GC-35 Control Box

Technical Reference Manual

Part Number 1001548-02

Rev A

Copyright Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.

January, 2014
All contents in this manual are copyrighted by Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Terms and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Manual Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Powering the Control Box On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Accessing the Technicians Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Technicians Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Configuration Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Averaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Valve Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Proportional Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Proportional Pulse Width Modulated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Solenoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Danfoss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Valve Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dither Amplitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dither Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Max Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
External Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Auto Power (Paver Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
E Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lock Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Lock Menu Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Elevation Gains (Raise and Lower) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Slope Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Elevation Deadband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Slope Deadband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Working Window Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
P/N: 1001548-02

Slope Working Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Smartlink (Elevation and Slope) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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ii

Preface

Thank you for purchasing this Topcon product. The materials available in this Manual (the Manual) have been prepared
by Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS) for owners of Topcon products, and are designed to assist owners with the
use of the product and its use is subject to these terms and conditions (the Terms and Conditions).

Please read the terms and conditions carefully.

Terms and Conditions

Use
This product is designed to be used by a professional. The user should have a good knowledge of the safe use of the
product and implement the types of safety procedures recommended by the local government protection agency for both
private use and commercial job sites.

Copyrights
All information contained in this Manual is the intellectual property of, and copyrighted material of TPS. All rights are
reserved. Do not use, access, copy, store, display, create derivative works of, sell, modify, publish, distribute, or allow any
third party access to, any graphics, content, information or data in this Manual without TPS express written consent and
may only use such information for the care and operation of the product. The information and data in this Manual are a
valuable asset of TPS and are developed by the expenditure of considerable work, time and money, and are the result of
original selection, coordination and arrangement by TPS.

Trademarks
HiPer SR, TRU, Magnet, Pocket-3D, Topcon and Topcon Positioning Systems are trademarks or registered
trademarks of TPS. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. The Bluetooth word mark and logos
are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. is used under license.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Disclaimer of Warranty
EXCEPT FOR ANY WARRANTIES IN AN APPENDIX OR A WARRANTY CARD ACCOMPANYING THE PRODUCT, THIS MANUAL
AND THE PRODUCT ARE PROVIDED AS-IS. THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES. TPS DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE. TPS AND ITS DISTRIBUTORS
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; NOR FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE OR USE OF THIS
MATERIAL OR THE PRODUCT. SUCH DISCLAIMED DAMAGES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF TIME, LOSS
OR DESTRUCTION OF DATA, LOSS OF PROFIT, SAVINGS OR REVENUE, OR LOSS OF THE PRODUCTS USE. IN ADDITION
TPS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OR COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH OBTAINING
SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS OR SOFTWARE, CLAIMS BY OTHERS, INCONVENIENCE, OR ANY OTHER COSTS. IN ANY EVENT,
TPS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES OR OTHERWISE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN EXCESS
OF THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE PRODUCT.

Preface

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Use of any computer programs or software supplied by TPS or downloaded from a TPS website (the Software) in
connection with the product constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions in this Manual and an agreement
to abide by these Terms and Conditions. The user is granted a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to
use such Software under the terms stated herein and in any case only with a single product. You may not assign or
transfer the Software or this license without the express written consent of TPS. This license is effective until
terminated. You may terminate the license at any time by destroying the Software and Manual. TPS may terminate
the license if you fail to comply with any of the Terms or Conditions. You agree to destroy the Software and manual
upon termination of the use of the product. All ownership, copyright and other intellectual property rights in and to
the Software belong to TPS. If these license terms are not acceptable, return any unused software and manual.

Confidentiality
This Manual, its contents and the Software (collectively, the Confidential Information) are the confidential and
proprietary information of TPS. You agree to treat TPS Confidential Information with a degree of care no less stringent
that the degree of care you would use in safeguarding your own most valuable trade secrets. Nothing in this paragraph
shall restrict you from disclosing Confidential Information to your employees as may be necessary or appropriate to
operate or care for the product. Such employees must also keep the Confidentiality Information confidential. In the
event you become legally compelled to disclose any of the Confidential Information, you shall give TPS immediate
notice so that it may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy.

Website; Other Statements

No statement contained at the TPS website (or any other website) or in any other advertisements or TPS literature
or made by an employee or independent contractor of TPS modifies these Terms and Conditions (including the
Software license, warranty and limitation of liability).

