Spectrum Technologies WatchDog 3000 Series User manual

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WatchDog® 3000 Series Weather Stations
Product Manual
“To Measure Is To Know”“To Measure Is To Know”
[e-mail] www.specmeters.com 800 - 248 - 8873
Models 3580, 3550, 3540, 3250, 3240, 3230, 3220, 3210

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This manual will familiarize you with the features and operaon of your new WatchDog Weather Staon. Please read this
manual thoroughly before launching the units.
For customer support or to place an order, call Spectrum Technologies, Inc. at 800-248-8873 or 815-436-4440, FAX at
815-436-4460, or e-mail at [e-mail].
www.specmeters.com
Spectrum Technologies, Inc.
3600 Thayer Court
Aurora, IL 60504
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a WatchDog 3000 Wireless Weather Staon. The 3000 Series Weather Staons are easy to
install and operate. The staon features internal modem/radio and integrated solar power. Connects via Bluetooth to
smartphones running the free WatchDog Mobile App. Use the app to congure the staon and check current condions.
The communicaon opons are Cellular Modem, Wi-Fi, Direct Connecon to PC, and USB ash drive. These opons allow
for automac upload of the data to a computer or the web for further analysis. Growers can monitor their crops on their
computer or smartphone and make real-me decisions that improve yield and quality, conserve resources, and increase
prots.
3n ss
*Sensor Package
10 Temperature/Relave Humidity
20 Temperature/Relave Humidity, Rain
30 Temperature/Relave Humidity, PAR Light
40 Temperature/Relave Humidity, Rain, Wind
50 Temperature/Relave Humidity, Rain, Wind, Solar Radiaon
80 No Sensors Included, Ports Only
Sensor Package*
Sensor Ports Group
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Installaon...............................................................................
Preparaon..............................................................
Assembly..................................................................
Inial Power-Up......................................................
Winterizing..............................................................
Conguraon..........................................................................
WatchDog Mobile using Bluetooth....................
Device Key...............................................................
Set North for the Wind Vane...............................
Connecng to a WiFi Network...........................
Connecng to a Retriever & Pup Network.......
SpecConnect...........................................................
Live Readings...........................................................
Manual Data Upload.............................................. 7
Current Condions.................................................
WatchDog Mobile App...........................
SpecConnect.............................................
Downloading Data to a Flash Drive....................
Imporng Data into SpecWare.............................
Status LED Meaning...............................................
Using the SELECT Buon......................................
Addional Sensors..................................................
Rain Collector Adjustment....................................
Specicaons...........................................................
Warranty...................................................................
UKCA & CE Declaraons of Conformity...........
3-4
3
3
4
4
4-5
4-5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8-9
8-9
8-9
9
9
10
11
12
13
14
14
15-18
3000 SERIES MODEL NUMBERS 3000 SERIES ITEM NUMBERS
2: Two general sensor ports
5: Six general sensor ports

