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Frequently Asked Questions
The table below provides a menu to problems that customers have experienced over time. We have included common problems with associated products not Racewell produced for your information
Racewell units work with compressors that can provide up to 120psi. However rural power supplies are notoriously unstable and this needs to be taken into account which purchasing an adequate compressor. If you intend to do a lot of multi drafting on automatic then we recommend you consider buying a belt driven compressor These compressors require less power to start up and do not start up under load like the less expensive compressors. Smaller compressors are designed to only have to start up around 8 times per hour. More frequent demand results in the starter motor overheating and burning out. If you are not using direct power – eg power is via a generator, then we recommend you purchase a “downloader compressor”. This model keeps the motor running but does not compress air until it is required. The result is the amps needed for the generator to start the compressor are significantly
ReducedI don’t have power at my work site
If you do not have power at your worksite this is not problem. Air can be piped from a power source to the workplace by standard 12mm (1/2”) alkathene (polypipe). The pipe acts as an additional reservoir. As the compressor starts up on demand when the air pressure drops, having it away from the work site has the advantage of reducing the noise of the compressor where you are working
Sheep unit not working but lights on in Board
Cause: Faulty 12 Adaptor
Take top of auto control box and check lights are on in board but wont go into test mode.
Try using a 12 v battery in place of 12 v Adaptor
Remedy: Replace 12v adaptor
Small Flapper Backing Gates do not Operate
Cause: These gates are gravity operated. To work, they must be mounted on an angle that causes them to fall back once the sheep has passed through
Remedy Increase mounting angle so that gates open automatically
Cause: Sheep can still get back through the gates
Remedy: You race may be wider than standard and need to have the backing gates mounted on a packer to reduce the overall width where they are mounted
How do I Disengage Backing hook
Problem: The pressure on the backing hook enables it to operate with the operation of the auto entry gate. When you want to disengage this the pressure to the ram that activates the backing hook must be turned down. This ram is on the off side of the unit directly behind where the backing hook comes through the side wall of the crush.
Remedy: On older units, turn pressure switch on backing hook ram in clockwise direction till auto backing hook does not move when sheep enter crush (Red Line)
On newer units there is a black lever that automatically turns off the backing hook (green line)
To re-engage turn pressure switch in anti clockwise direction until backing hook is activated
Auto Entry gate doesn't open or opens too slowly
Cause: Pressure on the ram valve is not enough
Solution: Turn brass pressure switch in anti clockwise direction until desired speed is achieved
Auto Entry gate shuts too fast or Violently
Cause: The pressure on the ram valve is too much
Remedy: Turn the brass pressure switch in an clockwise direction until the gate closes at the required speed
Crush releases and catches straight away
Probable cause 1: Dirt or wool on sensors
Remedy: Clean sensors
Probable cause 2: Sensor beam length too long
Remedy: Contact Racewell for instructions
Probable cause 3: Faulty power source - AC Adaptor
Try using a 12 volt battery source to see if the AC adaptor is faulty and needs repair or replace
Also if unit is plugged in with extension cord, wires in extension cord could be damaged. Try plugging another mains power appliance at the work site to check power from extension cord is OK
Problem: Battery flat
Remedy: Replace internal battery
Problem: Remote not synchronised to crush
Remedy: Hold down catch button on remote for three seconds to synchronise to crush
To Disengage Backing Hook on Sheep Superhandler
The pressure on the backing hook enables it to operate with the operation of the auto entry gate. When you want to disengage this the pressure to the ram that activates the backing hook must be turned down. This ram is on the off side of the unit directly behind where the backing hook comes through the side wall of the crush.
Remedy: On older units, turn pressure switch on backing hook ram in clockwise direction till auto backing hook does not move when sheep enter crush (blue line) On newer units there is a black lever that automatically turns off the backing hook (blue line)To re-engage turn pressure switch in anti clockwise direction until backing hook is activated
Pneumatics (Air Pressure) not working
Things to Check:
No chewed or damaged air lines
Power is on
Check power is on and air is hooked up and compressor working. Check eye leads are not damaged - disconnect and see if unit works without eyes.
Try operating with a 12 v battery to see if AC adaptor is faulty.
What size generator will I need to operate the sheep system away from electric power
Requires 5,7 KVA generator or greater
Sheep crush is not wide enough
Remedy: On the off side at the bottom front there is a spring loaded bolt and a number of adjustment holes. Move the wall across to an adjustment hole so that the crush is the desired width. If desired the wall can be tapered with the adjustment holes making the crush a V shape.
