Webb Electronics RoverCam 23 User manual

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RoverCam23instructionsv1_2.doc
Thank you for your purchase of the
RoverCam 23!
1.1 Features of the RoverCam 23:
Multiple heights give you a lot of flexibility to shoot
Light weight, so you can easily transport the
RoverCam 23
Can be setup and stored in less than 5 minutes!
Comes with an accessory bag for easy transport
The camera is powered by the battery at the base,
freeing you from having to buy an extended life
battery
Designed to protect your investment
Quick release plate for the camera allows for easy
setup, and protection plate allows you to set the
ROVERCAM 23 down on the ground!
Electrical Tilt of the RoverCam 23 gives you great
control over shooting
Adjustable 8 inch monitor with 450 CD/M2
brightness, providing you a bright and clear view!
1.2 Warnings
1.2.1 Overhead Power Lines Warning
Overhead power lines are especially hazardous because they carry extremely high
voltage. Fatal electrocution is the main risk, but burns and falls from elevations are

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also hazards. Using tools and equipment that can contact power lines increases the risk.
You must take adequate care to make sure that the RoverCam 23 is not operating close to
overhead power lines.
How Do I Avoid Hazards?
Look for overhead power lines. Post warning signs. Stay at least 30 feet away from
overhead power lines. Unless you know otherwise, assume that overhead lines are
energized.
1.2.2 Be Careful when lowering and raising the RoverCam 23
Raising the RoverCam 23:
The RoverCam 23 is raised by standing by the camera and gripping the mast. You would
then walk up the RoverCam 23 by moving your hands up the mast sections as you push
the mast up until the tripod supports the Rover23. While not heavy, it is possible to drop
the RoverCam 23 if you are not careful. Make sure no one is standing near by the
RoverCam 23 while raising it. You do not want to provide a hazard for those around
you.
Lowering the RoverCam 23:
The RoverCam 23 is lowered by standing at the base of the tripod, opposite where the
battery is mounted on the tripod. The battery will provide a good counterbalance for you
when lowering the RoverCam 23. Gripping the Bottom section of the mast at the highest
point you are able, pull the RoverCam 23 down gently and back up, moving up the mast
section as you walk the RoverCam 23 down. While not heavy, you must take care to
keep hold of the RoverCam 23, to avoid dropping the RoverCam 23. Make sure no one
is around the RoverCam 23 to avoid providing a hazard to those around you.
1.2.3 Place the RoverCam 23 on a Level Surface
Make sure to place the RoverCam 23 tripod on a level surface. Placing the Tripod on
more than a 5 degree angle could result in the RoverCam 23 leaning and falling. This
could damage the RoverCam 23 or provide a falling hazard.
1.2.4 Sunspots on the monitor
Long, daily exposure to direct sunlight will damage an LCD screen. Ultraviolet radiation
is the killer. Make sure that you avoid direct sunlight shining on LCD, as it can affect the
quality of the picture and can burn in spots on the LCD surface.
1.2.5 Battery Charging and Overcharging
Do not overcharge the RoverCam 23 Battery. You
should charge the RoverCam 23 battery for no more than
16 hours per charge. Overcharging the RoverCam 23
battery will reduce the life of the battery. You should
charge the RoverCam 23 battery at least once a month to
keep the battery in good shape. It is a good practice with
the RoverCam 23 battery to discharge the battery

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completely before recharging it. (This will keep the battery in tip top shape!)
1.2.6 High Winds and the RoverCam 23
Do not leave the RoverCam 23 unattended! Although very sturdy, a strong wind gust
could topple the RoverCam 23. This could result in damage to the RoverCam 23 and a
falling hazard to those around. On windy days, weight down the legs of the tripod. You
could use bags of sand or weights against the bottom of the tripod to provide extra
stability. Consider only raising the RoverCam 23 one section on windy days to reduce
the amount of sway in the camera.
1.3 Description of the RoverCam 23
The RoverCam 23 is a tripod based, camera on a mast. The RoverCam 23 is designed to
be operated between 7 and 23 ft tall.
Your monitor, zoom, and record controls are adjustable.
RoverCam 23 is 7 ft. to 23 ft. long with a ¼ 20 camera mount quick release plate.
The mast sections are silver in color and made out of aluminum.
The tripod is Black in color and made of Steel.
It is designed for recording events from an elevated view point while controlling the
camera from the ground
1.4 Assembly of the RoverCam 23
When you receive your RoverCam 23 you will need to assemble the components each
time you use it. We ship the RoverCam 23 in several boxes to keep the components
protected.
Check out the Demo video for the RoverCam 23, as it shows us setting up the RoverCam
23. You can access the video at the following youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4YyKiZkkDw
Steps to Assembling the RoverCam 23:
1. Unbox everything, and set the components on the side. Inspect the box to make
sure you have left nothing in the packing materials. You should have 3 boxes on
a standard RoverCam 23 order.
Box 1: Box one would house the RoverCam 23 Tripod
Picture of the RoverCam 23 tripod collapsed.