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INSTALLATION
PREPARATION
The weather staon should be located in an open, unobstructed, grassy area to ensure accurate measurement of wind,
rainfall, sunlight, and evapotranspiraon.
Mounng hardware is provided to aach the weather staon to a mast/pole with a 1.25" to 1.66" (32mm to 42mm) outside
diameter and a wall thickness of at least 0.13" (3.3mm). The mounng pole should be securely anchored perpendicular to
the ground.
For mounng at an approximately 6' (1.8m) height, a 1.5" (40mm) OD or larger pole should be used for any staon with a
rainfall sensor. If that size is not available, then the staon should be mounted on a tripod, such as Spectrum
Technologies item #3396TPS. Mounng the staon at a greater height requires both the 1.5" (40mm) OD or larger pole and
guy wires to keep the staon from swaying in the wind.
If you are using the mounng tripod, open it and place it where the weather staon is to be located. The tripod feet can
also serve as mounng brackets if the unit is located on a solid surface. Slide the 3’ post through both center screw clamps,
adjust the height as desired and ghten the screws so that the post is perpendicular to the ground.
ASSEMBLY
Tools Required: 1/2" (13mm) wrench
#2 Phillips screwdriver
The majority of the assembly of each 3000 Series Wireless Staon is completed prior to shipment. Some parts are not
aached to protect them from damage in shipping. The nal assembly can be done either at the installaon site or on a
table for convenience.
If nal assembly is being done at the installaon site, mount the staon to the pole with the provided U-bolts. Use a 1/2"
(13mm) wrench to ghten the nuts. Face the solar panel south in the Northern Hemisphere or north in the Southern
Hemisphere.
1. For all models except 3nssDR - Aach the antenna to the top of the bracket by twisng it into the connector. Connect
the antenna (nger ght) so it does not unscrew. If you have a Temp Alert Staon, go to step 5.
2. For Weather and ET Staons (3n50, 3n40) - Aach the anemometer arm to the front of the
bracket using the provided screws. The arm should extend parallel to the bracket. Aach the
wind cups and wind vane using the included allen wrench.
3. For ET and Plant Growth Staons (3n50, 3n30) - Slightly loosen the le screw and remove
the right screw from the Light Sensor bracket. Rotate the sensor into posion and replace the
right screw.
4. For ET, Weather and Rain Staons - (3n50, 3n40, 3n20c) - Open
the Bird Guard packaging and follow the included instrucons.
Current Condions.................................................
WatchDog Mobile App...........................
SpecConnect.............................................
Downloading Data to a Flash Drive....................
Imporng Data into SpecWare.............................
Status LED Meaning...............................................
Using the SELECT Buon......................................
Addional Sensors..................................................
Rain Collector Adjustment....................................
Specicaons...........................................................
Warranty...................................................................
UKCA & CE Declaraons of Conformity...........

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5. Unlatch the enclosure latches and open the front door of the enclosure. The sensor connecon requirements are as
follows:
· Temperature/RH: already connected to port labeled “Temp/RH”on all models except 3580.
· Rain: Already connected to port labeled “Rain” on ET, Weather and Rain Staons.
· Wind: For ET and Weather Staons (3n50, 3n40), connect the cable from the anemometer into port labeled Wind.
· Solar Radiaon Sensor: for ET Weather Staons (3n50), connect the cable from the sensor to Port D.
· PAR Light Sensor: for Plant Growth Staons (3n30), connect the cable from the sensor to Port D.
· Oponal External Sensors: if any were purchased, connect each to an available port.
6. Conrm that all sensor cable connectors are securely pushed into their sockets.
7. If not already installed onsite, mount the staon to the pole with the provided U-bolts. Use a 1/2" (13mm) wrench to
ghten the nuts. Face the solar panel south in the Northern Hemisphere or north in the Southern Hemisphere.
INITIAL POWER-UP
1. Open the door and slide the power switch to the “ON” posion.
2. Monitor the LED. You should see the following signals. The LED will be o for several seconds between these.
a. Long Green to indicate startup is occurring.
b. Fast Green/Amber/Red to indicate startup is complete.
c. Short Amber ash when inial data is sent to SpecConnect.*
d. Short Green ash indicang the transmission was successful, or a short Red ash to indicate that it failed.*
*Steps c and d do not apply to Pups (models DE, DU, and DA) and data recorders (model DR).
3. Congure the device with one of the two opons: Bluetooth with the WatchDog Mobile app on a smartphone (see
below) or SpecConnect (non DR models) with computer (see pages 6-7). Please note that for the Weather and ET
Staons, the Wind Vane can only be congured (to idenfy “North”) using WatchDog Mobile.
WINTERIZING
WARNING
If you are removing the staon at the end of the growing season and storing it unl spring, be sure to open the door and
slide the power switch to the “OFF” posion. This will preserve the baery unl you need it again. Leaving the staon
powered on without providing sunlight will discharge the baery completely and destroy at least half of its charging
capacity.
CONFIGURATION
WATCHDOG MOBILE (BLUETOOTH)
1. Download the free WatchDog Mobile app from the app store (Apple or Google Play) to your phone. If it is already
installed, check that you have the latest version.
2. Turn on the staon’s Bluetooth radio by pressing and holding the “Select” buon unl the Status LED lights (less than 1
second). The LED will repeatedly ash once/second unl it connects to a smartphone. The ash will be green if the
baery level is 80% or above, amber if it is below 80%, and red if it is below 40%.
3. Aer opening the WatchDog Mobile app, there are two ways to connect to the
staon via Bluetooth.
Note: Many Android phones require Locaon to be acvated to use Bluetooth.
a. If you are not sending data to SpecConnect, simply press the “Bluetooth” buon.
The app will display the Bluetooth Devices screen.