Safety
Improper use of the product can lead to injury to persons or property and/or malfunction of the product. The product
should only be repaired by authorized TPS warranty service centers. Users should review and heed the safety warnings
in an Appendix.

Miscellaneous
The above Terms and Conditions may be amended, modified, superseded, or canceled, at any time by TPS. The above
Terms and Conditions will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California,
without reference to conflict of laws.

Terms and Conditions

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Preface

License Agreement

Preface

Manual Conventions
This manual uses the following conventions:

Convention Description

Example

Bold

Menu, or drop-down menu item

FileExit (Click the File menu and click

Exit)

Name of a dialog box or screen

From the Connection screen...

Button or key commands

Click Finish.

Mono

User supplied text or variable

Type guest, and click Enter.

Italic

Reference to another manual or help document

Refer to the Topcon Reference Manual.

Further information to note about system configuration, maintenance, or setup.

Supplementary information that can have an adverse affect on system operation, system
performance, data integrity, measurements, or personal safety.

Notification that an action has the potential to result in system damage, loss of data, loss of
warranty, or personal injury.

Manual Conventions

GC-35 Control Box Technical Reference Manual

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Introduction

The Technician's Menu contains additional system menu items not available to the operator (end user) in the GC35 Control Box Performance Menu.
These menu items offer the ability to override default settings of the P-32 system to improve system performance
in certain situations. These menu items are not, however, meant to be changed by the operator.
Access to the Technicians Menu is intended for, and should be limited to, Topcon qualified dealer
and field service technicians. Any changes to the factory default settings without a thorough
understanding to their effects on the P-32 system may cause adverse consequences to system
accuracy and operation.
The following sections describe the features of the GC-35 control box and explain how to access the Technicians
Menu, select a menu item, save the new value, and exit the Technicians Menu.

Features
Auto Indicator LED
LCD

Auto Button
USB Port

Light Sensor

Menu Selection
Buttons

Survey Button
Elevation Indicator
LED (Green)
Slope Indicator
LED (Yellow)

Grade Adjustment
Arrows
Grade Adjustment
Knob
Power On/Off
Button

Slope/Elevation
Button
Jog Up/Down
Buttons
Grade Indicator
LEDs

USB Cap
(Removed)

Jaw Mount

Power Connector
Sonic Tracker
or Slope Sensor
Connectors

Figure 1: GC-35 Control Box

Introduction

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Startup Screen

Introduction

Powering the Control Box On/Off

Shutdown Screen

Shutting Down

GC-35
config: 21

Power On/Off
Button

Figure 2: Power On/Off

Control Screen
The Control Screen displays when you power on the control box. It is your interface with the components of
the P-32 system. The Control Screen changes depending on how you have configured the Control Box and the
P-32 system.
The illustration below shows an example of a Control Box set up to display information from a secondary Control
Box set up for Slope Control.

Elevation Icon
Elevation Set
Point Value

Units (ft/in/cm)
ST-3 Surface/Stringline Mode Icon

Actual Elevation
Sensor Reading

Primary Control Box Display Area

Display Slope Box

Positive/Negative
Slope Indicator Icon

Slope Icon

Slope Set Point Value

Auto Icon

Actual Slope
Sensor Reading

Secondary Control Box

Display Area

Menu/Set
Button Function
Display Area

On-Grade Icon
Cross Communication

Figure 3: Control Screen

Powering the Control Box On/Off

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Introduction

Accessing the Technicians Menu

1. From the Control Screen, press the Menu/Set button.
2. Rotate the Grade Adjustment Knob to scroll through the menu selections displayed on the screen.
3. Select Tech Menu, and press and hold the Enter button
Technicians Menu.

