15
OPERATION
Do not operate the unit until the sensor housing is filled with charcoal lighter fluid.
Operation of the Proton 4 is extremely simple. It will operate month after month without any adjustments once
the unit is tuned. Once you have tuned for an area, if you change areas (more than 1,500 gammas), the unit
should be checked for proper tuning before going out on the boat (always tune the unit on land, whenever
possible, before heading for water). Generally, you would have to travel hundreds of miles (north or south)
before tuning would have to be changed, but test it on land to be sure.
Before your unit was shipped from the factory, the fish was tuned to the gamma reading shown on the map
for your area. The gamma setting is written on a tag connected to the outside of the fish. Check the map for
the expected gamma reading in your present area, and if it agrees with what is written on the tag (+or- 1,500
gamma) then there is no need to change the tuning for your present area. Simply checkout the system in the
field (see below).
If you need to tune the fish, but are unable to test the system (as decried below) at this time, and want to check
out the unit, see procedure P3 on page 25. P3 is a procedure to check out the system from inside of a building.
TUNING AND CHECKOUT - CRITICAL!!!
Select an area, outside the city, that is free of power lines and buildings (at least 300' away) and away from
any large metals (junk cars, dump, etc.). The unit will not work in a city, or in areas saturated with metal. The
unit may not work in a park or field that is located in a city.
Position the Fish 1-2 feet above the ground, but parallel to it (use two cardboard boxes -- be sure there are
no metal staples in the boxes).
CABLING: String out the Tow Iine so the Control Box can be positioned approximately 50-100' away. Do not
allow the cable to pass next to the head (keep the cable at least one foot away from the head), and do not coil
leftover cable next to the head. Plug the cable into the Control Box and connect the power cable from the
Control Box to two fully charged 12 volt batteries. See drawing below for proper battery hookup (grounding the
-12 volts helps to reduce noise which gives a steadier readout).
Pro ton 4
Control Box
W h ite
B la c k
G re e n
Jum pe r
(s upplie d)
12 volt
Battery
12 volt
Battery
n o
B O X
m e t a l
n o
B O X
m e t a l
n o
G O O D C A B L E
P O S IT IO N
B A D C A B L E
P O S I T I O N
( A G A I N S T H E A D )
Ground,
Ship Ground,
or directly to
Water