Populo PDAL-12 User manual

BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE
USER MANUAL
12V Lithium Ion
Drain Auger
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
PDAL-12
12V Battery Pack
x1
Battery Charger
x1
Gloves
x1
Tool Bag
x1
MADE IN CHINA
12V Drain Auger
(Bare) x 1
WARNING! To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the user manual before
operating this product. Save this manual for future reference.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY WARNINGS
GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to
follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock,
fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains operated (corded)
power tool or battery operated (cordless) power tool.
Work area safety
■ Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
■ Do not operate power tools in explosive atmosphere, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create
sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
■ Keep children and bystanders at a safe distance while operating a power tool. Getting distracted while using the tool may lead to injury
for the operator or bystanders if not exercising proper safety.
Electrical safety
■ Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power
tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
■ Avoid bodily contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of
electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
■ Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
■ Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges
or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
■ When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces
the risk of electric shock.
■ If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply with a rated
leakage current of 30 mA or less. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.
Personal safety
■ Always be sure to pay close attention to what you are doing when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool when you are tired or
under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal
injury.
■ Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Under the appropriate condition, protective equipment such as a dust
mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection can reduce personal injuries.
■ Prevent unintentional starting. Make sure the switch is in the off-position before picking up or carrying the tool or connecting the unit to a
power source/battery pack. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on may lead
to accidents.
■ Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool
may result in personal injury.
■ Do not over reach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
■ Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes,
jewelry or long hair, can get caught in moving parts resulting in serious injury.
■ If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used.
WARNING! When using mains powered tools, basic safety precautions should
always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, personal injury
and material damage.
Before operating the unit, carefully read the entire manual and be certain you know how to switch the unit off in case of an emergency.
Be sure to save these instructions and any other documents supplied with this unit for future reference.
■ Populo cordless tools are interchangeable for use in the United States and Canda.
■ The power outlet used for the power tools/charger must be protected by a 30mA ground fault circuit interrupter or earth leakage
circuit breaker. If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by an electrician or a power tool repairer in order to avoid a hazard.
■ Doube insulation does not take the place of normal safety precautions when operating this tool. The insulation system is added
to prevent against potential injury slould an electrical failure occur with the tool.

WARNING! Read all safety warnings and instructions listed below. Failure
to follow the warnings and instructions may result in Serious injury.
DRAIN CLEANER SAFETY WARNINGS
Power tool use and care
■ Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do a better and safer job when
used for its designed purpose.
■ Do not use the power tool if the on/off switch is malfunctioning. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous
and must be repaired.
■ Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing power tools. This helps reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
■ Store idle power tools out of the reach of children. Do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool to operate it without first reading
these instructions. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
■ Properly maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may
affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained
power tools.
■ Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to
control.
■ Use the power tool, accessories, and tool bits, etc. by following these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the
work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could create a hazardous situation.
Service
■ Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts.This will ensure that the power tool is
properly and safely maintained.
■ If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons to prevent any
potential hazard.
■ Maintain labels and nameplates on the tool. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Populo Tools for
a replacement.
■ To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not put motor or cord in water or other liquid.
■ Do not wear cloth gloves or loose clothing, or use a rag to grasp the cable to prevent entanglement.
■ Use approximate personal protective equipment while handling and using drain cleaner. Drains may contain chemicals, bacteria and
other substances that may be toxic. Infectious, cause burns or other issue. Appropriate personal protective equipment always includes
ANSI- approved splash-resistance safety glasses under face shield, NIOSH-approved dust mask/respirator, and heavy-duty LEATHER
work gloves, and my include equipment such as latex or rubber gloves under leather work gloves, protective clothing, and steel toed
footwear.
■ Do not use in pipe containing drain cleaning chemicals.
■ Do not use in pipe obstructed by roots.
■ Wash hands after use. Use hot, soapy water to wash hands and other exposed body parts exposed to drain contents after handling or
using drain cleaner. Do not eat or smoke while operating or handling drain cleaner. This will help prevent contamination with toxic or
infectious material.
■ Have your drain cleaner serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of
the drain cleaner is maintained.
■ Do not put too much stress on cable. Quickly release tension if it starts to build in the cable. Excess tension will cause the cable to twist,
kink or break.
■ Reverse motor direction only when pulling the cable off an obstruction. Trying to push the cable down the pipe or pull it out of a pipe while
in reverse operation will unravel and break the cable. Wait for the drum to stop turning completely before changing the rotation direction
switch.
■ Only use drain cleaner to clean drains of recommended sizes according to these instructions. Other uses or modifying the drain cleaner
for other applications may increase the risk of injury.
■ Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare to begin work before turning on the tool.
■ Do not lay the tool down until it has come to a complete stop. Moving parts can grab the surface and pull the tool out of your control.
■ When using a hand-held power tool. Maintain a firm grip on the tool with both hands to resist starting torque.
■ Do not leave the tool unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet. Turn off the tool and unplug it from its electrical outlet before
leaving.
■ People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic field in close proximity to heart pacemaker could
cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure.
■ The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual can not cover all possible conditions and situations that
may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sends and caution are factors which can not be built into this product, but
must be supplied by the operator.

