General Questions
WHAT DO I GET WITH BLOKCAM? HOW IS BLOKCAM INSTALLED? IS A SIGNALER STILL REQUIRED? HOW DO I FIX THE SYSTEM ON TO THE HOOK BLOCK? WILL I GET ANY DELAY WITH THE VIDEO FEED? DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH THE WIRELESS SIGNAL? IN THE CAB WHERE WILL THE MONITOR GO AND HOW DO I MOUNT IT? HOW QUICK WILL IT TAKE TO ORDER AND DELIVER A BLOKCAM SYSTEM? WHAT IF WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE BLOKCAM SYSTEM ON SITE? HOW QUICK CAN BLOKCAM BE INSTALLED? WHAT TYPE OF CRANES CAN BLOKCAM BE FITTED ON? WHERE DO I MOUNT THE CAMERA LENS? CAN I INSTALL THE JIB ANTENNA SYSTEM WHILE THE JIB IS ON THE GROUND? WHAT TOOLS ARE REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION? HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE AN INSTALLATION? HOW LONG WILL THE BATTERY LAST? HOW QUICK IS IT TO CHARGE THE BATTERY? CAN I LEAVE THE SYSTEM ON OVER NIGHT? CAN YOU MOVE THE CAMERA LENS? DO WE LEAVE THE CAMERA LENS AND TRANSMITTER ON THE HOOK BLOCK? I HAVE AN IMAGE ON MY MONITOR OF A CABLE WITH A CROSS THROUGH IT ” WHAT DOES THIS INDICATE? I HAVE A MESSAGE ON MY MONITOR DISPLAYING “NO VIDEO” WHAT DOES THIS INDICATE?
BlokCam comes as a complete system consisting of in-cab monitor, repeater, complete with antenna’s and connecting cables that are placed on the jib/boom and the block mounted sensor/camera, transmitter, and batteries with powerful magnets to mount in any position required.
BlokCam is easy to install by the operator as there are no tools required We can offer a full professional installation if required.
YES, the BlokCam is not there to replace anyone but to give the operator the ability to see what is going on below the hook and confirm all communications like they were right next to each other.
Due to the powerful magnets, the transmitter can be mounted anywhere on the hook block. We recommend that this is fitted at the top of the block as it will require an unobstructed view to the Jib/Boom for the wireless transmission. Once fixed into the preferred position, it is then secured by the supplied lanyards to tether in case of any accidental collisions.
As with all live video feeds, there are many factors that may interfere with the live visual feedback to the screen. Signal strength, signal obstructions, other wireless devices, etc. are all to be considered. BlokCam has been designed to reduce delay to give as near as possible live view using the latest technology in wireless transmission.
NO, BlokCam has been designed so the system communicates between the transmitter and repeater which will do all the hard work without any user input. They are programmed to encrypt the signal using a “frequency hopping” connection to eliminate any signal interference and add a secure connection to avoid the signal being viewed on any other device.
BlokCam comes with a high-strength suction cup which will allow the monitor to be positioned anywhere in the cab with a free window space. It will depend on the type of crane and layout of the cab but we would advise the position of the monitor to be placed so the screen is in the operator’s field of vision, without causing an obstruction to the view of the working site around them. If required BlokCam can be mounted using the 1.5” ball mount which can be adapted to many popular mounting systems to give alternative fixings in the cab.
Stock quantities vary, but BlokCam is usually on the shelf and ready to go! Based on shipping lead times, it can be upwards of 6 weeks.
You can have multiple BlokCam systems working on the same site right next to each other. Thanks to the data encrypted wireless code, frequency hopping channels there is no interference.
INSTALLATION
Every crane installation is different and times will vary, in general, the system can be fitted in around 30mins at the time of erection. If BlokCam is fitted once the crane has been erected then the installation time would differ to account for the climb and cabling that will be required to attach to the jib/boom.
Our installation team guide is 30-40min for crawler cranes, erected tower cranes 40-60mins accounting of walking out on the jib/boom for installation of cable and repeaters.
BlokCam can be fitted to many different crane types including saddle jib, flat top, luffing, hammerhead, crawler cranes, gantry overhead cranes, and telescopic cranes to name a few.
The camera lens/sensor is separate from the transmitter and can be placed on the hook block in any position to give the optimum viewing angles allowing the operator to maximize safety and efficiency.
YES, installing the antenna and cable assembly this way can reduce the overall time it takes to fully install the complete system on the boom. It would be advisable to check with the erection team to make sure that the cabling and antenna will not interfere or get in the way of any equipment required to hoist the jib/boom up into its final position. The cable is installed and secured to the jib/boom using cable ties for security and the repeater affixed using the high-powered magnets and placed in a position with a direct line of sight below them to the hook block without any obstructions to maximize signal strength. A full set of installation instructions are provided with each system ordered.
No tools are required, that’s the great thing with BlokCam. If installing the cable and antenna configuration post erection then a walkout on the jib/boom is required, so full harness and safety lanyards are required, always check with the local Health and Safety team to comply with their particular regulations, requirements, and policies.
BlokCam can be installed by one person easily, but having an additional person to help will make it easier to install, switch on and check the hook block configuration and at the same time check the monitor is receiving the video feed and adjust the camera lens/sensor accordingly for the crane operator.
DAILY USE
The BlokCam battery provides 12 hours of use in normal operating conditions. Two batteries are issued as standard but additional batteries can be supplied on request. Using the system in extreme conditions may increase the consumption to power the system and reduce to running time. We recommend swapping and charging the battery at the beginning of each operator’s shift.
Once the battery is connected to a power source it will take 5 hours to fully charge.
It is recommended to switch the BlokCam system off if not being used and the shift has finished for that period. The in-cab monitor can be switched off using the on-screen power button.
The BlokCam Sensor is attached using high-powered magnets allowing it to be positioned and repositioned at any time. With the hook block at ground level, the signaler can help adjust the camera lens easily by positioning it in different locations to suit the different types of loads in seconds.
Once in position, there is no need to remove any of the systems for the duration of the crane’s working period. The Lens can be re-positioned at any time and the battery is designed to be removed/replaced daily for charging.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Having this image displayed on the monitor is indicating that the wireless signal between the transmitter and repeater has failed. One of the most common reasons will be that the power to the transmitter has not been turned on at the hook block. Check that this power source has been switched on. Another common reason is the battery has not been replaced or charged. If the message appears during any lifting maneuvers it is more likely that the signal was lost due to an object obstructing the signal or possible damage to the cable or antenna itself. It is advisable to check for damage and contact BlokCam.
If the message “NO VIDEO” appears this will indicate that there is no image being transmitted from the hook block transmitter. The most common issue would be that the cable that connects from the camera lens/sensor to the Transmitter is disconnected or loose. If all checks are complete and the message is still showing “NO VIDEO” then this would indicate either the Sensor or cord has been damaged. Inspection of the cord is recommended to assess any potential damage and contact BlokCam for further assistance.