ARGUS 3 1 Firefighters’ Solid-State Through Smoke Vision System User’s Manual and Warranty Terms Argus1 - Trademark licensed from Argus Industries, Inc.
ARGUS 3 THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA and CHARGER/BATTERY PACKS 1 SAFETY NOTES Please read before use This product is an aid to fire and rescue operations in smoke and darkness. It is not intended as a replacement for standard firefighting techniques. Users must ensure that all established procedures are followed. This equipment is not certified as intrinsically safe and therefore must not be operated in flammable or explosive atmospheres. Neglecting the above may result in injury or death.
WARNINGS Electrical hazards Do not remove the cover of the charger, or disassemble the charger power lead or rechargeable pack. There are no user serviceable parts within the charger, charger lead or the rechargeable pack. Charger misuse The charger must only be used for the charging of rechargeable packs; do not insert any other item into the charger. The charger must not be used to charge primary cells; the charger will not accept the primary cell pack. Do not use a damaged charger.
Introduction ARGUS 3 Thermal Imager 1 The Argus13 thermal imager is brought to you by e2v technologies, the world leader in through smoke vision systems. e2v technologies, with over 18 years experience in firefighters’ thermal imaging, continues to produce high quality, affordable systems designed exclusively for the fire and rescue services.
Argus13 has also been designed with the following features: . Capture of 26 images. . Time and date. . 2x zoom. . Ambient temperature measurement. . Choice of 8 colour palettes. . Spot temperature (optional). . Internal video transmitter (optional). This manual contains information covering operation of the system and operating techniques, user maintenance and care of the product, complete with a full technical specification.
Contents Page 1 Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 GETTING STARTED 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.2 DISPLAY GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1.3 OPERATING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 3 Standard Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2.1 IMAGE CAPTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2.2 ZOOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2.3 TIME AND DATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2.
1 Camera 1.1 GETTING STARTED . In the case with this manual you will find the camera, a pair of handles, a neckstrap, remote control, two rechargeable battery packs, battery charger with mains and DC leads, two AA battery packs, customer software and data lead. . Check that the rechargeable batteries are fully charged before use and the battery packs contain LR6 type batteries (if supplied). Open battery door and insert the battery pack as shown. It will fit in either rotation. Close the door.
. Turn on the unit using the middle RED button on the rear. A RED light will be illuminated in the position shown. A long (3 second) press is required to switch the camera off. . After switch-on and for approximately 10 seconds, a splash screen will be displayed on the camera screen while the system performs a self-test routine. This splash screen is customer configurable – see section 5. .
1.2 DISPLAY GRAPHICS The camera is equipped with an advanced microprocessor based control and user warning system. In addition to controlling the automatic operation of the camera to ensure the best possible picture at all times, the control system provides graphics on the display to alert the user to certain conditions as follows: . Battery Status The battery status indicator is always visible at the lower left side of the display, except during the start up/self-test routine.
. General System Failure Warning As part of the operation of the system, the microprocessor monitors certain functions and displays an internationally recognised warning symbol if it detects a fault. The warning, which takes the form of an exclamation mark within a triangle, will appear to the right of the battery status indicator (and to the right of the temperature warning if this is active).
1.3 . OPERATING NOTES Interpreting The Image - Relative Temperatures The image displayed is simply a black and white picture of the infrared energy entering the lens. The camera displays relative temperature differences between individual objects and their surroundings, irrespective of overall ambient temperature. The camera is set up to display objects at various shades, from black for cooler items to white for hotter bodies, i.e.
. Search for Persons and Objects The camera is not restricted to locating fires. In many cases, the firefighter will be using the camera in a search for casualties, to seek out dangerous items such as fuel tanks or gas cylinders and also as an aid to navigation through unknown premises. . Image Clarity The sharpness and clarity of the image provided is related to the temperature of the scene and objects in view.
. Control of Water Streams/Jets When viewed through the camera, water streams from hose reels will appear black against the background scene. The control and aim of water flow can be monitored by viewing the flow and its effect on the fire through the camera. It may be necessary, if employing a water wall, to drop the wall momentarily to view the effects of the extinguishing stream. . Smoke Types The camera will provide vision through all types of smoke and steam. .
2 Standard Functions 2.1 IMAGE CAPTURE . Up to 26 images can be captured and stored in the camera. These images can then be viewed or deleted using the remote control or software provided (see section 4 for details of remote control). Using the software provided, captured images can be downloaded to a suitable laptop/PC in .bmp format. . To capture an image press the left-hand button.