WARNING! This tool vibrates during use. Repeated or long time exposure
to vibration may cause temporary or permanent physical injury,
particularly to the hands, arms and shoulders. To reduce the risk of
vibration-related injury.
■ Anyone using vibrating tools regularly or for an extended period should first be examined by a doctor and then have regular medical
check-ups to ensure medical problems are not being caused or worsened from use. Pregnant women or people who have impaired blood
circulation to the hand, past hand injuries, nervous system disorders, diabetes, or raynaud’s disease should not use this tool. If you feel
any symptoms related to vibration (such as tingling, numbness, and white or blue fingers), seek medical advice as soon as possible.
■ Do not smoke during use. Nicotine reduces the blood supply to the hands and fingers, increasing the risk of vibration-related injury.
■ Wear suitable gloves to reduce the vibration effects on the user.
■ Use tools with the lowest vibration when there is a choice.
■ Include vibration-free periods each day of work
■ Grip tool as lightly as possible (while still keeping safe control of it.) let the tool do the work.
■ To reduce vibration, maintain the tool as explained in this manual. If any abnormal vibration occurs, stop use immediately.
■ This charger is not intended for any uses other than charging rechargeable batteries. Any other use may result in risk of fire, electric
shock or electrocution.
■ Since battery tools do not have to be plugged into an electric outlet, they are always in an operational condition. Be aware of possible
hazards when not using the battery tool or when changing accessories. Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric shock, fire and
serious personal injury.
■ Do not place battery tools or batteries near fire or heat. This will reduce the risk of explosion and possible injury.
■ Do not crush, drop and damage battery pack. Do not use a battery pack or charger that has been dropped and has received a sharp
blow. A damaged battery is subject to explosion. Properly dispose of a dropped and damaged battery immediately.
■ To avoid damage to the electric plug and cord when disconnecting the charger, be sure to pully by the plug and not the cord. Make sure
the cord is placed where it will not be stepped on, tripped over, or otherwise subjected to damage or stress.
■ To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug the charger from the outlet before attempting any cleaning. Removing the battery pack will not
reduce this risk.
■ A battery can explode if set near a source of ignition, such as a pilot light. To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, never use any
cordless product near an open flame. If a battery explodes, it can propel debris and hazardous chemicals. If exposed to debris or
chemicals, use water immediately to flush away particles/residue.
■ Do not charge battery tool in a damp or wet location. Do not use, store and charge battery packs or products in locations where the
temperature is less than 50°F or more than 100°F。
■ Under extreme usage or temperature conditions, battery leakage may occure
WARNING! This manual contains important safety and operating
instruction for your battery pack and charger.
VIBRATION SAFETY WARNINGS
VIBRATION SAFETY WARNINGS

