PNI AlcAlert User manual

OPERATION MANUAL
MODELS BT5500 & BT5300
BREATHALCOHOLTESTER
WARNING/AGREEMENT: Because of the vari-
ables involved in the timing of alcohol consump-
tion, individual metabolism, and self-administration,
the user of this product agrees (1) not to hold
the manufacturer, dealer, wholesaler, or distribu-
tor responsible for the consequences of any deci-
sion, based on the use of this product, to operate
a vehicle, boat, or aircraft or other equipment
and (2) to hold them harmless from the claims of
others arising out of any such decision. IF YOU
DO NOT AGREE, YOU SHOULD PROMPTLY
RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE PLACE OF
PURCHASE, UNUSED, FOR A FULL REFUND.

Making Ordinary Products Extraordinary
Intended Use:
The AlcAlert Breath Alcohol Detector is a screening test device for the rapid
detection of alcohol in the breath. The test is used to obtain a visual quantitative
result that approximates the level of alcohol concentration in the blood stream, and
is intended for over the counter sale to the home user.

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BEFORE USING THE UNIT
The AlcAlert Breath Alcohol Tester uses
advanced semi-conductor gas sensor technol-
ogy to approximate the percent of blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) from your breath. Please
take a few moments to review the entire manual
before using the unit.
Before using the AlcAlert :
• When inserting batteries (not included
with all models), please note the correct
polarity on the inside of the battery case.
Inserting the batteries with the incorrect
polarity may damage the unit.
• Do not blow smoke or uids into the
mouth vent, as this may damage the
sensor. Similarly, certain gases such as
silicone compounds, sulfur, and freon
gases can also damage your sensor. Keep
the unit away from all liquids and store
in a safe environment.
• If the AlcAlert needs to be cleaned, wipe
gently with a soft cloth. Do not use any
cleaning agents.
• Allow 30 minutes after consuming alco-
hol or smoking before using the unit.
This helps to ensure the breath sample is
taken from your lungs, and not from the
alcohol within your mouth, which may

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USING THE UNIT
result in a higher reading. In some cases,
it may take up to one hour to reach the
highest blood alcohol level after the last
consumption of alcohol.
• Each individual’s body responds to the
consumption of alcohol differently. Con-
sequently, a person’s ability to drive
safely may be impaired at a point well
below the legal blood alcohol limit.
Using the unit
1. Press the “On” button
The unit beeps once, the “WAIT” indicator
ashes, and the unit begins a “warm-up”
countdown from 14-to-0 or 6-to-0 (see
Additional Information). You must wait
until the countdown is completed. Pro-
ceed with step 2 only when the unit beeps
twice and the “BLOW” indicator ashes.
NOTE: If “SAT” (saturation) ashes
after the countdown is completed and the
unit turns off, the sensor is saturated.
Simply reactivate the unit to perform
another warm-up countdown cycle. If
“SAT” appears again, repeat this process
as many times as necessary until “SAT”
no longer appears. In most instances,
2 or 3 reactivation cycles should clear
the “SAT” message. More reactivation

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USING THE UNIT
WAIT BLOW
JAPAN
WAIT BLOW %BAC
Low Battery WAIT, BLOW,
Indicator and %BAC
Indicators
Figure A
Vents
“On” Button
LCD Readout
Battery Compartment
(slide down to open)

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USING THE UNIT
cycles may be required if saturation is
extensive (see Additional Information).
2. Blow into the vent
Blow continuously for about 5 seconds,
until the unit beeps 3 times before display-
ing the results. Immediately as you start
to blow, “Err” (Error) ashes until the
unit beeps 3 times. Blow very gently from
between your lips, as if cooling a spoonful
of soup. A distance of about one inch (2-3
cm) between the vent and the mouth is sug-
gested. (See gure A.)
Note: If you do not blow at all, or if
you stop blowing before you hear 3
beeps, the LCD ashes “Err” to indicate
that you did not apply any or sufcient
breath through the vent. If so, ignore the
results and repeat the process.
3. Read the results
The %BAC results are displayed on the
LCD for about 5 seconds after the read-
ing is taken. The results then ash for a
few seconds until the unit turns off auto-
matically.
The results are shown in increments of
0.01, ranging from 0.00 to 0.12. Results
greater that 0.12 %BAC are displayed as
“+.12”.

