Rice Lake TC User manual

Rice Lake TC
Tuning Fork Compact Electronic Balance
Operation Manual
IMPORTANT
•
To ensure safe and proper use of the balance, please read
this manual carefully.
•After reading this manual, store it in a safe place near the
balance, so you can review it as needed.
107243

PREFACE
Thank you for purchasing an RL-TC Series electronic balance. This is a precision instrument equipped with
exacting mechanisms in a compact body. The RL-TC series provides enhanced functions, including a counting
mode for stock control of parts, a percentage mode for comparative measurements given in percentages, and a limit
function for measuring constant quantities by consecutive weighings. Despite its many functions, the balance is
easy to operate and features user-friendly keys. Furthermore, the large liquid-crystal display provides excellent
visibility, and the instrument’s high speed and stability−intrinsic to a tuning fork design−help boost operational
efficiency.
Before using the balance, please check that the following items have been included in the package.
Should you find any missing parts, please contact your local dealer or our marketing division at once.
(1) Main unit of balance
(2) Measurement pan
(one round or square pan)
(3) Pan base
(one small for the round-pan
balance; one large for the
square-pan balance)
for Round pan
for Square pan
(4) AC adapter
Round pan
・
RL-TC -220
～
620:
φ
Square pan
・RL-TC -1200:170mm×
140mm
・RL-TC -2200～12K:180mm
×160mm

RL-TC Series Operation Manual i
CONTENTS
PREFACE ................................................. i
CONTENTS .............................................. i
1. Precautions on the Use .......................1
2. Names of Component Parts ................4
2.1 Main Unit........................................ 4
2.2 LCD Indicators and Operating Keys 5
2.2.1 Symbols Displayed ................................... 5
2.2.2 Names and Functions of Operating Keys.. 6
3. Basic Operations ................................7
3.1 Installation...................................... 7
3.2 Operation Check........................... 8
3.3 Operation for Tare Subtraction....... 9
4. Functions.......................................... 11
4.1 Setup and Checking of Functions 11
4.2 Description of Functions............... 12
4.3 Interface Section .......................... 13
5. Switching Function for Units of Measurement
....................................................... 14
5.1 Switching Units of Measurement.. 14
5.2 Setup of Units of Measurement.... 14
6. Counting Pieces................................ 16
6.1 Sampling...................................... 16
6.2 Increasing the Counting Accuracy (Memory
Update Method).......................... 18
7. Measuring Percentage ...................... 20
8. Limit Function ................................... 22
8.1 Limit Function Setup .................... 22
8.2 Setup of Limit Values by Actual Quantity Loads
................................................... 24
8.3 Setting up Limit Values by Inputting Values
................................................... 25
9. Calibrating the Balance ..................... 27
10. Operating the Balance with the Battery
.......................................................29
10.1 Specifications .............................. 29
10.2 Charging Method ........................29
10.3 User Precautions .........................29
11. Troubleshooting ..............................30
12. Specifications ................................. 31
12.1 Basic Specifications ...................31
12.2 Common Specifications ............. 31
12.3 Minimum Display by Unit of Measurement
................................................... 32
13. Conversion Table of Units................34
TC Series Limited Warranty ....................35
© 2011 Rice Lake Weighing Systems. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
July 2011

ii RL-TC Series Operation Manual

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 1
1. Precautions on the Use
•This Section "Precautions Relating to Use" sets forth precautionary notes that the user should observe in order
to prevent physical injury to the user and/or damage to property.
•The nature of problems that may result in the event of improper operation, and consequential effects on the
quality and performance of the balance, are indicated under the two categories of "Caution" and
"Recommended," and explained using symbols.
This symbol indicates a risk of injury or property damage if the balance is used
i
mproperly. Be sure to observe these notes to ensure safe use o–f the balance as
the improper use may cause serious results.
RECOMMENDED
This term indicates steps that the user should take to ensure the quality and
reliability of the balance.
Meanings of Symbols Each symbol is accompanied by an instruction.
Indicates a “mandatory” action that should be
executed without fail.
Indicates a "prohibited" action that must not be executed.

Do not disassemble or modify the unit.
•Could cause malfunction or heat generation
•Contact our Marketing Division or Technical
Service Division.

Only AC power (rated value) should be used.
Only use the dedicated AC adapter.
•Use of other types of power or adapters may
result in heat generation or malfunction of the
balance.

Do not move the balance when a sample is
loaded.
•The loaded sample may fall off the
measurement pan and cause an injury.

2 RL-TC Series Operation Manual

Do not place the balance on an unstable base
or use the balance in a location where it may
be subjected to shock.
•The loaded sample may fall off the
measurement pan.
•Accurate measurement may be rendered
impossible.

