Ridgid Seesnake max rm200 User manual

Original Instructions – English – 1

Operator’s Manual

Record product serial number below as it appears on the nameplate.

Serial

No.

WARNING!

Read this Operator’s Man-

ual carefully before using

this tool. Failure to under-

stand and follow the con-

tents of this manual may

result in electrical shock,

fire and/or serious person-

al injury.

2 – English

Table of Contents

Serial Number Recording Form�� 1

Safety Symbols��3

General Safety Rules��3

Work Area Safety��3

Electrical Safety��3

Personal Safety��3

Equipment Use and Care ��3

Service ��4

Specific Safety Information ��4

SeeSnake Max rM200 Safety ��4

Description, Specifications, and Standard Equipment ��5

rM200 Components��6

Directional Drag Brake��6

Assembly��6

Camera Head Routing ��6

Installing System Cable �� 7

rM200 Pipe Guides�� 7

rM200 Handles and Docks ��8

Pre-Operation Inspection ��9

Work Area and Equipment Set Up��9

rM200 Placement ��10

Connecting the rM200 to a CCU�� 10

Electrical Checks ��10

Counter ��10

Operating Instructions �� 11

Retrieving the Camera ��13

Maintenance and Cleaning ��13

Camera Maintenance ��13

Push Cable Maintenance�� 15

Rewinding the Push Cable�� 15

Accessories��16

Transport and Storage ��16

Service and Repair ��16

Disposal ��16

Troubleshooting Faulty Components ��16

Troubleshooting�� 17

English – 3

General Safety Rules

WARNING

Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to fol-

low the warnings and instructions may result in electric

shock, re, and/or serious injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area Safety

• Keep your work area clean and well lit� Cluttered or

dark areas invite accidents�

• Do not operate equipment in explosive atmospheres,

such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases,

or dust� Equipment can create sparks which may ignite

the dust or fumes�

• Keep children and bystanders away while operating

equipment� Distractions can cause you to lose control�

Electrical Safety

• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded sur-

faces such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigera-

tors� There is an increased risk of electrical shock if your

body is earthed or grounded�

• Do not expose equipment to rain or wet conditions�

Water entering equipment will increase the risk of elec-

trical 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, and moving parts� Damaged

or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock�

• If operating equipment in a damp location is un-

avoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter

(GFCI) protected supply� Use of a GFCI reduces the

risk of electric shock�

• Keep all electrical connections dry and off the

ground� Do not touch equipment or plugs with wet

hands to reduce the risk of electrical shock�

Personal Safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use com-

mon sense when operating equipment� Do not use

equipment while you are tired or under the influence of

drugs, alcohol, or medication� A moment of inattention

while operating equipment may result in serious person-

al injury�

• Use personal protective equipment� Always wear eye

protection� The appropriate use of protective equipment

such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, a hard hat,

and hearing protection will reduce personal injuries�

• Do not overreach� Keep proper footing and balance at

all times� This enables better control of the equipment in

unexpected situations�

• Dress properly� Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry�

Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from mov-

ing parts� Loose clothes, jewelry, and long hair can be

caught in moving parts�

Equipment Use and Care

• Do not force equipment� Use the correct equipment for

your application� The correct equipment will do the job

better and safer at the rate for which it is designed�

• Do not use equipment if the power switch does not

turn it ON and OFF� Any equipment that cannot be con-

trolled with the power switch is dangerous and must be

repaired�

Safety Symbols

In this operator’s manual and on the product, safety symbols and signal words are used to communicate important

safety information� This section is provided to improve understanding of these signal words and symbols�

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�

DANGER DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury�

WARNING WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury�

CAUTION CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury�

NOTICE

NOTICE indicates information that relates to the protection of property�

This symbol means read the operator’s manual carefully before using the equipment� The operator’s manual contains important

information on the safe and proper operation of the equipment�

This symbol means always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles when handling or using this equipment to reduce

the risk of eye injury�

This symbol indicates the risk of electrical shock�

4 – English

• Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or

the battery pack from the equipment before making

adjustments, changing accessories, or storing� Pre-

ventive safety measures reduce the risk of injury�

• Store idle equipment out of the reach of children

and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the equip-

ment or these instructions to operate the equipment�

Equipment can be dangerous in the hands of untrained

users�

• Maintain equipment� Check for misalignment or bind-

ing of moving parts, missing parts, breakage of parts,

and any other condition that may affect the equipment’s

operation� If damaged, have the equipment repaired be-

fore use� Many accidents are caused by poorly main-

tained equipment�

• Use the equipment and accessories in accordance

with these instructions; taking into account the

working conditions and the work to be performed�

Use of the equipment for operations different from those

intended could result in a hazardous situation�

• Use only accessories that are recommended by the

manufacturer for your equipment� Accessories that

may be suitable for one piece of equipment may become

hazardous when used with other equipment�

• Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease�

This allows for better control of the equipment�

Service

• Have your equipment serviced by a qualified repair

person using only identical replacement parts� This

will ensure that the safety of the equipment is maintained�

Specic Safety Information

WARNING

This section contains important safety information that

is specic to the rM200. Read these precautions careful-

ly before using the rM200 to reduce the risk of electrical

shock, re, or other serious personal injury.

SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

Keep this manual with the rM200 for use by the operator�

SeeSnake Max rM200 Safety

• An improperly grounded electrical outlet can cause

electrical shock and/or severely damage equipment�

Always check work area for a properly grounded elec-

trical outlet� Presence of a three-prong or GFCI outlet

does not ensure that the outlet is properly grounded� If in

doubt, have the outlet inspected by a licensed electrician�

• Do not operate this equipment if operator or rM200

is standing in water� Operating the rM200 while in

water increases the risk of electrical shock�

• The rM200 system camera and push cable are water-

proof� The camera control unit (CCU) and other electri-

cal equipment and connections are not waterproof� To

decrease the risk of electrical shock, do not expose the

equipment to water or rain�

• Do not use where a danger of high voltage contact is

present� The equipment is not designed to provide high

voltage protection and isolation�

• Read and understand this operator’s manual, the

CCU’s operator’s manual and the instructions for

any other equipment in use before operating the

SeeSnake rM200 System� Failure to follow all instruc-

tion may result in property damage and/or serious per-

sonal injury�

• Always use appropriate personal protective equip-

ment when handling and using equipment in drains�

Drains may contain chemicals, bacteria, and other sub-

stances that may be toxic, infectious, cause burns or

other issues� Appropriate personal protective equipment

always includes safety glasses and may include drain

cleaning gloves or mitts, latex or rubber gloves, face

shields, goggles, protective clothing, respirators, and

steel toed footwear�

• If using drain cleaning equipment and drain inspec-

tion equipment at the same time, wear RIDGID drain

cleaning gloves� Never grasp the rotating drain clean-

ing cable with anything else, including other gloves or a

rag which can become wrapped around the cable and

cause hand injuries� Only wear latex or rubber gloves

under RIDGID drain cleaner gloves� Do not use dam-

aged drain cleaning gloves�

• Practice good hygiene� Use hot, soapy water to wash

hands and other body parts exposed to drain contents

after handling or using drain inspection equipment� To

prevent contamination from toxic or infectious material,

do not eat or smoke while operating or handling drain

inspection equipment�

The information supplied with this product cannot

cover all possible conditions and situations that may

occur, and should be used in conjunction with appro-

priate training, sound judgment, and good work prac-

tices� These factors cannot be built into the product,

but must be supplied by the operator�

The EC Declaration of Conformity (890-011-320�10) will ac-

company this manual as a separate booklet when required�

English – 5

Description, Specications, and

Standard Equipment

Description

The SeeSnake Max rM200 is the first camera reel in the

next generation of SeeSnake Pipe Inspection systems� The

SeeSnake Max line has been designed to make your equip-

ment more reliable, durable, and to enable you to deliver

quality recordings to customers faster and more conve-

niently than ever before�

Figure 1 – SeeSnake MAX System, rM200 with cM6

The rM200 is a rugged reel and camera system that en-

ables you to diagnose and locate problems in drain and

sewer systems� The rM200 is equipped with a 200 ft [60 m]

push cable that combines low optimum stiffness with a low-

friction outer jacket� As a result of the push cable outer jack-

et, users can push the camera head further with less effort�

In addition to the specialized outer jacket on the push cable,

the small diameter and short body of the rM200 camera al-

lows user to push the push cable through multiple turns and

lines as small as 1�5 in [40 mm] in diameter�

The rM200 comes with a built-in sonde, integrated counter,

and a removable system cable that can be connected to

any SeeSnake Max or SeeSnake Original CCU�

Specifications

Table 1

SeeSnake MAX rM200 Specifications

Weight 34�1 lb [15�5 kg]

Dimensions:

Length 20�8 in [527 mm]

Depth 13�8 in [349 mm]

Height 24�0 in [610 mm]

Drum diameter 17�0 in [432 mm]

Camera specifications:

Length 1�25 in [31�75 mm]

Diameter* ≥1�0 in [25 mm]*

Sonde 512 Hz

Lighting 6 high flux LEDs

Resolution:

NTSC 648 × 488 pixels

PA L 768 × 576 pixels

Push cable:

Length 200 ft [61 m]

Diameter 0�3 in [7�5 mm]

Bend radius ≥ 4�0 in [100 mm]

Pipe capacity 1�5 in – 6�0 in

[38 mm – 150 mm]

Operating environment:

Temperature†−40°F – 130°F

[−40°C – 55°C]

Storage temperature −40°F – 150°F

[−40°C – 65°C]

Humidity 5% – 95% RH

Waterproof depth 225 ft [69 m]

