Thunderbolt 300 series User manual

INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
model 300 series

CONTROLS &
ENTER
POWER
ON/OFF
LCD TEXT
SCREEN
SPEAKER

FEATURES
WARNING & POWER ON
LEDs
TONE
ON/OFF
SCROLL
UP/DOWN
FIGURE 1

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INTRODUCTION
The ThunderBolt™Storm Detector is designed to detect and
track thunderstorm activity within 75 miles of your location. It
provides detection warning via text messages on the two-line
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), the red and green indicator LEDs
(Light Emitting Diode), and an audible tone. All of the opera-
tions and functions for the ThunderBolt are selected from the
main menu, and basic storm detection is automatic once the
unit is powered on.
IMPORTANT! The ThunderBolt uses the latest electronic and
computer technology to detect and track thunderstorms.
However, thunderstorms can be a rapidly changing weather
phenomenon, and the information provided by the
ThunderBolt should always be used in conjunction with other
sources of information. Remember that the ThunderBolt
detects ACTIVE storms, and cannot predict when or where a
particular storm may form, and/or where the first lightning
stroke occurs.
GENERAL OPERATION
The ThunderBolt detects and tracks the motion of storm cells
by detecting the lightning activity within the cell. The unit is
capable of detecting multiple storm cells within its 75-mile
operating range, and is also capable of identifying squall lines
and severe storms. (Super-cells are severe thunderstorms that
are typically larger and more violent than normal storms.
They comprise approximately 10% of all thunderstorms.)

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Once in basic Storm Scanning mode, the ThunderBolt™warns
of any detected thunderstorm activity using text messages dis-
played on the LCD. Depending on the exact type of weather
situation being detected, the information is displayed using a
repeating series of two-line messages on the screen. These
messages cycle approximately every 10 seconds so that any
particular message will reappear within a short period.
It is important to remember that the ThunderBolt continually
accumulates data from the ongoing storm activity and that
more accurate information can be displayed with more data in
the computer memory. This makes it important to have the
ThunderBolt operating for as long as possible before storm
activity is nearby. Don’t wait until you think storms are
close before turning on the unit! If the ThunderBolt is
turned on with Thunderstorm activity already close by,
it may take several minutes for the most accurate infor-
mation to be calculated and displayed.
IMPORTANT! Anytime the ThunderBolt displays detected
storm activity immediately after power on, you should take
extra precautions until enough data has accumulated to give
an accurate location of the storm. Storm activity should be
assumed to be LOCAL and appropriate precautions taken until
at least fifteen minutes of storm data has been allowed to accu-
mulate. This is especially important if the APPROXIMATE
RANGES displayed are 20 miles or less!
Once a storm approaches within 8 miles of the user location,
the ThunderBolt warns that the storm is now LOCAL. It will

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maintain this warning until the detected storm activity recedes
to a distance of more than 8 miles. While the storm is local,
the ThunderBolt™will calculate and display the estimated time
for the storm to clear. Note this is only an estimate! The storm
motion may change while still in your vicinity, and the time for
it to clear to a safe distance may change quickly!
IMPORTANT! Note that storms may form directly over your
location, and that advance warning of these storms may be
very limited!
The ThunderBolt continually analyzes the intensity of the
storm activity it detects, and attempts to provide additional
warning about the presence and approach of both squall lines
and super-cells. Once detected, warnings for these types of
storms are displayed in the LCD. Both types of storms are
capable of producing high winds, severe rain, and tornadoes.
Extreme caution should be taken if these warnings are dis-
played. Also note that storm cells may evolve quickly from a
normal cell into these more dangerous forms of weather.
Always consult your local weather information sources, if
available, when the threat of these types of storms are present.
IMPORTANT! Keep in mind that all of the approach speeds
and estimated arrival times are based on data that the
ThunderBolt accumulates over periods of time.
Thunderstorms can change both their intensity and
activity on very short notice. The information displayed
by the ThunderBolt must be used as an approximation
that can change quickly as the storm changes.

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INSTALLATION AND SET-UP
The ThunderBolt™is designed to operate either vertically
(hand-held, using the wall-mount, or using the optional desk
stand), or lying flat on a horizontal surface. The unit will NOT
perform properly if oriented on its side.
The ThunderBolt contains special software routines for detect-
ing and minimizing false triggering from non-storm sources. A
special noise-test feature should be selected from the main
menu when first installing the ThunderBolt in a new location.
This routine will take 15 minutes to run, during which it
detects and maps all the regular sources of electromagnetic
noise in the vicinity.
Once returned to normal operation, the ThunderBolt will ignore
these regular noise sources. The ThunderBolt also continuous-
ly monitors the background electromagnetic noise level during
normal operation. If the high local noise level lasts long
enough to interfere with normal storm detection, the
ThunderBolt will display a warning message that indicates the
unit must be relocated for accurate operation. This same mes-
sage will be displayed during the normal Noise Test routine if
background noise level conditions are detected that will not
allow proper operation and storm detection.
IMPORTANT! If the message "WARNING:HIGH BACK-
GROUND NOISE" is displayed, turn the unit off, move it to a
different location, and restart. As soon as any local storm
activity has cleared, the Noise Test routine should be selected
and run from the main menu. Until the Noise Test has
been rerun, the accuracy and detection sensitivity of
the unit may be reduced.

