Dogtra ARC HandsFree E-Collar Remote Training System 3/4 Mile

View Dogtra ARC Handsfree Owner's Manual.

How to turn the ARC Handsfree on/off

To turn the transmitter on, hold down the blue button on the right side of the transmitter until the LCD screen illuminates. To turn the transmitter off, hold down the same blue button on the right side of the transmitter until the LCDscreen shuts off. When the LCD screen displays "OFF" release the button.

To turn the receiver on, place the magnetic red dot on the back of the transmitter to the red dot on the receiver. Hold the two red dots together for a moment until the LED light on the receiver comes on.

To turn off the unit, repeat the same procedure holding the two red dots together momentarily. The LED light will turn red for a brief moment indicating that the receiver is now shut off.

Transmitter Button Function

The ARC HANDSFREE unit has four buttons on the handheld transmitter (one on the face of the transmitter, two on the left side, and one on the right side).

Nick Button

The Nick button is located on top of the left side of thehandheld transmitter. When the Nick button is pressed, the receiver emits a single pulse of electrical stimulation.

Constant Button

The Constant button is located on the bottom of the leftside of the handheld transmitter. Pressing the Constantbutton gives continuous stimulation as long as the button ispressed, for up to 12 seconds. If the button is not releasedafter 12 seconds, the stimulation will automatically turn offas a safety feature. The receiver will be ready to be reactivated once the button has been released.

Pager Button

The Pager button is located on the face of the transmitter.Pressing it will give a vibration for as long as the button is pressed, for up to 12 seconds.

On/Off Button

The on/off button is located on the right side of thetransmitter.

HANDSFREE Information

The HANDSFREE Remote Controller gives you the freedom to multi-task and have discreet fingertip control of the ARC HANDSFREE. The function (Nick, Constant, or Pager) can be coded to the HANDSFREE Remote Controller for you to operate remotely. You may press the HANDSFREE Remote Controller button instead of having to carry the transmitter in your hand.

The HANDSFREE Remote Controller has been tested and can be used in extreme conditions, between - 4°F to 140°F.

Range

Depending on where the handheld transmitter is placed, your body can act as a barrier between the HANDSFREE Remote Controller and the transmitter. The handheld transmitter's antenna should be kept in the open for maximum range. Placing the transmitter in the bottom of a bag or in a cargo pocket where the antenna is covered may reduce the range between the transmitter and the receiver. The HANDSFREE Remote Controller will need to be within 33 feet of the of the transmitter to work.

Battery Life

The LED on the HANDSFREE Remote Controller will blink when the button is pressed. Replace the battery in the HANDSFREE Remote Controller when the LED no longer blinks. With normal usage (button held for 12 seconds, 100 times a day), the battery should last 7-10 years.

Fastening the HANDSFREE Remote Controller Strap

The HANDSFREE Remote Controller strap can be fastened to your fingers, wrist, palm, or around a gun stock. Follow the fastening instructions below.

1. Wrap the strap around the object you are fastening the strap to. Pull the strap through the lower section of the buckle and use the notch to keep the HANDSFREE Remote Controller securely in place.



2. Loop the strap back through the top section of the buckle.

Changing the HANDSFREE Remote Controller Stimulation Mode

The default setting for the HANDSFREE Remote Controller Strap is the Constant stimulation.

To change the setting to the Pager or Nick stimulation (or back to Constant stimulation) proceed with the following steps:

1. Begin with the transmitter turned off.
2. On the handheld transmitter, hold down the following buttons to code the desired function on the HANDSFREE Remote Controller.
   • Constant = Hold down the on/off button and the Constant
   • Pager = Hold down the on/off button and the Pager
   • Nick = Hold down the on/off button and the NickHold down these buttons until you see a rapid blinking light on the transmitter.
3. Once you see the rapidly blinking light, release the buttons.
4. Hold down the HANDSFREE Remote Controller button until the rapidly flashing light on the transmitter and controller both show a solid light.
5. Release all buttons. The HANDSFREE Remote Controller should now be coded.

Receiver Fitting

Proper Fit

The receiver should be fitted so that the surgical stainless steel contact points press firmly against the dog's skin. You should be able to fit two fingers underneath the collar strap. The best location is on either side of the dog's windpipe.

Improper Fit

A loose fit can allow the receiver to move around on thedog's neck. When this happens, the contact points mayrub against the skin and cause irritation. If the receiveris too loose, the contact will not be consistent and causethe corrections to be inconsistent. Dogtra uses surgicalstainless steel contact points and anti-microbial plastic toprotect the dog's skin.

