Vaisala FB15 User manual

Vaisala Balloon Launcher
FB15
USER'S GUIDE
M210767EN-A
March 2006

PUBLISHED BY
Vaisala Oyj Phone (int.): [phone]
P.O. Box 26 Fax: [phone]
FIN-00421 Helsinki
Finland
Visit our Internet pages at http://www.vaisala.com/
© Vaisala 2006
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical (including photocopying), nor may its contents be
communicated to a third party without prior written permission of the copyright
holder.
The contents are subject to change without prior notice.
Please observe that this manual does not create any legally binding obligations for
Vaisala towards the customer or end user. All legally binding commitments and
agreements are included exclusively in the applicable supply contract or
Conditions of Sale.

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VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 3
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION............................................................................ 5
About This Manual ................................................................... 5
Contents of This Manual ....................................................... 5
Version Information ............................................................... 6
Related Manuals ................................................................... 6
General Safety Considerations ............................................. 6
Feedback............................................................................... 7
Product Related Safety Precautions ...................................... 7
Recycling .................................................................................. 7
Warranty.................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2
PRODUCT OVERVIEW.................................................................................. 9
Introduction to Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 ................... 9
CHAPTER 3
INSTALLATION............................................................................................ 11
Selecting the Launching Site ................................................ 11
Assembling Balloon Launcher FB15.................................... 11
Packing the Launcher for Transportation............................ 14
Upgrading FB15 for Vaisala Radiosonde RS92................... 14
CHAPTER 4
OPERATION................................................................................................. 15
Overview of Operation........................................................... 15
Aligning and Securing the Launcher ................................... 16
Setting Up the Radiosonde and Launcher........................... 18
Inflating the Balloon............................................................... 18
Launching the Balloon........................................................... 19
CHAPTER 5
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................. 21
Troubleshooting Procedure .................................................. 21
Technical Support .................................................................. 21

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CHAPTER 6
TECHNICAL DATA ......................................................................................23
Specifications .........................................................................23
Parts List .................................................................................24
APPENDIX A
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR BALLOON OPERATORS ........................25
List of Figures
Figure 1 Balloon Launcher FB15 Assembly ...........................................13
Figure 2 Launcher Setup ........................................................................16
Figure 3 Launcher Setup - Top View......................................................17
List of Tables
Table 1 Manual Revisions .......................................................................6
Table 2 Related Manuals.........................................................................6
Table 3 FB15 Main Dimensions ............................................................23
Table 4 Recommended Balloon Weight................................................23
Table 5 Contents of the Balloon Launcher FB15 and Accessory Kit ....24

Chapter 1 ________________________________________________________ General Information
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 5
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
This chapter provides general notes for the manual and the product.
About This Manual
This manual provides information for installing and operating Vaisala
Balloon Launcher FB15.
Contents of This Manual
This manual consists of the following chapters:
- Chapter 1, General Information, provides general notes for the
manual and the product.
- Chapter 2, Product Overview, introduces Vaisala Balloon Launcher
FB15.
- Chapter 3, Installation, provides you with information that helps
you to install this product.
- Chapter 4, Operation, contains information about operating this
product.
- Chapter 5, Troubleshooting, describes the troubleshooting
procedure and contact information for technical support.
- Chapter 6, Technical Data, provides the technical data of FB15.
- Appendix A, provides safety instructions for radiosonde operators .

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Version Information
Table 1 Manual Revisions
Manual Code Description
M210767EN-A This manual. Replaces the previous version.
U263EN-1.1 First version. Note the different manual code.
Related Manuals
Table 2 Related Manuals
Manual Code Manual Name
M210295EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92-SGP User's Guide
M210696EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92-AM User's Guide
M210299EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92-KL, RS92-K, RS92-KLE,
RS92-KE User's Guide
General Safety Considerations
Throughout the manual, important safety considerations are
highlighted as follows:
WARNING Warning alerts you to a serious hazard. If you do not read and follow
instructions very carefully at this point, there is a risk of injury or
even death.
CAUTION Caution warns you of a potential hazard. If you do not read and
follow instructions carefully at this point, the product could be
damaged or important data could be lost.
NOTE Note highlights important information on using the product.

Chapter 1 ________________________________________________________ General Information
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 7
Feedback
Vaisala Customer Documentation Team welcomes your comments
and suggestions on the quality and usefulness of this publication. If
you find errors or have other suggestions for improvement, please
indicate the chapter, section, and page number. You can send
comments to us by e-mail: [email protected]
Product Related Safety Precautions
The Balloon Launcher FB15 delivered to you has been tested for
safety and approved as shipped from the factory. Note the following
precautions:
CAUTION Do not modify the unit. Improper modification can damage the
product or lead to malfunction.
Recycling
Recycle all applicable material.
Dispose of batteries and the unit according to statutory regulations.
Do not dispose of with regular household refuse.
Warranty
For certain products Vaisala normally gives a limited one-year
warranty. Please observe that any such warranty may not be valid in
case of damage due to normal wear and tear, exceptional operating
conditions, negligent handling or installation, or unauthorized
modifications. Please see the applicable supply contract or Conditions
of Sale for details of the warranty for each product.

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Chapter 2 __________________________________________________________ Product Overview
VAISALA ________________________________________________________________________ 9
CHAPTER 2
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
This chapter introduces Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15.
Introduction to Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15
Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 is a manually operated set for
launching radiosondes of type RS80, RS90 and RS92. Designed for
one-man operations, the lightweight launcher is made of glass-fiber
reinforced plastic. The launcher is used at meteorological stations and
on board ships and is particularly well suited for mobile operations.
The launcher is equipped with a hexagon-shaped stitched bag closed
with a canvas belt. The balloon is launched by releasing the canvas
that holds it down.
In normal use the launcher is secured with pegs driven into the ground
and with three straps. In shipboard use the launcher is fastened with
the straps to the ship's superstructure.
The launcher is completely mechanical. When operating Balloon
Launcher FB15, observe the standard safety rules for inflammable
gases.

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