FarmTek Polaris Operating Instructions Manual - page 5
©
FarmTek, Inc.
Overview of Operation
WIRELESS HANDSWITCH
The wireless handswitch adds flexibility to several
events supported by the Polaris timer. The wireless
handswitch can be used to start and stop the timer for
Bull Riding, Team Penning, Cutting
, etc. For Ranch
Sorting
, the handswitch is used to mark the split time
at which each cow is sorted. For Team Roping, the
handswitch is carried by the judge in the arena and is
set to stop the timer only. For Show Jumping and
Power & Speed
events, the handswitch is used to
stop and start the timer when a jump is dislodged:
Pressing the handswitch while the timer is running
sounds two bursts of the horn and stops the timer.
Pressing the button again sounds the horn and re-
sumes timing. For Lap Timing, the handswitch can
be used in place of the electric eyes to allow manual
timing of laps.
The Average Time event is used for hand timing of
Roping, Steer Wrestling, Goat Tying, etc. This event
averages the times of two timekeepers and requires
at least one wireless handswitch. With a single
handswitch, one timekeeper uses the Start/Stop but-
ton on the timer console and the other timekeeper
uses the wireless handswitch. A second wireless
handswitch can be used so that neither timekeeper is
tied to the timer console.
Handswitch Operation
The wireless handswitches are designed for opera-
tion within about 100 feet of the timer console. The
handswitch is similar to the wireless electric eyes
and must be turned on by pressing the red power
button on the front panel. Once powered on, the
handswitch is operated by pressing the green button
on top of the handswitch with your thumb.
Two Handswitches Used at the Same Time
If the two handswitches are in use at the same time,
make sure they operate on different channels. The
channel number is between 0 and 3 and is stamped
on a small yellow sticker inside the battery com-
partment of the handswitch.
Handswitch ID Code
Each handswitch is permanently programmed with a
unique electronic identification code. For a
handswitch to work with a particular timer console,
the timer console must “know” the ID code of the
handswitch being used.
If you use a different handswitch or a different timer
console than usual, or if your handswitch is not
working with your console, have the timer console
“learn” the ID code of the handswitch(es) being by
using the Set HandSwitch ID option in the Setup
menu.
Batteries
The handswitch operates over 70 hours from a 9 volt
alkaline battery (use only alkaline batteries). The
Power
lamp on the unit glows steadily while the
battery is good and flashes when the battery is low.
The handswitch will operate at least two hours after
the first indication of low battery. However, the two
hour period is from the first time the low battery
light begins flashing. If a unit with a low battery is
turned off and then later turned back on, the lamp
may glow steadily for some time before it starts
flashing again. This does not mean there are two
more hours of operation remaining at this point.
Once the
Power
lamp begins flashing, it is simplest
to just replace the battery during the next break in
your event – don’t worry about trying to use the last
few hours of the battery.
When storing the handswitch for an extended period
of time, always remove the battery.