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b. If you will be sending data to SpecConnect, press the “Login” buon and enter your SpecConnect login credenals. The
app will display the Equipment Status screen. Tap the menu buon (3 parallel lines) in the top le corner and select
“BLUETOOTH” from the list of opons. The app will display the Bluetooth Devices screen.
4. In the Bluetooth Devices screen, tap “Start Scan” and select the staon’s serial number from the list of found devices.
5. Tap on the sengs (gear-shaped) icon. This will display the conguraon page.
6. Tap the “General” tab located on the top le of the screen.
7. Set Latude and Longitude by tapping the “Use My Locaon” buon. Alternavely,
the “Locate on Map” buon can also be used for seng Latude and Longitude.
8. a. Set the Time Zone using the drop-down menu at the boom of the screen.
b. For the 3000 Pup Staons, “Upload Interval” and “Time Zone” are replaced with
“Radio Channel”. Set it to the channel used by your Retriever (it defaults to 0).
9. If addional sensors are connected to an external ports, congure them by tapping
the “Ports” tab at the top of the page.
10. Once complete, tap the Save icon in the top right corner. For cellular and WiFi
versions, changes will appear in SpecConnect within 5 minutes.
DEVICE KEY
Note: To protect the Series 3000 staon sengs from being modied by other app
users with Bluetooth access, you can set a device (write) key, by tapping the Edit
Device Key buon on the conguraon page. This key can be shared with other
privileged users to make changes on the device aer they have saved the key within
their app (Save Device Key). Aempng to change sengs on a device without the
correct key will generate a “Permission Denied” error.
SET NORTH FOR THE WIND VANE
The Wind Vane on the Weather and ET Staons senses where it is poinng with respect to the anemometer arm, not the
Earth. You must use the WatchDog Mobile app to congure the staon to “know” which way is North.
1. If you congured your staon using SpecConnect, please follow all the
instrucons on Page 4 to use the WatchDog Mobile app with Bluetooth
connecvity.
2. Tap the “Other” tab located on the top right of the Conguraon page.
3. Tap the “Set North” buon.
4. Point the wind vane in the north direcon. When the “Are you ready?” prompt
appears, tap “Yes”.
5. You should see “Success—North Set”. Tap OK, then tap the Save icon in the top
right corner.

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CONNECTING TO A WIFI NETWORK
In order to connect your staon to a WiFi network you will need the network’s Access Point name (SSID) and its passphrase
(password).
1. If the staon is not already connected to your phone, follow the instrucons on Page 4 to use the WatchDog Mobile app
with Bluetooth connecvity.
2. Tap the “Other” tab located on the top right of the conguraon screen.
3. Tap the “WiFi Sengs” buon.
4. Enter the SSID and the Pass Phrase. Tap the “Save WiFi Sengs” buon. Then tap the “X” in the
upper le corner to exit conguraon and display the “Bluetooth Devices” screen.
5. To conrm your connecon, tap the serial number, then the “thermometer”icon to get current
condions (see Live Readings Page 7).
6. Tap the icon in the upper right and wait up to 60 seconds for the current condions to display with
the “Time Since Last Upload” changed to “0 minutes”.
CONNECTING TO A RETRIEVER & PUP NETWORK
If you are seng up a new network, please see the “WatchDog Retriever & Pup Product Manual” for instrucons for
conguring the Retriever. The Retriever should be running the latest rmware version. Once the Retriever has been
congured, and the wireless network created, a nnnnDU, nnnnDE, or nnnnDA Pup Staon can be added to the network
using the following steps.
1. Change the Radio Channel to the one set in the Retriever. Tap the Save icon.
2. If the network’s Retriever is not already in Setup mode (LED ashing
AMBER connuously), press and hold its buon for 2 seconds.
3. With the 3000 Pup Staon at its desired locaon, press and hold its
SELECT buon for 6 to 9 seconds. The LED will display the signal strength.
If the LED is RED or AMBER, move the staon, use an antenna extension,
or add a Repeater.
4. Aer the last Pup is deployed, return to the Retriever and hold the buon
for 2 seconds to enter Acve mode (the LEDs will stop ashing amber).
This saves baery life.
NOTE: If the 3000 Pup Staon is part of a Retriever and Pup network that uses SpecWare (instead of SpecConnect) to
store and analyze data, SpecWare 10 is required to process data from the Retriever.
.

