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Vaisala Balloon Launcher 

FB15 

U

SER

'

G

UIDE

 

M210767EN-A 

March 2006 

Summary of Contents for FB15

Page 1: ...Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 USER S GUIDE M210767EN A March 2006 ...

Page 2: ...mechanical including photocopying nor may its contents be communicated to a third party without prior written permission of the copyright holder The contents are subject to change without prior notice Please observe that this manual does not create any legally binding obligations for Vaisala towards the customer or end user All legally binding commitments and agreements are included exclusively in...

Page 3: ...Safety Precautions 7 Recycling 7 Warranty 7 CHAPTER 2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW 9 Introduction to Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 9 CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION 11 Selecting the Launching Site 11 Assembling Balloon Launcher FB15 11 Packing the Launcher for Transportation 14 Upgrading FB15 for Vaisala Radiosonde RS92 14 CHAPTER 4 OPERATION 15 Overview of Operation 15 Aligning and Securing the Launcher 16 Setting Up...

Page 4: ...tions 23 Parts List 24 APPENDIX A SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR BALLOON OPERATORS 25 List of Figures Figure 1 Balloon Launcher FB15 Assembly 13 Figure 2 Launcher Setup 16 Figure 3 Launcher Setup Top View 17 List of Tables Table 1 Manual Revisions 6 Table 2 Related Manuals 6 Table 3 FB15 Main Dimensions 23 Table 4 Recommended Balloon Weight 23 Table 5 Contents of the Balloon Launcher FB15 and Accessory K...

Page 5: ...l This manual consists of the following chapters Chapter 1 General Information provides general notes for the manual and the product Chapter 2 Product Overview introduces Vaisala Balloon Launcher FB15 Chapter 3 Installation provides you with information that helps you to install this product Chapter 4 Operation contains information about operating this product Chapter 5 Troubleshooting describes t...

Page 6: ... User s Guide M210696EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92 AM User s Guide M210299EN Vaisala Radiosonde RS92 KL RS92 K RS92 KLE RS92 KE User s Guide General Safety Considerations Throughout the manual important safety considerations are highlighted as follows WARNING Warning alerts you to a serious hazard If you do not read and follow instructions very carefully at this point there is a risk of injury or eve...

Page 7: ... you has been tested for safety and approved as shipped from the factory Note the following precautions CAUTION Do not modify the unit Improper modification can damage the product or lead to malfunction Recycling Recycle all applicable material Dispose of batteries and the unit according to statutory regulations Do not dispose of with regular household refuse Warranty For certain products Vaisala ...

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Page 9: ...ghtweight launcher is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic The launcher is used at meteorological stations and on board ships and is particularly well suited for mobile operations The launcher is equipped with a hexagon shaped stitched bag closed with a canvas belt The balloon is launched by releasing the canvas that holds it down In normal use the launcher is secured with pegs driven into the g...

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Page 11: ...ends on the wind speed and direction In marine operation install the launcher so that the balloon is launched on the lee side Assembling Balloon Launcher FB15 To assemble the balloon launcher do the following For details refer to Figure 1 on page 13 1 Assemble the frame modules see items A B and C in Figure 1 on page 13 Insert the fixing screws and lift the eye nuts in the correct holes 2 Install ...

Page 12: ...dge of the canvas bag over the rim of the launcher frame module see item H in Figure 1 and fasten down with a band see item J 6 Drive the nylon pins through the holes in the launcher frame legs see item K Make sure canvas bag fits snugly 7 Connect the gas hose onto the nozzle The following items refer to Figure 1 on page 13 A B and C Frame modules D Sonde holder E Nozzle F Nozzle bracket G Canvas ...

Page 13: ...3 _______________________________________________________________ Installation VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 13 0603 007 Figure 1 Balloon Launcher FB15 Assembly ...

Page 14: ... bag containing loose parts inside the frame using two straps with buckle Balloon Launcher FB15 is now ready for transport NOTE It is not recommended to store the launcher outdoors longer periods of time because UV radiation possible salt spray and high winds may damage the canvas bag Therefore the launcher should be kept inside or disassembled when not in use Upgrading FB15 for Vaisala Radiosonde...