Also check that the push ram for the crush wall does not need adjustment. Be sure that the wall will not close right away across as this could squash a hand. To adjust the ram position, remove the R pin and position the ram in a more appropriate slot. Reaffix the R pin
Racewell upgrade wont install to automation box
Cause: Scale indicator is turned on
Remedy: Turn off scale indicator. Retry down load process
Cause: Autodraft is turned on at dashboard
Remedy: Turn autodraft switch to off
Iconix FX21 displays No store in indicator when trying to record weights
Most common Cause: File selection is set on Group 0. This is a global (all files) setting
Remedy: Choose any other file from 1 to 100 that is appropriate - ie you might not want to record today's weights in the same file as a previous weighing
Cause 2: Has Racewell autobox programme prior to AD163 - version of file is written on side of autobox
Remedy: Requires upgrade to Racewell programme. Log visit for upgrade to be carried out
Cause 3: Weighing process may be too fast for indicator to cope with
Remedy: Try slowing down sheep throughput into crush area
Cause 4: Load cell problem
Remedy: Contact Iconix
Iconix FX41 wont move off zero
Cause: Internal battery is flat
Remedy: Recharge battery. If it still wont move off zero indicator it has lost span calibration send to Iconix.
Crush wont release in Iconix FX21 system
Problem: Indicator memory is full and cannot process sheep in unit
Solution: Delete some records no longer required.
Iconix FX41 displays PGM Scale set up
Cause: Indicator battery flat
Remedy: Connect indicator to loadbars, turn on and press weigh key. Check weights to see if recalibration is necessary. If this doesn't reset the indicator it will need to go to Iconix to have software re-installed
NOTE: Before weighing can commence the indicator must be charged even if you have successfully reset as above
Cause: Indicator battery flat
Remedy: Connect indicator to loadbars, turn on and press weigh key. Check weights to see if recalibration is necessary. If this doesn't reset the indicator it will need to go to Iconix to have software re-installed
NOTE: Before weighing can commence the indicator must be charged even if you have successfully reset as above
Iconix FX21 indicator wont turn on or switches off
Cause: battery flat
Check: Hold down on switch - if it stays on while on switch is held down it is flat battery
Otherwise contact Iconix
Cause: Indicator not turned on while charging
Remedy: FX41 must be switched on when charging
Possible cause flat battery or air line fault - can you hear air escaping anywhere?
Unit is not auto releasing with Iconix FX41
Possible Cause: If using FX41 battery low
Remedy: Ensure indicator is charged before commencing work
Problem: moisture in connectors
Remedy: use hair dryer or similar to ensure connectors are dry. Make sure protective plugs are in place between weighings
Indicator counting up or down when switched on
Cause 1: Moisture in connectors
Remedy: use hair dryer or similar to ensure connectors are dry. Replace protection caps between weighings
Cause 2: Low battery
Remedy: Charge battery before commencing work
Cause 3: Electric fence interference
Remedy: Turn electric fence off to check if problem resolves. Better earth on electric fenc required
Cause 4: Faulty indicator
Remedy: Send indicator to Iconix
Return Iconix FX41 to Default Settings
Setup Push "setup", "set up" (saved comes up) "50 ^PGMscale setup Push Set up then weigh
Right draft gate stays across with Iconix FX21
Cause: Drafter is turned off in setup of FX21
Remedy: Turn drafter back on in setup of FX21
Life Data and File Data in the Trutest XR3000
What are the differences between Life data and File data?
Life data is the general data about an animal, such as date of birth, ID or breed that normally stays the same throughout the life of the animal.
The life data for all animals is stored in a single database, called the Lifetime Animal Database (Life Data for short). Life data doesn’t need to be entered at each weighing session. Life data is entered once and then called up from the database when needed. File data is the data you collect during weighing sessions on an ongoing basis. For example, the animals weight, condition, and treatments given on a particular day.
Up to 200 data files can be stored in the XR3000. Files can be identified by File Number, File Name, Date, Time, or a combination of these.
Pasted from <http://www.trutest.co.nz/weighing_new/3000_faq.asp>
Unit is not Auto releasing With Trutest Scales
Cause:
Remedy: Turn unit on and off.
Check auto release switch on side of crush is on.
Check auto draft cable for damage
What is the Difference Between HDX andDX Electronic eartags
Both of these eartags are low frequency ear tags. This means they come within the range of what is internationally accepted for RFID. Half duplex tags transmit the electronic signal in only one direction at a time. Full duplex tags transmit the electronic signals in both directions. With RFID the tags are static or do not emit electronic signals until the tiny coil in the tag is excited by the RFID antennae (race reader/wand). Once excited it starts sending out its signal which is captured and interpreted by the reader head and presented as a legible number. This number is then often transmitted to the scales indicator or PDA to record liveweight data or select which group the animal belongs to for drafting.
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