Monitors 101
Helpful Tips from Graco®
Monitor Noise:
The two main causes of static are due to weak signal and/or interference. Read below to find out common causes for weak signal/interference and prevention suggestions.
Weak Signal – think of your AM/FM radio in your car, the further you drive from the city or radio station
transmitter, the weaker the signal. So the further the parent unit is from the nursery unit, the greater the chances for static. Also, read your product instructions for maximum range – this is the best case
tested range, but will be affected or reduced by interference. Interference – there are many things that disrupt your monitor’s reception. Below is a list of common
causes of interference and prevention suggestions.
• Background Noise: Your monitor’s job is to pick up sounds in the nursery – this includes background
noise that may not be static.
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• Other Electronics: Lots of signals are being transmitted at the same frequency as your monitor,
which will cause interference. - Analog monitors operate at 49Mhz and 900Mhz, similar to AM/FM radios and some cordless phones.
- Digital monitors operate at 900Mhz and 2.4Ghz, which also supports some cordless telephones, WiFi, Bluetooth, microwave ovens and other wireless devices.
- Try turning off other electronics and wireless devices one at a time to see which device may be interfering.
- Keep your cell phones away from both the parent and nursery unit.
• Batteries:
- Low batteries or dead batteries cause interference.
- Make sure both nursery and parent units batteries are charged.
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• Motors: Motors will cause interference.
- This includes washer, dryer, vacuum cleaner, ceiling fans, humidifiers, air filter, dish washers, treadmill, furnace, kitchen appliances, and refrigerators.
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Why do you hear static?
Channels:
- The monitors allow you to manually change channels. On Analog monitors, make sure you change
the channel on both the parent and nursery units. On Digital monitors, you only need to change the channel on the nursery unit.
- Ask your neighbor if they are using a baby monitor. You may have to change channels to avoid interference with their monitor.
- Try changing channels on other wireless equipment in your home (WiFi modems and routers).
Construction/Furniture/Plants: - Signals can be weakened or blocked by construction materials in your home (metal studs, wire
mesh for stucco, plumbing or A/C ducts, etc.). - Avoid placing your nursery and parent units on metal objects, this also causes a weak-signal condition.
- Even non-metal items can interfere – Did you know long needles on some pine trees are the perfect length to absorb 900Mhz signals – like a Christmas tree?
Sun:
- The FCC requires radio stations to reduce power output at night to keep them from interfering with each other after the sun goes down.
- Energy from the sun will increase background noise on analog monitors and cause weak signal
conditions for digital monitors.
- Lightning storms can cause interference.
Privacy: Not all monitors are private.
There are two types of monitors – analog and digital. Read below to understand the difference between the two technologies. Analog – simple, continuous sound transmission at a fixed frequency. Note, some video monitors are
analog, so both the audio and video signals will NOT be secure.
Digital – clear, secure connection that offers privacy and virtually eliminates static and interference.
Batteries: Understanding rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable.
There are two types of batteries – rechargeable and non-rechargeable. Read below to learn how to optimize the performance of your batteries.
Rechargeable Batteries:
• First use – charge the rechargeable batteries for at least 16 hours before first use. Parent units should be able to run 8-10 hours before needing a recharge. • Battery lifespan:
- Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of times they can be charged.
- The battery storage capacity diminishes over time, so the batteries will not hold a charge as long over the life of the battery.
- Battery should last about 2-3 years.
Non-rechargeable batteries:
• Do NOT mix old and new batteries.
• Check or replace backup batteries on nursery units periodically (just like you should check the batteries on your smoke alarms regularly).
Note: Nursery units are constantly transmitting a signal when they are ON, which will use up battery
life if they are not plugged into AC power.
Troubleshooting Tips:
Need Help?
• Always refer to your product manual. Can’t find it? Download a copy at www.gracobaby.com
• Want to speak to an actual person? Call Graco’s helpful customer service line: 1-800-345-4109.
Model #:
• Product model info is listed inside the battery compartment of the parent unit and on the outside of the nursery unit.
• The UPC code is listed on the bottom of the box.
• On analog monitors, the channel is listed with AB or XY and has a black check over the channel code to indicate which one is in the box.
Batteries:
• Graco’s analog parent units require 3 “AAA” batteries that are not included. Batteries need to be installed according to the diagram molded into the plastic of the battery compartment.
• Graco’s digital monitors include a rechargeable battery for the parent unit. • Graco’s nursery units operate on AC power and use battery as back up.
• Before your monitor is ready to use, the battery must be installed into the parent unit – remove battery door cover on the parent unit with a key or flat blade screw driver & place in either rechargeable battery pack (included in digital) or non-rechargeable batteries.
Static Clings:
• There is a static cling on the parent unit sound lights & nursery unit night light – remove these before using.
1st
Erasing the Pairing on Digital Units:
• Turn the parent unit off.
• Hold the volume-down button on the parent unit while pressing the on/off button. Continue to hold the volume-down button down until you hear a single beep and all the sounds lights illuminate briefly.
• Release the volume-down button.
• Press and hold the volume-down button again.
• Within 2 seconds you will hear a beep and all the sound lights & red lost-connection LED will be lit. Release the volume down button. The parent unit is ready to pair with the nursery unit.
Pairing a Digital Parent Unit with the Nursery Unit:
• Place the nursery unit in the same room 5 feet away from parent unit.
• Make sure the parent unit is turned ON after erasing the pairing (all the sound lights & red lost-connection LED should be lit).
• Turn ON the nursery unit, the green power light will come on.
• Within a few seconds, the parent unit will find the nursery unit. The sound lights will shut off and the parent unit will beep. The parent unit is now paired with the nursery unit.
• Repeat this procedure if you need to pair another parent unit with this nursery unit.
• If nothing happened when you turned on the nursery unit, first try turning the nursery unit off and then on again. If the parent unit still does not pair with the nursery unit, press the channel button on the nursery unit, then turn the nursery unit off and then on again.
Parent unit won’t turn on:
• Does it have batteries in it?
• Are you using the correct batteries? • Is it plugged in (if you aren’t using batteries)?
• Is the volume turned on?
• Are the units in range of one another?
Unable to connect:
• Parent and nursery units must be in range of one another. Check the box/manual to find out the range. Remember those are best case ranges because other things like household electronics, construction materials, etc can affect level of interference and shorten the range.
• Re-pair your units (if digital).
• Make sure both the nursery and parent units are set to the same channel (A/B X/Y) on analog monitors.
Time Use:
• The rechargeable batteries need to be installed into the parent unit before charging.
• Charge the batteries at least 16 hours before first use.
• Place the nursery unit within 10 feet of baby. Plug an AC adapter into the back on the back of the nursery unit. Plug the adaptor into a working 120 volt AC outlet.
• Aim the nursery unit towards baby and check that no walls or large objects could block sound transmission.
• Place the parent unit within 5 feet of nursery unit and turn the unit on. The sound light LEDs will illuminate and bottom LED will be red on the digital units. You will also hear a single audible beep.
• Turn on the nursery unit, the green power light should come on.
• Within a few seconds, the parent unit will lock onto the nursery unit. On the digital units, the connection LED on the parent should change from red to green. You monitor is ready for use.