* The camera size listed reflects the specifications of

the camera on the base model� Other models of the

rM200 may accommodate cameras up to 1�4 in [35

mm] in diameter�

† While the sensor will function in the extreme tempera-

tures, some image quality changes may be noticed�

Standard Equipment

• SeeSnake Max rM200

• Operator’s manual

• Instructional DVD

• Ball guides

• Camera head guide

• Docking handle

• Directional drag brake

6 – English

rM200 Components

Integrated

Counter

Keypad

System Cable for

SeeSnake CCU

Camera

Clip

Push Cable

Guide

Camera

Head

Cord Wrap

Front

Case

Carry grip

Feet

Hole to reach

camera for

routing

Wheels

Figure 2 – Front view

Serial Number

Label

Case Latches

Rear

Case

Pull Handle

Feet

Slip-Ring

Assembly/

Module

Figure 3 – Rear view

Directional Drag Brake

The rM200 also contains a built-in directional drag brake

that prevents the push cable from self-deploying, but also

allows the user to rewind the push cable with ease� Unlike

other reels that contain brake knobs that require manual

adjusting, the directional drag brake automatically applies

drag when the push cable is pulled from the reel and auto-

matically loosens drag when the push cable is returned to

the reel� The directional drag brake uses a unique series of

ball bearings, ratchets, and ramps to increase or decrease

drag on the push cable� Depending on the direction of the

drum rotation, the directional drag brake automatically elic-

its either higher or lower force�

When the user pulls the push cable from the rM200, the

directional drag brake will automatically increase the drag

on the push cable to ensure a controlled release� While pull-

ing the push cable from the rM200, the user will hear a dis-

tinct “click” noise� The “click” acts as an audible cue to indi-

cate the effectiveness of the drag-assisted control� While

the “click” sound will diminish slightly with wear, replace the

back bearing assembly when the click is inaudible or the

drag becomes ineffective�

Assembly

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury, follow these proce-

dures for proper assembly.

Camera Head Routing

The rM200 has been designed such that the camera head

can be routed without opening up the case� Route the cam-

era by reaching inside the case through the opening on the

front and by feeding the camera head into the push cable

guide� Secure the camera head in the camera clip when

not in use�

NOTICE

Only use the big hole to initially locate the

camera head and to help guide the camera head

through the push cable guide�

Figure 4 – Camera head routing

Case

Latch

English – 7

Installing System Cable

When connected correctly, the contact pins will not break

under normal use� Avoid pressing sideways on the contact

pins as this can cause them to break (See Figure 5).

Broken

Figure 5 – Broken contact pin

If the system cable slip-ring module is not installed, insert

the slip-ring module into the hub on the rear case� Twist the

slip-ring module clockwise until it locks into position (See

Figure 6)�

Figure 6 – Slip-Ring module in locked position

NOTICE

Do not touch the contact pins inside the

slip-ring module or insert any tool inside the well where

the pins are located� This can cause the contact pins to

break� Avoid stressing or breaking the contact pins�

rM200 Pipe Guides

Pipe guides improve picture quality by bringing the cam-

era closer to the center of the pipe and by keeping the lens

free of sludge� Use ball guides whenever possible to reduce

wear and tear on the camera system�

The rM200 comes with three ball guides: two ball guides

and a smaller camera head pipe guide which helps the user

push the camera through some type of fittings�

Installing Ball Guides

Ball guides can be easily removed or adjusted along the

length of the camera to allow for better movement in pipes�

For example, placing two ball guides near the front of the

camera may bias the camera head upward to allow bet-

ter viewing of the top of the pipe during an inspection� Ball

guides can also help negotiate some passages�

Figure 7 – Ball guide in use

The ball guides are designed to slip easily onto the camera

spring and lock into place� Install the ball guides by doing

the following:

1� Slide the red sliding locks away from the blue latches

on both sides of the guide�

2� Press the small tabs on the blue latches so they click

outward (away from each other)�

3� Slide the ball guide into position over the camera head�

4� Press down on the shoulders of the blue latches so

the latches are pressed in toward each other and lock

into the spring�

5� Slide the two red sliding locks back over their respec-

tive blue latches so they cannot pop out while in use�

Figure 8 – Ball guides, locked (left) and unlocked

(right)

For smaller pipes, tubes, or voids, the camera head pipe

guide may be installed in lieu of the ball guides� Install cam-

era head pipe guide by doing the following:

1� Unscrew the two screws holding the halves of the ball

guide together�

2� Seat the halves around the camera head with their

screw-holes aligned�

3� Fasten the halves together with the provided screws�

Do not over-tighten�

8 – English

Figure 9 – Camera head pipe guide

rM200 Handles and Docks

The rM200 handle can be set to four different positions�

Each position has a different purpose that will facilitate in-

spections and general usability and maneuverability�

Pull Handle

The pull handle can be locked into four positions�

• Upright to maneuver the unit during transport�

• Midway for use as a kick stand�

• Against the rear case when in use; especially in small

spaces�

• Against the front case for storage and transport when

going up or down ladders�

Figure 10 – Pull handle locked upright

Figure 11 – Pull handle as a kick stand

Figure 12 – Pull handle in the back (left) and front (right)

