Stabila TECH 196 User manual

User manual

TECH 196 / 196 M
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Contents
Section Page
• 1. Intended use 3
• 2. Safety information 3
• 3. Components of the unit 4
• 4. Display elements 5
• 5. Commissioning 6
• 5.1 Inserting batteries/battery replacement 6
• 5.2 Switching the unit on 6
• 6. Functions 7
• 6.1 Visual guidance 7
• 6.2 Acoustic guidance 8
• 6.3 Automatic display inversion 8
• 6.4 Setting the MODE unit of measurement 9
• 6.5 Locking the measurement with HOLD 9
• 6.6 Freely selectable zero position REF 10
• 6.7 Lighting 11
• 6.8 Key lock 11
• 6.9 Automatic switch-off time: Auto OFF 11
• 7. Tilt function 12
• 8. Checking the measuring tool 13
• 8.1 Accuracy check 13
• 8.3 Adjusting the sensor 15
• 9. Error messages 20
• 10. Technical data 21

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1. Intended use
Congratulations on the purchase of your STABILA measuring tool.
The STABILA TECH 196 / 196 M is a digital measuring tool for measuring inclinations.
If you still have questions aer reading through
the operating instructions, you can obtain advice by telephone:
[phone]
1.800.869.7460 U.S. and Canada
Equipment and functions:
• Vertical vial(s) for vertical levelling, in reverse position too
• Horizontal vial for horizontal levelling, in reverse position too
• Electronic module with 2 digital displays for accurately determining
inclinations and angles
• TECH 196 M: Extra-strong rare-earth magnets
2. Safety information
Read the safety instructions and operating instructions through carefully.

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3. Components of the unit
Electronic module
(dust-proof and waterproof in accordance with IP 65)
Battery compartment lid
2 Displays
Vials - vertical and horizontal
Removable, shock-absorbing end caps
Anti-slip stopper
Rare-earth magnet ( 196 M )
Buttons:
On/Off
Units of measurement: °, %, mm/m, in/ft
Calibration and sensor adjustment
HOLD – locking measurements
Reference – freely selectable zero position
Acoustic guidance
Key lock
Display lighting
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
2
3
1
8
4
4
12

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4. Display elements
Elements for visual guidance
Acoustic guidance: activated
Battery low – see chapter 5.1
Units of measurement: °, %, mm/m, in/ft
Significant temperature change – see chapter 9
Reference: activated
Sensor calibration necessary – see chapter 9
Key lock: activated
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)
(22)
(23)
23
19 17 18
21 22 20

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Unscrew battery compartment lid on rear, insert new
batteries according to symbol in battery compartment.
Suitable rechargeable batteries can also be used.
LCD:
low battery charge - insert new battery
Dispose of used batteries at suitable collection
points - not with household waste.
Do not leave in unit!
Remove the batteries if you do not intend
to use the unit for some time!
2x 1,5V
Alkaline
AA, LR6, Mignon
MN 1500
5.1 Inserting batteries/battery replacement
5. Commissioning
5.2 Switching the unit on
After switching on with the "ON/OFF" button, an automatic
test is carried out. All the display's segments are shown.
After the end of the test, the version number S x.xx of the
software is briefly displayed and the automatic switch-off
time (Auto OFF) is shown.
An acoustic signal indicates that the unit is ready for
operation.
The display shows the angle measured in the set unit of
measurement.

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6.1 Visual guidance
In the range of ± 15° to the horizontal (0°) or to the vertical
(90°), arrows show which way to turn the digital protractor
to reach 0° or 90°.
The 2 "centre display" bars indicate the precise position at
which 0° or 90° is reached.
6. Functions
90°

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6.2 Acoustic guidance
The acoustic guidance is activated/deactivated using the
"Loudspeaker" button. The tone sequence speeds up as
the 0° or 90° position is approached in a range of ± 2°.
A change in the pitch indicates that these positions have
been exceeded.
A continuous tone confirms the precise point at which 0° or
90° is reached.
6.3 Automatic display inversion
The display is inverted for overhead measurements so that
they are always easy to read.

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0,1˚
0,01°
6.4 Setting the MODE unit of measurement
The unit of measurement is set by pressing the "MODE"
button several times.
° Fine: Display in 0.01° steps
° Rough: Display in 0.1° steps
%: Display in 0.1 % steps
mm/m: Display in 1 mm/m steps
in/ft decimal: Display in 0.01 in/ft steps
in/ft fraction: Display in 1/8 in/ft steps
The set unit of measurement is retained after the unit is
switched off.
6.5 Locking the measurement with HOLD
The current measurement can be locked by pressing the
"HOLD" button. The visual guidance indicator flashes.
The measurement is displayed continuously.
The locked measurement is deleted by pressing the "HOLD"
button again or switching the unit off.