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Box 2: Box two would house the RoverCam 23 Mast Sections
Picture of the RoverCam 23 Mast sections collapsed
Box 3: Box three would house the case and the accessory pieces for the
RoverCam 23
This is a Picture of the Contents of the RoverCam 23 Accessory case and
contents. At the top left is the RoverCam 23 battery. Bottom Left is the
RoverCam 23 Head assembly foot. To the Right of the Head foot assembly, is the
RoverCam 23 Camera head monitor. In the middle is the RoverCam 23 control
arm. In the Bottom Right is the RoverCam 23 Monitor assembly. At the top right
is the camera bag.

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2. Expand the tripod. Place the Tripod vertically on the ground and pull gently on
the legs to expand the tripod. By grabbing and lifting on the center piece of the
tripod, it should fully extend the legs to provide a stable surface and weight for
the RoverCam 23.
Picture of the Tripod fully extended. Notice by gripping and lifting on the center
piece of the tripod, it helps to extend the legs with very little effort.
3. Slide the Protected 8 inch monitor assembly at the bottom of the mast section and
move it up to the bottom of the Webb sticker then tighten the screw to clamp the
Monitor assembly in place.
Picture of the Monitor Assembly before it has been clamped onto the RoverCam 23 mast.

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Picture of lining up the clamp for the RoverCam 23 on to the Bottom Mast section.
Picture of Monitor assembly clamped in place to the bottom mast section.
4. Slide the control arm at the bottom of the mast section and move it up to 9 inches
below where the Monitor assembly is clamped then tighten the screw to clamp the
Monitor assembly in place.
Picture of lining up the control arm at the bottom of the mast section to slide it up into
place.

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Picture of control arm clamped into place.
5. Once you have both the Monitor assembly and Control arm attached to the bottom
mast section, line up the bottom mast section to the tripod and place it as a sleeve
over the tripod. Let gravity do the work to place the mast section onto the tripod.
Picture of lifting the mast section and placing it over the tripod. Line up the holes and
gently lower the mast section down into the tripod. It should fit fairly snug.

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6. Put the battery into the battery sleeve at the base of the tripod. Zip up the battery
sleeve to keep the battery in place.
Picture of the battery outside the sleeve.
Picture of the Battery zipped up in the battery sleeve.

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7. Stand opposite of the battery sleeve and grip the RoverCam 23. Pull the
RoverCam 23 towards yourself to begin lowering it and raising the leg with the
battery off the ground. Begin walking the RoverCam 23 down, moving
backwards and get to the joint between the base section and the second section.
Having the Battery in the sleeve for this step allows the battery to provide a good
counter balance to allow you to easily lean the RoverCam 23 over.
Picture of leaning RoverCam 23 over and walking it down.
8. When you move to the middle section, expand the middle section of the
RoverCam 23 mast by pulling on it until you meet resistance. Twist the
RoverCam23 clockwise to engage the J hooks to secure the extended mast in
place. Push down on the section to make sure the mast section is locked into
place.
Picture of holding up the RoverCam 23 as you expand the middle section of the mast.
Twist the upper mast section clockwise to lock the mast section in place.

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This picture is a mast section with the outer casing removed to illustrate how the J-hooks
work. You as you extend the mast to the top section, the j-hook will hit to the top of the
section.
Once the J-hook hits the top of the section, you would not able to extend that mast section
any further. You would then turn the top section clockwise to engage the J-hook and lock
that mast section in place.

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This picture shows the mast section fully locked into place. Notice the J-hook fully
engaged.
9. Once you have fully extended the middle section, walk your self to the top section
and fully extend the top section in the same manner you have extended the middle
section.
The pictures show you extending the top section of the RoverCam23. Make sure to twist
the top section clockwise to engage the J-hooks. Push down on the top section to make
sure you have to top section locked into place.