Attention! Leaving the receiver in the same location on the dog's neck for an extended period of time can cause skin irritation. If the dog is to wear the receiver for long periods, occasionally reposition the receiver so that the contact points are moved to a different location on the dog's neck. Make sure you check for skin irritation each time you use the unit.

Finding the Right Stimulation

The ARC has a Rheostat Dial on the top of the transmitter (0 is the lowest and 127 is the highest). Remember that you will need to adjust the setting (upward or downward) depending on your dog's temperament and threshold for stimulation. Always start at the lowest level and work your way up. The appropriate level can be found when the dog responds to the stimulation with a mild reaction. Also, as the dog's attitude changes, especially during times of increased excitement or distraction, you may need to adjust the intensity level.

Note: The stimulation intensity can be adjusted even when the stimulation is in use.

Maximizing the Distance

The ARC has a 3/4-mile range. Depending on the way you use your transmitter, the transmitter range may vary.To get the greatest range, hold the transmitter away fromyour body and avoid touching the antenna. Keep your unit properly charged for maximum signal strength.

Notice Avoid touching the antenna or the range may decreasesubstantially.

The range on the ARC HANDSFREE is reduced when the handheld transmitter's antenna is covered or in contact with your body. Refer to the following carrying methods for optimal range.

Carry the handheld transmitter with the antenna facing away from you.

Do not place the handheld transmitter with the antenna touching your bodyor facing downwards.

LED Indicator

The LED indicator flashes every 4 seconds when the receiver is on and ready for use. The LED indicator will blink on both the transmitter and the receiver when the transmitter buttons are pressed.

The LED indicator color indicates the battery life level.

• Green = Full charge
• Amber = Medium charge
• Red = Needs charge

If the unit is used while the LED indicator is red, it may shut down automatically.

Receiver Indicator Light

When the Constant button on the transmitter is pressed, the receiver indicator light will glow steadily (either green, amber, or red based on the remaining battery life), as long as you hold the button down, for up to 12 seconds. When the Nick button is pressed, the light comes on for a fraction of a second.

Charging the Battery

The Dogtra ARC Handsfree uses a lithium polymer battery. Recharge the unit if the indicator light is red or does not come on, the transmitter LCD shows only 1 bar on the indicator, or the system will not stay on when any button is pressed.

Note 1: Only use Dogtra-approved batteries, chargers, and accessories for your Dogtra e-collars. This will prevent any damage that can be incurred from attempting to use a different charger.

Note 2: The unit has a partial charge when it leaves the Dogtra facility. Upon receipt of the system, be sure to give it a full 2-hour initial charge before the first use away from any flammable substances.

Note 3: When a charger is not in use, disconnect it from the power source. Fully charge the batteries if the unit is to be stored without use for a period of 3 months or more.

Follow the steps below to charge your system:

1. Open the rubber plugs on the battery chargingreceptacles and plug in the charging cable.
2. Plug the charger into a 120-volt wall outlet or, if usingthe auto charger, plug into a cigarette lighter only for lithium polymer batteries (use a 220 volt European charger for Europe). All indicator lights should glow red when properly plugged in and the unit will automatically shut off during the charging process. You will need to turn the unit on again before use once the unit is fully charged and unplugged from the battery cable.
3. The lithium polymer battery is fully charged within 2 hours. The lights will stay red during the charging process and turn green once the unit is fully charged.
4. After charging, cover the battery charging receptacleswith the rubber plugs.

Handheld Transmitter LCD

The LCD screen indicates the stimulation level on the screen ranging from (0-127). The battery life indicator shows:

• 3 bars = full charge
• 2 bars = medium charge
• 1 bar = needs charge

The battery life indicator only shows the remaining charge of your transmitter. To find the remaining chargefor your receiver, observe the LED indicator lighton the receiver.

Care for LCD Transmitters in Cold Temperature

In cold temperatures (10°F or below), the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) on your transmitter may be dim or slow to respond. Wait until the display becomes visible before selecting any training level. Even though the LCD screen might be dim or slow to respond when you push the Nick or Constant button, the transmitter will still function properly. In the occurrence of extremely cold weather, the LCD screen might take a moment to respond causing the intensity level to freeze at that current level. If you turn the Rheostat Dial, the level on the screen may not change but the actual intensity from the receiver will change in agreement with the dial. In this situation, it is ideal to either wait until your transmitter is back in working order before emitting a correction or while holding the Constant button down, slowly turn the Rheostat Dial while watching your dog's reaction. Do not turn the Rheostat Dial rapidly, because the receiver will emit a static correction based on the level of the Rheostat Dial, which might not be correctly reflected on the LCD screen.

