PLEASE REFER TO OUR WEBSITE FOR THE USERS MANUAL WWW.LeakTronics.com PRO KIT COMPLETE PRO KIT ALL CUSTOMERS: PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ONE OF OUR TECHNICIANS BY GOING TO THE SUPPORT TAB ON OUR WEBSITE. Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Safety and Care 2. Vital Components (battery installation) 3. Bulldog PK Headphone Amp 4. Out in the field 5. Pool Scope (general use) 6. Pipe Mic (general use) 7. Warranty 8. Troubleshooting 9. Add on Deckplate Page 2
Safety and Care ***PLEASE NOTE: USE CAUTION WHEN PRESSURE TESTING. NEVER INFLATE TO MORE THAN 15 PSI. DO NOT STAND IN FRONT OR ABOVE A COMPRESSION PLUG OR ANY PLUG WHEN UNDER PRESSURE. ***PLEASE NOTE: IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS TURN DOWN THE VOLUME OR REMOVE HEADPHONES WHEN MOVING EITHER THE POOL SCOPE OR THE PIPE MIC FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEARING INJURY. AVOID STORING CABLES WITH TANGLES OR KNOTS. ALWAYS STORE CABLES IN A LOOSELY WRAPPED COIL. PLEASE USE EXTREME CARE AND KEEP THIS MANUAL HANDY FOR ALL USERS. ***DROPPING THE POOL SCOPE OR THE PIPE MIC TO THE BOTTOM OF A POOL AND DRAGGING ALONG THE POOL FLOOR WILL NOT DAMAGE THE UNIT. ***THE POOL SCOPE AND THE PIPE MIC ARE DURABLE UNITS THAT WHEN TREATED WITH CARE WILL LAST FOR MANY YEARS. EACH UNIT IS HAND BUILT IN THE U.S.A. WHILE ALL COMPONENTS ARE MADE TO USE IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS, THE HEADPHONE AMP OR BODY OF THE VIDEO SCOPE CAN NEVER BE SUBMERGED. DOING SO WILL VOID THE WARRANTY. ALL PRODUCTS INCLUDING THE POOL SCOPE AND THE PIPE MIC SHOULD BE WIPED DOWN WITH A DRY RAG BEFORE STORING. Page 3
Battery Installation Using quality batteries and taking good care of your LeakTronics components will provide you with many years of use. Always use new 9 volt alkaline batteries. To replace, first carefully press in and up on the door to release the battery compartment. Next, slide out and replace the battery. REMEMBER TO REPLACE BOTH BATTERIES AT THE SAME TIME. Inspection Unpack and inspect the Bulldog PK headphone amp unit. Your unit was carefully packed and inspected before being shipped. Be sure to examine the unit for any signs of damage that may have occurred during shipping. If obvious physical damage is noticed, contact the carrier immediately to make a damage claim. Page 4
Important Information and Introduction for the Bulldog PK Headphone Amp Thank you for purchasing your new Bulldog PK remote headphone amp. The Bulldog PK is a two channel headphone amp that has been specifically designed to work with the LeakTronics Pool Scope and Pipe Mic. The Pool Scope and Pipe Mic allow users to listen for leaks in pools and pool plumbing systems. For optimal performance, always use the correct input designated for Pool Scope and Pipe Mic. Failure to do so cannot result in any damage. The Pool Scope uses a patent pending driver and filter circuit which allow for ultrasensitive sound detection with omni-directional and broad spectrum range. This means that the Pool Scope can hear leaks better and from further away. Different leaks create different sounds, ranging from high pitch squeals to lower range jet like or "whooshing" sounds. The Pool Scope is equally sensitive to leaks in any range. Our patent pending filtering circuit helps to reduce ambient background noises. The Pipe Mic uses the same patent pending filter circuits and broad spectrum sensitivity but is designed to be more dynamic and directional. This allows the user to listen for small changes in the loudness of a leak within a pipe. Many plumbing leaks will resonate through the pipe, sometimes from several feet away. As the Pipe Mic gets closer to the leak the listener will be able to hear a distinct change in volume. As the head of the mic is pushed closer or pulled away from the leak, the sound will get louder and softer. If the loudest sound is heart, for example, at the first fitting of a return jet and the sound continues to get softer as the Pipe Mic is pushed past the fitting, then the leak is at the fitting. A good rule of thumb for distinguishing between background noise and leaks is leaks get louder or softer as the mic gets closer or further away. Background noise will remain at a more or less continuous volume regardless of the position of the Pipe Mic. Page 5
Instructions for Use (Bulldog PK Headphone Amp) After installing batteries, press power button. A green indicator light on front panel will turn on when unit is in poser mode. Plug your headphones into jack labeled headphone jack. PLEASE NOTE, there is another input jack for a headset mic. This jack has been closed to avoid possible confusion. For optimal performance, always use the correct input designated for Pool Scope and Pipe Mic. Failure to do so will not result in any damage. Always keep phantom poser switches on the side of unit in the on position. Auxiliary inputs have been blocked off. Using these inputs may damage circuits and will void warranty. To begin, start by setting the channel volume at 5 (or the mid way point) and the headphone volume at 