Carry Handle

The provided shoulder strap can be connected directly to

the frame of the rM200 as well as onto the pre-attached

carry handle�

Figure 13 – Carry handle

The carry handle can be removed and replaced with the

docking handle to provide increased functionality with the

cM6 or another SeeSnake Max recording monitor/CCU�

English – 9

Docking Handle

The docking handle was designed specifically for use with

the cM6 and easily attaches at the same location as the

carry handle� See the included sheet for instructions on

how to attach the docking handle to the rM200�

Figure 14 – Docking handle

The rM200 also comes equipped with a docking station for

future SeeSnake CCU products� The docking station, locat-

ed on the back of the rM200 is outfitted with red push but-

tons which will allow compatible CCUs to be easily docked

and released from the rM200�

Pre-Operation Inspection

WARNING

Before each use, inspect your rM200 and correct any

problems to reduce the risk of serious injury from electri-

cal shock or other causes and prevent machine damage.

1� With the SeeSnake unplugged from the CCU, inspect

the system cable and plug for damage or modifica-

tions� If any damage or modification is found, do not

use the SeeSnake until it has been properly repaired

or replaced�

2� Clean any dirt, oil, or other contamination from the

SeeSnake to aid in inspection and to prevent the unit

from slipping from your grip during transport or use�

3� Inspect the SeeSnake for any broken, worn, missing,

misaligned, or binding parts, or any other condition

that might prevent safe, normal operation� Confirm

that the unit is properly assembled� Make sure that

the drum turns freely� Inspect the push cable for any

cuts, breaks, kinks, or ruptures�

4� Inspect any other equipment being used per its in-

structions to make sure it is in good usable condition�

5� Correct any problems before use�

Work Area and Equipment Set Up

WARNING

Set up and operate the rM200 and work area in accor-

dance with these procedures to reduce the risk of injury

from electrical shock, re, crushing injuries, and other

causes, and to prevent damage to the rM200.

1� Check work area for the following:

• Adequate lighting�

• Flammable liquids, vapors, or dust that may ignite�

If present, do not work in area until sources have

been identified and corrected� The SeeSnake is not

explosion proof� Electrical connections can cause

sparks�

• Clear, level, stable dry place for equipment and

operator� Do not use the equipment while standing

in water� If required, remove the water from the work

area�

2� If possible, assess the work to be done� Determine the

drain access points, sizes, and lengths, and the pres-

ence of chemicals� If chemicals are present, under-

stand the specific safety measures required to work

around those chemicals� Contact the chemical manu-

facturer for required information�

3� If needed, remove fixtures such as the toilet or sink, to

obtain better access�

4� Determine the correct equipment for the application�

5� Ensure the equipment has been inspected as speci-

fied by the operator’s manual�

6� Evaluate the work area and use barriers to keep by-

standers away as needed� If working near traffic, erect

cones or other barriers to alert drivers�

10 – English

rM200 Placement

Position the rM200 so that the push cable can be easily

managed as it is pushed through the line� The location

should not be wet� Do not allow the CCU unit to get wet

during use�

1� Set the rM200 approximately 3 ft [1 m] from the entry

point to provide ample room to grasp and manipulate

the push cable without allowing excess cable to drag

on the ground�

2� Preferably, lay the rM200 on its back� This set up pro-

vides the greatest stability and prevents the rM200

from tipping during use� The wheels of the rM200 are

located on the front so that the unit can be laid flat

during an inspection (See Figure 15)�

Figure 15 – rM200 positioned on its back

When performing inspection on a rooftop, on a hillside, or

when performing an inspection that requires an overhead

entry, position the rM200 on its back or on its kickstand for

greater stability (See Figure 16)�

Figure 16 – rM200 and its kickstand during a rooftop

inspection

Connecting the rM200 to a CCU

The rM200 has been designed to work with the SeeSnake

Max cM6, however it can be used with any legacy SeeSnake

CCU� To use the rM200 with a SeeSnake CCU perform the

following:

1� Unwrap the SeeSnake System Cable, pull back the

locking sleeve, and match the System Cable plug to

the matching SeeSnake System Connector on the

CCU�

2� Align the guide pin to the guide socket and push the

connector straight in� Ensure the guide ridge molded

into the top of the cable connector points up when

the plug to show that it is correctly aligned (See Item

1, Figure 17).

