Redpost RPC-80 User manual

RPC-80
Playback unit
Manual 1 – Operation

2
CONTENTS
SAFETY, CONFORMITY & SPECIFICATION........................................................... 3
INSTALLATION......................................................................................................... 4
DIAGRAM OF CONNECTORS ............................................................................... 5
PRINTERS AND PAPER ........................................................................................... 7
OPERATING THE RPC-80 PLAYBACK UNIT.......................................................... 9
GETTING STARTED .............................................................................................. 9
AFTER PRINTING ................................................................................................ 10
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION.......................................................... 11
PU MONITORS..................................................................................................... 12
SETTINGS............................................................................................................ 14
SEE MANUAL PAGE.... (AFTER ERRORS)........................................................... 16
B (BATTERY)........................................................................................................... 16
C (COMMUNICATIONS)....................................................................................... 17
M (MEMORY)........................................................................................................ 18
P (PRINTER)......................................................................................................... 20

3
SAFETY, CONFORMITY & SPECIFICATION
Safety warning
Always follow basic safety precautions when using this equipment to reduce risk of injury.
Before using the equipment, read and understand the operating instructions in this manual.
The Redpost RPC-80 is suitable for use as a playback unit in conjunction with PU Monitors
also supplied by Redpost Electronic Products Ltd. It must not be used for any other purpose.
Read the safety rules before using the equipment.
Connect only to a mains supply that provides a safety earth (ground) connection. Use a
mains cable with a non-reversible (polarised) mains plug. If possible use the mains cable
supplied with the equipment.
Always use a replacement fuse of the same current rating, voltage and type as that fitted originally.
See fuse specification below.
The equipment is for use indoors in a reasonably clean and dry environment. It is not waterproof.
Do not use in any situation where there is the possibility of the presence of explosive gases.
If liquid is spilled onto the equipment disconnect it from the mains supply at once. Do not use it again
until it has been checked by a competent service person.
There are no operator controls inside the equipment. The equipment case should be opened only by
a competent service person.
When you use the RPC-80 with any of the Redpost 100 series PU monitors (RPU-120, RPU-122 or
RPT-122) always do so in a well ventilated room. Do not allow smoking or naked flames nearby.
These are normal precautions for charging a lead/acid battery.
To ensure continued conformity with European EMC directives you must use a USB data cable (and,
if required, a serial data cable) with a high quality screened cable, preferably a braided screen, and
fully shielded connectors. If possible you should use the cables that were supplied with the
equipment.
SPECIFICATION : RPC-80
Mains supply 90 - 264V; 1.2A; 45 - 65Hz
Fuse T 3.15A H 250V
Dimensions L x W x H 300 x 240 x 145 mm (excluding printer)
Weight 4 Kg (excluding printer)
Ambient temperature 5 to 35 °C
Ambient humidity 70 %RH maximum
DANGER
Using this equipment without an earth (ground) connection or with a reversible
mains plug could expose you to danger.

4
INSTALLATION
Before you unpack and install the RPC-80 and the printer please read through these notes.
The RPC-80 produces a printed version of the information that has been recorded by one of
the Redpost PU monitors. Your RPC-80 will normally have been supplied with a suitable
printer but, if not, you must provide one. The printer must have a USB connection.
The RPC-80 can be used with several types of ink-jet and laser printer from different
manufacturers. A list of currently recommended types can be supplied upon request.
RPC-80
Unpack the RPC-80 from the carton and check that you have all of the following:-
 The RPC-80
 Mains cable (connects the RPC-80 to the mains supply)
 Data cable RED 80-100/200 (connects the RPC-80 to the PU Monitor)
You will also need either:-
 A suitable printer (ink-jet or laser printer – usually supplied with RPC-80)
 A supply of paper (European or US size cut sheet paper)
 USB Data cable (connects the RPC-80 to the printer)
Or
 25 pin to 9 pin null modem cable(connects RPC-80 to PC)
 USB to Serial Converter
 Redlink Software
Find a place to set up the RPC-80 on a firm bench where you will have sufficient room to
place the PU Monitor alongside.
Printer
Unpack the printer and any accessories such as power supply and ink cartridges. You
should refer to the printer's manual for information about assembling it, installing ink or toner
cartridges and loading paper.
Find a good place to set up the printer, preferably on a shelf above the bench. This avoids
water splashes and other damage and helps keep the printer and paper clean.
The printer should be used in the default mode as supplied and requires only the paper
guide to be set for the size of paper you are using. There are no other settings that require
adjustment.