Press Menu/Set Button

for three (3) seconds to enter the

Turn Grade Adjustment Knob

Press and Hold

Enter Button for 3 Seconds

Figure 4: Accessing the Technicians Menu

Accessing the Technicians Menu

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Technicians Menu

This chapter describes the Technicians Menu items and their default factory settings.
Table 1 lists the available menus.
Table 1. Technicians Menu Settings
Menu Item

Range

Default Factory Setting

Configuration

External, 031, Custom

External

Averaging

1 100

50

Valve Type

Solenoid, Proportional,
Danfoss, Pulse Width
Modulated

Proportional

Valve Drive

Sink, Source

Sink

Dither Amplitude

015%

4%

Dither Frequency

0105%

42%

Frequency

113Hz
2251950Hz

5Hz

Max Current

0.674.8 Amps

1.75 Amps

Hour

Read only

Hours: 0.0
Hours Auto: 0.0

External Auto

On, Off, Invert

Off

Auto Power Up (Paver only)

On, Off

On

E Reset

Cancel, Reset

Cancel

Lock Menu

Level 1 - Unlocked,
Level 2 - Moderate,
Level 3 - Restricted

Level 1 - Unlocked

Elevation Gains

Raise: 1 200

Raise: 25

Lower: 1 200

Lower: 25

Slope Gain

1 100

25

Valve Offsets

Raise: 1 999

Raise: 135

Lower: 1 999

Lower: 135

Elevation Deadband

1 30 mm

3 mm

Slope Deadband

0.025% 0.75%

0.075%

Working Window

05.00, Off

0.20 ft

Slope Working Window

0.1-10.0%

2.0%

Smartlink

Slope: 0 - 100

Slope: 0%

Elevation: 0 - 100

Elevation: 0%

Technicians Menu

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This setting selects a valve drive configuration and has up to 32 preprogrammed configurations to select from.
You may also create a custom configuration.
Configuration Value Range: External, 0-31, Custom
Default: External

External Upon power up, the control box looks for an external configuration resistor between pins L

and K of the 11 pin bulkhead connector and defaults to the listed configuration table for valve control.
The configuration number displays on the control box LCD when the box is turned on.
Value between 0-31 The control box defaults to the valve control parameters for this number listed in
the configuration chart (see Table 2 on page 10). The configuration number displays on the control box
LCD when the box is turned on.
Custom Create a custom valve control configuration by setting the Valve Type, Current Direction,
Current Limit, Frequency (for PWM modes and Solenoid), Dither Amplitude (except Solenoid mode), and
Dither Frequency (except Solenoid mode).

Configuration Codes
Table 2 lists available configurations.
Table 2. Configuration Codes
Resistor
(ohms)

Config

Configuration

Drive Type

Current Direction

Dither Amplitude

Dither Freq

Freq Hz

Current Limit

Sol

Sink

None

None

Adj

None

77

160

249

341

441

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

None

560

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

None

670

800

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

None

940

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

None

10

1100

Sol

Sink

None

None

Adj

None

11

1260

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

12

1445

14

1890

15

2140

Pro Cur

Source

6%

42

N/A

1.75A

17

2760

Sol

Sink

None

None

Adj

None

18

3140

Sol

Sink

None

None

Adj

None

19

3583

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

None

20

4104

Sol

Sink

None

None

Adj

None

21

4725

Sol

Sink

None

None

Adj

None

22

5480

Sol

23

6414

26

11310

Sol

Source

None

None

Adj

None

27

14440

28

19440

29

28670

30

51500

Pro Cur

Source

12%

42

N/A

1.75A

31

open

Pro Cur

Sink

6%

42

N/A

1.75A

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Technicians Menu

Configuration

Averaging changes the amount of dampening, or filtering, applied to the laser receiver or elevation sensor
measurements. Averaging can be thought of as the time period over which a running average of the elevation
measurement is calculated.
Averaging Value Range: 1100
Default: 50
A lower value averages fewer elevation measurements, allowing the system to react more quickly to grade
changes.
A larger value averages more elevation measurements, making the system less reactive to fluctuations in grade,
such as with laser beam bounce on windy days.

Averaging does not affect slope control.

Valve Type
Valve Type allows you to select the type of valves used on your machine.
Valve Type Value Range: Solenoid, Servo, Proportional, Danfoss, Pulse PWM
Default: Proportional
The following sections describe each of these valve types.

Proportional Current
Proportional Current provides a current regulated proportional output, and is the preferred setting for
proportional valves.
A percentage of the total current setting is calculated based on the gain setting and given grade correction.
Proportional Current control applies full machine voltage to the valve coil until the desired current is reached,
then the voltage is turned off. When the current drops below the desired value, the process is repeated.

