LB ALTIMETERS ALFA Military Altimeter Instruction Manual

: June 6, 2024
: LB ALTIMETERS

LB ALTIMETERS ALFA Military Altimeter

INTRODUCTION

The ALFA is the most high-end, accurate, and reliable visual digital altimeter to be developed by LB Altimeters to date. The ALFA software includes second- to-none error correction to ensure correct live altitude readings in any application

Features

Large high contrast, non-flicker, LCD display
Electroluminescent backlight for night jumping
Waterproof and shock-resistant aluminum casing with hardened glass
Quick buttons for access to primary functions
Jump profile playback
Basic logbook and daily jump counter
IR access functionality, to use with optional AltiSet II Remote Control

Functions

Calibration to the local elevation
User selection of feet / meter and mph / kmh
Stores up to 10 min of data from the last jump
Log book stores up to 200 jumps including:
- Date / time
- Exit/opening altitudes
- Freefall time
- Max / average speed

DESCRIPTION

Altitude Offset / Up
Main
Backlight / Down
Display
Battery cover
Reset button
IR port

DISPLAY

Startup

When turning ON ALFA, the unit will display the following during the startup self-test

Main window

The main window is the default window after the unit is turned ON, and starting point for any further actions

Time/date indicator
Time/date display
bar indicator
Altitude display (flashing when negative)
Battery indicator
Backlight indicator
IR Mode indicator
Feet/meter indicator

Altitude window

Shortly after take-off, the main window will automatically display altitude readings The displayed altitude increments (feet/meter) depend on the current altitude

Logbook and Jump Info / Settings

Display examples, after performing ACCESS, are shown in the separate sections

Jump Profile

The jump profile window is used when playing back the last jump

Time display
Altitude display / Speed display
Feet/meter indicator

Battery Indicator

The battery indicator shows the current battery status

Two black bars are shown inside the battery symbol
One black bar is shown inside the battery symbol
The battery symbol is empty. The batteries must be replaced as soon as possible
The battery symbol is flashing. Do not continue jumping. Replace batteries immediately

Warning: Do not perform night jumps, or jumps in sub-zero temperatures (Celsius) when the battery symbol shows the low capacity

The ALFA menu system consists of 3 separate areas, which include the following (use road map for reference)

Quick Buttons

Turn ON unit
Altitude Offset IR Mode Backlight

Logbook and Jump Info

Daily Jump Counter
Total Jumps
Exit Altitude
Opening Altitude
Freefall Time
Average Freefall Speed Maximum Freefall Speed Altitude Profile – Last Jump Speed Profile – Last Jump

Settings

Year
Date
Time
Jump Counter Units – Altitude Units – Speed Dive Type Delete Last Jump Delete Logbook Turn OFF

PERFORMING ACCESS

In order to access each of the individual areas, the following steps must be performed from the main window (use road map for reference)

Quick Buttons

Press and hold the designated button for 5 seconds

Logbook and Jump Info

Settings

QUICK BUTTONS

Q Quick Buttons are accessible from the Main Window and do not require ACCESS

Turn ON unit

Turn ON ALFA on the ground before use. The unit runs a self-test and calibrates to the current ground level The ALFA will stay turned ON for 14 hours after the last jump or after the last ACCESS performed

With the unit OFF, press and hold any button for 5 seconds

If ALFA is turned on during flight, the present altitude must be adjusted manually

Altitude Offset

Use Altitude Offset to adjust for altitude difference between landing zone and take-off elevation To ensure proper ground reference on landing zone:

Select a positive altitude offset, if take-off elevation is HIGHER than the landing zone Select a negative altitude offset if take-off elevation is LOWER than the landing zone

Alternatively, enter the absolute air pressure for the landing zone: Select the mbar value registered/calculated for the landing zone

Press and hold for 5 seconds

Press to confirm altitude/Mbar

Press to reduce altitude/Mbar

Press to confirm Altitude Offset setting
The Altitude Offset will now be displayed in the main window (flashing when negative)

Altitude Offset must be confirmed within 15 seconds following an altitude change
Altitude Offset is canceled if no button is pressed within 15 seconds
Note: If using Altitude Offset during flight either use the aircraft altimeter for reference or enter the absolute air pressure for the landing zone

IR Mode

Activate/Deactivate IR Mode for communication with AltiSet II remote control

Press and hold for 5 seconds
IR will flash and IR mode is active for 2 minutes

Activate IR Mode on AltiSet II
Point the AltiSet II at the IR port
ALFA adjusts to the AltiSet II preset altitude and/or backlight