Do not lay the AC adapter cable in the path of
traffic.
•Somebody may trip on the cable, causing the
balance to fall off, thereby causing injury and/or
damage to the balance.

Do not touch the AC adapter or balance with
wet hands.
•Danger of electric shock

Do not use the balance in a location were it
may be subjected to excess moisture.
•Electric shock or short-circuiting could occur.
•The balance may be corroded, with resultant
malfunction.

Do not use the balance with its adjusters (feet)
lifted.
•The balance will become unstable,
preventing accurate measurement.

Do not use the balance in a location where it
may be subjected to excess dust.
•Risk of explosion or fire
•Short-circuit or lack of continuity may occur,
leading to a malfunction of the balance.
RECOMMENDED
Calibrate
Balance

Calibrate the balance after installation or
relocation.
•Measurement values may contain errors,
preventing accurate measurement from being
conducted.

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 3

Avoid applying excess force or impact to the
balance.
•Place the sample to be measured on the
balance carefully to prevent breakage or
malfunction.

Do not use the balance in a location were it
may be subjected to abrupt changes in
ambient temperature or humidity.
•Accurate measurement may not be obtained.
•Optimum operations occur when ambient
temperatures range from 5°C to 35°C,
and less
than 80% relative humidity.
Do not use the balance when [o - Err]
(Overloaded) is displayed.
•Take down the loaded sample immediately to
prevent breakage or malfunction.

Do not use the balance in a location where it is
subject to direct sunlight.
•The indications would be illegible.
•An internal temperature increase in the
balance may lead to inaccurate
measurement.
Unplug
Adapter

If the balance is to be unused for an extended
period of time, unplug the adapter.
•This conserves power and prevents
deterioration.
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning.
•The body may be distorted.
•To clean the unit of stains, use a piece of dry
cloth or cloth soaked in a small quantity of
neutral detergent.

Do not use the balance in a location where it
may be subject to air from an air-conditioning
unit.
•Extreme changes in the ambient temperature
may result in inaccurate measurements.

Do not use the balance on a soft floor.
•When loaded with a sample, the balance may
tip or move, preventing accurate
measurements from being conducted.
Check Level

Do not use the balance when it is out of level.

An inclined balance is likely to produce errors,
preventing accurate measurements from
being conducted. Pla
ce the balance on a level
surface.

4 RL-TC Series Operation Manual
2. Names of Component Parts
2.1 Main Unit
Round-pan types (TC-220, TC-420, TC-620)
Square-pan types (TC-1200, TC-2200, TC-4200, TC-6200, TC-12K)
Measurement pan
・TC-1200:170mm×140mm
・TC-2200～TC-12K:180mm×160mm
Level for checking the
level of the balance.
Turn the adjusters until
the bubble rests in the
center of the red circle.
Operation keys (see page 7)
Adjusters
Round-pan type: Total of two, one on either
side of the unit’s front
Square-pan type: Total of four, one on either
side at front and rear
Measurement
pan
Liquid crystal
display (LCD)
See page 6.
RS-232C connector
(option)
AC adapter connector
Front View (round-pan type)
Square-pan type

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 5
2.2 LCD Indicators and Operating Keys
2.2.1 Symbols Displayed
Display
Description
g Grams
→0←Zero point
→T←Tare being subtracted
○
Indication of stable balance (If the light is off, the balance is unstable.)
＊Balance powered up (Lights up when the power is turned off) or data transmitted
Pcs Counting mode
% Percentage mode
Indication of judgement result (HI/OK/LO) when the limit function is active.
mom Momme
M Display of set values from memory (If a value is flashing, it is being saved.)
CAL Stays on and flashes while span adjustment is in progress.
Bar graph
[ ] (ct) carat
[ ] (oz) ounce
[ ] (lb) pound
[ ] (ozt) troy ounce
[ ] (dwt) penny weight
[ (Upper right) ] grain
[ ]（tl）tael (Hong Kong)
[ Upper right ] (tl Upper right) tael (Singapore,Malaysia)
[ Lower right ] (tl Lower right) tael (Taiwan)
[ ] (to) tola
Lights up when the balance is battery-operated. The indication changes to
[ ] when the battery capacity decreases and charging is required. (See “10
.
Operating the Balance on the Battery” on page 29.)
0
F
0
0 F Pcs #
g％
ＨＩ
ＯＫ
ＬＯ

6 RL-TC Series Operation Manual
2.2.2 Names and Functions of Operating Keys
Operating Key
Function
On/off key
Key to turn on/off the unit power
Memory key
[Brief press] initiates print or output.
[Brief press]
saves the settings of the number of pieces or
percentages (%), or the limit value when
using the limit function.
Target key
[Brief press] starts setting the number of pieces or
percentages (%).
[Continuous press] starts setting the limit value when using the
limit function.
Function key
[Brief press] toggle-switches the units to be displayed in
succession (g, Pcs, %, etc.).
[Brief press] moves the flashing digit in the setup of a limit
value when using the value input method.
[Brief press] selects an item when setting the function.
[Continuous press] invokes various functions.
[Longer continuous press] invokes span adjustment.
Zero/Tare key
[Brief press] resets the indication to zero when using
zero-point setup or tare subtraction.
[Brief press] selects a value with the value input method
when using the limit function.
[Brief press] selects a function when operating the
balance in the function mode.

