User guide
Chelsea Technologies Group 
FAST
tracka 
User Guide HB179 Issue 7.0 
 Page 
14
 of 
47
immersal, and must be oriented vertically 180° apart. If you are required to replace or remove 
the ports, do not use Teflon tape or other sealant on the threads of the ports. Such sealants are 
highly fluorescent and will contaminate the emission signal if exposed to the excitation flash. No 
sealant is required for attaching the ports to the dark chamber body. 
The dark chamber internal body and the emission and excitation windows for channel B will 
need to be cleaned regularly using a non-abrasive brush, taking care not to scratch the Acrylic 
windows. 
WARNING: Be especially careful not to remove or loosen any of the retainer screws. These are 
properly torqued and set at the factory to hold the optical windows against the optical head. 
Removal or loosening of any of these screws will compromise the pressure integrity of the 
instrument and cause the instrument to flood. 
Similarly, the sunblock is mounted recessed (grooved) side facing the emission window, with 
the two plastic cheesehead screws fitting into the recesses on the window retainer, and an M4 
screw affixing the sunblock to the retainer. 
3.8  INSTRUMENT PACKING 
Before packing, ensure that the instrument has been turned off in an appropriate fashion. Rinse 
the instrument and associated cabling with fresh water to remove salt deposits, especially in the 
optical head area. Salt deposits may form under the window retainers and damage the o-rings 
over time. A squirt bottle of fresh water is handy for rinsing the areas around and under the 
window retainers. Fully flush this area. 
Vent the battery can by loosening the charging plug on the battery can bottom. Unmount the 
battery pack from the battery can guard and replace the mounting screws in their tapped holes. 
Remember to first disconnect the end of the battery cable which attaches to the battery can, 
otherwise “hot” leads will be exposed. Never leave the battery pack connector exposed in 
such a state.  
Place the FAST
tracka
 and battery can in the shipping case and ensure that the foam inserts are 
positioned correctly. Improper arrangement of the inserts might result in shifting or jarring of the 
instrument during shipment. 
3.9  BENCHTOP OPERATION 
Although the Instrument is primarily designed for vehicle use, profiling and short term moorings, 
the flexibility of the data interfaces and the host power mode allows the instrument to be used in 
a limited fashion as a bench top unit at sea. For extended use of the Instrument as such in a 
closed room, the battery can must be dismounted and the instrument must be operated off Deck 
Unit power. 
WARNING: Never operate the FAST
tracka
 from the battery pack in a closed room. The battery 
pack, like all battery canisters, always presents a safety concern when charging and discharging in 
closed areas. For use as a benchtop unit, the instrument must always be operated in host mode 
with host power. 