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The "REF” button can be used to select any set angle as
0° reference. The angle details now displayed relate to
this reference angle. The displayed value flashes with
this setting.
A
The reference angle value is displayed for 2 seconds by
briefly pressing the "REF” button.
B
The reference angle is deleted by:
• pressing and holding (≥ 3 sec) the "REF“ button.
The activated button lock must be released before
deleting the angle.
• Switching off
• The automatic switch-off function
The zero position then refers back to the original setting.
The alignment selected for the digital
protractor must not be changed during the
reference function, as this could lead to a
display error.
6.6 Freely selectable zero position REF
+5°
(= 25° )
0°
(= 20° )
20°
( + 5° )
RESET
REFERENCE
REFERENCE
20°
3 sec
3 sec
2 sec
A
B

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on = 60 sec on = ∞
≥ 5 sec
≥ 3 sec
8
1h~7,5 min 2h
1h
6.7 Lighting
Briefly pressing the "Lighting" button switches the display
lighting on for approx. 60 seconds.
Pressing and holding (≥ 5 sec) the "Lighting" button makes
the lighting darker and switches it on permanently.
The lighting is switched off by pressing the "Lighting"
button again, or by switching off the unit.
6.9 Automatic switch-o time: Auto OFF
Pressing the "Lighting" and "Acoustic guidance" buttons at
the same time allows the automatic switch-off time to be
changed from 1/8 of an hour (approx. 7.5 minutes) to 2 hours.
The set switch-off time is retained after the unit is switched
off and is displayed briefly when it is switched on again.
6.8 Key lock
Function: Key lock to prevent inadvertent activation.
Display after activation: key symbol.
The lock is activated for the following buttons:
"MODE, CAL, HOLD, REF"
The key lock remains active after switching the unit off and
back on again!
Pressing and holding (≥ 3 sec) the "Key" button disables the
key lock.

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7. Tilt function
The measuring surfaces of the electronic spirit level should
be positioned precisely for all measurement work.
If positioned at too great an angle, the tilt function prevents
incorrect measurements. The display doesn't then show
any measurements.
5° 5°
5° 5°

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8. Checking the measuring tool
8.1 Accuracy check
To prevent incorrect measurements, the accuracy
must be checked at regular intervals, e.g. before you
start work, or aer hard knocks or major changes in
temperature.
Step 1:
Switch on the electronic spirit level. Use the vial to accura-
tely align the unit to a wall, for example, until
the vial bubble is in the middle between the vial rings.
Step 2:
Wait 10 seconds. If the value displayed is > 0.05°,
the electronic spirit level must be recalibrated.
If mainly used for vertical measurements, the accuracy
check can also be undertaken with the vertical vial.
0° - 0.05° = OK
> 0.05° CAL.
10 sec

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Calibration
1. Switch on the electronic spirit level. Use the vial to
accurately align the unit to a wall, for example, until
the vial bubble is in the middle between the vial rings.
If mainly used for vertical measurements, the calibration
can also be undertaken with the vertical vial.
2. Hold the electronic spirit level in this position and press
the CAL button.
The CAL display shows calibration mode.
3. Calibration starts when the CAL button is pressed again.
Newly calibrated value with
deviation of ≥ 1° from
factory setting
Recalibrate spirit level
Vibration during
calibration
Recalibrate spirit level
Calibration completed
successfully
Spirit level ready
The reverse test checks the calibration.
Angle ≤ 0.1° to normal
position
Spirit level ready
180°
5 sec

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8.3 Adjusting the sensor
Bei folgenden Anzeigen wird eine Sensorjustierung notwen-
dig:
1. The reverse test angle is ≥ 0.1° to the normal position
--> too great a deviation.
2. Change in internal reference
3. Change in temperature since last calibration.
The electronic spirit level is calibrated in 4 measuring posi-
tions consecutively, turning 90° / 180° each time.
A:
All 4 planes are adjusted during the sensor adjustment.
B:
The sensor can only be adjusted if the two black bars
appear on the display (in the range of 0° and 90°).
C:
CAL and the planes still to be adjusted flash alternate-
ly while the sensor is being adjusted for the respective
plane..
D:
Planes that have not been adjusted flash in the display.
Successfully adjusted planes are permanently indicated
in the display.
A
B
C
D
3
1
2

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8.3 Adjusting the sensor
Step 1:
Simultaneously press the „MODE“ and „CAL“ buttons.
Align the electronic spirit level accurately against a wall
and press the CAL button to confirm.
Step 1 must be performed with the vial. This ensures
that the spirit level, the horizontal vial and the
sensor are synchronised with each other.
Flashing segments indicate the positions still to be calibrated.
Non-flashing segments indicate the positions already
calibrated.

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8.3 Adjusting the sensor
Step 2:
The electronic spirit level is turned 180° and aligned using
the arrows displayed.
The electronic spirit level is aligned horizontally using the
arrows displayed.
The 2 „centre display“ bars indicate the precise position at
which the horizontal is reached.
Confirm with the CAL button.
Flashing segments indicate the positions still to be
calibrated.
Non-flashing segments indicate the positions already
calibrated.
180°

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8.3 Adjusting the sensor
Step 3
The electronic spirit level is turned 90° and aligned vertically
using the arrows displayed.
The 2 „centre display“ bars indicate the precise position at
which the vertical is reached. Confirm with the CAL button.
The flashing segment indicates the position still to be
calibrated.
Non-flashing segments indicate the positions already
calibrated.

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8.3 Adjusting the sensor
Step 4
The electronic spirit level is turned 180° and aligned
vertically using the arrows displayed.
The 2 „centre display“ bars indicate the precise position at
which the vertical is reached. Confirm with the CAL button.
„rdy“ display:
Calibration in 4 positions successfully completed!

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9. Error messages
Display: Cal. /temperature
The sensor must be adjusted if the temperature or Cal.
symbols are indicated in the display.
Display: Err
The unit must not be moved or subjected to vibrations
during the calibration/sensor adjustment. This can lead
to measurement errors.
Display: - - - -
Unit inclination around longitudinal axis > 10°