2.4 AMBIENT TEMPERATURE . The ambient temperature sensor is fitted to the front of the camera and the ambient temperature is displayed on the video. . The range for ambient temperature measurement is 717 8C (1.4 8F) to 150 8C (302 8F). If ambient temperature measurement is not required, it can be turned off using the software and the readout display will be removed from the video.
3 Optional Functions 3.1 SPOT TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT . The addition of a sensor to the camera allows the operator to view the average scene temperature (within a defined area). The temperature is displayed as an overlay on the camera video. . This system is intended to give the operator the ability to detect possible hazards such as hot gas bottles or tanks. The camera can be configured to give a reading in 8C or 8F by using the user software (see section 5). .
The performance of the system will allow a transmitting range of greater than 1 km (0.6 mile) line of sight. This will be reduced when used inside buildings and will vary depending on the construction of the building and how many walls etc. are between the camera and the receiver. Due to the relatively low power of the system and the high frequency used (1.4 or 2.4 GHz) it is normal for the received picture to break up momentarily when the camera is moved.
Mount the antenna in a suitable location, so that the front of the unit is directed towards the camera is deployed. Connect the antenna to the receiver using the cable provided. Connect the DC power to the receiver using the mains adaptor provided. Connect the receiver to a suitable video monitor using the phono or BNC connector located on the rear of the unit. . Receiver kits for 1.
4 Remote Control Functions To access the remote control functions, press the RED button on the remote. The screen will show the first of the list of 8 options. These are: Brightness Adjustment, Contrast Adjustment, Colour Adjustment, Transmitter Channel, Colour Options, White Hot or Black Hot, Stored Image: Review and Deletion, Time and Date Setting. To access any of these functions press the menu ~ or menu ! buttons until the desired option is displayed.
. Colour Options By pressing the + or 7 buttons, the colour options can be scrolled through. These are: Grey Scale Half Colour Green Scale Full Colour 1 Red Spot Full Colour 2 Soft Red Spot Full Colour 3 . White Hot or Black Hot By pressing the + or 7 buttons, white hot or black hot can be selected. . Stored Image: Review and Deletion Review By pressing the + or 7 buttons, the stored images can be scrolled through.
5 Software Using the camera data port and cable provided, a number of the camera functions can be set, enabled and adjusted by the user from a standard laptop/ PC. The software is supplied on CD-ROM in the back of this manual. The software allows the user to: Download stored images. Upload splash screens. Set, enable or disable time and date. Use, enable or disable the zoom function. Set, enable or disable temperature display and units. Set white or black hot and colour options.
To install the software, click ’Install Software’ on the main page. This will open the software page; click ’install software’. A box will appear, asking to copy or to run the software from its current location. Click ‘run from current location’, then click ‘OK’. Another box will appear; click ‘Yes’ to install the software. A box will now appear to update the systems files. When the box disappears, another will pop up; click ‘OK’ to the installation.
If the connection to the camera is unsuccessful, exit from the software by clicking exit. Start the customer sofware and wait until the test software front screen opens. Using the com port drop-down menu, set the com port to 2 and click set. Click connect to camera. If the connection to the camera is still unsuccessful, check all the leads are firmly home. . Set Time and Date Open up the software and click set time and date. A new window will open. This area allows the user to set the time and date.
View Image: Click view image and the camera will show its first stored image on the LCD screen. To view each image, click next image or previous image to scroll through each image. Alternatively, from the drop-down menu, select the number of the image to be viewed. When viewing is complete, click display scene to return the camera to its normal operation. Delete Image: Select the image to be deleted via View Image (above). Once selected, click delete image. That image will be deleted.
. Advanced Software Open up the software and click advanced software. There are five options available: Download Images. Status Report. Set-up. Remote Control. Start-up Screen. Download Images Tab See Stored Images (above) for further information. Status Report Tab Open up the software and click the Status Report tab. This area allows the end-user to interrogate the camera and enable a fault diagnosis of the camera. Click get report and a refreshed status report will be retrieved.
Setup Tab Open up the software and click the Setup tab. This area allows the end-user to enable, disable, select and set up various functions on the camera. When the tab is initially pressed, the settings of the camera attached to the laptop/PC will be shown. Customer Configuration Frame These two area allow the end-user to configure various functions of the camera. These are: Time and date enable/disable; check as required. Zoom enable/disable; check as required.
Remote Control Tab Open up the software and click the Remote control tab. This area allows the end-user to perform various functions of the camera remotely via a laptop/PC. Zoom In and Out Button: Allows the end-user to zoom the camera in or out. Store Picture Button: Allows the end-user to store an image. Transmitter Channel Control This area allows the user to select the transmitter channel and by doing so turns on the transmitter. Only the channels avaliable will be highlighted.
