Need clarification in AcuTrac22 Pro Manual

Backscatter · #1 (**permalink**) 11-26-2006, 08:35 PM

I just finished reading the instruction manual for my AcuTrac22 Pro, and I wonder if someone could clarify a point.

On Page 1, under the heading “CHARGE THE BATTERY” it says:

“The AcuTrac22 Pro can be powered by internal battery or from a satellite receiver.”

Then the last paragraph says:

“To use a satellite receiver for power or to power the meter when the battery is discharged, plug the AcuTrac22 Pro into the coax between the receiver and LNB, the AcuTract22 Pro will power up immediately.”

In the next section, “STARUP” says:

“After the battery has charged, press ON/MENU button. The AcuTrac22 Pro is immediately ready to begin antenna alignment.”

My question: If the battery is fully charged, but I just want to use the satellite receiver voltage to align the dish, how do I turn the internal battery off? Or, does the battery in the AcuTrac22 Pro only power the display?

I would appreciate your help.

Thanks, Backscatter

Bodhran · #2 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 06:32 AM

You do not have to turn the meter on manually when it is plugged in to the receiver. It auto activates and dectivates when it is connected or disconnected to the active coax. Pretty cool. You only need to power up if you are not connected to the receiver.

Backscatter · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 01:14 PM

Bodhran:

Many thanks for the explanation on how the battery works in the AutoTrac22 Pro. I think that automatic feature is good since it could avoid someone accidentally leaving the battery on.

I have another question about choosing satellite setting on the AutoTrac22 Pro menu. Can I impose on you?

Many thanks

Backscatter

Bodhran · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 12:11 PM

Ask away.

Cheers, Bodhran

Backscatter · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 02:25 PM

Thank you.

Yesterday, I was able to course align my AT9 sufficiently to get HD, but I had these problems with the Acutrac22 Pro when I tried to finish the fine tuning:

Before I started, I read the first 40 questions/answers here, then viewed the Directv Online Instructional Videos to be better educated. I found that the Directv videos have some errors, which I may cover in another post.

I connected the Acutrac22 according to the manual and videos. At first I had a problem with selecting the proper voltage, but I got beyond that and was able to easily find the 101 and 119 with great signal levels, etc.

However, just as I peaked the 119, the display on the Acutrac22 blinked and shouted at me, "CURRENT OVERLOAD!" ...and shut itself down. The peak reading was about 94.

I invoked the ATTENUATION feature, and tried again, but it had no effect. I reconnected the receiver and the LNBs to the meter and got the same results.

There is no mention of the warning I received in the AcuTrac22 Pro instruction manual. Can you help me with this? I don't want to burn up any chips in the process.

Would appreciate any help from the pros out there.

Thanks, Backscatter

Bodhran · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 08:43 PM

If you were running on battery then you have discovered a small weakness of this meter. It has problems with some high drawing lnbs. Same problem with Dish pro plus. If you were connected to the receiver, then you may have a bad or loose connector in your run. Find it, replace it, and presto, no over current nonsense.
Cheers, Bodhran

Backscatter · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:54 PM

Bodhran:

I've been studying the data you and Carl provided on this subject, and I wonder if the fact that I DID NOT have the receiver set to the appropriate TEST channel when I experienced the Current Overload, could have contributed to that problem?

It is possible that I was putting 13 or 18 volts into the AcuTrac22 Pro by way of the receiver input, and another voltage from the meter's battery? I think that would surely create a servere overload.

What do you think?

Thanks, Ed