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USING THE UNIT
Understanding the results
The BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)
represents the amount of ethyl alcohol in a
given volume of blood. For instance, having
a %BAC of 0.10 means that a person has
1 part alcohol per 1,000 parts blood in the
body.
The most commonly used measurements
are grams of ethanol per milliliter of blood
(g/ml), used in the United States (also
expressed as %BAC) and milligrams of etha-
nol per milliliter of blood (mg/ml), used in
much of Europe (also expressed as prom-
ille).
For example, a reading of 0.05 %BAC on
the AlcAlert is the same as 0.05 g/ml or 50
mg/ml or 0.5 g/l or 0.5 promille.
Additional information:
• The normal warm-up countdown is from
6-to-0. However, if it has been more
than 1 hour since the last operation, the
unit begins a 14-to-0 warm-up count-
down.
The sensor must be warmed up prop-
erly to report accurate readings. There-
fore, for maximum accuracy, each time
you start to use the unit after it has

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
been idle for a time, always disregard
the results following the initial 14-to-
one countdown, as well as the next
three 6-to-0 countdowns.
• The “SAT” (saturation) message feature
prevents the unit from displaying inaccu-
rate %BAC readings in the case of sensor
saturation by contaminating agents. For
example, saturation often occurs when
excessive alcohol moisture is deposited
on the sensor from multiple consecutive
uses, or by the accumulation of air con-
taminants on the sensor after a long
period of inoperability, such as upon rst
use. In such instances, the unit requires
additional warm-up cycles to properly
recondition the sensor.
• If the low battery indicator ashes then
remains on, replace the batteries.
• The AlcAlert Model BT5500 includes a
backlight. The backlight turns on and
off automatically.
• Always blow into the unit in a consistent
manner. Different blowing conditions
may produce different results.
• Your unit is more accurate when your true
blood alcohol concentration is between

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
0.02 %BAC and 0.08 %BAC and less
accurate as your blood alcohol concen-
tration is over 0.08 %BAC.
• When tested with a standard 0.08% BAC
solution, the unit may read in the range
from 0.06 to 0.10. Thus, a reading of
.06 may well indicate a level of 0.08%
BAC.
Each individual’s body responds to the
consumption of alcohol differently. Con-
sequently, a person’s ability to drive
safely may be impaired at a point well
below the legal blood alcohol limit.
The AlcAlert should be used only to
give an indication of the possible pres-
ence of alcohol in the blood. Do not
rely upon it as the sole basis to deter-
mine intoxication or whether it is safe
to drive a vehicle, operate equipment,
or engage in dangerous activities.
PNI Corporation does not recommend
drinking and driving. If you are going
to drink alcohol, always have a non-
drinking designated driver. Do not
drink and drive!

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SPECIFICATIONS
• Dimensions/Weight: 3 x1 x  inches /
1.6 oz.; (90 x 31.5 x 16.5 mm / 50 grams)
• Sensor: Semiconductor gas sensor
• Accuracy*: ±20% at 0.08 %BAC for 2
years, under normal operating conditions
and factors**
• Display: %BAC in 0.01 increments
ranging from 0.00 to 0.12
• Power/Battery life: 2 AAA alkaline bat-
teries for over 300 uses
• Product lifetime: Two years, under
normal operating conditions and factors
• Temperature range:
Storage: -4° to 158°F (-20° to 70°C)
Operating: 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C )
* Accuracy varies depending on individual
metabolism, blowing conditions, humidity,
and the condition of the sensor.
** Normal operating conditions and factors
means an ambient temperature range of 50°F
to 95°F; a relative humidity range of 40%
to 60%; a clean air environment (no con-
tamination or poisoning agents), and normal
usage (less than 20 operations/day).