5
DIAGRAM OF CONNECTORS
Connecting the cables – right side
1) Connect the mains cable to the RPC-80 but don't switch on yet. The RPC-80 mains
input accepts all nominal AC voltages in the range 100 to 250 vAC.
2) Connect the USB data cable between the printer and the RPC-80 playback unit. This
cable has a different size plug at each end and may be connected only one way
round.
3) If your printer has been supplied locally, rather than by us, you must check
that your mains supply voltage and frequency corresponds to that marked on
the back of the printer or the power supply unit close to the mains input
connector. Don’t continue if the mains supply is incorrect.
4) Connect the printer to the mains supply. Most printers use an external power supply
unit; connect it as described in your printer's manual. Don't switch the printer on until
you have connected the data cable to both the printer and the RPC-80 (Step 2
above). Connecting the data cable with the printer switched on can cause problems.
Right side view of RPC-80
Serial Printer
Connect to mains supply with the cable supplied.
The mains cable should be fitted with an IEC320 plug
and have at least 6 Amps rating. A polarised (non-
reversible) mains plug should be used with an earth
connection. If a fused mains plug is used then fit a 5
Amp mains voltage fuse.
Optional serial connector.
See Manual 2 – “External
link”.
Connect to printer with USB data cable.
Cables for either USB version 1 or 2 can be used.
Use only a fully screened cable compliant with the
USB standard.

6
Connecting the cable – left side
Plug the RED 80-100/200 data cable into the RPC-80 so that it is ready to connect to your
PU Monitor. Push the plug home until it clicks. To remove this plug you press the button
above the socket.
Configuring
If your RPC-80 and printer were supplied together then the RPC-80 will already have been
configured to match your printer. If you have supplied your own printer you will need to
configure the RPC-80 so that it sends the correct commands to your printer. Please see
RPC-80 Manual-2 – “Printer Setup” before you use the RPC-80 for the first time.
Push here to
withdraw plug
Left side view of RPC-80
Connect to PU Monitor with data cable type
RED 80-100/200.
Push the plug home until it clicks. At the PU
Monitor end, turn the locking ring until it clicks.
Use socket ‘1’ if the Monitor has more than one
socket.

7
PRINTERS AND PAPER
Printers.
The RPC-80 can be used with several different types of ink-jet and laser printer. All
printing takes place in monochrome (black printing only); even if the printer is
capable of printing in colour.
The printer should be used in the default mode as supplied and requires only the
paper guide to be set for the size of paper you are using. There are no other settings
that require adjustment.
Don't switch the printer on until you have connected the data cable to both the printer
and the RPC-80. Connecting the data cable with the printer switched on can cause
problems.
Ink-Jet printers. Unlike a printer that uses a ribbon, the ink cartridge does not fade
but stops suddenly when the ink is used up. You should always have a spare
cartridge so that you can continue printing. Do not remove the ink cartridge from its
packaging until you are ready to install and use it.
Never disconnect the power from the printer or the RPC-80 while the printer is
actually printing. This may leave the print head away from its home position where
the ink cartridge will dry out. In the correct home position the ink cartridge is capped
to prevent any problems. If you switch the printer off always allow at least 15 seconds
before switching it on again.
Don't open the printer cover while printing. On some types of printer you must fit both
colour and black ink cartridges even though you are only printing in black.
Laser printers. The printer may take several minutes to warm up and prepare the
image before it prints the first page.
Paper.
You can use European or USA sizes of cut sheet paper. Use paper with a 'weight' of
between 65g and 90g as recommended in the printer's manual.
If you are using paper that is not A4 size then you must configure the RPC-80 to suit.
Please see RPC-80 Manual-2 – “Printer Setup”. The only change to the printer will be
the setting of the left-hand paper guide.
Always check that there is enough paper in the printer before starting.
Before loading paper into any type of printer it is best to fan out the edges to
separate the sheets. Square up the stack again before loading into the paper tray.
Don't cram too many sheets into the printer.
Ink-Jet printers. If the printing appears very blurred as if it is out of focus then the
paper you are using is too absorbent. Try another type of paper. Most paper has a
"best" side and you can sometimes make an improvement by using the other side of
the paper.
Laser printers. Photocopier paper will give good results.