5. The sensitivity of the Pool Scope and the Pipe Mic can be increased by slowly dialing the channel volume to a higher setting. If feedback occurs when the channel knob is turned to a higher setting, then the channel volume should be dialed back slowly until feedback disappears. After the channel volume has been set, the headphone volume can be increased for careful listening. PLEASE NOTE: Never drag or hit the Pool Scope or Pipe Mic while listening for leaks. Doing so can result in hearing damage. If dragging, dropping, or pushing of the Pool Scope or the Pipe Mic is required, always turn down the headphone volume first to protect your hearing. We recommend practicing at low volume until the user becomes familiar with how the unit operates. USEFUL TIPS: Always carry a supply of fresh 9 volt batteries. The Pool Scope and Pipe Mic has certain voltage requirements. Once the batteries fall below the required voltage, the signal to the headphones will cut out intermittently and/or distort. This is an indication that the batteries should be replaced. All troubleshooting should begin by replacing batteries with new, high quality alkaline batteries. If using noise reducing headphones, always keep replacement batteries. As the batteries in noise reducing headphones (such as Bose or JBL) expire, the signal heard will be intermittent and distorted. Waterproof flashlight and LED light When installing batteries in both, try to use a good quality alkaline battery. The only portion of the LED light that can be submerged is the flexible neck. Page 6
Video Scope (Please see our website to watch the videoscope demonstration at www.leaktronics.com) Please refer to the separate directions in your kit for battery installation and use. The attached dye injector is simple when you see a cracked fitting, slowly put pressure on the injector to release dye in front of the camera. Watch the dye to see where it goes. The video scope is also great for dye testing light conduits without diving the pool. A common place for pool leaks are in light conduits that were partly sealed or never sealed in the first place. In many cases, the video scope will allow you to dye test light conduits without having to get into the pool with a mask and dye. First, remove the light from the niche (whenever it's in reach). The video scope is also great for looking into return lines, auto fills, cleaning lines, side suctions, skimmer lines, etc. Curl the end of the scope into a horseshoe shape. Insert the camera into the niche and look for the conduit. Insert the camera head so that it is within an inch or two of the conduit. With the injector, slightly press on the plunger and watch for dye being pulled into the conduit. Sometimes it is necessary to get as close as possible to the conduit for smaller leaks. Pipe Mic The pipe mic (small transducer) is a directional mic designed to locate leaks inside leaking pipes or light niches. Once you hear a leaking line with your pool scope, it's time to break out the pipe mic. Insert the pipe mic slowly into the pipe stopping every 6 inches and slowly turn up your volume when pipe rests. IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOWER THE VOLUME WHEN MOVING THE MIC. After getting over the loudest section, pinch the wire with your fingers at the pool wall (closest to fitting). Keeping your fingers pinched on the wire, pull out the mic and lay it on the deck. The distance between your fingers and the mic head is the distance of the leak in the pipe. As in any other situation, it is always best to back up your findings with the videoscope. Page 7
Out in the field Try to ask the customer as may questions as possible -How much is the pool losing? -Is pool losing more with pump on or off? -Are there any recent or old repairs? -Is there an attached spa or hottub? If so, was it ever isolated from the pool. Which dropped? ***IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE CUSTOMER FILL THE POOL TO THE PROPER LEVEL PRIOR TO YOU COMING OUT TO PERFORM THE LEAK DETECTION. Walk the pool Walk around the pool and equipment looking for any wet areas. Always check the backwash line to see if there is water running to waste. Always examine water features such as slides, waterfalls, sheer decents, while the pump is running. Look for weeping, moisture, or standing water. When inspecting the pool equipment area for leaks or saturation, always examine equipment with it running and not running. Common equipment leaks: water running to waste, bad pump seal, leaking heater, unions, filter leaks. Visually check the skimmer seams. Always check the seams for cracks or clinging debris. If cracks are noticed, check with dye injector (provided). The underwater flashlight will also come in handy. Page 8
