February 8, 2012

GET INVOLVED

Debt Badge Instructions

Instructions to Activate the LCD Display



  • Remove the 3 PULL tabs carefully.  Try a little rotational motion before drawing them out.  If a battery starts sliding out with the tab, hold the battery in place.  When all 3 tabs are out, the LCD screen will show $0,000,000,000,000.
  • Press the metal switch on the back labeled "SET/NEXT" and $8,000,000,000,000 appears.
  • The LCD counts up at a rate approximating the growth of the debt.  Numbers increase Right to Left.  The count-up begins after one second.
  • The metal switch labeled "ADJUST" will reset or correct up (and down) the first four digits of the 13 digit number, the four digits aft the $ sign.
  • To reset/correct the first four digits:
    • Press "SET/NEXT" until the first digit begins to flash (about 2 seconds) and release the switch.
    • Press the "ADJUST" switch to change the first digit.  Numbers will sequence up.  To get a lower number sequence up through zero to the lower number desired.
    • Press "SET/NEXT" immediately to move the second digit which will begin to flash.
    • Press "ADJUST" to change the second digit.  Numbers will sequence up.
    • Same instructions apply for the third and fourth digit revisions.
  • After all four digits are reset/corrected, press "SET/NEXT" and hold until the fourth digit stoops flashing (about 2 seconds).  Release the "SET/NEXT" switch and count up resumes at the rate of debt growth.

TIP:  The numbers of the LCD display show most clearly to others when the badge is slanted with the bottom of the badge out horizontally more than the top.

Problem Solvers:

  1. The two magnets are not attached to the rectangle plate except by magnetism.  So SLIDE the plate with the two magnets off upwards.  The 2 magnets will stay in the indentations in the plate.  DO NOT LIFT the plate off because  one or both of the magnets may drop out.  SLIDE the plate up and off.

    Place the plate with the two magnets behind your suit coat lapel, inside a pocket or inside a dress and the badge will clamp firmly to the magnets through the material.
  2. If the LCD Display goes blank (no $ sign or numbers) slide the batteries down out of the holders with something plastic, such as a plastic picnic fork or knife, far enough out so the electrical contact is broken.  DO NOT PUSH THE BATTERIES ALL THE WAY OUT.  Then push the batteries back in, and the LCD display should come alive again and be ready to reset.  If this does not work after a couple of tries, the badge may be non-functional.

Up to date debt #:  http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np

The AG-10 batteries in the badge should last about 2 years.  Batteries plus stock #389 is the same size but even longer lasting.]