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 7
3. Basic Operations
3.1 Installation
1 Positioning the measurement pan First, mount the pan base on the
main unit of the balance and place
the measurement pan on top of it.
Be sure to mount the pan base in the
correct direction
, as illustrated below.
2 Securing the exact level of the balance
Turn the adjusters (feet) until the
bubble rests in the center of the red
circle on the level.
Round-pan type: total of two
adjusters, one on
either side at front
Square-pan type: total of four
adjusters, one on
either side at front
and rear
<Caution>
Use caution when operating the
adjusters on the square-pan type to
prevent them from lifting up.
3 Connecting the AC adapter
Connect the AC adapter to the
balance, as illustrated at left.

8 RL-TC Series Operation Manual
3.2 Operation Check
1 Turning on the power
When the balance has the AC
adapter connected, it displays [＊].
Pressing the On/Off key
The display section lights up, and the
balance is ready for operation.
2 Checking the display
Check to see if the display has any
missing indications or unlit parts.
A few seconds after startup, the
indication is reset to zero.
3 Switching the measurement mode
Press the Function key.
Each time the key is pressed, the unit
of measurement changes, as
indicated.
※The balance is shipped from the
factory with the following switching
sequence: [g] →[ct] →[Pcs] →
[%]
→[g] →· · ·
4 Verifying changes in the read-out indicator
Press the measurement pan lightly
and make sure that the read-out
indicator changes.
Also, ensure that the read-out
indicator is reset to zero when you
release your hand.
0
0 F Pcs #
g
％
ＨＩ
ＯＫ
ＬＯ

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 9
3.3 Operation for Tare Subtraction
1 Place the tare (container) on the balance.
As you place the tare, the balance
indicates its weight.
2 Reset read-out indication to zero.
Press the Zero/Tare key.
The tare is subtracted and the
balance indicates zero.
3 Load the sample to be weighed.
The balance will now indicate only
the weight of the sample loaded in
the tare.
☆Weighing only the weight of an added sample
4 Resetting the indication to zero
Press the Zero/Tare key.
The total weight of the sample loaded
on the measurement pan is indicated
as zero.
5 Adding samples to be measured The balance indicates only the
weight of an added sample.
When the weight (of a sample)
currently loaded on the
measurement pan is reset to zero
with the Zero/Tare key, as
mentioned above, only the weight of
the sample will be measured.

10 RL-TC Series Operation Manual
☆Key Points of the Procedure ☆
The following applies equally to all the measurement modes for weight measurement, counting, and percentages.
1. After the balance is switched off, there is still enough current to display [＊]. This indicates that the AC adapter is
connected to an electrical outlet, but that the balance is turned off.
When the balance is switched on again, [＊] will disappear.
※If the balance is running on batteries and the unit is switched off, the display does not display [＊].
2. The bar graph shows the current load status with respect to the capacity of the
balance. The nearer the [F]mark draws, the smaller the measurable weight becomes.
※Even when the display currently indicates zero with the tare subtracted, the weight
corresponding to the subtracted tare is indicated on the bar.
3. When the balance remains stable, the stability indicator [○] remains
on. If the balance becomes unstable, the stability indicator [○] will disappear.
When a displayed value flickers or the stability mark flashes on and off, it is likely that the balance is being affected
by wind or other vibrations. Use the windshield or vibration dampers to protect against such adverse effects.
4. When the read-out indicator is reset to zero or the tare is subtracted, the balance indicates zero this way: [→0 ←].
If the tare is subtracted, the indicator reads as follows: [→T ←].
5. When the tare is subtracted, the measurable range is reduced.
Measurable Range = Capacity - Tare Weight
6. If [0 -Err] appears when a sample is loaded, the measurable range has been exceeded.
7. In counting mode or percentage mode, if no sample is stored in memory the indicator will not change, even when
the measurement pan is pressed.
8. The measurement mode that is activated when the balance is switched on will be the one that was active when
last switched off. For example, if the balance was switched off in counting mode, this counting mode will be
reactivated the next time the balance is switched on.
ひょ う 量の1/
Zero-
point
Capacity
point
Half (1/2) capacity