Attaching the Belt Clip

Follow the instructions below to attach the included beltclip to the transmitter.

1. Align the belt clip to the grooves on the back of the transmitter.
2. With a firm grip, screw on the belt clip's Phillips head screws with a screwdriver.

Caution! Tighten until firmly in place. Be careful not to over tighten.

Using the Test Light

1. Turn on the receiver by touching the magnetic red dot on the back of the transmitter to the red dot on the receiver. The indicator light will come on for a moment then blink once every 4 seconds, showing that the receiver is ready to use.
2. Turn the transmitter on by holding down the on/off button on the right side of the transmitter. The LED will blink every 4 seconds and the LCD screen will show the remaining battery life.
3. Place the test light, included in the package contents, on the contact points as shown in the diagram.
4. Watch the test light as you push the Nick button on the transmitter. It should light up for just a moment. The higher the intensity, the brighter the test light will be.
5. Watch the test light as you push the Constant button on the transmitter. It should light up as long as the button is pressed. However, as a safety feature, the receiver will automatically stop the stimulation if the Constant button is pressed for 12 seconds or longer.
6. Turn the Rheostat Dial on the transmitter clockwise and then counterclockwise. The test light should glow brighter with higher levels of stimulation and dimmer with lower levels.

Note: The test light may not be visible if the intensitylevel is set below level ten.

MAINTENANCE

Basic Maintenance

Be sure the rubber-charging cap is securely in place when the receiver is in use. After each training session, carefully inspect the unit for any missing parts or damage to the casing. Damaged or broken casing may affect the waterproof guarantee on the unit. After confirming that there is no damage to the casing, rinse the receiver and clean out any dirt or debris.

Storage Maintenance

The ARC should be fully charged before storing for extended periods. While in storage, the unit should be given a full charge once a month, and before the first use. Store the units in room temperature. Do not keep the units exposed to extreme climates.

Troubleshooting

If the unit is malfunctioning, please refer to the “Troubleshooting Guide” before sending it to Dogtra for service. If you have any questions or concerns, you may email them to info@dogtra.com, or call customer service at (888) 811-9111.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

1. My dog is not reacting to the receiver.
• Make sure the receiver and transmitter are turned on by holding down the on/off button on the transmitter and place the two red dots together to turn on the receiver until it illuminates.
• Make sure the collar strap is tight enough so both contact points are touching the dog's skin.
• The contact points may be too short for the dog. To place an order for longer contact points that are more appropriate for your dog, please call (888) 811-9111. If you are already using the longest contact points available, you might need to trim down the hair on the dog's neck so both contact points are touching the dog's skin.
• The intensity level may be too low for your dog. Keep increasing the stimulation until the dog responds, usually with neck movement, head shaking, looking over its shoulder, etc. (response may be very subtle).
2. The test light comes on, but I do not feel any stimulation.
• Your tolerance may be higher than your dogs. We recommend placing both contact points on your inner wrist, where the sensitivity is higher, in order to test the unit.
• The battery may be low, so check the LED light for battery life.
3. The transmitter has no range or stimulation is less when the dog is farther away.
• The antenna(s) may be damaged. To order parts, please contact customer service at (888) 811-9111 or go to www.dogtra.com.
• The range indicated on the unit's box is for flat terrain. Heavy brush, trees, hills, or moisture will affect the range of your unit. For best range, hold the transmitter vertically above your head, and/or try moving to higher ground.
• Any electrical conductors will affect the range, such as cars, chain-link dog runs, metal structures, and radio towers. For best results, operate away from these items.
4. My unit is not holding a charge.
• The batteries might not be charged properly, or the charger, splitter, and the charging port may not be functioning properly. You can send in your charging units to have us inspect them.
• The charging pin may be damaged. Inside the charging port, there is a metal pin that should be standing straight up and stiff. If the pin is wobbling, broken, or missing, you will need to send the unit in to the Repair Department. The charging port must be clean prior to charging; clean the dirt out with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. If the dog is in salt-water, be sure to rinse the receiver and charging port with clean water.
• If the above does not resolve your issues, contact Dogtra customer service at info@dogtra.com or (888) 811-9111.