Proportional Pulse Width Modulated

Proportional Pulse Width Modulated provides a pulse width regulated proportional output.
A percentage of the total duty cycle is calculated based on the gain setting and the given grade correction. Pulse
Width Modulation cycles the output voltage on and off at the desired duty cycle.

Solenoid
Solenoid operates the same as PWM mode, except set up specifically for the lower frequency solenoid valves.

Danfoss
Danfoss provides a proportional voltage output to drive the specific requirements of the Danfoss brand of
proportional valves. In this mode, switched power (Vsw) and ground connect to the Danfoss valve through the
valve cable, and the Raise output pin of the control box controls the reference signal to the valve. In a neutral
(no grade) correction output, the reference signal is held at half of the switched voltage. For example, if a 12
volt system produced 13 volts on the Vsw line, 6.5 volts are held on the reference output for a no correction
signal.

For a raise correction signal, the control box increases the reference voltage from 6.5 to a maximum of
9.75 V.

Averaging

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Technicians Menu

Averaging

If a Danfoss valve sees a reference voltage greater than 75% of Vsw, or below 25% of Vsw, the valve
defaults to an error state and the valve is held in the neutral position.

Valve Drive
Valve Drive selects the current direction of the valves on the machine.
Valve Drive Value Range: Sink, Source
Select Sink if the valve has a permanent positive connection and needs a switched negative connection (the
control box sinks current).
Select Source if the valve has a permanent ground (negative) connection and needs a switched positive
connection (the control box sources current).

Dither Amplitude
Dither Amplitude allows you to select the amount of dither to apply to the valve.
Dither is a continuous low frequency pulse applied to the valve drive signal for proportional valves to keep the
valves spool from sticking.
Dither Amplitude Value Range: 015%
Dither Amplitude is a percentage of full current for the Proportional Current valve type, or duty cycle for the
PWM valve type. Dither does not apply for Solenoid, Danfoss, or Servo valve types.

Dither Frequency
Dither Frequency adjusts the frequency of the dither in cycles per second.
Dither Frequency Value Range: 0105 Hz

Frequency
Frequency adjusts the number of pulses sent to control valves in one second.
Frequency Value Range: 113 Hz, 2251950 Hz
The frequency value is adjustable from 1 to 13 Hz for Solenoid valves. On Pulse Width Modulated mode valves,
the range is 225 to 1950 Hz.

Frequency does not apply for Proportional Current and Danfoss valve types.

Changing the Frequency has an effect on the Offset. Check the Offset after changing the
Frequency.

Max Current
Max Current adjusts the maximum valve drive current that the control box outputs when using Proportional
Current valve output mode and the over-current trip level for other valve types.
Current Limit Value Range: 0.674.8 Amps

Valve Drive

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Technicians Menu

For a lower output signal, the control box decreases the reference voltage to a minimum of 3.25 V.

Hour displays the amount of hours the control box has been operating and the amount of hours the control box
has been operating in Automatic.
Hour Settings: No settings (read only)

External Auto
External Auto disables or enables an external auto/manual switch.
External Auto Settings: On/Off/Invert
If On is selected, the system requires both an external A/M switch, and activation of the Control Boxs Auto
button, to switch the system in and out of Automatic control. Activate the external A/M switch by connecting
pin E of the 11 PIN bulkhead to ground.
If you select Invert, connecting pin E to ground takes the system out of Automatic control. Automatic control
activates only when pin E is connected to power, such as when connecting to an in-motion switch.

Auto Power (Paver Only)

The Auto Power setting allows the system to automatically power up to the last used mode.
Auto Power Settings: On/Off
When the Auto Power setting is On, the system powers up in the last mode seen before power down (Auto or
Manual). For example, the paver is in automatic control, is shut down, and then powered up once more. The
paver is now ready to pave in Auto.
When the Auto Power setting is Off, the operator must press the Auto button to return to Auto after a power
down.
If the Auto Power setting is On, the machine powers up in Auto any time it was shut down in Auto.
Only use Auto Power On in asphalt paver applications.

Setting Auto Power to On for a machine other than asphalt pavers is not recommended. Serious
injury to operators or bystanders from unexpected machine movement could result.