Page 15: ...r you have installed Balloon Launcher FB15 the operation of the launcher consists of the following steps 1 Aligning and securing the launcher 2 Setting up the radiosonde and launcher 3 Inflating the balloon 4 Launching the balloon The launcher can also be compactly packed for transportation For further information see section Packing the Launcher for Transportation on page 14 CAUTION When operatin...

Page 16: ... so that the sonde holder is always on the lee side refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 2 Insert pegs through the holes in the legs to secure the launcher see item A in Figure 2 Fasten also the straps see item B with pegs see item C the pegs are identical NOTE The balloon can usually be launched with approximately 45 degrees difference between wind directions see figure 3 If the difference exceeds 45 d...

Page 17: ...ation VAISALA _______________________________________________________________________ 17 The following items refer to Figure 2 on page 16 A Frame module pegs B Strap C Peg D Radiosonde holder F Canvas G Unwinder H Nozzle J Unwinder string 0603 011 Figure 3 Launcher Setup Top View ...

Page 18: ... see item G in Figure 2 5 Drop the unwinder down inside the canvas bag and pull it out through the nozzle opening see Figure 2 6 Insert the straps of canvas into the eyelets according to selected balloon weight see item F Inflating the Balloon To inflate the balloon 1 Pull the balloon neck over the nozzle See item H in Figure 2 2 Make sure that the balloon is not twisted and can be inflated unhind...

Page 19: ...s inside the launcher see item J in Figure 2 3 Insert the unwinder through the nozzle opening inside the canvas bag so that the string is taut and does not damage the balloon during release 4 Launch the balloon by releasing the straps of the canvas belt and lifting off the canvas see item F in Figure 2 The balloon will come out by itself If the canvas bag is wet the balloon may cling to the walls ...

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Page 21: ...mation for technical support Troubleshooting Procedure When troubleshooting the product write a problem report consisting of the following issues What failed what worked did not work Where did it fail location and environment When did it fail date immediately after a while periodically randomly What was done when the failure was noticed Technical Support For technical questions contact the Vaisala...

Page 22: ...follow the instructions below to speed up the process and to avoid extra costs to you 1 Read the warranty information 2 Contact Vaisala technical support via e mail or fax and request for RMA Return Material Authorization and shipping instructions 3 Proceed as instructed by Vaisala technical support NOTE RMA must always be requested from Vaisala technical support before returning any faulty materi...

Page 23: ...s Main Dimensions Assembled Width 1510 mm Height 1270 mm Max internal diameter 1300 mm Disassembled for transportation 1370 x 1270 x 480 mm Weight approx 48 kg Color frame and canvas green Gas Hose Glass fiber reinforced PVC hose 16 10 Length 9 m and 1 m with connector The launcher is dimensioned for the following balloon sizes Table 4 Recommended Balloon Weight Property Value Balloon weight 100 g...

Page 24: ...p with buckle used for tying up the launcher packet 2 12482 User s Guide 1 Carrying bag used for holding the accessory kit 1 12481 Accessory Kit Canvas bag 1 12479 Strap with buckle 1 12482 Nozzle bracket FB3204 1 60200 Nozzle 1 60199 Hose 9 m nipple and hose 1 m with coupling 1 1020 Sonde holder 1 DRW219498 Peg 6 1019 Lifting eye nut 3 0951 Hexagon screw M10 x 30 9 10958 Hexagon nut M10 6 3069 Sp...

Page 25: ...sses 4 Regularly check the gas tube for secure fit to the gas cylinder or generator nozzle and to the balloon inflation nozzle 5 Take care to prevent a gas leak in the shed when interrupting inflation to replace gas cylinder 6 Never use a repaired balloon 7 Should a leak develop in the balloon during inflation do not let off gas from the balloon in the shed Instead release the defective balloon wi...

Page 26: ...y day Despite this ensure that the shed is properly ventilated 11 No outside person shall be allowed admittance to the shed while the hydrogen generator is in operation or balloon inflation is going on 12 Ensure that all tools and other implements not essential for balloon inflation have been removed from the shed WARNING New operator Study carefully the instructions for use of the hydrogen genera...

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