3� Tighten the outer locking sleeve�

Figure 17 – SeeSnake System Connector

NOTICE

Only twist the outer locking sleeve! To pre-

vent damage to pins, never bend or twist the connector

or cable� Bending or twisting the connector will lead to

premature failure�

Electrical Checks

When a connected CCU is powered ON, the SeeSnake

camera and the counter will also power ON� The system

will produce a crisp picture free of noise and lines� The sys-

tem may need to warm up before it will produce the opti-

mum picture�

Look to see that the LEDs on the camera head are produc-

ing an even amount of light� To test the slip ring, place the

camera in the reel and spin the drum while watching the

CCU�

Counter

All SeeSnake Max reels and many legacy SeeSnake reels

come equipped with a cable-measurement system� The

rM200 has an integrated distance-counter which can track

the total length of push cable that has been run out of the

drum� The distance counter can also measure distance

from a temporary zero-point selected during the inspection

(such as a pipe head or joint)� The counter can also dis-

play overlays of text messages such as labels of pipe line

English – 11

features� Entering an overlay through the counter burns the

text onto the video� Press the menu key on the counter, to

bring up the Main Menu screen�

For best results, use the keypad on the CCU to control the

counter�

Counter Keypad

The integrated counter can be controlled either with its key-

pad or with a compatible CCU�

Table 2

Integrated Counter Keypad Legend

Key Meaning

Menu /

Back Key Opens the Main Menu�

Zero /

Select Key

Selects a highlighted menu item;

initializes the local zero-point

counter� Press and hold this key

for longer than 3 seconds to per-

form a hard reset�

Sonde Key Toggles the Sonde ON or OFF�

LCD

Brightness

Key

Controls the brightness of the

LEDs in the camera� Press to

step up or down through various

brightness levels�

Up Arrow /

Edit Key

Goes directly to the editing page

for existing slides, if slide text is

being displayed when pressed�

Moves through menu choices or

text characters�

Left / Right

Arrow

Keys

Move through available slides

to new slide if text is being dis-

played� Moves through menu

choices and text characters�

Down

Arrow Key

Moves through menu choices,

values and text characters in edit

mode�

Text Key

Text Overlay allows you to write a

text title or description for display

on any segment of the captured

video�

Date /

Time Key

Date/Time provides alternatives

in displaying the date, time, or

both�

Distance

Key

Distance the camera has trav-

eled in the line, or from any se-

lected point in the line�

Getting Consistent Measurements

To get consistent measurements keep the following in mind:

• Place the camera head in the push cable guide hole

before powering ON the system�

• Wait for the initialization screen on the CCU to

disappear before moving the camera head�

• At the entrance to the line press and hold the Zero

Key for about 3 seconds to perform a hard reset so

the beginning of the line is at zero�

• Avoid moving the reel once you have started your

measurements�

• When spooling the cable into the drum, maintain a

uniform friction or drag on the cable to ensure it does

not bunch up in the drum�

• The “local zero” function allows users to measure

the distance between two points in a line� Press

the Zero Key briefly will temporarily set the distance

measurement to zero� When displaying a “local zero”

distance measurement, the numbers will appear

inside brackets� To clear the “local zero” and return

to the system count, briefly press the Zero Key again�

Operating Instructions

WARNING

Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes against

dirt and other foreign objects.

When inspecting drains that might contain hazardous

chemicals or bacteria, wear appropriate protective

equipment, such as latex gloves, goggles, face shields,

and respirators to prevent burns and infections.

Do not operate this equipment if operator or machine is

standing in water. Operating the machine while in water

increases the risk of electrical shock. Rubber soled,

non-slip shoes can help prevent slipping and electric

shock, especially on wet surfaces.

Perform the following to reduce the risk of injury from

electrical shock and other causes:

1� Ensure all the equipment is properly set up accord-

ing to the instructions in each unit’s operator’s manual�

2� Turn the CCU ON� If necessary, adjust the camera

head LED lighting brightness and the display image

as specified by using either the keypad controller on

the rM200 or by using the controller on the monitor of

the CCU�

12 – English

3� Pull several feet of push cable from the rM200� Ensure

the camera window is clean�As an option, a slight film

of detergent on the window can minimize debris stick-

ing to the window� Place the camera unit into the line

to be inspected�

4� If possible, run water through the system during the in-

spection to help keep the system clean, to make push-

ing the push cable easier, and to help orient the image

at the bottom of the pipe� This can be done by placing

a hose down the line or turning on a fixture (for ex-

ample: flushing a toilet)� Shut off water flow as needed

for viewing�

NOTICE

Use of the rM200 camera in porcelain ap-

pliances may scratch the surface finish of the porce-

lain�

5� Grip the push cable and carefully feed it into the drain

to be inspected� Use rubber gripper type gloves to ma-

nipulate the push cable to improve grip and to help

keep hands clean�

When pushing the push cable in to the line, keep the push

cable clear of any sharp edges on the inlet that could cut,

grab, or damage the push cable� Grasp and push short sec-

tions of push cable at a time and keep your hands near the

inlet to better control the push cable and to prevent it from

folding over, snapping, cutting or otherwise damaging the

push cable jacket� Cutting the push cable jacket increases

the risk of electrical shock�

When feeding the push cable into the line, watch the CCU

to see what is coming� When the lights are set at less than

maximum setting, it may help to occasionally turn the bright-

ness up to see what is coming further down the line�

Be aware of obstructions (such as crushed pipe) or exces-

sive build up in the line that could damage or prevent re-

trieval of the camera� Do not use the camera head to clear

obstructions� The rM200 is a diagnostic tool, not a drain

cleaner�

Figure 18 – Encountering an obstruction

NOTICE

Do Not Use Camera Head to clear obstruc-

tions! Using the camera head to clear obstructions

could damage the camera head or cause it to be caught

in the obstruction, preventing removal�

A slow steady push through the system works best� At

changes in direction such as P-traps, Tees, Ys, and elbows

use a quick push to “pop” the camera head around the bend

by pulling the camera head back from the bend approxi-

mately 8 in [200 mm] and then quickly thrusting it through

the bend� Be as gentle as possible and do not use more

force than necessary� Excessive force can damage the

camera head� Do not hammer or snap the camera through

bends� Do not force the camera head through if there is a

large amount of resistance� Be especially careful through

Tees, as the push cable could fold over in the Tee and make

retrieval difficult or impossible�

Watch to make sure that the drum does not hang up dur-

ing use� If the drum hangs up and the push cable contin-

ues to be pulled from the rM200, the push cable will tight-

en around the hub of the drum, jam inside the drum, and

stress the push cable�

When inspecting the line, try moving the camera head past

the area to be inspected and slowly pull it back for better re-

sults� Pulling the camera head back may provide more con-

trolled and consistent viewing� When pulling the push cable,

keep clear of sharp edges and do not pull at sharp angles

to the inlet to prevent damage to the push cable� If needed,

jiggle the camera head in standing water to rinse any debris

from the camera window�

Locating the rM200 Sonde

All SeeSnake Max pipe inspection systems, including the

SeeSnake Max rM200, as well as many legacy SeeSnake

pipe inspection systems have a sonde built-in to the cam-

era� The sonde transmits a locatable 512 Hz signal, which

when activated can be detected by a locator� Receivers

such as the RIDGID-SeekTech SR-20, SR-60, Scout™ or

NaviTrack® II set to 512 Hz can detect the sonde’s location

underground�

Figure 19 – Locating the rM200 sonde

Turn the Sonde ON and OFF by using the rM200 keypad or

the SeeSnake CCU as described in the operator’s manual�

When the Sonde is ON, the rM200 LED keypad will be lit

and faint noise lines will be visible on the monitor of the

CCU�

English – 13

To locate the activated sonde, run the SeeSnake push

cable from 5 ft to 10 ft [1�5 m to 3 m] into the pipe and use

the locator to find the sonde’s position� To locate the sonde,

turn the locator ON and set it to sonde mode� Scan in the

direction of the sonde’s probable location until the locator

detects the sonde�

For additional instructions on sonde locating, consult the

operator’s manual for the locator model you are using.

Line Tracing the SeeSnake Push Cable

When used with a compatible CCU such as the cM6, the

rM200 enables users to trace the path of the push cable un-

derground using a locator� To line trace the push cable, set

up the transmitter by clipping one connector to the ground-

ing stake and clipping the other connector to the Transmitter

Clip-on Terminal on the CCU� For best results, use higher

frequencies�

Figure 20 – Line tracing the Push Cable

For additional instructions on line tracing, consult the op-

erator’s manual for the transmitter model or visit http://www.

ridgid.com/Tools/Utility-Locating-Training/EN/index.htm to

view the Integrated Line Trace video.

Retrieving the Camera

After completing the inspection, pull the push cable back

with slow, steady force� If possible, continue running water

down the line to help clean the push cable� Use a towel to

wipe off the push cable as you withdraw it and feed it back

into the drum�

Pay attention to the force required to withdraw the push

cable� The push cable may get hung up during retrieval and

may need to be manipulated as done during insertion� To

avoid damaging the camera or push cable, do not force the

push cable or exert excessive force during retrieval� Also,

keep clear of any sharp edges and do not pull at sharp

angles at the inlet�

NOTICE

Always use short strokes to feed back

small lengths of the push cable back into the drum�

Pushing back longer lengths of push cable or forcing

the push cable may cause it to loop, kink and break

(See Figure 21)� Lay the rM200 drum on its back for

more stability when retrieving the push cable�

Figure 21 – Rewinding the Push Cable

Maintenance and Cleaning

WARNING

Maintain equipment in accordance with these proce-

dures to reduce the risk of serious injury and damage to

the equipment.