8
Print head cleaning.
The first time you switch on an ink-jet printer after fitting a new ink cartridge most
printers automatically start the print head cleaning cycle to ensure good print quality
from the new cartridge. Some printers will also print a test page.

9
OPERATING THE RPC-80 PLAYBACK UNIT
Position the RPC-80 where there is ample room for the printer and the PU Monitor to stand
beside it. Keep the RPC-80 and the printer way from possible sources of water splashing
such as laboratory sinks. The RPC-80 unit is not waterproof.
GETTING STARTED
Switching on
Switch on the mains switch of the RPC-80. The display will light up and briefly show time
and date. The printer must be switched on, usually by pressing the "power" button for
about a second or until the beeper sounds. The "power" lamp will light. For ink-jet printers
there may be some preliminary head movement before the printer is ready for use. Some
printers have no “power” switch and are “on” as soon as the mains supply is connected.
Always check that there is enough paper in the printer before starting to use the RPC-80.
After switching the printer on you should not need to press any of its buttons again.
Connecting the PU monitor
The RPC-80 will now be showing "TRYING TO COMMUNICATE WITH MONITOR...."
Connect a monitor that has some files recorded in it. You use the same cable to connect to
the 200 & 300 series and the older 100 series monitors (cable type RED 80-100/200). The
RPC-80 automatically senses which type of monitor is present and adjusts itself accordingly.
If the PU monitor has two sockets you should use socket number 1 to connect to the RPC-
80. Turn the locking ring on the connector until it clicks.
Printing recorded files
When a monitor has been connected the display changes to "FOUND ...." with the monitor
serial number and the word PRINT appears on the bottom line over the left-hand button to
show its function. Press this button. The display changes to "PRINTING..." and all the
recorded files are printed out.
All the pages of the printed graphs, results and listed data for one recording run are
identified by the same unique file number (200 & 300 series monitors) or print run number
(100 series monitors).

10
AFTER PRINTING
After the printing is finished you have the chance to start the print run again if, for instance,
the printer has run out of ink and some of the printing is illegible.
200 & 300 Series PU monitors.
After all the files have been printed the display changes to "ERASE ALL FILES". Press OK
to erase the files and leave the monitor on charge for at least 15 minutes. During that time
the battery charge rate will show on the display. Don't disconnect the monitor while the
battery is still fast charging.
(300 Series only. After the files have been erased the time of day setting in a 300 Series
monitor is synchronised with the clock in the RPC-80.)
If you disconnect the monitor before erasing the files the RPC-80 will warn you and ask for
the monitor to be re-connected. Until you erase the files you have printed out you will not be
able to record any more.
200 Series PU Monitors.
The 200 series monitors will only switch off when they have no files stored in them. Erase
the files and leave the monitor on charge for at least 15 minutes. After about 15 minutes the
monitor will switch itself off automatically but the battery will continue to charge.
When the idle lamp on the monitor has stopped flashing you can disconnect the monitor and
record more files. If files are left in the monitor it will not switch off and the battery may run
down.
100 Series PU Monitors.
After all the files have been printed the battery charge rate will be shown on the RPC-80
display. Wait until this has returned to the trickle charge level before you disconnect the
monitor from the RPC-80. Don't disconnect the monitor while the battery is still fast charging.
On the simplest level that's all there is to using the playback unit. You can, however, use the
configuration controls to add extra features and choose the exact way you want the RPC-80
to print. That is covered in the sections that follow.