User's Manual

Transmitter
DigiTrak
®
F5™ Operator’s Manual 35
Transmitter Battery Status
When using alkaline batteries, the battery status symbol at the bottom of the receiver’s depth mode
screen will indicate the battery life remaining. When using a DCI SuperCell battery, the battery status
symbol will appear full until just before the battery dies.
NOTE: Because the SuperCell battery will appear full until just before it dies, you must track the hours
of use for the SuperCell battery.
Sleep Mode (Automatic Shutdown) / Power Off
All battery powered DigiTrak transmitters will go into sleep mode and stop transmitting to conserve battery
power if they are stationary for longer than 15 minutes. To awaken the transmitter, rotate the drill string. If
you are using an FPT, you must rotate the drill string approximately a half rotation; an FPT will not
awaken if it lands on the same roll position at which it went to sleep.
A small amount of charge will continue to drain from the batteries while the transmitter is in sleep mode.
To conserve battery life, do not leave batteries in the transmitter when they can easily be removed, and
always remove batteries when the transmitter is not being used.
NOTE: When an FPT is used, it will continue to transmit for up to 20 seconds after the batteries are
removed. If you have removed the batteries and intend to start the transmitter up again in
another frequency mode, you must wait until data has stopped displaying on the receiver
before reinstalling the batteries.
Transmitter Housing Requirements
For maximum transmitter range and battery life, the slots in the drill housing must meet minimum length
and width requirements and be correctly positioned. DCI recommends at least three slots, each at least
1/16 or 0.0625 in. (1.6 mm) wide and equally spaced around the circumference of the housing. For
accuracy, slot measurements must be taken from the inside of the housing.
For the long-range transmitters (15 in./38.1 cm long), the slots must be at least 8.5 in. (21.6 cm) long and
begin at least 2 in. (5.1 cm) but not more than 3 in. (7.6 cm) from the front of the transmitter, as shown
below. The long-range FPTs have the same slot requirements, but they also have additional housing
requirements; please contact DCI Customer Service for more information.
Long-Range Transmitter Housing Slot Requirements
Slot position
2 in.
(5.1 cm)
Slot length
8.5 in. (21.6 cm)
Front end
Battery
compartment