CDT-4
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Explain the basic operation of the unit.
The most common use of the CDT-4 is to time interval training drills in order to free up coaching staff to coach instead of being glued to a stopwatch. The unit times two periods--an "exercise" time and a "rest" time, and repeats this. Any time setting up to 99 minutes or seconds can be programmed by the user. For instance, a popular time period example is 15/6. (15 seconds for exercising and 6 seconds for rest). If the channel is set to 15/6 and started, the CDT-4 does the following:
The display starts at 15 seconds, with the green light on, and the buzzer/horn sounds once (indicating the beginning of the exercising time, just like a "whistle start").
Unit counts from 15 down to zero with the green light on (exercising time).
The display resets to 6 seconds, and the red light turns on, and the buzzer/horn sounds twice (indicating the end of the exercise and the beginning of the resting time).
Unit counts from 6 down to zero with the red light on (resting time).
Upon reaching zero, go back to step (a), and continue repeating this sequence until signaled to stop, or until the user-set number of sets has been reached.
Each channel can be programmed to continuously repeat, or to stop after a certain number of sets/repetitions have been completed, sounding the buzzer/horn four times at the end.
It is
also possible to set the red/"rest" time period to zero in order to
make a simple repeating timer. In addition, the number of repetitions
can be set to one, making the unit a one-period timer that counts down once
each time and stops.
2. What are the differences between the CDT-4 and the CTT-4P?
The units have the same display and lights, and the CDT-4 can do everything that the CTT-4P can do. The CDT-4 offers some newer programming that allows it to do additional things. Both units can run continuously (until paused by the user), which is commonly used in circuit training applications. CDT-4 has the added ability to count sets or repetitions and automatically stop after a user-programmed number of sets/repetitions if desired. This adds some versatility, if you wish to use it. The CDT-4 also comes standard with the louder buzzer for use in large loud areas, but can be ordered with the more pleasant chime sound if desired.
3. What do the "channels" do?
The CDT-4 has ten "memories" for ten different time settings/routines that are saved in the unit and recalled with a single button on the remote. For instance, you might have a drill that exercises for two minutes, followed by 15 seconds of rest, repeating indefinitely. You could set this channel one. Another of your drills perhaps is 15 seconds of activity and 6 seconds of rest, done for 20 reps and stopped, and you could set this in channel two. Channel three could be set to standard circuit training timing of 60/20 repeating indefinitely. Once set, you can recall any of these settings with a single button (the 0-9 buttons) on the remote.
4. Explain the three time ranges.
The exercise time and rest time can be programmed with the following three ranges:
From 1 to 99 seconds which counts down at once per second.
From 0.1 to 9.9 minutes which counts down every .1 minutes (counts down every six seconds).
From 1 to 99 minutes which counts down once per minute.
New! In range b and c (Tenths of a minute mode and full minutes mode), the display will automatically switch to seconds countdown in the last 60 seconds.
Each time period of each channel has an individually selectable range. In addition, the rest time can be set at zero, which means that the unit skips the rest time altogether, thus making the selection a repeating one-period timer.
5. What does the horn sound like, and how loud is it?
The standard horn is a scoreboard horn/buzzer, which is designed to be heard in gymnasiums and areas with noise and/or music. It is the same horn/buzzer used on ScoreTronics portable scoreboards. It is intended to be heard and get attention, and not be mistaken for music. There two settable sounds for this buzzer--a tone sound or a buzzer sound. The volume of this device can be controlled by partially covering the sound opening.
There is also an alternative chime sound device available than can be ordered for use in areas sensitive to excessive noise. This alternative sound (an electronic chime with the sound of a loud desk bell) can be specified at the time of purchase. This device has a built-in adjustable shutter to control the volume. The horn/buzzer/chime can also be exchanged after receiving the unit, just paying the shipping cost back and forth. The chime described here is the same chime that comes standard on the CTT-4P.
6. Can I use two units in the same room?
ScoreTronics is working on a master/slave ability for the CDT-4 and CTT-4P for use in areas that require more than one unit in the same room operating together. It will allow one unit to be the "master", and up to three other units to be "slaves". The slaves receive the information from the master, and display and beep/buzz exactly with the master.
Communication between units is done using inexpensive two conductor wire (like speaker wire), which is available from Home Depot and Radio Shack.
7. What if I want my unit to run at all times, without needing the remote (facility is unstaffed)?
There is a setting (auto-run) that can be made in the unit that causes it to automatically start running as soon as the power is applied. Thus the unit will automatically restart itself after a power interruption, not needing the remote control to start it.
8. What power does the CDT-4 operate on?
The unit uses a wall plug-in power supply that accepts 100 to 240 volts, 50 to 60 Hz. The supply comes with a four-foot long cord. Extensions are available if your AC outlet is farther than four feet from the CDT-4 mounting location.
We can equip the supply with a US, Australian, European, or UK plug. Click here for a picture of the power supply and the available plugs, and let us know which plug you need.
9. Do you ship the CDT-4 internationally? How much does it cost?
Yes. We have shipped them to a number of countries outside the US and Canada. The lowest cost shipping method is usually the postal service, which offers 5 day or 6-10 day service for a reasonable price. You can find out the shipping cost by going to the US Postal Service website at this link: https://postcalc.usps.com Select your country, select package, and enter a weight of three pounds. Click continue, and select either Priority Mail International or Express Mail International. Click "Add extra services". Check "Insurance", and enter an amount of $300, and click "Add". The total shown is what we charge for the shipping. Faster international shipping is available from UPS, FedEx, and others, at of course higher costs. For international payment, we accept Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and bank transfers.
10. Do you have a distributor or dealer in my state or country?
We manufacture the product, and sell direct. This allows for the lowest cost to the customer by eliminating distributor and dealer markups, which are commonly 30% each. Our experienced sales staff can answer any questions you may have about the product. Product support is handled by our technical specialists in the same location.
ScoreTronics is located in Willowbrook, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
11. What is the warranty on the CDT-4?
The official warranty is for one year, and covers defects in materials and workmanship. We are very lenient on covering defects after the warranty period. We provide FREE lifetime support for phone and email questions.
The unit is designed with a design goal to last a lifetime, and is constructed with industrial quality, long life components. For example, the LEDs have a rated life of 100,000 hours (34 years at 8 hours/day). Failure of anything is extremely rare, and to date, the only customers who have ever had to pay for a repair were those that involved customer damage.
The only part that may eventually get some wear is the buttons on the remote control, and these have a life of a typical TV remote control. If the remote ever wears out or gets lost, replacement remotes are available for a very reasonable cost.
12. How long will the batteries in the remote control last?
The power usage from the batteries in the remote is extremely low, and the expected life of the two AA batteries is essentially the shelf life of the batteries (5-10 years). The only thing that would affect this is if the remote were stored with the buttons continuously pressed (like down in the cushions of a piece of furniture), which would drain the batteries in a couple of days.
13. Can the CDT-4 do the Tabata HIIT Protocol?
Absolutely! Just set one of the channels to 20 seconds green, 10 seconds red, and stop after 8 repetitions.