Overview of the PTC-960SL-III
The Symbol PTC-960SL-III is a battery-powered, hand-held computer
used to collect, store, and transmit data. It has an internal laser scanner
and may contain a direct-sequence or frequency-hopping spread
spectrum radio. The PTC automates your data collection procedures and
is custom programmed to handle your organization’s unique data
collection jobs.
The PTC-960SL-III is extremely durable. It is designed to withstand low
pressure, a 4 ft (1.2 m) drop to concrete, vibration, shock, dust, and
moisture.
An extended temperature version of the PTC-960SL-III is designed for
use in extremely cold environments, such as those found in walk-in
freezers. This optional unit can be operated in temperatures as low as
–22
°
F (–30
°
C
).
Getting Started
Unpacking the PTC-960SL-III
Each PTC-960SL-III shipping box contains
• a PTC-960SL-III portable tele-transaction computer,
• a 1,300 mAh lithium-ion or 500 mAh nickel-cadmium battery pack,
• a 12 VDC, 200 mA power module (if ordered),
• an antenna (if your PTC was ordered with a radio),·
• a wrist strap,
• a
Guide to Maintaining Nickel-cadmium and Lithium-ion Batterie
s,
• this Getting Started Guide.
Any cables or additional accessories are shipped separately.
Unpack the box and check the PTC and accessories for shipping
damage. If anything is missing or damaged, notify your Symbol sales
representative.
PTC-960SL-III (top, front, and side view
)
Connecting the antenna
If your PTC-960SL-III contains a radio, screw the supplied antenna into
the antenna connector on the top of the unit.
CAUTION! Do not turn on the PTC-960SL-III or attempt to transmit data unless the anten-
na is attached; otherwise, the radio may be damaged.
Installing the battery pack
If your PTC was not shipped with the battery pack installed, follow the
instructions under “Installing a battery pack” on the back of this sheet.
Charging the battery pack
Follow the instructions below to charge the PTC-960SL-III’s lithium-ion or
nickel-cadmium battery pack when you first receive the unit and
whenever the pack becomes low. The Batt LED glows and a low-battery
message may display when the battery pack is running out of power.
(Note:
To charge the battery pack with a communication cradle or
universal battery charger, see the instructions provided with each unit.)
1.
Turn off the PTC and disconnect any attached accessories.
2.
Connect the power module’s cable to the PTC’s micro DB-15
connector.
3.
Plug the power module into a 110-volt AC electrical outlet. The
PTC’s Chg LED glows.
Note:
To charge the PTC’s battery pack outside of the U.S. or
Canada, you need a power module designed for the country’s AC
voltage supply (e.g., 220 volts).
4.
Charge the battery pack for 8 hours (lithium-ion) or 5 to 6 hours
(nickel-cadmium).
Note:
A lithium-ion battery will take longer to charge if recharging is
not performed at room temperature.
5.
When charging is finished, first unplug the power module from the
electrical outlet; then disconnect it from the PTC.
Checking the PTC-960SL-III
1.
Turn on the PTC by pressing the
ON/OFF
key.
2.
Look at the PTC’s display. If the PTC is operating correctly, none of
the following conditions should be observed or heard:
•
A low-battery warning
•
A blank display screen
•
Any warning beeps.
Contact the Symbol Support Center at 1-800-653-5350 if you experience
any problems that you cannot solve.
Entering data
Data can be entered into the PTC-960SL-III in several ways. Data can be
keyed in through the keyboard, scanned bar codes with the internal laser
scanner, or received from another device.
Communicating data
After collecting the data, the PTC must transmit it to a host computer for
processing or send it to a printer, or both, to make it useful to you and
your organization. The PTC-960SL-III can transmit data through its
internal radio, via an optional communication cradle, or by being
connected via cable to a host computer, printer, or other accessory.
Connecting accessories
1.
Turn off the PTC and the computer or accessory which is being
connected.
2.
Connect the 15-pin connector on the appropriate cable to the PTC’s
micro DB-15 connector. (Refer the
PTC-960SL-III User’s Guide
for a
list of available cables.)
CAUTION!
Do not force the connectors together if they do not
connect easily; damage could result.
3.
Connect the other end of the cable to the computer or accessory.
4.
Turn on the PTC and the device to which it is connected.
5.
Follow the instructions for your application program for operation.
Scanning bar-code labels
Use the following procedure to scan bar-code labels with the PTC-
960SL’s-III internal laser scanner.
WARNING!
Do not stare into the PTC’s laser beam or point the scanner
at anyone’s eyes. Permanent eye damage could result.
1.
Point the PTC at the label to be scanned.
The maximum distance from the scanner lens to the label depends
on the size of the label being scanned and the type of laser that was
selected by your organization.
2.
Press and hold the PTC’s scanner trigger to start scanning.
The Scan LED glows red while the scanner is active. If the scanner’s
marker beam feature is enabled, quickly center the aiming dot over
the bar code.
Note:
Your application program may not support scanned data for
every field. Consult your application’s manual to determine when the
scanner and trigger are enabled.
3.
Watch the line of light made by the scanner as it scans the bar code.
4.
Hold the PTC so that the scanning line is perpendicular to the bars
in the bar-code label. Also, make sure that the line passes over all of
the bars. If the scan is successful, the Scan LED glows green, and
the PTC beeps.
Replacing the battery pack
Removing the battery pack
1.
Turn off the PTC.
2.
With your thumb and index finger, press the battery release buttons
on both sides of the handle end cap; then pull the end cap and the
attached battery pack out of the handle.
3.
Refer to the “Safety information” section for instructions on properly
disposing of your battery pack.
Installing a battery pack
1.
Make sure the PTC is off.
2.
Line up the end cap/battery pack assembly with the opening in the
handle.
PTC-960SL-III
Getting Started
Wrist strap connector
Battery release button
(one on each side)
End cap/battery pack assembly
Handle
Scanner trigger
(built into handle)
Control buttons
Scanner lens
Antenna
Display
LEDs
Keyboard
Micro DB-15
Connector
