with anti-explosive designs and measures. Do not use
this unit in the environment with the burnable gases.
(2) There are some environmental condition that might
cause the error reading:
Pollutant places.
Large temperature variation.
Places with high wind velocity.
Organic solvent, adhesive vapor, fuel gas and
vesicant will cause abnormal response from the
sensor. Try to avoid the environment involved with
this substance.
Places fill with too much to Freon Gas.

Refrigerant Leak Detector
5
5. PART & CONTROL
5-1 Panel Description
Ϥ
9

Refrigerant Leak Detector
6
Ϥ
1Sensor Ϥ 2Sensor Protector
Ϥ
3LED Leak Indicators Ϥ 4Sensitivity Lo Button
Ϥ
5Sensitivity Hi Button Ϥ 6Low Battery Indicator
Ϥ
7Power On/Off & Reset Button
Ϥ
8Battery Cover Ϥ 9Battery Cover Screw
5-2 LED Leak Indicator Definition:

Refrigerant Leak Detector
7
6. GETTING STARTED
6-1 Installing Batteries
Loose the screw and remove the battery
compartment door located on the bottom of the
instrument As show below (Fig.1).
Install 4 “AA” size alkaline batteries.
Reinstall the battery cover by aligning it with the
handle.
When the batteries are nearing the end of their useful
life, the Red LED Low Battery indicator illuminates. The
batteries should be replaced as quickly as possible.
4 “AA” size
alkaline batteries
Fig.1

Refrigerant Leak Detector
8
6-2 Automatic Ambient Reset Feature
The Refrigerant leak detectors feature an Automatic
Ambient Reset function that sets the unit to ignore
ambient concentrations of refrigerant.
Automatic Ambient Setup - Upon initial power on,
the unit automatically sets itself to ignore the level
of refrigerant present at the tip. Only a level, or
concentration, greater than this will cause an alarm.
CAUTION!
Be aware that this feature will cause the unit to
ignore any refrigerant present at turn on. In other
words, with the unit off if you place the tip up to a
known leak and switch the unit on, no leak will be
indicated!
Ambient Reset Feature - Resetting the unit during
operation performs a similar function, it programs
the circuit to ignore the level of refrigerant present
at the tip. This allows the user to 'home-in' on the
source of the leak (higher concentration). Similarly,
the unit can be moved to fresh air and reset for
maximum sensitivity. Resetting the unit with no
refrigerant present (fresh air) causes any level
above zero to be detected.

Refrigerant Leak Detector
9
6-3 Feature Sensitivity Adjustment
The Instrument provides two levels of sensitivity.
When the unit is switched on, it is set to the high
sensitivity level.
To change the sensitivity, press the key.
When the key is pressed, the visual display will
momentarily show the two left LED's (green)
indicating Low Sensitivity level is selected.
To switch back to High Sensitivity, press the
key. The two right LED's (red) will light momentarily
indicating high Sensitivity level is selected.
7. OPERATING PROCEDURE
WARNING!
Do not operate this instrument in the
presence of gasoline, natural gas, propane,
or in other combustible atmospheres.
zHow To Find Leaks?
NOTE: A sudden whipping of the leak detector probe
or "blowing" into the sensor tip will affect the air flow
over the sensor and cause the instrument to alarm.
(1) Power-Up & Reset function key:
The key turns the Refrigerant leak detector
instrument ON or OFF and reset function.

Refrigerant Leak Detector
10
Press it once to turn on the Refrigerant leak detector,
the display will illuminate with flash, for 1.5 minutes to
heat up the sensor..
Press it again to reset the ambient base concentration.
Press and hold this button for 5 second to turn OFF the
power.
(2) Verify the condition of the unit and sensor:
Set the sensitivity level to “Hi”.
Open the leak check bottle cover and slowly move
it closer to snake tube nozzle.
If the indication moves up to high from low then we
should move the check bottle away and the LED
should go off again. This shows that the unit is
under working condition.
If the unit does not perform as we expect, bring the
unit for maintenance at your local sales office.
(3) Enter The Measuring Mode
Place the tip of the leak-detector probe as close as
possible to the site of the suspected leak. Try to
position the probe within 1/4 inch (6 mm) of the
possible leak source.
Slowly move the probe past each possible leakage
point.
When the instrument detects a leak source, the
audible tone will alarm. Additionally, the visual
indicators will light from left to right, Green LED

Refrigerant Leak Detector
11
then Orange LED then Red LED (highest
concentration) as increasing of level indicate that
the location is close to the source.
When the Instrument signals a leakage, pull the
probe away from the leak for a moment, then bring
it back to pinpoint the location. If the refrigerant leak
is large, setting the sensitivity switch to LOW will
make it easier to find the exact site of the leak.
Return the sensitivity switch to HIGH before
searching for additional leaks.
When you've finished leak-testing, turn OFF the
instrument and store it in a clean place, protect the
leak detector from possible damage.
8. REPLACING NEW SENSOR
The sensor had a limited operative period. Under
normal operation, the sensor should work more than
one year. Expose the sensor under high density of
coolant (>30000ppm) will shorten its life cycle rapidly. It
is important to ensure that sensor surface is free from
water droplets, vapor, oil, grease, dust and any or all
other forms of contaminant. Furthermore, to ensure
good working condition of the unit, sensors must be
replacement periodically when its operative life is over.
WARNING! When replacing new
sensor, the worn-out sensor may be HOT!!

Refrigerant Leak Detector
12
Sensor
Sensor protector
(1) Remove cone cap cover from the tip of snake tube.
(2) Pull out old sensor and insert the new sensor into
the plug ( see below fig.2).
(3) Seal the cap cover over the plug.
9. CLEANING:
The Instrument plastic housing can be cleaned with
standard household detergent or isopropyl alcohol.
Care should be taken to prevent the cleaner from
entering the instrument. Gasoline and other solvents
may damage the plastic and should be avoided.
WARNING!
The detergent or isopropyl alcohol might
damage the sensor, please keep then from
the sensor through the process.
Fig.2