Detector Thunderbolt Manual
Detector Thunderbolt Manual
Detector Thunderbolt Manual
INSTRUCTIONS
CONTROLS &
LCD TEXT
SCREEN
ENTER
POWER
ON/OFF
SPEAKER
FEATURES
SCROLL
UP/DOWN
TONE
ON/OFF
FIGURE 1
INTRODUCTION
The ThunderBolt Storm Detector is designed to detect and
track thunderstorm activity within 75 miles of your location. It
provides detection warning via text messages on the two-line
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), the red and green indicator LEDs
(Light Emitting Diode), and an audible tone. All of the operations and functions for the ThunderBolt are selected from the
main menu, and basic storm detection is automatic once the
unit is powered on.
IMPORTANT! The ThunderBolt uses the latest electronic and
computer technology to detect and track thunderstorms.
However, thunderstorms can be a rapidly changing weather
phenomenon, and the information provided by the
ThunderBolt should always be used in conjunction with other
sources of information. Remember that the ThunderBolt
detects ACTIVE storms, and cannot predict when or where a
particular storm may form, and/or where the first lightning
stroke occurs.
GENERAL OPERATION
The ThunderBolt detects and tracks the motion of storm cells
by detecting the lightning activity within the cell. The unit is
capable of detecting multiple storm cells within its 75-mile
operating range, and is also capable of identifying squall lines
and severe storms. (Super-cells are severe thunderstorms that
are typically larger and more violent than normal storms.
They comprise approximately 10% of all thunderstorms.)
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on the front of the unit. To turn the tone off once storm
activity has been detected, first power off the unit using
the ON/OFF button. Then restart the unit and wait for
the scanning screen to reappear before pressing the
Tone ON/OFF button. A TONE IS OFF message will
briefly be displayed and the unit will automatically
return to normal scanning operation. The unit will
quickly resume the current storm display.
STORM DETECTION
Selecting STORM DETECT puts the unit into normal storm
detection. Once the unit is powered on, it automatically goes
into STORM DETECT unless another key is pressed within 5
seconds. Once SCANNING, the cursor will move back and forth
and the selected SENSITIVITY (normal or high) will be displayed.
To change any of the user settings, press and release either of the
scroll keys to call up the main menu. (Remember that you may
have to scroll down to find the desired menu item for selection.
Only two lines of the menu will be visible at any one time.)
Once initial storm activity is detected, the screen will display a
warning that strikes have been detected, and then the range in
miles to the last CLOSEST strike detected. This information will
be displayed and updated until enough data has been accumulated to display the range to the leading edge of the storm,
along with indication of storm motion. The time required for
accumulation of this data may vary depending on the actual
levels of activity within the storm. If no movement toward you
has been detected, a NO APPROACH DETECTED message will
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ALARM RANGE
Selecting this option allows the user to choose the warning range
for activation of the red LED and the audible tone. Warning
ranges are selected by using the SCROLL UP/DOWN buttons to
toggle the displayed range in miles to the value desired. Pressing
the ENTER button stores the value in memory. Once stored,
these values will be used every time the unit is operated until
changed. NOTE: The audible tone may be turned on or off at
any time by using the front panel button. This will not change
the alarm range stored in memory. Please note: each time the
unit turned on, the audible tone will be on, and must be turned
off manually.
ALARM MODE
Selecting this option allows the setting of an additional trigger
distance for an audible alarm with a faster tone rate. This feature
allows the ThunderBolt to automatically increase its alarm
level as a storm approaches to a closer distance than the range
selected for normal storm detection.
SENSITIVITY
Selecting this option allows the user to select either a HIGH or
NORMAL storm detection sensitivity. HIGH sensitivity will
maximize the distance at which storms are detected and tracking begins. It will tend to plot storms as closer and approaching
faster than they might actually be, and should be used in situations where maximum caution and time are required to prepare
for storm arrival. The HIGH sensitivity setting may also be used
in certain indoor applications where the surrounding building
may be reducing the received signal strength.
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Anatomy of a Thunderstorm
Typical storm cell is 6-10
Convection
Convection
miles wide
8 Miles
Strikes may land 6-10 miles ahead of
leading edgeunder clear skies.
Thunder is only audible 2-4 miles
ahead of the storm cell!
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WARNING
STORM LOCAL
____ MILES
This is not a common screen and will appear only when a
storm develops within the eight mile LOCAL range. There will
not be any previous storm warning on the unit because the
storm developed within this range. This occurrence is more
common in subtropical and tropical regions when small storm
cells can develop rapidly during summer season.
TIME TO CLEAR
____ MINUTES
Once storm activity has become LOCAL (within eight miles
of the user), the ThunderBolt will indicate, based on current
conditions, the amount of time it will take for the storm to
safely clear the eight mile range. The unit is limited to three
time frames (15, 15-30, and 30 minutes). Once this time
appears, ThunderBolt internally begins a countdown of this
time. If during this countdown, the ThunderBolt detects any new
lightning strokes within the eight mile range, it will automatically
reset the time back to the time it originally indicated. Therefore,
the TIME TO CLEAR time can be greater than indicated as the
unit detects new activity.
Once the unit has completed its internal TIME TO CLEAR
countdown, it will resume normal scanning activity (indicated
on the screen) and it is safe to resume outdoor activities.
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SERVICE POLICY
This Service Policy is valid in the United States only. This applies
to ThunderBolt units returned to our service facility in Florida,
and is subject to change without notice.
Spectrum Electronics, Inc. reserves the right to deem any product
unserviceable when replacement parts are no longer reasonably
available or impossible to obtain.
After the original warranty period, a standard service charge will
be assessed for each repair (physical damage and missing parts
are not included). Please call our Customer Support Department
to verify the service charge for your unit. The standard service
charge includes UPS or Parcel Post freight only. If charges are
not prepaid, the unit will be returned C.O.D. Repairs are warranted for ninety (90) days.
The ThunderBolt Toll-Free number and address are listed on the
back cover of this manual.
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ELECTRONICS
PO Box 1729
Land O Lakes, FL 34639
Toll-free 877-738-7330
www.spectrumthunderbolt.com
FCC REQUIREMENTS
This product complies with the specifications of Part 15 of the FCC rules for a Class B
digital device.
10/2002