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SPECCONNECT
1. Open a web browser and navigate to www.specconnect.net. Log in with credenals.
2. Click on the “Equipment” tab on the le side of the screen.
3. Navigate to the device on the equipment page and click the “Congure” buon.
4. Set the me zone (except for Pup Staons).
5. Congure any addional sensors connected to an external port.
6. Make any other desired changes including staon or sensor name.
7. Once complete, click the save buon in the boom le corner.
8. The device setup is almost complete. If applicable, the wind vane
must be calibrated for North. This must be done at the installaon
site using a Bluetooth connecon to the WatchDog Mobile app on a
smartphone (see page 5).
LIVE READINGS
While connected via Bluetooth to the staon, the WatchDog Mobile App allows
you to check the values the sensors are currently reading.
Tap the thermometer icon. This will display the Current
Condions screen. In addion to the sensor readings, it will
also display the staon serial number and the current date
and me. A countdown clock indicates when the reading will be refreshed.
MANUAL DATA UPLOAD
From this screen it is possible to manually perform a data upload. This data will
be in addion to the regularly scheduled uploads. This is also a way to conrm
the staon has a good connecon to the web. Iniate the upload by tapping the
Cloud buon in the upper right corner. If a good connecon exists, the me
since last upload will be refreshed to 0 minutes.

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CURRENT CONDITIONS
The condions of the staon from the last data upload can be viewed in the
WatchDog Mobile App or in SpecConnect. This does not require a Bluetooth
connecon, but you must have a SpecConnect account to see Current
Condions in the App.
WatchDog Mobile App
1. Select a staon from the Equipment Status screen.
Select the thermometer shaped icon from the opons that are displayed.
2. The Current Condions screen will be displayed. In addion to the sensor readings, it will also display the staon serial
number and the date and me of the last data upload. Tapping on one of the parameters will bring up a graph of that
parameter for the last 24 hours. Pressing and holding your nger on the graph will enable the trackball feature which
allows you to view the exact value of the data point for a given date and me.
3. If the star icon next to any of the parameters on the current condions screen is colored yellow,
that parameter will appear in the WatchDog App’s Favorites secon. Tapping the star will add or
remove the parameter from the Favorites.
Note: Selecng the gear icon will bring up a conguraon
screen. Selecng the magnifying glass icon will
display the staon’s communicaon as it is recorded
in SpecConnect.

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SPECCONNECT
1. From the SpecConnect Equipment page, you will see a list of weather staons. Tapping on the staon will bring up a
dashboard with the current condions.
2. A graph of the previous 24 hours of data appears below the dashboard. Floang your cursor over the chart will enable
the trackball feature which allows you to view the exact value of the data point for a given date and me.
DOWNLOADING DATA TO A FLASH DRIVE
Logged data can be collected from a WatchDog 3000 staon using a USB ash drive. The data will be stored in a le named
ssssssss.WD3, where “ssssssss” is the staon’s serial number. Note that if there is a previous le by that name on the ash
drive, the new data will be appended to the exisng data le. The le must be imported into SpecWare Pro (version 9.71 or
above) to convert it into an “.swd” text le that can be read by Excel.
Open the door and insert the ash drive in the USB port.
Downloading without a smartphone:
1. Press and hold the “Select” buon. The Status LED will light green. When it changes to amber, release the buon.
2. The Status LED will return to green while the download is occurring. Three green ashes will indicate the download was
successful; three red will indicate a problem [probably either a formang error (it should be FAT32) or the drive is full].
3. Remove the drive and close and latch the door.
Downloading using the WatchDog Mobile smartphone app:
1. Follow the instrucons on Page 4 through step 5 to use the WatchDog Mobile app with Bluetooth connecvity.
2. Tap the “USB Drive” icon to take you to the “Save to USB Drive” page.
3. Tap the “Save New Records to USB Drive” buon to only download data logged since you last downloaded. Tap the
“Save All Records to USB Drive” buon to download all logged data on the staon.
4. The Status LED will turn to green while the download is occurring. Three green ashes will indicate the download was
successful; three red will indicate a problem [probably either a formang error (it should be FAT32) or the drive is full].
5. Remove the drive and close and latch the door.