SYMBOLS AND DEFINATIONS
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards.
Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
Addresses practices not related to personal injury.
Double Insulated
Volts
Alternating Current
Amperes
No Load Revolutions per Minute (RPM)
WARNING marking concerning Risk of Eye Injury. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles with side shieds.
Read the manual before set-up and/or use.
WARNING marking concerning Risk of Fire. Do not cover ventilation ducts. Keep flammable objects away.
WARNING marking concerning Risk of Electric Shock. Properly connect power cord to appropriate outlet.
SYMBOLS DEFINITONS

KNOW YOUR PRODUCT
1. Cable
2. Control Switch
3. Housing
4. Drum
5. LED Battery Indicator
6. Switch Trigger
7. Forward/Reverse Lever
8. Battery Pack
SPECIFICATIONS
12345 6 7 8
Working Voltage: 12VDC Max
No Load Speed: 0-500 RPM
Dredging Capability: 3/4”-2”
Cable Diameter: 0.275” (7mm)
Cable Length: 16.4ft (5m)
Battery Pack: 12V Max, 2.0Ah Li-ion
Charging Time: Approx. 80 Minutes
Weight: 6.05 Lbs
Battery Charger
9. AC/DC Charging Adaptor
10. Charging Base
9 10

BATTERY PACK AND CHARGING
UNPACK AND SET-UP
CAUTION: The charger for this product should be protected by a leakage
crrent device(rated at 30mA or less).
The purchased battery will be shipped in a low charge condition, and requires charging prior to use. Allow several cycles of charging and
discharging (through use of the tool) for the battery to reach its optimum performance/runtime.
1. Connect the AC/DC adaptor
outlet end into the charging
base.
2. Plug the AC/DC adaptor into
a main power outlet. The
charger LED will illuminate
Green showing power is being
supplied to the charger
correctly.
3. Insert the battery pack into
the charger, ensure a firm
connection.
4. The RED LED on the
charging base is light ON,
signifying that the battery is
charging.
5. When RED Led light is off
and Green Led light on the
charging base is ON, means
that the battery is fully charged.
6. To remove the battery pack
from the charging base, hold
the charging base firmly and
pull the battery pack out.
When the battery pack is
attached to the tool, press the
switch trigger, there are 3 LED
lights to indicate the state of
battery capacity.
RED – Low battery
RED and Yellow – Middle-state of battery capacity
RED, Yellow and Green – Battery capacity is full.
Charging your lithium-ion battery Battery gauge indicator

UNPACK AND SET-UP(CONT.)
The variable speed switch trigger delivers higher speed with increased trigger pressure and lower speed with decreased trigger pressure.
Align with the handle base and push it in until it
clicks into place.
To turn the tool on, depress the switch trigger. (Set the
forward/reverse lever in the middle then the switch is locked.)
To turn the tool off, release the switch trigger and allow the
cable to come to a compete stop.
INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERY PACK
CONTROLS
Installing the battery pack
Variable speed switch trigger
Removing the battery pack
1. Hold the tools handle firmly.
2. Press and hold the lock buttons on both
sides of the battery pack, then slide it out.

UNPACK AND SET-UP(CONT.)
WARNING! Always wear gloves when advancing and retracting the cable
manually.
NOTICE: To prevent gear damage, always allow the cable to come to a complete stop before changing the direction of rotation.
NOTICE: Do not press and hold the operation switch when advancing and retracting the cable manually.
Forward
Position the direction of forward/reverse lever to the left of the
switch trigger by pressing the lever having an icon of “forward
allow” for forward operation.
To advance cable, lock the switch trigger by placing the forward/reverse
lever in center position.
Hold the tool body by one hand and advance the cable with other.
To retract cable, hold the tool body with one hand and push the cable back
with other.
Reverse
Position the direction of forward/reverse lever to the right
of the switch trigger by pressing the lever having an icon
of “back allow” to reverse the direction.
Set the forward/reverse lever in the middle then the switch is
locked (center lock).
Advancing and retracting the cable manually
Direction of forward/reverse lever
Center lock
Position the lock the switch trigger and help prevent
accidental starting when not in use.