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10. Once you have extended the section and engaged the J-hooks, you can further
secure the mast sections with the pressure clamps provided at each section. You
can tighten each section for added stability. This is also useful if you want to use
the Rover at variable heights. If you use the pressure clamps, you don’t really
need to use the J-hooks.
Picture of Rover with section clamps you can tighten and loosen.
11. Set the RoverCam 23 down for a second and grab the Camera head assembly.
You will need to screw in the rest bar to the Head Assembly.
This picture shows you the head assembly and the rest bar. Screw the rest bar onto the
head assembly.

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This picture shows you the head assembly after the rest bar has been screwed on to the
head assembly. Once that is done, you are ready to attach the head assembly to the top
mast section.
12. Attach the head assembly to the top mast section. The bottom of the head
assembly will fit into the top of the top mast section. There are holes for you to
align, so you can use the clip shown to secure the head assembly to the top mast
section. Once aligned, put in the secured clip to secure the head assembly to the
top mast section.
This picture shows the Head assembly and clip before it is attached to the top mast
section.

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This picture shows you putting the head assembly into the top mast section. Notice the
holes that need to align in order to get the clip in place to secure the head assembly to
the top mast section.
This picture shows the clip in place and a fully secured head assembly on the top mast
section.
13. Attach the camera to the head assembly. The quick release plate will be attached
to the head assembly. Remove the quick release plate from the tripod head at the
head assembly and screw it in to the bottom of the Camera. If you look at the
bottom of the quick release plate you will see a diagram to where you should
orient the plate to the direction that the lens of the camera will point. Once you
have screwed the quick release plate to the to camera, mount the camera back on
the Assembly head. Make sure that the Camera is securely mounted to the head
assembly.

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Picture of removing the quick release plate from the head assembly
Picture of the quick release plate, once removed from the head assembly. Screw this
onto the bottom of the camera, making sure that the diagram at the bottom reflects
the way the camera lens is pointing.
Picture of screwing on the quick release plate to the bottom of the camera.

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Clip the Camera back on to the Head assembly and secure it on place. Make sure
that the camera is securely attached to the head assembly. You don’t want it to fall
off!
14. Connect the Power Connector to the Camera from the Head Assembly.
Picture of the power connection, before plugged into the camera from the head
assembly. The power connection on the camera may be in the front, back or side,
depending on the camera model.
15. Connect the AV-LANC cable to the Camera from the head assembly. Make sure
you open the viewfinder on the Camera.
16. Make sure if using a camera for the 1st time, you set the time and date, and turn
demo mode, and power save off on the menu settings. Consult the camera manual
for steps to turn off power save mode and demo mode.

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Picture of the AV-LANC connection, before plugged into the camera from the head
assembly. The AV-LANC connection on the camera may be in the front, back or side,
depending on the camera model.
17. Grab the Control Cable from the Accessory bag and uncoil it. You will use the
control cable to connect one end to the top of the Monitor assembly and the other
end to the Head Assembly. Connect one end to the Head assembly and screw in
the connectors to secure the cable to the head assembly.
Picture of the Control Cable before it is uncoiled.

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Connect the 9 pin Control cable connector
18. Run the Control Cable down the mast and use the Velcro strap provided to secure
the Cable about halfway down the mast. This will keep the cable from blowing
in the wind and being a nuisance.
19. Raise the RoverCam 23. Starting at the top mast section below the head
assembly, grip the mast and start walking the unit up slowly. Walk it up until the
unit is sitting on the 3 legs of the tripod and is fully upright.

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Picture of raising the RoverCam 23 by slowly walking the unit up. Slowly ease it up
until the Tripod has all 3 legs firmly on the ground.
20. Connect the Bottom of the Control Cable to the top of the Monitor Assembly.
Secure the connections by screwing them in.
This picture illustrated the connection on the monitor assembly where you screw in
the Control cable.

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21. Connect the Control arm Cable to the bottom of the Monitor Assembly. Secure
the connections by screwing them in.
Picture of the Control arm cable plugged in and secured to the bottom of the monitor
assembly.
22. Plug the power cable molded to the back of the monitor box into the top of the
tripod. There will be a little female power connector at the top of the tripod that
you can connect the power lead to.
Picture of the molded end of the power cable that connects to the back of the monitor
box.