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IMPORTING DATA INTO SPECWARE
Data downloaded to a USB ash drive (see Page 9) can be imported into SpecWare soware. Insert the ash drive contain-
ing the data into an available USB Port then follow the instrucons below.
Selecng the data le using SpecWare 10
a. Click on the “WatchDog 3000 Data Import” buon (see image to the right)
b. Open the File menu and select the Imports opon. Click the “Import WatchDog 3000 les” opon. Selecng the data le
using SpecWare 10
1. Click the Equipment buon in upper le corner of the screen to bring up the
“Equipment and Imports” screen.
2. Click the 3000 Series buon. This will bring up the Download buons.
3. Click the Download USB Sck File buon in the lower le poron of the
screen.
Saving the data to your PC
1. In the Open dialog box, navigate to your USB drive and select the le to be imported.
This will bring up the “Save Logger Data” (SpecWare 9) or “Save Data” (SpecWare 10)
window. If you have imported data from the staon already, select the Logger
Locaon where the data should be saved and click the Save buon. If this is the rst
me imporng data from this staon, or if you would like to import the data to a
dierent locaon, that new locaon must be named. The default Logger Locaon will
be named “WatchDog Wireless Staon”. Click the Create Locaon buon to bring up
a eld for typing in a dierent Logger Locaon name. The data will be saved as an
.SWD le compable with SpecWare soware.
2. Click the Save buon.
3. The “Import WatchDog 3000 Data” screen will appear.
a. Clicking the OK buon will clear the data le from the drive.
b. Clicking the Cancel buon will retain the le on the drive.
Note that if the le is retained, the next download to the drive
will add the new data to the end of the les. Over me, this
will slow the SpecWare import process signicantly as all the
old records will be processed again and then deleted as duplicates.
SpecWare 9 SpecWare 10

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STATUS LED MEANINGS
Depending on the current state of the staon, the STATUS LED conveys dierent informaon. Except as noted below, the
LED color indicates the baery status.
· GREEN = 81 - 100%
· AMBER = 41 - 80%
· RED = 0 - 40%
When connecng or connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone running WatchDog Mobile:
· Quick ash, once per second: Bluetooth is acve, but it is not connected to a smartphone.
· On for 1 second, o for four seconds: Connected to the smartphone.
During normal processing with a modem, WiFi, or Pup connecon:
· Quick AMBER ash: Start of record upload process.
· Quick GREEN ash: Upload successful.
· Quick RED ash: Upload failed or other communicaon issue.
During Power-up (turning the ON/OFF switch ON):
· Connuous RED: Fatal rmware error. Update rmware with USB drive. Refer to rmware download page:
www.specmeters.com/rmware
USING THE SELECT BUTTON
Short (under 2 second) press (LED turns GREEN):
Turns Bluetooth on.
2 to 6 second press (LED turns AMBER):
Export Logged Data
· Save all records in staon ash memory to a plugged-in USB drive. Time varies by the volume of data stored on the staon
and the USB ash drive used, generally under one minute.
· 5 rapid Green ashes indicate success; 5 rapid RED ashes indicate failure.
· Bluetooth is turned on.
6 to 9 second press (LED turns RED):
Connecon Status
· If the buon is released while the LED is RED, cellular, WiFi, and Staon Pup units test the modem or radio signal strength.
GREEN for 3 seconds if good, AMBER for OK, and RED for poor or no signal.
· For WiFi and Cellular models, the staon will aempt to upload to SpecConnect.
Over 9 second press (LED turns o):
Bluetooth rmware update
· Aer the buon is held for over 9 seconds, the LED turns o. When the buon is released, the Bluetooth rmware le will
be loaded from the USB drive and the Bluetooth update process will begin. If the rmware is successfully loaded from the
USB, the LED will perform 5 rapid GREEN ashes, RED for failure. The actual update process takes about 30 seconds.
When complete there will be 5 rapid LED ashes, GREEN for success and RED for failure. If successful, Bluetooth is
turned on.
Clearing all records from ash memory:
· With the ON/OFF switch set to OFF, press and hold the SELECT buon while seng the switch to ON.
· The LED will turn RED.
· Connue holding the buon for at least three seconds.
· LED will remain RED unl all records are deleted.

