Aqua-Vu Scout Owner'S Manual Download Page 6

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FRONT CONTROL BUTTONS

Your Aqua-Vu Scout has six control buttons on the monitor’s front — located above the viewing screen. Use
them to turn the Scout system on and off; to adjust image brightness and contrast; to turn on/off the camera’s
invisible infrared lights (LEDs); and to brighten or dim camera’s LEDs.

ON/OFF — The push-on/push-off rectangular “POWER” button (at left) turns the Scout monitor and camera on
and off. (After tuning on the Scout, the screen may take several seconds to come on. When lit, the red light
above this button indicates power is on.

BRIGHTNESS — The “BRI” knob (near center) controls image brightness. (Adjust according to your preference.)

CONTRAST — The “CONT.” knob controls image contrast. (Adjust according to your preference.)

DIMMER — The “DIMMER” knob controls brightness of the camera’s invisible infrared lights (LEDs).
(Adjust according to light conditions.)

LED ON/OFF — The small rectangular push-on/push off “LED” button turns the camera’s invisible infrared
lights (LEDs) on and off. When lit, the green light above this button indicates that camera lights are on. (NOTE:
Infrared lights are invisible to the human eye. If you want to “test” camera lights, place the camera in a dark
area and watch the monitor. With camera lights on, you should be able to “see” in the dark.)

CAMERA — The small rectangular push-on/push off “LED” button (far right) controls the camera video-in.
(Leave it in the C2 position.)

REAR PANEL CONTROLS/INPUTS

VIDEO-OUT — (For sending Scout video to another monitor) The VIDEO-OUT jack is for connecting your Aqua-Vu
Scout to a handheld camcorder, or to an external monitor (including television), provided it accepts the NTSC
video signal and has a “VIDEO-IN” jack. Obtain a patch cord with RCA (phono) plugs on each end. Plug one end
of the cord into the “VIDEO-OUT” jack on the Scout; plug the other end into the “VIDEO-IN” jack on your
camcorder, VCR, or television. Select CAMERA on slide switch located to the right of the VIDEO-IN jack.

VIDEO-IN — (For using the Scout monitor to receive video from another source.) To receive video from another
source, first obtain a patch cord with RCA (phono) plugs on each end. Plug one end of the cord into the “VIDEO-
IN” jack on the Scout; plug the other end into the “VIDEO-OUT jack on your camcorder, VCR, or television. Select
VCR on the slide switch located to the right of the VIDEO-IN jack.

CAMERA/VCR — For normal viewing with your underwater camera, slide this selector switch left to CAMERA
position. For VIDEO-OUT, also select CAMERA position. For VIDEO-IN, slide selector switch right to VCR position.

C2 — Camera cable plugs into this jack. (C1 is not applicable for the Scout.)

DC 12V IN — For plugging in the power cord that connects battery to the Scout. (See “Connect Battery and
Monitor” in this manual.)

THE BATTERY

. The Aqua-Vu Scout comes with a rechargeable 12-volt, 4-amp sealed and spill-proof battery

(Aqua-Vu part SCT-BATT) designed to fit securely in the carrying shuttle. There is no need to add water or
electrolyte. The battery has a one-way relief valve to release excessive gas pressure caused by improper
charging.

BATTERY CARE

. A fully charged battery can operate the Scout continuously for approximately 4 hours. For

longer viewing time the unit may be powered by a larger external 12-volt battery. Follow these simple rules for
prolonged battery life and efficient use of your Aqua-Vu underwater viewing system:

• Fully charge the battery as soon as possible after purchase. Charge battery for 8 to 12 hours before first use
of the Scout.

• Recharging is recommended after every use. When not in use, recharge every six months.

• Store battery between 30 and 70 degrees F Service life is shortened by temperatures above 85 degrees F

and below 0 degrees F.

• Fasten battery securely in its compartment and minimize shock to the battery.

• Charge battery according to proper procedures. Continuous overcharging or under-charging is detrimental.

Battery charging guidelines:

BEFORE CHARGING — Always disconnect battery from unit before charging. Be sure to connect charger to
battery properly — RED (+) to RED (+), and BLACK (+) to BLACK (+).

LOW VS FULLY CHARGED — The Aqua-Vu trickle charger (included with the Scout) will charge the battery from
very low (10 volts) to fully charged in about 24 hours. A voltmeter helps determine charge in the battery.
Immediately after charging, a voltmeter might read 14 volts or more. Peak performance often occurs at 13 to
13.5 volts. Without a voltmeter, a general rule is to charge the battery for a minimum of 12 hours or a
maximum of 24 hours.

OVERCHARGING — The charger provided with the Scout is recommended for charging the battery. It will not
overcharge the battery in most cases. Do not charge for more than 24 hours. Avoid using a charging system with
more than a 2-amp output. At too-high charging rates, a battery progressively heats up and may be ruined in
a few hours.

UNDERCHARGING — Batteries stored too long in discharged conditions accept current at far-below-normal rates
during charging. A battery may accept an increasing amount of current until a normal level is reached. However,
some discharged batteries never recover. And discharged batteries that freeze may be permanently damaged.

THE FUSE.

An automotive-style 2 amp fuse is located on the power cord connecting the Scout viewing system to

the battery. This fuse is designed to blow if the battery is improperly connected, or if a short occurs in the
system. Always make sure connections are positive (+) to positive (+), and negative (-) to negative (-).

BALLAST WEIGHTS AND STABILIZING FIN

Underwater video cameras are commonly lowered into the water for vertical viewing — from winter fish hous-
es, breakwaters, docks, and fishing piers, as well as from anchored boats and pontoons. But much open-water
viewing by anglers is done while drifting or slow-trolling, or while dealing with stream current. In these “mov-
ing” situations, the camera is best controlled (held down to lesson “cable drag,” and kept forward-oriented) by
attaching Ballast Weights and Stabilizing Fin to the camera. Both are included with your Aqua-Vu Scout. NOTE:
Ballast Weights and Stabilizing Fin are often removed for ice fishing and other vertical applications.

1. Attaching Ballast Weights

— Line up holes in Ballast Weights with the predrilled hole in forward fin (on

underside of your Fish-Cam camera). Bolt the weights to Fish Cam. (Plastic bolt included.)

2. Attaching Stabilizing Fin

. Slide plastic Stabilizing Fin onto tail of Fish-Cam camera, lining up predrilled

holes in Fish-Cam’s fins with predrilled holes in Stabilizing Fin. Bolt the
Stabilizing Fin to Fish-Cam. (Plastic bolts included.)