RIDGID NAVITRACK User manual

NaviTrackTM
Transmitter
Pipe and Cable Line Transmitter
OPERATOR’S
MANUAL
WARNING!
Read this Operator’s Manual
carefully before using this
tool. Failure to understand
and follow the contents of
this manual may result in
electrical shock, fire and/or
serious personal injury.
99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone [phone]
Toll Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com

NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
Ridge Tool Company2
General Safety Information
WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure
to follow all instructions listed below may
result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious
personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Work Area Safety
•Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas may cause accidents.
•Do not operate electrical devices or power tools in
explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, gases, or heavy dust. Tools cre-
ate sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
•Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away
while operating tool. Distractions can cause you
to lose control.
Electrical Safety
•Do not attach the leads to a high voltage line.
•Do not operate the system with electrical compo-
nents removed. Exposure to internal parts increases
the risk of injury.
•Avoid exposure to rain or wet conditions. Keep
battery out of direct contact with water. Water entering
electrical devices increases the risk of electric shock.
•Prevent object and liquid entry. Never spill liquid
of any kind on the product. Liquid increases the risk of
electrical shock and damage to the product.
Battery Precautions
•Use only the size and type of battery specified.
Do not mix cell types (e.g. do not use alkaline with
rechargeable). Do not use partly discharged and fully
charged cells together (e.g. do not mix old and new).
•Recharge batteries with charging units specified by
the battery manufacturer. Using an improper charger
can overheat and rupture the battery.
•Properly dispose of the batteries. Exposure to high
temperatures can cause the battery to explode, so do
not dispose of in a fire. Some countries have regula-
tions concerning battery disposal. Please follow all
applicable regulations.
Personal Safety
•Avoid Traffic. Pay close attention to moving vehi-
cles when using on or near roadways. Wear visible
clothing or reflector vests. Such precautions may
prevent serious injury.
•Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use com-
mon sense. Do not use tool while tired or under the
influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications. A moment
of inattention while operating tools may result in serious
personal injury.
•Gloves should always be worn for health and safety
reasons. Sewer lines are unsanitary and may contain
harmful bacteria and viruses.
•Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables
better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
•Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
•Use proper accessories. Do not place this product on
any unstable cart or surface. The product may fall
causing serious injury to a child or adult or serious
damage to the product.
Service
•Tool service must be performed only by qualified
repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed
by unqualified repair personnel could result in injury.
•When servicing a tool, use only identical replace-
ment parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance
Section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or fail-
ure to follow maintenance instructions may create a risk
of electrical shock or injury.
•Follow instructions for changing accessories.
Accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
•Provide proper cleaning. Remove battery before
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
•Conduct a safety check. Upon completion of any
service or repair of this product, ask the service tech-
nician to perform safety checks to determine that the
product is in proper operating condition.
•Damage to the product that requires service.
Remove the batteries and refer servicing to qualified ser-
vice personnel under any of the following conditions:
• If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
product;
• If product does not operate normally by following the
operating instructions;
• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any
way;
• When the product exhibits a distinct change in per-
formance.

NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
Record Serial Number below and retain product serial number which is located on nameplate.
Serial
No.
NaviTrackTM
Line Transmitter
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com

NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
2
General Safety Information
WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure
to follow all instructions listed below may
result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious
personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Work Area Safety
•Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas may cause accidents.
•Do not operate electrical devices or power tools in
explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, gases, or heavy dust. Tools cre-
ate sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
•Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away
while operating tool. Distractions can cause you
to lose control.
Electrical Safety
•Do not attach the leads to a high voltage line.
•Do not operate the system with electrical compo-
nents removed. Exposure to internal parts increases
the risk of injury.
•Avoid exposure to rain or wet conditions. Keep
battery out of direct contact with water. Water entering
electrical devices increases the risk of electric shock.
•Prevent object and liquid entry. Never spill liquid
of any kind on the product. Liquid increases the risk of
electrical shock and damage to the product.
Battery Precautions
•Use only the size and type of battery specified.
Do not mix cell types (e.g. do not use alkaline with
rechargeable). Do not use partly discharged and fully
charged cells together (e.g. do not mix old and new).
•Recharge batteries with charging units specified by
the battery manufacturer. Using an improper charger
can overheat and rupture the battery.
•Properly dispose of the batteries. Exposure to high
temperatures can cause the battery to explode, so do
not dispose of in a fire. Some countries have regula-
tions concerning battery disposal. Please follow all
applicable regulations.
Personal Safety
•Avoid Traffic. Pay close attention to moving vehi-
cles when using on or near roadways. Wear visible
clothing or reflector vests. Such precautions may
prevent serious injury.
•Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use com-
mon sense. Do not use tool while tired or under the
influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications. A moment
of inattention while operating tools may result in serious
personal injury.
•Gloves should always be worn for health and safety
reasons. Sewer lines are unsanitary and may contain
harmful bacteria and viruses.
•Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables
better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
•Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
•Use proper accessories. Do not place this product on
any unstable cart or surface. The product may fall
causing serious injury to a child or adult or serious
damage to the product.
Service
•Tool service must be performed only by qualified
repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed
by unqualified repair personnel could result in injury.
•When servicing a tool, use only identical replace-
ment parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance
Section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or fail-
ure to follow maintenance instructions may create a risk
of electrical shock or injury.
•Follow instructions for changing accessories.
Accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
•Provide proper cleaning. Remove battery before
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
•Conduct a safety check. Upon completion of any
service or repair of this product, ask the service tech-
nician to perform safety checks to determine that the
product is in proper operating condition.
•Damage to the product that requires service.
Remove the batteries and refer servicing to qualified ser-
vice personnel under any of the following conditions:
• If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
product;
• If product does not operate normally by following the
operating instructions;
• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any
way;
• When the product exhibits a distinct change in per-
formance.

NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
3
Specific Safety Information
WARNING
Read this operator’s manual carefully before using
the NaviTrack Transmitter. Failure to understand
and follow the contents of this manual may result in
electrical shock, fire and/or severe personal injury.
NaviTrack Safety Information
•Use equipment only as directed. Do not operate
the NaviTrack unless proper training has been com-
pleted and the owners manual read.
•Always transport the NaviTrack in the hard case
provided. This helps prevent product damage due to
shipping.
•Do not immerse the antennas or case in water.
Store in a dry place. Such measures reduce the risk of
electric shock and equipment damage.
•Store idle tools out of the reach of children and
other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in
the hands of untrained users.
•Maintain tools with care. Properly maintained tools
are less likely to cause injury.
•Check for breakage of parts, and any other condi-
tions that may affect the NaviTrack’s operation. If
damaged, have the tool serviced before using. Many
accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
•Use only accessories that are recommended by the
manufacturer for your tool. Accessories that may be
suitable for one tool may become hazardous when
used on another tool.
•Keep handles dry and clean; free from oil and
grease. Allows for better control of the tool.
•Protect against excessive heat. The product should
be situated away from heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves or other products (including am-
plifiers) that produce heat.
Important Notice
The NaviTrack is a diagnostic tool that senses electro-
magnetic fields emitted by objects underground. It is
meant to aide the user in locating these objects by rec-
ognizing characteristics of the field lines and displaying
them on the screen. As electromagnetic field lines can be
distorted and interfered with it is important to verify the lo-
cation of underground objects before digging.
Exposing the utility is the only way to verify it’s exis-
tence, location and depth.
Ridge Tool Co., its affiliates and suppliers, will not be
liable for any injury or any direct, indirect, incidental or
consequential damages sustained or incurred by rea-
son of the use of the NaviTrack.
Connecting To Energized
Conductors
The line transmitter is designed to withstand up to
240 VAC 50/60 Hz excitation between the two clamps.
The user is cautioned not to deliberately connect to live
power lines. The protection is not intended to be used
continuously. If the transmitter indicates the presence
of high voltage, use high voltage precautions to care-
fully disconnect the line transmitter from the high
voltage source.
The line transmitter is normally powered by internal
batteries, and is designed to protect the user from volt-
ages up to 240 VAC that may be accidentally en-
countered. Powering the line transmitter by batteries pro-
vides the highest level of isolation and safety, and is
therefore the recommended power source.
The line transmitter is designed to be optionally powered
via an external connector. The user must ensure that the
external power source is fully isolated from ground and
from the power mains. The user is cautioned to use only
external power sources recommended by the manu-
facturer.
If a line transmitter is powered by an external source that
is not isolated from ground and from the power mains,
the line transmitter is not protected from connection to
live power lines! The line transmitter may be destroyed
and may present a safety hazard. DO NOT USE NON-
ISOLATED POWER SUPPLIES WITH THE LINE
TRANSMITTER
Additionally, if the line transmitter is powered by a ve-
hicle 12 VDC cigarette lighter connection, and the line
transmitter is connected to a power line, the vehicle is
now connected to that power line! The vehicle is now at
a potentially lethal voltage. If the vehicle is grounded, the
line transmitter may be destroyed.
WARNING
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176
FAX [phone] - TestEquipmentDepot.com

4
NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
Using the NaviTrack Line Transmitter
Transmitter Components
Shoulder Strap
Coil Cord (25 ft. extended)
Handle
Clip
Pocket
Keypad
Specifications
Weight...........................4.75 w/o batteries,
7.5 w/batteries
Dimensions:
Depth.............................7.0″
Width.............................15″
Height............................6.5″
Power Source................8 Alkaline or rechargeable
batteries.(D-Cells)
Output Power ................3 watts watts maximum if
under 45kHz, 1 watt maxi-
mum if frequency is above
45kHz.
Standard Equipment
NaviTrack Transmitter Includes
•NaviTrack line transmitter
•Operator’s Manual
•8 D-Cell batteries (Alkaline)
FCC Limits
47 CFR 15.213 says that from 9kHz up to (but not in-
cluding) 45kHz, peak output power shall not exceed 10
W. From 45kHz to 490kHz, it must not exceed 1W.

NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
5
Fuse Battery Compartment Jack for Inductive Clamp DC Power Jack
Cable Security Holes
Grounding Stake
Serial Number Label

6
Getting Started
Installing/Changing Batteries
To install batteries into the NaviTrack line transmitter turn
the knob on the battery cover counter clockwise. The
compartment door will pull out slightly. Slide the battery
holder straight back. Insert the batteries as shown on
the inside decal.
Fit the door into the case and turn the knob clockwise
while lightly pushing in to close.
Operation Time
Typical operation time for the NaviTrack line transmitter,
when using alkaline cells, is about 12.5 hours depending
on factors such as load and current transmitted. Other
factors that affect the operation time will include chemistry
of the battery (many of the new high performance bat-
teries, such as the “Duracell®ULTRA”do last 10%-20%
longer than conventional alkaline cells under high de-
mand applications). Operation at low temperatures will
also reduce battery life.
Batteries often recover after being subjected to high
loads. If time is allowed , batteries may recover enough
to offer many additional hours of operation.
Powering Up
Turn the power on by depressing the Power
the keypad.
Powering Down
Turn the unit off by depressing and releasing the Power
key on the keypad.
Sounds of the NaviTrack Transmitter
Event sounds are associated with some specific occur-
rence.
They Include:
Dings - Dings upon connection -
Beeps - Turn ON/OFF
Using the NaviTrack Line
Transmitter
The NaviTrack line transmitter is part of the NaviTrack
cable and pipe locating system. It can be used to energize
a pipe or line, so that the magnetic field lines emitted
from the underground line, may be traced. This aides in al-
lowing the ground above the line to be marked so that it
can be avoided during a dig, or so it can be exposed for re-
pair or replacement. Underground lines can be energized
with the NaviTrack line transmitter. This active signal is
then traced using the NaviTrack receiver.
1. Attach the NaviTrack line transmitter to the line.
Remove the ground spike from the bottom of the unit and
insert it into the ground. Connect the first clamp lead to
the grounding spike.
NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
When replacing batteries use 8 D cells that
are the same type. Do not mix Alkaline with NiCd for ex-
ample. Be sure to replace with batteries where all of the
cells have the same amount of charge. Do not use half
used cells with brand new.
key on
The sounds will help the user recognize how much cur-
rent is added to the line. The unit will ding, then pause to
tell how much current is being induced on the cable or
pipe. The more dings before the pause indicates more
current.
Frequency
Select Keys
Power
ON/OFF
Induction
Indicator
High Voltage
Indicator
Keypad
CAUTION

7
Direct connect the other clamp lead to the line.
To increase safety it is recommended that
the ground lead be attached first. If there was any high
voltage running through the target line then providing a
ground would allow a means of redirecting this current
away from the transmitter and operator. These are universal
leads so either may be used for the ground.
2. Select a frequency on the line transmitter by
pressing the appropriate frequency key.
There are 5 frequencies to choose from.
•512Hz
•8 kHz
•33kHz
•51kHz
•200 kHz
3. To start tracing, match the NaviTrack receiver’s
frequency with those on the line transmitter. (See
the NaviTrack receiver frequency menu.)
Useful Operating Points
•Make sure that the connection to the line is good.
Scrape away paint and corrosion before connecting.
•Moist ground is a better conductor than dry soil so
wet the area if necessary.
•To improve the circuit, try changing the ground or the
connection to the line. A good circuit is one that allows
enough current to flow so that the locator gets a solid
signal.
NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
WARNING

Features
Inductive Mode
1. Be sure that the transmitter is positioned correctly over
the line.
2. To use a frequency in the inductive mode select the
frequency and then push that same frequency a sec-
ond time. The inductive red LED will light up in ad-
dition to the selected frequency to let the user know
that the line transmitter is transmitting inductively on
that frequency.
8
25′Coil Cords (when extended)
Specially designed, hybrid copper and stainless steel air-
craft grade coiled cables allow the leads to be stretched
out to offer more freedom in choosing grounding points
and connections to the line.
Like This: Not like this
NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
Lower frequencies couple poorly, therefore the internal
coil has been optimized for higher frequencies. 512Hz
cannot be used inductively. (The transmitter will de-
fault to 33 kHz if an inductive clamp is used.)
To avoid tangled cords, “feed”the cords back into
the pockets, clip going last, when storing.

High Voltage Indicator
Whenever the line transmitter encounters voltage higher
than 30V (RMS) it will flash a red LED at the bottom left
of the keypad.
9
NaviTrack™ Line Transmitter
PROBLEM PROBABLE FAULT LOCATION
Receiver will not pick
up the line transmitter’s
signal.
Unit will not turn on.
Chart 1 Troubleshooting
Check that the correct frequency is selected.
Make sure that the leads to line and to the ground are attached securely.
Circuit connection has too much resistance impeding current flow.
Check orientation of batteries.
Check that the batteries are charged.
Check to see that the battery contacts are OK.
Unit may have blown a fuse.
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176
FAX [phone] - TestEquipmentDepot.com