Disconnect the system cable from the CCU before clean-

ing to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the rM200 clean� If desired,

use a disinfectant to clean the rM200� Never use solvents to

clean any part of the system as they can crack the LED ring

and affect waterproofing�

If desired, use a hose or pressure washer to clean the drum�

Avoid hosing the contact board on the back of the drum�

To thoroughly clean the reel and drum, stand the reel up-

right and fill the bottom of the drum with lukewarm water

and a mild detergent� Spin the drum to loosen the grime�

Remove the water, pull out the cable and run a rag over

the cable while feeding it back into the drum� Do not fill the

drum with water while the unit is tipped on its back as water

can enter the hub and damage the slip rings�

Camera Maintenance

Camera Head

Use a soft nylon brush, mild detergent and rags and spong-

es to clean the camera, spring assembly, and cables� When

cleaning the camera, do not use scraping tools as they may

permanently scratch the camera�

14 – English

Other than keeping the LED ring and sapphire window clean,

the camera head requires little maintenance� Scratches on

the LED ring will have a minimal effect on the performance�

To avoid damaging the watertight housing, DO NOT sand

the LED ring to remove scratches�

Spring Assembly

Foreign matter will most likely accumulate in the spring as-

sembly� Stretch the spring and stir in warm water to flush

grime from the spring assembly� The splice between the

push cable and the connector is located within the spring�

Do not allow sharp objects or harsh chemicals to remain in

the splice as they may wear on the components� Stretch the

spring end-to-end as far as the internal safety cables allow

to check the splice area�

Removing Camera Head

The camera head can be removed to perform troubleshoot-

ing� Read the following instructions before removing the

camera head� To avoid premature failure and to avoid void-

ing the warranty do not bend or twist the camera head con-

nectors� Only twist the locking sleeves�

To remove the camera head, perform the following:

1� Pay out enough cable to place the camera and spring

assembly on a work bench or other convenient work

area�

2� Locate the spring wrench provided with the system�

Snap the spring wrench onto the spring right behind

the camera head� Make sure that the notch on the

wrench engages the end of the spring� Hold the

wrench still and use one hand to turn the camera off

the spring (See Figure 22)� After removing the camera

head, the camera should hang by its locking sleeve

and safety cable�

Figure 22 – Turn the camera off the spring

3� Use one hand to grasp the ribbed portion of the lock-

ing sleeve and use the other hand to grasp the camera�

When viewed from the rear, unscrew the ribbed por-

tion of the sleeve counter-clockwise (See Figure 23)�

If necessary, use pliers to begin turning the locking

sleeve� Do not exert excessive pressure� Exerting

excessive pressure can crush or deform the locking

sleeve�

Figure 23 – Removing the camera head

Do not twist the safety cables more than one rota-

tion� Hold the safety cables when turning the locking

sleeve to ensure the safety cables do not turn�

4� After completely unscrewing the locking sleeve from

the camera housing, the connector should automat-

ically disengage from the camera� If the connector

does not disengage from the camera, grab the locking

sleeve and connector in one hand� Grab the camera

head with the other hand and pull the connectors

straight out from the back of the camera (See Figure

24). Do not twist the connectors!

Figure 24 – Removing the connector

Re-Installing the Camera Head

To re-install the camera head, perform the following:

1� Lay the spring assembly on a convenient work area�

2� Plug the connector and locking sleeve into the camera

head while making sure that the guide pins/sockets

are aligned� Fully seat the connectors without twisting�

3� After fully seating the connectors, grasp the camera

head with one hand and turn the ribbed portion of the

locking sleeve to screw it into the back of the camera�

Do not allow the safety cables to twist more than one

rotation� Hold the safety cables when turning the lock-

ing sleeve to ensure the safety cable does not turn�

4� Ensure the safety cable is parallel to the camera

connector and not wrapped around it� To install the

camera onto the spring, rotate the camera head one

turn, counter-clockwise and then thread it onto the

English – 15

spring� Rotating keeps the safety cable from wrapping

around the connector cord when the camera is thread-

ed onto the spring�

Ensure the end of the spring snuggly fits between the cam-

era and the thread, but does not raise off the threads� Do

not overtighten the camera head! Tighten only until the

spring is snug against the camera body�

Push Cable Maintenance

Keeping the push cable clean makes it easier to spot ex-

cessive cuts or abrasions and also makes it easier to grasp

and push�

When rewinding the push cable into the reel, reduce cable

grime by running the cable through a rag as it enters the

reel�

Visually inspect the cable for cuts and abrasions while feed-

ing it back into the drum� Replace or repair the cable if the

outer jacket is cut or abraded through�

Rewinding the Push Cable

NOTICE

If the push cable is not secured inside the

drum, the push cable can unwind itself if the drum is re-

moved from the case or if the case is left open with the

drum inside. Always store the camera completely inside

the drum or in the camera clip. If the push cable unwinds,

do not manually twist or force the push cable back into

the non-rotating drum. The inevitable twisting and bend-

ing of the push cable that results from forcing it into the

drum without the use of the outer case to rotate it will

damage the push cable.