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The ThunderBolt™is powered by a single 9-volt battery. It may
also be powered by using the 115V-AC (or 220V-AC) adapter
available from Spectrum Electronics, Inc. NOTE: The use of a
non-specified adapter may cause inaccurate or improper oper-
ation of the unit, and may damage the power supply circuitry.
Should you have any questions about the use or operation of
your ThunderBolt, call Spectrum Electronics, Inc. at the toll-
free customer service number shown in this manual
between 9a.m. and 5p.m. EST. Or you may post a message
for a customer service representative by logging on to the
ThunderBolt website at www.spectrumthunderbolt.com
IMPORTANT! Remember that the ThunderBolt is designed
to detect and track storm cells and squall lines, not individual
strokes of lightning. A single stroke of lightning contains vari-
ations due to amperage of the stroke, polarity, and orientation
to the ground. All of these factors make it more dependable
and accurate to analyze, detect, and track the entire storm cell
as it moves. Thunderstorms are also large (6-10 miles across)
with lightning activity appearing in different places within the
body of the storm, often simultaneously. Once a storm is local,
lightning can appear at ANY TIME at your location! Take
defensive action before this situation develops!
BASIC OPERATION
1. Battery Installation
The ThunderBolt operates on one standard 9V battery. Clip the
connector over the terminals on the battery and securely close
the battery compartment door on the back of the unit. (NOTE:

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The compartment door has been designed to provide a secure
fit to withstand rugged use. As a result, the compartment door
may initially be stiff and difficult to open. By using the bottom
of your palm, place downward pressure on the door at the
point between the EX. SPK. and 9V DC jacks, and then push
the door away from the unit. The compartment door will
become easier to open with each successive opening.)
Remaining battery life is constantly monitored by the computer.
A LOW BATTERY warning message is periodically displayed
once remaining battery life drops below approximately 5-7
hours. The battery should ALWAYS be replaced as soon as
possible once the LOW BATTERY warning message is displayed.
2. External AC Adapter
The ThunderBolt™may be powered by an approved low-noise
external adapter. The adapter jack is labeled “9V DC” and is
located on the back of the unit above the battery compartment
door.
If you occasionally detect incidences of false triggering when
using the system on your AC Adapter, the problem is most
likely voltage spikes on your AC power. Whenever possible, we
suggest you use standard surge protection to filter out the noise.
3. Power ON/OFF
Pressing the ON/OFF button on the front of the unit turns the
power on. The MAIN MENU appears on the display, and the
green LED, located behind the lens at the top of the unit, blinks
to indicate normal operation.
The SCROLL UP/DOWN buttons are used to move up and

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down the items on the MAIN MENU. Selecting an item from
the menu is done by moving the blinking cursor to the num-
bered item desired, and then pressing the ENTER button. After
initial power-up, the ThunderBolt™automatically begins normal
storm detection if no other button is pressed within 10 seconds.
The ThunderBolt is programmed to automatically turn off after
approximately five hours if no buttons are activated. This is
meant to conserve battery life if the unit is accidentally stored
while turned on. This automatic-off feature is disabled if the
unit is being powered by the external 120V-AC adapter. To
manually turn off the unit, press the ON/OFF button and hold
the button until a short alarm sound is emitted from the unit
(approximately one second)—this delayed deactivation pre-
vents the unit from getting turned off inadvertently.
4. Normal Operation
There are five user-selectable choices on the MAIN MENU:
1. STORM DETECT 2. ALARM RANGE
3. ALARM MODE 4. SENSITIVITY 5. NOISE TEST
Remember that you can only view two lines of the menu at
any one time. Use the SCROLL UP or DOWN keys to move
through the menu options. Once in SCANNING mode, pressing
and releasing either of the scroll keys will display the menu.
Once in the menu, the unit will automatically shift to SCAN-
NING mode if no other buttons are pressed within 5-7 seconds.
5. Tone Operation
The tone may be turned on or off any time the normal scan-
ning screen is displayed by pressing the Tone ON/OFF button