E Reset
E Reset reconfigures the system to factory settings.
E Reset Settings Range: Cancel/Reset
To reset all settings in the Performance Menu and the Technician Menu to factory defaults, select Reset
and press and hold the Enter button
for three (3) seconds
To cancel and return to the previous screen, select Cancel.
If you select Reset, the Control Box reverts your custom Control Box settings back to their factory
default values.

Lock Menu
The Lock-Out Setting allows certain Performance Settings in the Performance Menu to be made inaccessible
to the operator (see Paver Lock Menu Settings on page 14).
Hour

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Technicians Menu

Hour

Technicians Menu

Lock-Out Value Range: Level 1 - Unlocked, Level2 - Moderate, Level 3 - Restricted

Level 1 all Performance Menu items are accessible to the operator.
Level 2 some items no longer appear in the Performance Menu and are only accessible in the
Technicians Menu.
Level 3 additional items no longer appear in the Performance Menu, and are only accessible in the
Technicians Menu.

Lock Menu Settings

Table 3 lists the settings that can be locked out (made unavailable).
Table 3. Paver Lock Menu Settings
Performance Menu Item

Level 1 - Unlocked

Level 2 - Moderate

Level 3 - Restricted

1 Elevation Gains

Available

Available

Locked

2 Slope Gain

Available

Available

Locked

3 Valve Offsets

Available

Available

Locked

4 Elevation Deadband

Available

Locked

Locked

5 Slope Deadband

Available

Locked

Locked

6 Averaging

Available

Locked

Locked

7 Machine Type

Available

Available

Available

8 Display

Available

Available

Available

9 Units

Available

Available

Available

10 System Info

Available

Available

Available

11 Sonic Tracker 3

Available

Available

Available

12 Slope Resolution

Available

Available

Available

13 Slope Cal. Block

Available

Available

Locked

14 Tech Menu

Available

Available

Available

Elevation Gains (Raise and Lower)

Elevation Gains determines the speed at which your Topcon P-32 System allows the tow point cylinders to adjust
to a change in elevation. For faster hydraulic response, increase the gain value. For slower hydraulic response,
decrease the gain value.
The objective is to set the gain so the screed reacts to the change in grade quickly, but without overshooting
the new elevation.
Gain Elevation Value Range: 1-200
Before setting the Elevation Gain, make sure the machine's hydraulic flow controls valves are adjusted
for proper cylinder speed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Elevation Gains (Raise and Lower)

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This setting determines the speed at which your Topcon P-32 System allows the tow point cylinders to adjust
to a change in slope. For faster hydraulic response, increase the gain value. For slower hydraulic response,
decrease the gain value.
The objective is to set the gain so the screed reacts to the change in grade quickly but without overshooting
On-Grade. Slope Gain should not be set at a higher value than the Elevation Gain on the other side of the paver.
Gain Elevation Value Range: 1-100

Before setting the Slope Gain, ensure the machine's hydraulic flow control valves are adjusted for
proper cylinder speed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Do not set slope gain at a higher value than the elevation gain on the other side of the paver. A higher
value may cause the slope to be over reactive.

Valve Offsets (Raise and Lower)

Valve Offsets is the minimum amount of electrical signals sent to the valve which causes the hydraulic cylinder
to move. If the valve offset is too small, the sensor will not reach On-Grade. Likewise, if the valve offset value
is too large, the sensor will move too much and overshoot On-Grade.

Set the Valve Offsets before adjusting elevation and slope gains, and averaging.

Run the Paver until the hydraulic oil is at normal operating temperature before setting the valve offsets. Once
they are set, you should not need to readjust the valve offsets unless the Control Box is moved to a new paver,
or the hydraulic performance changes.
Valve Offset Value Range (Raise and Lower): 1 - 999

The offset value on one side of the paver may differ from the offset value on the other side of the
paver. You must verify the offset values before swapping boxes. Use the Left and Right labels
provided.
Never attempt to use Valve Offsets to compensate for a slower raise or lower speed of your hydraulic
valves, as it causes undershooting or overshooting in Slope Mode and can adversely affect the quality
of the mat.

