User manual | AlcoHawk Micro

Warranty
The manufacturer warrants this Breathalyser to be free from defects in workmanship or material
(excluding calibration) under normal use for one year from the date of purchase. Manufacturer’s
obligations under this limited warranty are limited to replacing, adjusting, or repairing the unit if
returned along with the proof of purchase. This warranty is void if the unit has been tampered with,
maliciously damaged, or physically abused. The enforceability of this warranty is limited to the original
consumer purchaser and is not transferable to, or enforceable by, any subsequent owner. In the event
of a defect, malfunction or other failure to conform to this warranty, AlcoDigital, will, at its sole
discretion, repair or replace the unit. You are responsible for all shipping cost in connection with
warranty service. This warranty commences on the date of purchase and shall be effective for a period
of one year and does not affect your statutory rights.
AlcoHawk Micro
User Manual
Should you need to return your unit or obtain service during the warranty period, please call 0844 585
5050 or email [email protected] to obtain a RMA number and shipping instructions.
Remember to return your detector postage paid, insured and in suitable packaging. DO NOT return
your unit without contacting us first!
Disclaimer
AlcoDigital makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the ability of this device to determine
whether a person is intoxicated, and expressly disclaim any liability for incidental, special, or
consequential damages of any nature.
The user undertakes not to make any decisions and/or carry out any actions based upon the
reading of this device. AlcoDigital assume no responsibility for consequences of subjects who test
negative when using this device and later show that they are under the influence of alcohol or their
judgment has been impaired by alcohol.
This device should only be used as a screening device and may only give an indication of the possible
presence of alcohol in the blood of the test subject. Correlation between breath alcohol content and
blood alcohol concentration depends on many variables, including temperature and health conditions.
A safe or low reading on a breath alcohol screener does not mean that the driver’s reaction times can
respond to any emergency encountered. The exact concentration of alcohol in the blood of the test
subject cannot be exactly determined by using a breath alcohol screening device.
THIS
BREATHALYSER IS A SCREENING DEVICE ONLY, NOT ADMISSIBLE IN THE COURT OF LAW.
DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL AND DRIVE!
ALWAYS USE A DESIGNATED DRIVER AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL.
BE SAFE AND DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
Customer Care
If you have questions about AlcoDigital products or services, please contact us via phone, e-mail or
mail. Our customer service agents will gladly assist you in any way they can. Please contact us via
AlcoDigital.co.uk
For our Postal Address please see
the “contact us” page of the website.
Overview
The AlcoHawk Micro is a breath alcohol screening device designed to test for the presence of alcohol
in the blood. This device is intended to be used in all populations with lung capacity capable of producing at least 1.5 litres of exhaled air. The AlcoHawk Micro is powered by 1x AAA Battery that generally
lasts between 200-300 tests.
Preparing For Use
Install the included Battery. Apply a small amount of pressure on the indentation of the battery compartment cover and then push down and away from the unit simultaneously in order to release the
cover. Install the batteries and replace the battery compartment cover. (See the following diagram).
Always leave at least 20 minutes between drinking and testing
If you do not wait 20 minutes before testing, the reading will measure the alcohol in your mouth,
which is many times that related to your blood alcohol level. The detector contains a highly sensitive
semi-conductor sensor, and not waiting the required time could damage (saturate) this sensor and
can cause all future readings to be inaccurate. Please also ensure you do not blow any smoke or
liquid into the unit, or the same damage can result and de-calibrate the detector.
Press the power switch on the left of the unit. A single beep will sound and the red LED will flash on
the left of the display. WAIT until the LED stops blinking and REMAINS ON; you will now hear a
second single beep and the detector is ready for use. Take a deep breath and blow steadily for at
least 5 seconds until a second beep signals the end of the test. The restriction in the mouthpiece will
limit the maximum pressure you can blow, and the pressure check will ensure at least a minimum
pressure is maintained throughout the test, which will assist you to achieve a consistent blow
technique (see opposite). If only trace levels of Alcohol (or none at all) is detected, the unit will
display 0 after 1-2 seconds, otherwise the result will be displayed and will remain on the display for
approximately 5 seconds. To retest, repeat the above.
Error Messages

Repeat: If the unit does not detect a uniform blow pressure, RP can appear on the display. In
this case, turn off the unit and try again.

Saturation: if the letter “H” appears, an excessively high level of Alcohol has been detected,
probably from alcohol in the mouth. DO NOT RETEST for at least 20 minutes.