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ADDITIONAL SENSORS
The WatchDog 3000 Wireless Staons have addional sensor ports for sensor input. The following table lists some of the
available oponal sensors. See www.specmeters.com for a complete list. Most sensors include a 6' cable with
pin-type connector. Items 3667-20, 6460-20, 6470-20 and 6450WD20 have 20' cables.

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RAIN COLLECTOR ADJUSTMENT
If rain collector is not reading correctly (or at all):
1. Check the inside of the rain bucket for debris such as leaves that may be blocking the grid at the boom of the bucket.
Remove the rain bucket from the base by loosening the four screws, rotang the bucket slightly counter-wise, and liing
it o. Check for any obstrucons (spider webs, debris, etc.) that may be prevenng the pping spoon from moving freely.
If the hole beneath the grid gets clogged with dirt, the coer key can temporarily be removed to allow it to be cleared.
2. Using the WatchDog Mobile app, connect to the staon via Bluetooth using steps 1 through 5 of the instrucons on
page 7. Then tap the current condions (thermometer) icon.
3. Note the current rainfall value. Manually move the pping spoon back and forth several mes. Wait up to 20 seconds for
the rainfall value to change. Check that these ps have been recorded. Do this several mes.
4. If the ps are being counted, skip to step 6.
5. If the app is not showing any or all of the manual ps of the spoon, it may be that the magnec sensor on the pping
spoon is too far from the read switch or that the sensor cable is bad. There are two cams holding the axle of the pping
spoon that can be rotated to move the pping spoon closer to or further away from the read switch. Make this
adjustment and repeat step 3. If the app shows that the staon recorded the manual ps of the spoon, proceed to step
6. If not, the sensor may need to be sent in for service.
7. If all the ps are being counted, replace the rain bucket and trickle a known amount of water into the bucket. 84 ml of
water should register 0.1" (2.5 mm) of water. This is equivalent to 10 ps of the pping spoon. The best results
are aained when the water is added slowly. It is recommended that the water be put in a ziplock bag which is then
punctured with a pin to allow the water to slowly enter the rain bucket.
8. If the reading is slightly high or slightly low, the sensor can be calibrated. When the spoon ps, it lands on screws on
either side. If sensor is reading high, lower the screws. If it is reading low, raise the screws. It is recommended to adjust
the screws a quarter turn and again run a known amount of water through the bucket to determine if addional
adjustment is necessary.
9. If the rain collector is reading very high or recording rainfall amounts when there is no rain, it may be that wind is
shaking the staon and causing the pping spoon to move.

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SPECIFICATIONS
WARRANTY
This product is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase.
During the warranty period Spectrum will, at its opon, either repair or replace products that prove to be defecve. This
warranty does not cover damage due to improper installaon or use, lightning, negligence, accident, or unauthorized
modicaons, or to incidental or consequenal damages beyond the Spectrum product. Before returning a failed unit, you
must obtain a Returned Materials Authorizaon (RMA) from Spectrum. Spectrum is not responsible for any package that is
returned without a valid RMA number or for the loss of the package by any shipping company.

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Spectrum and WatchDog are registered trademarks of Spectrum Technologies, Inc.
3600 Thayer Court
Aurora, IL 60504
800.248.8873
www.specmeters.com
Form 108 (22-114) Rev. E 1/2023