Using the pool scope The poolscope is the most important tool for a leak detector in your arsenal. Plug it into the amp. Plug in your headphones and get started. Keeping the volume of the amp at the minimum setting, drop your poolscope in the pool slowly. Holding the amp and coiled extra wire in one hand using your other hand to precisely hold the scope exactly where you want to. The pre-amp can also fit in a front pocket giving you a free hand when needed. Since each pool is different, start at one side and work your way around listening to every fitting, light, skimmer, etc, as you get to it. When properly used, the pool scope will allow you to hear leaks in main drains, pop-up floor heads, light niches and conduits, returns, auto fill, cleaning lines, skimmer lines, skimmer seams, skimmer equalizer lines, wall fixtures, rope fittings, steps, etc. What does a leak sound like The sound of the leak can be described as a whooshing jet or a vacuum like sound. Depending on the severity of the leak the sound can alter. Severe leaks can make a boiling sound. Structural cracks sometimes make a higher pitch sound. The best rule of thumb for distinguishing a leak from background noise is that a leak will get louder and softer as the transducer is moved closer and then further away from the leak. Page 9
Returns With the volume half way, hold your scope approximately 12 inches away and slowly move it in front of the jet. If there is a leak around the jet or in the line, you should hear a distinctive noise (jet sounding) that will let you know you are near or at the leak. Lights Holding your scope, start at 12:00 and slowly work your way around the light clockwise listening for a leak. If there is a leak at the light, you should be able to get the scope exactly over the loudest area to pinpoint the exact location. If the leak sounds loudest at the middle of the light, the leak will usually be at the light conduit. It is important to always back yourself up with dye. The video scope is ideal for this. Whenever the light is accessible, it is possible to remove the light from it's niche and dye test the niche and the conduit with the video scope. Main drains Because drains are at the bottom of the pool, leaks are usually the loudest. Lower the volume, toss the poolscope past the drain and drag it over. Turn the volume back up and listen for any leaks. If you hear something, pull your scope toward you and see if the noise dims. If it does, your leak is either in the drain pot, around the pipe or in the drain line. As a rule of thumb, if the pump loses prime on main drain, the the leak is likely in the drain pipe. Page 10
Side suctions, cleaning lines Holding the pool scope approximately 12 inches away, slowly pull toward the cover or fitting. Again, if the noise gets louder when the scope gets closer, your leak is there. One helpful tip for leaks heard in suction lines (main drains, side suctions, cleaning lines, etc.), often if a leak is in the pipe, the pump will tend to draw air or lose prime especially with the line being tested can be ran in isolation. Skimmers When checking skimmers, you have to be careful not to let background noise fool you. Because of their shape and height on the water column, there is usually a lot of background noise to deal with. Leaks will be distinctive. However, it is very important to back up any findings with a dye test. If there is a nearby source of background noise, it will often be heard loudest in the skimmer. This is because the sound waves get trapped. This increases the volume of ambient noises. It's important to remember that background noise will remain at a constant level as the transducer is moved around. Page 11
Warranty LeakTronics warrantys it's products from electrical failure or defects in workmanship for a period of one year following the date of purchase. Warranty claims or repairs can be made directly through LeakTronics. Shipping costs to LeakTronics are the responsibility of the user. Troubleshooting In the case that the pool scope or pipe mic begin to not function properly or if you experience problems, always replace the battery in the pre-amp with a new high quality 9-volt battery. If you are using noise canceling headphones always replace with new batteries if you begin to experience problems. As the batteries power fades, the signal will become intermittent and subject to interference. New batteries will solve the problem. If problems persist, test the unit with a new or another set of headphones. If a different set of headphones corrects the problem, then the headphones or headphone cable are faulty. Replace headphones. If the problem continues after replacing the headphones, contact LeakTronics for assistance. Deckplate Deck plate The LeakTronics Deckplate is ideal for listening through concrete slabs or raised concrete walls where distinct noises are created by either house, building, or swimming pool existing pressure, or ideally using our pressure rig combo kit (using air and water to create a distinct boiling noise). With line under pressure with air, water or both, listen at 2 foot intervals, making sure to lower the volume in the headphone line, in between moving the deck plate. When leak gets louder, you can start maneuvering at smaller intervals to pinpoint leak where loudest. The Deckplate should always be wiped off with a dry rag when storing and wire should be recoiled neatly. Page 12