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 11
4. Functions
4.1 Setup and Checking of Functions
1 Invoking the function Press and hold down the
Function key until the indicator
changes to “Func,” then release
the key.
The function setup mode is activated,
and the first item,
[1.b.G. 1(Bar graph) 1] appears.
(See “4.2 Description of Functions”
on page 13.)
2 Selecting the next item
Press the Function key.
The indication changes to the next
item, 2.SEL 0 [(Limit function)].
3 Selecting an item
Pressing the Function key
advances the function items at the
rate of one item per press.
4 Changing the content of an item
Select the item to be changed with
the Function key.
Each press of the Zero/Tare key
changes the digit on the right end.
Select the desired one.
5 Terminating the function selection
Press the Target key.
The balance terminates the function
setup and returns to measurement
mode.

12 RL-TC Series Operation Manual
4.2 Description of Functions
Item
Set Value
Description
Bar graph display
1
..b.G..
0
Disable
☆
1
Enable
Limit function
2
.SEL ☆0
Disable
1
Enable
Displayed only when limit
function is activated
Judgement
condition
21
.Co.
☆
1
Always judge (judges even when the balance is unstable)
2
Judge only when the balance is stable (does not judge
if the balance is unstable)
Judgement
range
22
.L
0
Ranges beyond +5 graduation is judged (ranges +5
graduation or below, including negative ranges,
are not
judged.)
☆1
The entire range is judged (the entire range, including
the negative, is judged).
Number of
points for
judgement
23.P
1
One-point setup (judges between OK and LO)
☆2
Upper-limit and lower-limit values are set up (judges
among HI, OK and LO).
Auto-zero
(zero-tracking)
3
.A.O
0
Disable
This function automatically sets the zero point
exactly to zero to prevent slight deviations.
☆
1
Enable
Auto power-off
4
.A.P.
0
Disable (balance operates
continuously)
This function is available
only when the balance is
battery
-operated.
☆1
Enable (balance powers off in
approximately three minutes)
Response speed
5
.rE.
0
Measurement by consecutive weighings.
1
Fast
↓
Slow
2
☆3
4
5
Stability parameters
6
. 5.d.
1
Wide (mild)
↓
Narrow (strict)
☆2
3
4
Interface
7
.1.F.
0
Disable input/output
☆
1
Six-digit numeric format
2
Seven-digit numeric format
Setup of units of
measurement to be
displayed
Register selected
measuring
units with
Function key.
☆1 01
[ g]
☆2 14
[ ] (ct)
15
[ ] (oz)
16
[ ] (lb)
17
[ ] (ozt)
18
[ ] (dwt)
*
19
[ ►Lower right ] (grain)
Items marked ☆are the default factory settings.
☆1～☆5: default settings [81.5.u]～[85.5.u.]
*Not available in TC-12K.

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 13
4.2 Description of Functions (cont.)
4.3 Interface Section
☆denotes a factory-setting
※The data interval in continuous output mode is 0.1 to 1 second. (The interval varies depending
on weighting conditions and other factors.)

14 RL-TC Series Operation Manual
5. Switching Function for Units of Measurement
Pressing the Function key allows the user to switch the unit of measurement to [g], [ct], [%], and so on. During setup,
a maximum of five different units can be registered for use in function setup mode.
5.1 Switching Units of Measurement
Switching the units of measurement to be displayed
Press the Function key.
Each press advances through the units
of measurement to be displayed.
※The balance is shipped from the
factory with the following default
setup:
[g] →[ct] →[Pcs] →[%] →[g]
→· · ·
5.2 Setup of Units of Measurement
When values [81.5.u.] to [85.5.u.] are entered prior to use, the desired unit of measurement to be displayed can be
chosen simply by pressing the Function key. For more information on the units of measurement that can be set here,
please refer to “4.2 Description of Functions” on page 13.
Example:To change the default factory settings to pound units, use [82.5.u.] in the factory settings.
1 Display the function item [82.5.u. 14]
Press and hold down the Function
key.
Release the key as [Func] appears on
the display. The function setup mode is
now activated and the first item is
displayed. Press the Function key
several more times until [82.s.u.14]
appears.]
2 Setting the unit to a pound
Press the Zero/Tare key several times
to specify [82. S.u. 16].

RL-TC Series Operation Manual 15
3 Pressing the [Target] key to restore measurement mode.
Pressing the the Target key will reset
the measurement mode.
4 Pressing the [Function] key to change the units of
measurement
Press the Function key.
Each press advances through the units
of measurement to be displayed.
※The balance is shipped from the
factory with the following default setup:
[g] →[ct] →[Pcs] →[%] →[g]
→· · ·