Elevation Deadband
Elevation Deadband is the area of the Working Window that is On-Grade. While the reference is within that area,
the pavers valves are idle (closed). Therefore the wider the Elevation Deadband (On-Grade area), the more a
reference can move up or down without a correction being initiated. Once the signal from the reference is out
of the deadband, your control box drives the hydraulics to place the reference back in the center of the
deadband.
Deadband Elevation Value Range: 130 mm
Select the amount of Elevation Deadband carefully. Too small of an Elevation Deadband causes the
tow point cylinder to constantly hunt up and down while the sensor tries to find On-Grade. Too large
of an Elevation Deadband does not allow the sensor to send grade corrections to the values, causing
unwanted variations in mat thickness.

Slope Gain

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Technicians Menu

Slope Gain

Slope Deadband defines the size of the on-grade area where no valve corrections are made.
Deadband Slope Value Range: 0.025%0.75%
The wider the Slope Deadband, the greater the slope can vary without initiating a correction.
For example, if the operator is grading at a 2.0% slope and the Slope Deadband is set at .10%, the system
reads on-grade anywhere from 1.95% slope to 2.05% slope. The lower the percentage, the tighter the Slope
Deadband.
Once the slope signal is out of the Slope Deadband, System Five drives the hydraulics back within the Slope
Deadband.

Working Window Adjustment

Working Window Adjustment adjusts the working window of the sonic tracker (Figure 5).
Working Window Settings: 05.00, Off
Default: 0.20
The default setting is 0.20 which gives 0.20 ft (61 mm) above and below on-grade. Setting the value to Off
completely disables the working window and allows any target to be seen.

Slope Deadband

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Technicians Menu

Slope Deadband

Technicians Menu

ST-3

Sonic Tracker II

.20

.20

Working
Window
(Adjustable)

.20

.20

Ongrade
Flashing Up/Down Arrow
Solid Up/Down Arrow
Out of Range
Figure 5: Sonic Tracker Working Window

When using the Sonic Tracker II to follow a stringline, curb or other elevated reference, there is a
danger of making an unwanted cut if the Trackers sonic cone moves away from the target. This can
occur if the working window is either off, or set as high as the distance between the reference and the
ground. Setting the working window to the default value of 20 (0.20ft) prevents the automatic control
from making such a reaction due to a loss of the target.

Slope Working Window

Slope Working Window adjusts the working window of the Slope Sensor (Figure 6).
Slope Working Window Value Range: 0.1 - 10.0, Off
Default: 2.0
The default setting is 2.0 which gives 2.0% slope above and below ongrade. Setting the value to Off completely
disables the working window.

Slope Working Window

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Technicians Menu

2.0%
Ongrade

2.0%
Ongrade

2.0%

2.0%

Working Window (Adjustable)

Out of Range
Figure 6: Slope Working Window

Smartlink (Elevation and Slope)

Smartlink allows the Control Box to send a percentage of the slope/elevation correction on one side of the
machine to the Control Box on the other side of the machine, preemptively raising or lowering that hydraulic
cylinder to keep the machine at the correct grade. Smartlink decreases the lag in correction that can occur on
one side of the machine, as the second Control Box begins moving the valve without having to wait for the
sensor on the other side of the machine to detect and correct for a change in elevation/slope.
Smartlink Value Range: 0 - 100%
Default: 0%

Smartlink (Elevation and Slope)

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Warranty

Topcon laser and electronic positioning equipment are guaranteed against defective material and workmanship
under normal use and application consistent with this Manual. The equipment is guaranteed for the period indicated,
on the warranty card accompanying the product, starting from the date that the product is sold to the original
purchaser by Topcons Authorized Dealers.1
During the warranty period, Topcon will, at its option, repair or replace this product at no additional charge. Repair
parts and replacement products will be furnished on an exchange basis and will be either reconditioned or new. This
limited warranty does not include service to repair damage to the product resulting from an accident, disaster,
misuses, abuse or modification of the product.
Warranty service may be obtained from an authorized Topcon warranty service dealer. If this product is delivered
by mail, purchaser agrees to insure the product or assume the risk of loss or damage in transit, to prepay shipping
charges to the warranty service location and to use the original shipping container or equivalent. A letter should
accompany the package furnishing a description of the problem and/or defect.
The purchasers sole remedy shall be replacement as provided above. In no event shall Topcon be liable for any
damages or other claim including any claim for lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages
arising out of the use of, or inability to use, the product.

1. The warranty against defects in a Topcon battery, charger, or cable is 90 days.

Warranty

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