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SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT
Customer Service
For customer service questions, please contact
our customer service department by e-mail
at [e-mail], or call us
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (PST),
Monday through Friday.
Warranty Service
For the fastest service, it is best to contact
or return your unit to the place of purchase
within 30 days of the purchase. If you wish
to return the unit for replacement or repair to
PNI Corporation, please follow the following
procedures:
1. Obtain a return merchandise authoriza-
tion (RMA) number by contacting PNI
Corporation.
• By phone: [phone] (toll-free
within the U.S.A. only) or at (707)
566-2260
• By fax: [phone]
• By e-mail: [email protected]
2. Provide a proof of purchase, such as a
mechanical reproduction or carbon copy
of a sales receipt. If you send your
original receipt, it cannot be returned.
Proof of purchase must show printed
date of purchase, model number, and
place of purchase. There will be a charge

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for repair or replacement if no proof of
purchase is provided or if the unit is past
the warranty period.
Once you have acquired an RMA number,
pack the unit securely to prevent damage
in transit. If possible, use the original
packing material and box. Be sure to
send the entire product.
3. Ship prepaid and insured by way of a
traceable carrier, such as United Parcel
Service (UPS), Roadway Parcel Service
(RPS), or First Class Mail to avoid loss
in transit.
4. Write the issued RMA number on the
outside of your package and send your
proof of purchase and description of the
problem to the following address:
PNI Corporation
Attn: RMA# _____________________
5464 Skylane Blvd., Suite A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1084
Type or print your name and address
where the replacement should be
delivered. After receipt of your
documents and unit, a replacement unit
will be sent to you. Please allow 2 to
3 weeks from receipt of your returned
product to delivery of your replacement.
SERVICE AND REPLACEMENT

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LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
PNI Corporation (“PNI”) manufactures its prod-
ucts, which include accessories, from parts and
components that are new or equivalent to new in
performance and expressly warrants to the original
retail purchaser who is also the original user that
this product will be free of defects in workmanship
and materials for ninety (90) days from the date
of purchase. Implied warranties are limited to such
person for the same period.
If the product is found by PNI to be defective,
PNI’s entire liability and your exclusive remedy
for breach of warranty, express or implied, shall
be that PNI will repair or replace the product and
return the product or its replacement to you at no
charge, provided that you ship the product to PNI
at your expense with a description of the defect
and subject to the other conditions of this warranty.
Should the product prove to be irreparable, PNI
may substitute an equivalent product of the same
or similar style and of a value not in excess of the
original purchase price of your product. PNI war-
rants the repaired or replacement product to be free
from defects in material and workmanship for the
balance of the original warranty period, extended
by the time period from your shipment to PNI for
repair or replacement until the repaired or replaced
product was received by you.
This warranty will be void if the serial number
or other identication marks on the product or
its accessories have been defaced, damaged or
removed. This warranty does not cover wear and
tear due to normal use, or damage to the product as
the result of improper usage, neglect of care, alter-
ation, accident or unauthorized repair, nor does
this warranty apply to the battery necessary to
operate the product.
This warranty is extended only to the original retail
purchaser who is also the original user and may not
be transferred or assigned to subsequent owners.
In order to validate your warranty, you must pro-

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vide proof of purchase acceptable to PNI, together
with the product shipped for warranty repair or
replacement. Products returned to PNI must be
pre-authorized by PNI with an RMA (return mate-
rial authorization) number marked on the outside
of the package. Please refer to the Service and
Replacement section for PNI Corporation contact
information.
THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN
LIEU OF AND PNI DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER
EXPRESS WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTA-
TIONS IN FACT OR IN LAW WITH RESPECT
TO THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OR REP-
RESENTATION THAT USE OF THE PROD-
UCT WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR
FREE.
Except for the breach of warranty remedies set
forth herein, or for personal injury, PNI shall have
no liability for any indirect or speculative damages
(including, but not limited to, consequential, inci-
dental, punitive and special damages) relating to
the use of or inability to use this product, whether
arising out of contract, negligence, tort, or under
any warranty theory, or for infringement of any
other party’s intellectual property rights, irrespec-
tive of whether PNI had advance notice of the
possibility of any such damages, including, but
not limited to, loss of use, revenue or prot. In
no event shall PNl’s total liability for all claims
regarding the product exceed the price paid for
the product. PNI neither assumes nor authorizes
anyone to assume for it any other liabilities.
Some states and provinces do not allow limita-
tions on how long an implied warranty lasts or
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or con-
sequential damages, so the above limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty
gives you specic legal rights and you may have
other rights that vary by state or province.
LIMITED WARRANTY; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

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