If an end-user splash screen is no longer required, click splash off to return to the e2v technologies splash screen. Click splash on to return to the uploaded splash screen. To view the splash screen stored in the camera, click view splash. Click normal image to return to the normal image. Once complete, click close to return to the software front screen. Click exit to close the software.
6 Cleaning, Maintenance and Replacement Parts . Cleaning After use and prior to stowing, the camera should be cleaned. This is best carried out using a cloth soaked with warm soapy water. Solvents should not be used. If in doubt, contact your supplier. . Maintenance No routine maintenance is required for the camera. If it is not in regular use, it should be switched on for 10 minutes every month to check correct operation. .
To replace the handles, remove all screws using a 2 mm hex key. Remove the handles and discard the screws, as replacements will be supplied. Replacement is the reverse of removal. Bumpers Left Bumper: DPP701141AA. Right Bumper: DPP701142AA. The bumpers are supplied without side straps (see below for details). To replace the bumpers, remove the screws using a 2 mm hex key. Remove the crosshead screws, remove the side straps from the bumpers and discard the screws, as replacements will be supplied.
Access Panel (state colour when ordering) DAS701205AA (Blue) DAS701205BA (Orange) DAS701205CA (Yellow) To replace the access panel, remove all screws using a 2 mm hex key. Remove the access panel and discard the screws, as replacements will be supplied. Replacement is the reverse of removal. Other spares and accessories.
7 Specifications . Mechanical Dimensions 162 x 271 x 122 mm (W x H x D) nominal (without handles) 300 x 271 x 122 mm (W x H x D) nominal (with handles) Weight . . . . . . . . 2.1 kg nominal (including batteries and handles) Case material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radel1 R-5100 Lens bezel material . . . . Radel1 R-5100 over-moulded in Santoprene1 Access panel material . . . Radel1 R-5100 over-moulded in Santoprene1 Neck strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nomex1 Side straps . . .
. Optical – ASi Sensor . . . . . Detector type . . Pixel count . . . Lens . . . . . Field of view . . Depth of field . . Aperture . . . . Spectral response NETD . . . . . . Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amorphous Silicon (ASi) . . . . . . . . . micro-bolometer . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 x 120 germanium lens as supplied with detector . . . . . . . . . . 508 horizontal . . . . . . . . . .
8 Battery and Charger 8.1 BATTERY The Argus13 camera is supplied with both rechargeable and primary battery packs. All battery packs provide an output to the battery status bar on the Argus13 camera. This bar provides a continuous indication of the remaining charge, allowing the firefighter to avoid unpredicted power loss. With a fully recharged battery, or a battery pack fitted with new batteries, the battery status bar will be at its full status with 5 bars showing.
Primary Battery Pack Primary batteries are suitable for ocassional or back-up use. The primary packs are designed to power an Argus13 camera for over 1.5 hours if fitted with new batteries. The batteries used in the primary battery pack are AA size. It is recommended that type LR6 batteries be used, as these are essential to achieve the specified battery life. LR6 indicates an alkaline manganese battery, which can supply the power requirements of the Argus13.
9 Warranty Terms 9.1 EXPRESS WARRANTY e2v Technologies ("e2v") warrants that this product is free from mechanical defects or faulty workmanship for two (2) years from the date of shipment, with the exception that the warranty period for the battery charger and for the rechargeable battery pack is one (1) year from that date, provided it is maintained and used in accordance with e2v’s instructions and/or recommendations.
9.2 EXCLUSIVE REMEDY It is expressly agreed that the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy for breach of the above warranty, for any tortious conduct of e2v, or for any other cause of action, shall be the repair and/or replacement, at e2v’s option, of any equipment or parts thereof, that after examination by e2v are proven to be defective. Replacement equipment and/or parts will be provided at no cost to the purchaser, F.O.B. e2v’s plant.
In the event of a warranty failure, return your camera to your local Argus1 sales centre: USA The Argus1 sales team e2v technologies inc. 4 Westchester Plaza Elmsford NY 10523-1482 Tel (toll free): 1 800 342 5338 Fax: (914) 592 5148 E-mail: argusdirect@e2vtechnologies.com UK and Rest of the World The Argus1 sales team e2v technologies 106 Waterhouse Lane Chelmsford Essex CM1 2QU England Tel: +44 (0) 1245 453443 Fax: +44 (0) 1245 453725 E-mail: argusdirect@e2vtechnologies.
