Product Insights
CHEAT SHEETS
March 2018
The NEW UNIT button is used when starting at a new job and to separate jobs. It also has a secondary function to set the time of the LPA-1. When starting a new job, be careful not to hold the NEW UNIT button too long as it will enter into SET TIME MODE. This can cause the unit time to be incorrect when printing reports and can affect how long it takes for each reading. If you do enter SET TIME MODE, you can simply click NEW UNIT and SET to exit. Likewise, if you are located in a different time zone, then the manufacturer SET TIME MODE can be used to adjust time to your time zone. When in SET TIME MODE, click SELECT MODE to go to the next number set, click AVERAGE to increase number, and click DELETE to decrease number. After the time is set to your preference, you can click NEW UNIT, then SET to confirm the date and time.
Please note that you should verify the abatement level after starting at a job or changing the unit number. After clicking NEW UNIT, your LPA-1 will say UNIT # followed by the job number. Next, it will read READY. When the screen is blank you can check the abatement by clicking SET. Clicking SET multiple times will increase the abatement level until it reaches 2.0 mg/cm2 at which point it will cycle back to 0.4 mg/cm2. Please set the abatement to your state"s standard. The default abatement level is 1.0 mg/cm2.
February 2018
Send in your LPA-1 batteries when resourcing. Both batteries, please! Evaluating the battery is an important step in the process of keeping the LPA-1 in excellent condition. Each battery is designed to fit each LPA-1 unit to make sure the tabs do not flatten which ultimately assures that a complete connection will occur. Also, we test the voltage and review the age of the battery. A new battery has a daily lifespan of 6-8 hours whereas, a three year old battery drops down to 4-6 hours. One of the ways to extend the battery life is to recharge the battery for only a few hours... not overnight! A battery can last up to 8 years if properly treated.
November 2017
If you pull the trigger and the display reads “NOT FLAT”, we have a few tips for you to try. The bezel or nose of the LPA-1 must be flat against the surface ensuring that the two optical sensor holes are covered. If the instrument is flat against the surface and it continues to display “NOT FLAT”, then the surface you are testing is too dark and therefore, tricking the LPA-1 into believing the instrument is not flat by absorbing the light from the optical sensors.
Remedy this by placing a piece of white paper between the reading area and on the LPA-1 and the surface you are testing. Do not use tape on the bezel! This causes the safety feature to be compromised and can be dangerous to yourself and others.
If you are still having an issue, there could be debris inside the bezel. This can be resolved by using compressed air to clean the debris or moisture. Place a can of condensed air at an angle to the bezel and make sure you blow out both holes in the optical sensor or “optos” holes. Do not stick anything into the optos holes as this can also cause damage. When the optos are damaged, the only way to resolve the “NOT FLAT” reading is to replace the optos.