Press to exit IR mode

Note: Refer to the AltiSet II manual for more information on using the AltiSet II remote controls

Backlight

Indicates if the backlight is ON or OFF
Enable/disable backlight:
Press and hold for 5 seconds
The backlight intensity can be set in 10 steps after the backlight is turned ON Step 1 = lowest intensity, step 10 = highest intensity
Press to increase the intensity
Press to decrease the intensity
ALFA stores the last setting
Press to continue
Backlight will turn OFF automatically after 30 seconds if ALFA is not in Flight Mode Backlight will remain ON while ALFA is in Flight Mode

LOGBOOK AND JUMP INFO

logbook and Jump Info contain detailed information regarding previous jumps Perform ACCESS to enter the first entry of Logbook and Jump info Press to scroll through all the entries ALFA exits Logbook and Jump info if no button is pressed ithin 15 seconds

Daily Jump Counter

Displays daily jump counter for individual dates
Press to select later date(s)
Press to select earlier date(s)
Press to continue

Total Jumps

Displays the total number of jumps
Select jump number to display more information
Press to select the next jump
Press to select the previous jump

The date and time for the selected jump is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Exit Altitude

Displays exit altitude for selected jump

Press to select the next jump

Press to select the previous jump

The selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Opening Altitude

Displays opening altitude for selected jump

Press to select the next jump

Press to select the previous jump

The selected

jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Freefall Time

Displays freefall time registered for selected jump

Press to select next jump Press to select the previous jump

The selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Average Freefall Speed

Displays average speed for the selected jump

Press to select next jump Press to select the previous jump

The selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Maximum Freefall Speed

Displays maximum speed for the selected jump

Press to select next jump Press to select the previous jump

The selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Altitude Profile – Last Jump

Displays the altitude profile, at a given time, for the last jump

Press to scroll forward in time (seconds) Press to scroll backward in time (seconds)

Holding down either / will fast scroll

Time is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Speed Profile – Last Jump

Displays the speed profile, at a given time, for last jump performed

Press to scroll forward in time (seconds) Press to scroll back in time (seconds)

Holding down either / will fast scroll

Time is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue

Note: Freefall time must be minimum 6 seconds to store a speed profile

Logbook and Jump Info

is flashing Allows manual exit from the menu Press or to exit from menu

Press to start from the beginning

SETTINGS

Settings are used to customize the ALFA Perform ACCESS to enter the first entry of Settings Press to scroll through all settings ALFA will exit Settings if no button is pressed within 15 seconds

Year

Sets current year Press to select next year Press to select a previous year

The year is displayed at the top of the screen Press to continue

Date

Sets current date Press to select next date Press to select previous date

To change month:
Scroll DAY until reaching 31 or 1, then ALFA will scroll MONTH up/down
Press to continue

Time

Sets the current time in 24-hour format

Press to add minutes/hours Press to subtract minutes/hours

Holding down either / will fast scroll time Press to continue

Jump Counter

Sets the current total number of jumps

Press to add jumps
Press to subtract jumps

Holding down either / will fast scroll

Press to continue

Units – Altitude

Sets altitude display in either feet or meters Press or to switch units

Press to continue

Units – Speed

Sets altitude display in either miles/hour or kilometers/hour

Press or to switch units

Press to continue

Dive Type

Sets the current dive type used for logging data:

0: Standard
1: Slow
2: Student

The exit and deployment parameters are designed to fit very slow fall rates, such as wings uiting Freefall detection is very sensitive, and may register jumps if the airplane descends
The descent rate parameters are changed to fit very short free falls (2 seconds)

Press or to switch between Dive Types Press to continue

Delete Last Jump

Deletes the last jump in the logbook
To avoid unintentional deletions, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘5’

Press and to match counter to ‘5’ Press to accept deletion of last jump

If the counter is set at ‘5’,

WARNING: cannot be used to scroll through settings and will delete last jump. Once deleted, the jump data is lost

Press to continue

Delete Log Book

Deletes the entire logbook
To avoid unintentional deletions, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘19’

Press and to match counter to ‘19’ Press to accept deletion of entire logbook

If the counter is set at ‘19’,

WARNING:

cannot be used to scroll through settings and will delete the entire logbook. Once deleted, the logbook data is lost

Press to continue

Turn OFF

Turns ALFA OFF
To avoid unintentionally turning the ALFA OFF, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘5’

Press and to match counter to ‘5’ Press to accept turning ALFA OFF

If the counter is set at ‘5’,

Warning: cannot be used to scroll through settings and will turn ALF off

Press to continue

Exit Settings

is flashing Allows manual exit from the menu Press or to exit from menu

Press to start from the beginning

FUNCTIONALITY

Automatic Calibration / Flight Mode

After the ALFA is turned ON, it will continue to automatically calibrate itself to the field elevation where it is currently located. This will continue after each jump / landing, to ensure the unit is always zeroed before jumps are made and will take into account weather-related pressure changes.
After take-off, the ALFA will enter Flight Mode.