NOTICE: If not press and hold the operation switch on the front handle using switch trigger, the cable stops advance or retract,
no matter in forward or reverse rotation.
To advance cable,
Place the direction of forward/reverse lever in forward position.
Press and hold the operation switch on the front handle.
Then Squeeze and hold the switch trigger to advance the cable.
To retract cable，
Place the direction of forward/reverse lever in reverse position.
Press and hold the operation switch on the front handle.
Then Squeeze and hold the switch trigger to retract the cable.
To advance and retracting the cable using the switch trigger.
UNPACK AND SET-UP(CONT.)

OPERATION
WARNING! Do not allow familiarity with this product to make you careless.
Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict serious
injury.
WARNING! To avoid any accidental personal injuries do not touch the
cable drum while it is rotating.
● Always remove battery pack from the tool when you are assembling parts, making adjustments, cleaning or when not in use. Removing
battery pack will prevent accidental starting that could cause serious personal injury.
● Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown
into your eyes and other possible serious injuries.
● Do not use any attachment or accessories not recommended by the manufacturer of this product. The use of attachment or accessories
not recommended can result in serious personal injury.
The drain auger can be used to clear obstructions from a variety of drains including sink, bathtub, and toilet drains, and can be used to
clear drain pipes with minimum diameter of 0.75 inch and maximum diameter of 2 inch.
NOTE: When removing an obstruction from a sink or a
bathtub, it maybe necessary to remove the stopper or
overflow cover to gain access to the drainpipe. Toilet
drains can be accessed directly through the base of the
bowl.
Hold the drain auger within four inches of the drains or
overflow, and manually feed the cable into the drain
pipe.
NOTE: Advance the cable slowly at first. Advancing it
too rapidly can result in twisting or binding.
After feeding about six inches of cable into the drain, you
may begin advancing the cable using the switch trigger
and operation switch or continue advancing it manually.
The cable should advance freely through the drain pipe
until it contacts the obstruction or is caught in a P-trap.
If the cable is caught in a P-trap, additional force or
increased trigger pressure should be enough to advance
it past the bend in the pipe.
If the cable has contacted an obstruction, there are two
ways to remove it.
1. Advance the cable by squeezing the switch trigger while holding the operation switch on the front handle, hold the switch trigger
for several seconds allowing to tip of the cable to bore into the obstruction. If the cable stops the rotating, release the switch trigger
to avoid kinking or damaging the cable. Then slowly retract the cable from the drain pipe.
2. When you release the operation switch on the front handle and squeezing the switch trigger, the cable will rotate but not advance.
Hold the switch trigger for several seconds allowing the obstruction to wrap around the cable, if the cable stops the rotating, release
the switch trigger to avoid kinking or damaging the cable, then slowly retract the cable and pull the obstruction through the drain.
Once the obstruction is cleared, attempt to flush your toilet or run water through your drain to confirm that the water is flowing freely.
Meanwhile please be sure that the cable is cleared properly as described in the section of Cleaning the Drain Auger.
In case of obstruction or booked cornering of the cable, to retract the cable for a certain distance, then advance cable again,
repeatedly move cable forward and backward operation to dredge the pipe and move through the corners.
NOTE: Situation of pipe blockage are varied, it is necessary to lightly depress the switch trigger (low speed) to closely observe the
situation of the cable when using it. If it is distorted or blocked, stop the machine immediately and then take different operations
according to the actual situation. If the pipe can not be dredged, please ask professional for help. DO NOT force the operation and
cause unnecessary troubles.
CAUTION:
DO NOT force the delivery of the cable, otherwise the cable will be twisted, knotted or broken and cause serious injury.
DO NOT advance or retract the cable using the switch trigger unless the cable is in a drain pipe. When removing the cable from a
drain, remove it slowly to avoid “ Splash Back”!
Using the drain auger
To clean obstruction
6 Inch