If the push cable has unwound from the drum, place the

drum back into the case before reinserting the push cable

(See Figure 25)�

Figure 25 – Drum properly seated in casing

If space permits and if the entire drum has unspooled, un-

coil and straighten the push cable on the ground� When the

push cable is not housed in the drum, the push cable can

be easily bent, kinked, and damaged� Straightening and

laying the push cable out before rewinding it back into the

drum can prevent further damage�

If the push cable cannot be laid out straight, use extreme

care when rewinding the push cable� Ensure the push cable

does not bend or get caught under or on objects� If the push

cable becomes twisted or bent, stop rewinding and untwist

it before continuing�

After seating the drum into the case, use both hands to

guide the push cable into the drum (See Figure 26)� Ensure

the drum rotates in the case as the push cable rewinds�

Figure 26 – Rotating the drum to properly wind the push

cable

To avoid damaging the push cable, keep one hand close to

the drum when rewinding the push cable to ensure that the

drum rotates freely (See Figure 27)�

Figure 27 – Guiding the push cable into the drum

16 – English

After rewinding the push cable back into the drum, gently

thread the camera head through the push cable guide� To

avoid bending and breaking the push cable when replacing

the camera head, do not pull up on the actual push cable

(See Figure 28)�

Figure 28 – Routing the camera head

Accessories

WARNING

The following RIDGID products have been designed to

function with the rM200. Other accessories suitable for

use with other tools may become hazardous when used

with the rM200. To reduce the risk of serious injury, only

use the following accessories specically designed and

recommended for use with the rM200:

• SeeSnake MAX cM6

• rM200 Slip-Ring Cartridge (Interconnect for SeeSnake)

• RIDGID-SeekTech or NaviTrack Locators

• RIDGID-SeekTech or NaviTrack Transmitters

• RIDGID SeeSnake Camera Control Units

• rM200 Ball Guides

• rM200 Camera Head Guides

Transport and Storage

Store equipment in a locked area, out of the reach of chil-

dren and people unfamiliar with its operation� Do not ex-

pose to heavy shocks or impacts during transport�

Store electrical devices in a dry place to reduce the risk of

electrical shock� Store in temperatures from −40°F to 150°F

[−40°C to 65°C]� Store the unit away from heat sources

such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and other prod-

ucts (including amplifiers) that produce heat�

Service and Repair

WARNING

Improper service or repair can make the rM200 unsafe

to operate.

Service and repair of the rM200 must be performed at a

RIDGID Independent Authorized Service Center�

For information on your nearest RIDGID Independent Ser-

vice Center or any service or repair questions:

• Contact your local RIDGID distributor�

• Visit www�RIDGID�com or www�RIDGID�eu to find

your local Ridge Tool contact point�

• Contact RIDGID Technical Services Department at

rtctechservices@emerson�com or, in the U�S� and

Canada, call 800-519-3456�

Disposal

Parts of the rM200 contain valuable materials that can be

recycled� Companies that specialize in recycling may be

found locally� Dispose of the components in compliance

with all applicable regulations� Contact your local waste

management authority for more information�

For EC Countries: Do not dispose of electrical

equipment with household waste!

According to the European Guideline 2002/96/

EC for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equip-

ment and its implementation into national leg-

islation, electrical equipment that is no longer

usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an

environmentally correct manner�

Troubleshooting Faulty

Components

Use a working camera head to isolate a faulty components

in the system� Plug the working camera head directly into

the CCU system connector to test the CCU� Plug the work-

ing camera head into the hub end of the System Cable or

into the push cable connector inside the drum to test each

link in the series�

Attempt to isolate the fault to one of the following major

components:

• Camera head

• Reel

• System cable

• CCU

English – 17

Table 3

Troubleshooting

Problem Probable Fault Location Solution

Camera image not seen

No power to SeeSnake CCU

Check power cord is correctly plugged in

Check the switch on monitor/display unit

Connections faulty

Check alignment and pins of connection

between SeeSnake system unit and CCU�

Check orientation, seating, and pin condition

in the SeeSnake connection�

Video Source incorrect�

Set video source as described in display unit

operator’s manual� Check CCU Video Source

setting� See CCU manual�

Batteries low Recharge or replace batteries�

Count accuracy seems

unreliable�

Settings incorrect for reel or cable

being used�

Verify the settings are correct for the

SeeSnake cable length, cable diameter and

reel type you are using�

Counting from a zero point other

than the one intended�

Confirm you are measuring from the intended

zero point�

“SOS” code blinking on LCD* No video signal Check source setting of monitor and

reseat cable connection�

* The light on the LCD will only blink the “SOS” code on some SeeSnake CCUs�

18 – English

English – 19

NOTES

EMERSON. CONSIDER IT SOLVED.

RIDGID reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware, software, or both as described in this manual without notice. Visit www.seesnake.com for current

updates and supplemental information pertaining to this product. Due to product development, the photos and other presentations specified in this manual may differ from

the actual product.