Altitude Offset

When performing Altitude Offset, the ALFA enters Flight Mode and will retain any offset for 14 hours if no jump is made. After 14 hours the unit calibrates itself to the field elevation where it is located.
To exit Flight Mode, turn the unit OFF, then ON.

Manual Zeroing

If the unit does not display the correct altitude when arriving at the drop zone, it must be manually zeroed Turning the unit OFF, then ON, will clear any Altitude Offset and re-enter automatic calibration

Automatic OFF

The ALFA automatically switches OFF if no jump has been made within 14 hours, no button has been pressed within 14 hours, or the unit has not been in Flight Mode within 14 hours

MAINTENANCE

Reset ALFA

A reset may be necessary for troubleshooting and firmware verification

Locate the small hole on the side of the battery cover Insert a paper clip or similar into hole, press and release Battery system calibrates

The firmware version will be displayed after reset

Battery Change

Only use Renata CR-2325 batteries (2 ea.)

Battery cover screw specs: M3/T6 head (4.5mm length)

Remove the screws and battery cover
Remove both batteries and note the polarity
Install 2 new batteries
Install battery cover, and ensure rubber seal is in correct placement Place and tighten screws, using a torque screwdriver set at 0.4 Nm

Reset ALFA after battery replacement

All settings and logbook is kept in non-volatile memory and will not be lost, however, time may need to be set again after battery change

WARNING: The battery cover and seal must be installed correctly, using correct screws and torque, before any water jumps are made

Air Filter Change

The ALFA is waterproof to a depth of 5 feet, for 24 hours
If the ALFA is submerged into water, allow the unit and air filter to dry in a warm place for 48 hours
The air filter must be replaced if jumping is to be resumed immediately, or if the air filter is suspected to be contaminated

Remove the screws and battery cover

Reset ALFA after battery cover replacement
Install new battery cover and ensure rubber seal is incorrect placement Place and tighten screws using a torque screwdriver set at 0.4 Nm Air filter, and filter removal tool, are accessories that can be purchased separately

Trouble Shooting

If the ALFA detects an issue, an error symbol is shown (ERR) with a number at the top of the screen Error codes:

Transducer defective
Transducer out of range
Transducer Time Out too long
Crystal defective
Communications error to flash

100: Flash defective

Always restart ALFA to attempt to remedy a single ERR code

If the ERR code persists, then also perform battery change

After unsuccessful restart of the ALFA, a Factory Reset is necessary:

Press and hold during reset, to perform Factory Reset

WARNING: All logbook data will be lost with Factory Reset If the ALFA is still faulty after Factory Reset, it must be serviced by an LB Altimeters Service Center

Calibration and Maintenance Requirements

Calibration and maintenance by LB Altimeters Service Center is optional every 4, 8, and 12 years, following the ALFA original date of manufacture If the ALFA exceeds mbar tolerances listed in the Specifications section, and absolute air pressure is required for DZ elevation or offset, calibration can be performed by LB Altimeters Service Center

NOTE:

When turned ON the ALFA unit runs a self-test and calibrates to the current ground level, and the ALFA will use measured air pressure for altitude calculations The ALFA can continue to be used until calibration is possible
When setting/changing the altitude using the mbar setting via Altitude Offset, the ALFA will use absolute air pressure for altitude calculations It is recommended the ALFA is calibrated by LB Altimeters Service Center before continued use

SPECIFICATIONS

Mechanical:

WARRANTY

The following conditions apply to the ALFA warranty:
If within 24 months of the purchase of ALFA a defect or damage is identified by a faulty manufacturer, LB ALTIMETERS will repair the unit at no cost to the end-user To make a claim under this warranty, send the unit to an authorized dealer or directly to LB ALTIMETERS together with the dated purchase invoice or receipt. The warranty becomes void if the damage is caused by external circumstances or if the unit has been serviced or repaired by third parties unauthorized by our national agents or LB ALTIMETERS. All further claims, especially for defects after skydiving accidents, are excluded. LB ALTIMETERS has no obligation to honor any extension of warranty granted by any national agent

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

The buyer and user of the ALFA indemnify the manufacturer and vendor from any liability for damage incurred before, during and after skydiving with the instrument