Polution: If “PL” appears in the display, the sensor has been polluted, either with alcohol,
smoke or other liquid. Turn off the unit, leave for at least 30 minutes and try again, however
the sensor may have been damaged and repair or recalibration may be required.
How to Analyze the Results


The UK Drink-Drive limit is 0.08% BAC, shown on the unit as 0 8

If you consume very little alcohol, your actual concentration may be below 0.02% BAC and
the reading may not be activated. However, the display will read 00

The detector is calibrated to an accuracy of +/- 0.02% when leaving the factory but due to the
uncontrolled operating conditions no warranty can be given that it will maintain this accuracy.
Do not Drink and Drive. The AlcoHawk Micro is sold for advisory purposes only and cannot
be solely relied upon to determine the users’ level of intoxication.
AlcoHawk Micro
User Manual
How does it work?
When you drink alcohol it passes through the lining of the stomach into the blood supply. As the
blood moves around your body it is filtered by the liver (which extracts the alcohol over a period of
time) but also passes through the lungs. At the same time as the oxygen in your breath passes
through the alveoli into your blood, a certain amount of the alcohol that is carried by the blood passes
back the other way. It is therefore important to measure deep lung air as this is where the blood has
been in contact with the air in the lungs. A breath from any other part of the lungs will have a lower
alcohol concentration and can give a lower reading than should be the case.
To achieve a consistent reading, a consistent sample of deep lung air is therefore required. LawEnforcement devices measure an absolute quantity of air (usually 1.7ltr) each time they are used and
employ a chemical fuel cell to measure alcohol concentration. This however makes such devices
significantly more expensive to manufacture than personal detectors like this that use a “timed blow”
& semi-conductor sensor, but with practice the user can achieve a reasonable level of accuracy by
ensuring that as far as possible the same blow pressure is used each time a sample is taken.
How to get the most from your Breathalyser
When first using the device, 20 minutes after your last drink try testing yourself three times,
approximately two minutes apart, in order to “bracket” the readings. An average reading can then be
assessed, as can the consistency of the blow level required. Note the reading, and then test again
30 minutes later and so on until the unit reads zero.
Try the unit on others; you are likely to find considerable variance in the way in which individuals
metabolise alcohol, depending upon body mass, when they last ate, time of day etc. After a while you
will start to develop a reasonable idea of the way in which you personally react to Alcohol and you
can then modify your drinking appropriately to ensure that you always leave a more than adequate
period after drinking and before driving.
AlcoDigital would always recommend you do not drive with ANY alcohol in your system, and that you
leave a substantial safety margin between the time you believe you have reached a zero-level and
the point where you may consider driving. Never rely solely upon the readings of this detector in
determining your fitness to drive!
"The exact alcohol content in the blood of the test subject cannot exactly be determined by using an Alcohol
Screening Device. Only an Evidential Breath Tester or Blood test can be relied upon for accurate
determination." (US DoT)
Precautions
1.
The level of intoxication can rise, as well as fall, after the last drink has been consumed.
2.
Avoid testing in strong winds, in a closed room with a heavy smoke, or where a lot of alcohol
is being consumed.
3.
Do not blow cigarette smoke, food or liquid into the instrument
4.
Operation of the unit in extreme temperature ranges above 40ºC or below 10ºC may affect
the accuracy of results.
5.
Avoid testing in the presence of any substances that contain methyl alcohol, isopropyl
alcohol or acetone. These substances may interfere with the results of the test.
6.
Conditions that increase the amount of ketenes on the breath, such as diabetes and low
caloric intake, may cause a false positive test.
7.
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Always have a designated driver if you are drinking Alcohol.
Calibration Procedure
If your device is providing inconsistent, unusually high or low readings, or no readings at all, your
device may need to be re-calibrated. In addition, the breathalyser should be re-calibrated at least
once every 6-12 months. More frequent calibrations may be required depending on frequency of use.
For detailed information on how to have the device re-calibrated, please see our website.
Cleaning
Although it may seem logical to clean the alcohol detector with alcohol or other cleaning agents, in
reality, this is very harmful to the semiconductor sensor in detector. All semiconductor sensors are
intolerant to high doses (saturation) of alcohol, and other cleaning or anti bacterial agents. Simply
wipe the unit over with a damp (not wet) cloth and dry thoroughly.