CAUTION: Do not advance or retract the cable using the switch trigger
unless the cable is in drain pipe.
OPERATION (CONT.)
The drain auger should be cleaned after each us to prevent contamination and residue build up.
To clean the cable:
● Remove the battery pack from the tool.
● Using a clean cloth and warm soapy water, pull the cable out from the tool, cleaning it as it advances, continue to do until the cable has
been fully advance and completely cleaned.
● Using a clean, dry cloth, pull the cable back into the tool, drying it as it retracts, continue to do until the cable has been fully retracted.
Cleaning the drain auger
MAINTENANCE
WARNING! When servicing, use only identical replacement parts, use of any
other parts could create a hazard or cause product damage.
CAUTION: Always be sure that the battery pack is removed from tool when
replacing the cable.
WARNING! TDo not start the tool to retract the cable, because the exposed
cable can lead to unpredictable personal injury, tool damage, damage to
indoor objects, fire, electric shock and other dangerous situations.
Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most parts are susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents and
may be damaged by their use. Use clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc.
If the cable can not be replaced normally, please contact Populo customer service at [email protected]
Populo Tools will not be held responsible for any damage or injury caused by mishandling the tool or any repair made by an unauthorized
person.
1. Complete the advance the cable from the drum.
2. Unscrew 4 installation screws for the cable drum with a screwdriver.
3. Loose the fixing screws for the cable with a screwdriver.
4. Pull the cable out from the head of the front handle.
5. Insert new cable from the head of the front handle and tighten the
fixing screw from the cable. (Leave cable 1’’ long free from its end)
6. Reinstall the drum by tighten 4 screws with a screwdriver.
7. Retract the cable back to drum manually.
● Before inspection and maintenance, please switch off the tool power and take off the battery pack!
● After each use, please clean the cable carefully, if it is not to be used for a long time, please apply butter on the surface of the
cable to prevent rust.
General maintenance
How to replace the cable
Storage and maintenance of the machine

TROUBLESHOOTING
Variable speed trigger is lock
Ensure that the forward/reverse lever is in the correct position, press to left for forwards direction, press to right for backwards
direction. If it is in between the two setting, the variable speed trigger will be locked.
Cable can not be advancing or retracting
If use the switch trigger to advance and retract cable, make sure you have press and hold the operation switch on the front handle at
same time.
Cable worn or broken
Stop working and replace the cable immediately according to the section of How to replace the cable described in this manual.
The battery has a short runtime
Check if the battery is full charged, if not, charge the battery.
Ensure that the battery is properly charged, it will take 4-5 charging cycles before reaches optimum charge and runtime.
Battery Pack can not be charged
Check if the charger has been plugged into a main power source and all connections are firmly, while check if the LED indictors are
display correctly, if not, please contact Populo Tools Customer Service to have a further assistance.
Sparking visible through the housing air vents.
A small amount of sparking may be visible through the housing vents. This is normal and does not
Indicate a problem.

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[email protected]
WARRANTY
YOUR PRODUCT IS GUARANTEED FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS FROM THE ORIGIANL DATE OF PURCHASE AND IS
INTENDED FOR DIY (DO IT YOURSELF) USE ONLY.
WARRANTY EXCLUDES CONSUMABLE PART SUCH AS BEARING, O-RINGS ETC.
30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTY
Within the first 30 days of purchase, you are allowed to return your product for a full refund.
30 DAYS TO 90 DAYS (3 MONTHS)
A defective until will be replaced with a new one in accordance with the terms of this warranty, due to manufacturing fault.
90 DAYS TO 12 MONTHS
Up to 12 months after purchase, we will provide speedy and effective online service.
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER:
[email protected]
TO ENSURE THE QUICKEST RESPONSE POSSIBLE, PLEASE HAVE THE PRODUCT CODE AND ORDER NUMBER, DATE OF
PURCHASE AVAIABLE SO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
RELATING TO THE WARRANTY POLICY OR PROCEDURE.
WARNING! The following action will result in the warranty becoming void.
● If the tool has been operated on a supply voltage other than that specified on the tool.
● If the tool shows signs of damage or defects caused by or resulting from abuse, accidents or
alterations.
● Failure to perform maintenance as set out within the user manual.
● If the product is disassembled or tampered with in any way.
● Professional, industrial or high frequency use.