Winter is a great time to tackle preventative maintenance to ensure your systems keep chugging through to spring. Gino Martin, Seon’s Service Manager has put together a checklist to help you – or your maintenance team – streamline winter maintenance and make sure every base is covered.

• Play back a recent videotape recording or hard drive (HD) clip to check that the video and audio recording is good. Make sure to review all camera views.
  

• Confirm all connections are in working condition – tight! Dropping temperatures make some materials shrink the tiniest fraction, but this could affect your connections by impacting the ties or tape used to secure your cables.

• Remember in colder temperatures the digital video recorder (DVR) or VCR may not turn on immediately. The Seon Smart-Temp™ may delay recording until a safe operating temperature is reached. For more information on Smart-Temp check out this article.
  

Winter maintenance for Trooper® and Explorer™ DVR Systems

Check the fan system. Make sure the filter is clean. Replace or clean the filter as needed. Instructions for changing the filter can be found in the periodic maintenance section of your manual. Contact the service department (below) or your Seon dealer for replacement filters.

• Test a full DVR cycle – turn it on, allow it to boot up and check the LED lights. The DVR self-check should take about 20 seconds. Check the Low Voltage Indicator at the back of the unit. If it is on, the DVR is not getting enough power to run properly or the temperature is below 41°F and Smart-Temp has kicked in. Check your connections to ensure the unit is being powered properly.

• There are the occasional questions about service situations. Seon aims to give you the tools to deal with these as they arise and get your system up and working as soon as possible.

All problems

A grainy, fuzzy or snowy live image

• Check all connections inside the camera.

• Is the camera harness damaged?

• Check the connections inside the DVR Enclosure.

• Is the DVR Power Harness connected directly to the bus battery?

• Is the Power Input Harness connected to the battery?

• Check the video monitor cable attached to the front or back of the DVR.

Winter maintenance for Scout VCR Systems:

• To maintain quality recording over the long-term, run a dry non-abrasive head cleaner through the VCR every month. 
  
  
• Test a complete loading cycle by ejecting and loading a tape a couple of times.
  
  
• If the temperature is below 41°F it is not recommended to insert a video cassette. Turn the Trooper on and wait for the Smart-Temp to ensure a safe operating temperature.
  
  
• If changing videotapes daily, allow the tapes to adjust to the temperature if coming from a warm office to a cold bus (or vice versa). This takes about two minutes and will reduce risk of damage to the tape and/or recorder.
  
  
• Common VCR concerns sometimes come up. Try these tools to get your system back into tip-top shape.
  

A grainy, fuzzy or snowy live image

• Repeated cycling may cause the tape to degrade and potentially damage the video recording heads in the VCR.
  
  
• Always purchase high quality videotape and inspect the tape for any signs of wear.
  
  
• Try a new tape. For your convenience, high quality videotapes can be obtained directly from your Scout System Sales Representative.
  
  
• At EP recording speed we recommend using the tape no more than 20 to 30 passes, depending on environment, i.e. dusty, rough roads.
  

Persistent grainy images

• Try a head cleaner tape.
  
  
• If, after cleaning the heads and replacing the tape, images are still not clear, contact your dealer or the service department (“meet” the team below!).

The VCR does not turn on

• Check the Low Voltage Indicator on back of the VCR.The Power Harness from the VCR must be connected as close to the battery as possible.
  
  
• Check the power wiring; refer to section of your manual titled Installation: 5. Power and Ignition Harness/Fuse.
  
  
• Check the in-line fuse. If it is blown, determine why it blew before replacing it.
  
  
• Is the temperature below 5°F? The VCR temperature must be above 5°F to operate.
  
  
• Is the Power and Ignition Harness plugged into the VCR securely? The voltage to the system may be too low.

The VCR turns on but does not start recording

• If the Repeat Record switch is off, press the Temporary Power button to reset the repeat record mode.
  
  
• Check the ignition wiring from the Power Input Harness. Is the yellow (or white) wire connected to an ignition switched circuit?
  
  
• Is the videotape inserted?
  
  
• Is the temperature below 37°F? Wait for the VCR to warm up and start recording.
  
  
• Check the settings for the Delay-On time.
  
  
• Check the battery voltage.
  
  
• Is the videotape write-protected?

At any time you run into a service challenge or need some help call our service department 1-877-630-7366.

Meet our Service Team:

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