Solo Smoke Tester Maintenance & Tips:
Why Proper Maintenance Matters
Routine maintenance of Solo smoke and heat testing equipment is essential for:
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✅ Ensuring accurate and compliant fire alarm testing
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🧰 Extending the lifespan of expensive tools and consumables
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🔒 Reducing risk of equipment failure during critical testing
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💼 Minimising downtime and avoiding unnecessary replacement costs
General Maintenance & Handling Tips
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Clean regularly: Use a dry, lint-free cloth to clean smoke cups, aerosol dispensers, sensors, and LED areas. Do not use harsh chemicals or solvents.
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Inspect before each use: Check parts for visible wear, residue build-up, or mechanical damage.
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Store in dry, temperature-stable conditions: Avoid storing equipment in humid, hot, or dusty environments.
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Use genuine consumables: Always use official Solo cartridges, aerosols, or accessories to avoid performance issues or damage.
🔧 Solo 365 Smoke Tester: Maintenance Overview
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Battery: Fully charge before use. Avoid storing with low battery levels.
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Smoke Cartridge & Generator: Power off the unit before replacing cartridges. Clean the cartridge bay and smoke cup monthly.
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LED & Proximity Sensors: Gently wipe to prevent misfiring or misreads.
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Troubleshooting:
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No smoke output? Check cartridge level, clean generator, and reseat components.
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LED flashes red/purple? Indicates a fault—remove and clean generator, cartridge, and battery before reinserting.
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- Buy Solo365-001 here
🧪 Solo A5 Smoke Aerosol: Care Guidelines
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Storage: Store upright, in a cool and well-ventilated area. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or high heat.
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Use Tips:
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Shake the can before use.
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Insert into Solo 330 or 332 dispenser.
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Apply 1–3 second bursts with ~10 second gaps.
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Safety: This is a flammable product—use in ventilated areas and handle with care.
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Alternative: Consider Solo A10 or A10S if a non-flammable aerosol is required.
- Buy SoloA5-001 Smoke aerosol here
🦾 Solo 330 Smoke Dispenser: Maintenance & Usage
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Cup Cleaning: Wipe the inside and outside of the smoke cup after every use to avoid aerosol build-up that could affect spray dispersion.
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Trigger Mechanism: Periodically check that the trigger button is functioning smoothly. If sticking occurs, inspect for dirt or residue around the spring mechanism.
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Aerosol Can Insertion:
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Ensure the canister sits firmly in the holder.
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Do not force cans into place; misalignment can damage the dispenser.
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Inspection: Regularly check for cracks, warping, or wear on the clear polycarbonate cup.
- Buy Solo330-001 Smoke Dispenser Here
🛠️ Solo 461 Cordless Heat Tester: Maintenance & Safety
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Battery Maintenance:
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Always fully charge batteries before use.
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Do not allow batteries to fully drain before recharging.
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Store batteries at moderate temperature — not in direct sunlight or freezing conditions.
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Heater Assembly:
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Gently clean the heater shield and guard to prevent dust or debris buildup.
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Do not attempt to dismantle internal components — if heat output is weak or inconsistent, replace the heater assembly using approved parts.
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Heat Sensor Calibration:
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Solo 461 uses an infrared beam and reflective shield — keep both clean and aligned for optimal performance.
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Safety Guidelines:
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Never aim the heat tester at skin or flammable materials.
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Allow the heater to cool before packing it away.
- Buy Solo461-001 here
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🪜 Solo Telescopic Poles (Solo 100 / 101 / 108)
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Visual Check: Examine locking collars and pole sections for stress cracks, dents, or misalignment.
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Locking Maintenance: If the pole won’t hold its position, clean the collar and apply a dry lubricant (e.g. graphite powder).
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Connections: Keep pole heads clean to ensure tight fitting with testers and dispensers.
- Buy our full range of testing poles here
- Solo100-001
- Solo101-001
- Solo108-001
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue | Cause | Solution |
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No smoke or poor output | Blocked vents, low cartridge or can pressure | Clean vents, replace cartridge or aerosol |
Tester not activating alarm | Dirty smoke cup or misaligned tester | Clean the cup, reposition tester |
Pole won’t lock in place | Dust in twist-lock mechanism | Clean and lightly lubricate |
Solo 461 not heating | Flat battery or worn heater | Recharge battery or replace heater assembly |
✅ Safety Reminders
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Use in ventilated environments
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Avoid direct skin contact with aerosol or heated units
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Allow heat tester to cool before storing
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Never use damaged or incompatible components
📦 Storage Advice
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Store all Solo equipment in a padded carrying case to avoid transit damage.
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Avoid stacking heavy tools or gear on top of smoke testers or dispensers.
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Ensure aerosol canisters are upright and secure to prevent leaks or valve damage.
🧰 Useful Replacement Parts & Accessories to Keep on Hand
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Solo 365 Smoke Cartridges & Battery Packs
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Solo A5 / A10 / A10S Smoke Aerosols
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Solo 330 & 332 Replacement Smoke Cups
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Solo 461 Spare Batteries & Heater Units
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Solo Telescopic Access Poles (Solo 100, 101, 108)
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Solo 372 ASD Adaptor for aspiration detector testing