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Troubleshooting

 Warning!: Electrical Shock Hazard. May cause serious injury or death. Do not attempt voltage measurement or advanced troubleshooting if you are not a qualified technician or electrician. Always use insulating gloves and other PPE when removing the control box faceplate to test electrical connections.

 

System Components

1.Control Box

  • a) Remote Control Antenna
  • b) Program Clock (Analog or Digital)
  • c) Spray Time Adjustment
  • d) Enclosure Latch
  • e) Auto / Off / Test Switch
  • f) Tank Empty Light
  • g) Circuit Breaker
  • h) Float Switch Connector
  • i) Power cord

2. Motor

3.Pump

a) Intake From Tank

4) Manifold

  • a) Pressure Gauge
  • b) Needle Valve
  • c) Output to Nozzles

5) Agitator (optional)

6) Mounting plate

7) Remote Control transmitter

General Troubleshooting

The system does not spray at the correct times.

  • Check the Program Clock (1b) and see that the clock is set with the current time. To set clock: Turn the minute hand clockwise until the time of day on the outer dial is aligned with the triangular marker on the inner dial.
  • To set time for digital clocks see FAQ page

The system will not build pressure.

  • Make sure all tubing is seated firmly in fittings and nozzles are screwed in tightly using O-rings or Plumbers tape if required. Note: if tubing is properly seated in fittings it will take an R-tool, or similar device, to remove.
  • Ensure intake filter is clean. It is recommended that tank filters are cleaned regularly and replaced annually.
  • Adjust pressure on pump manifold using needle valve (4b). Turn needle valve adjustment clockwise to increase pressure. Note: optimal operating pressure is between 180 and 200 psi.
  • Verify solution level in tank and make sure filter is fully submerged.
  • Check for pressure loss along nozzle circuit; look for any drips/mists coming from any connection other than nozzle tips. Inspect buried and close to ground tubing for cuts and punctures due to rodents or lawn and garden tools. Note that breaks/cuts in tubing must be removed and properly spliced or they will not pressurize.

The system builds pressure but the nozzles do not spray.

  • Clogged nozzle tips. Clean nozzle by disassembling and blow the housing out with compressed air. Many users find soaking the parts in a liquid lime and calcium remover (CLR) helps to loosen hard water deposits and impurities. Old nozzles or nozzles that have been sitting without use for an extended period of time can accumulate a dried liquid near the nozzle orifice, a razor-blade makes a good tool for scraping the build-up from the nozzle tip. If cleaning does not solve the problem, replace the nozzle.
  • If using Mini Nozzles, and cleaning doesn’t help, you can replace the filter (Part MNF) as well as the nozzle tip (Part MNT)
  • Restricted tubing. Remove any kinks and avoid bends of 45 degrees or more.

Spray nozzles drip.

  • If your pump manifold has a check valve, the supply line may be under excessive pressure. In extreme cases; the check valve may need to be removed.
  • Ensure all nozzle tips are screwed in tightly using O-rings or Plumbers tape if required.
  • If using Mini Nozzles; you can replace the ball and spring (Part MN-VBS)
  • Nozzles will drip during a spray cycle if the system pressure is less than 150 psi.

The system will not operate.

  • Tank is Empty. The float switch will shut off system when liquid level is low so that the pump will not run dry. Add new misting concentrate and water.
  • No power. Confirm power to electric outlet, check breakers and GFCI’s. Ensure control box circuit breaker (1g) has not tripped; if so: turn off power to control box using toggle switch (1e) push in circuit breaker then restore power moving toggle switch to “Auto.” Note: Extension cords and power strips should not be used to supply power to the system, relocate as needed.
  • Loose connections. Make sure Float Switch Connector (1h) is properly seated and not damaged in anyway. If system has Grey wire connector for float switch make sure all wires are fully seated in connector and wire colors match: Black to Black, Red to Red, White to White
  • If your system has a Digital Program Clock make sure you have set an ON and OFF time for spray initiation. If you have only created ON times the relay that runs the motor will not be able to reset. See program guide on FAQ Page
  • The Digital Program Clock should be set to AUTO. If the “On” LED is illuminated use the “Manual” button to toggle between functions: toggle to “OFF” then back to “AUTO”. The “On” LED should only be illuminated during a spray cycle.

The system continually trips a breaker

  • Ensure the tank filter is clean and not damaged or corroded. If over a few years old, consider replacing the filter. Restricted flow from a dirty or clogged filter can cause the pump to over heat and trip the system breaker (1g) the house breaker or both.
  • Check for pressure loss along nozzle circuit; look for any drips/mists coming from any connection other than nozzle tips. Inspect buried and close to ground tubing for cuts and punctures due to rodents or lawn and garden tools. Note that breaks/cuts in tubing must be removed and properly spliced or they will not pressurize; compensating for a lack in pressure will cause the motor to overheat and fail.
  • Verify system pressure at or below 200 PSI, use needle valve (4b) to reduce pressure if needed.
  • Eliminate resistance on electrical circuit: Do not supply power to the system via an extension cord and avoid plugging the system into a circuit that powers other high amperage appliances (e.g. Pool Pumps, Dryers) Try temporarily plugging system into a different outlet to see if breaker still continues to trip.
  • If the filter is in good working order and the system pressure is no more than 200 PSI, remove the Pump (3) for the Motor (2) by removing the C clamp that holds the two together. With the pump removed, switch the system to test; if the system runs then the pump needs to be replaced. If the breaker still trips, leave the pump off and disconnect the motor lead from the back of the motor. Switch the system to test, if the system runs the motor will need to be replaced. If a breaker still trips there is a short in the control box.
  • It is very important to do these steps in order; 99% of the time, breaker issues are either Filter/Pump/Motor issues or Household electrical problems.

Program Clocks

The Program Clock (1b) is the mechanism that tells the system when to initiate a spray cycle. All of our AMS systems contain either an Analog or Digital clock. Below are some common issues grouped by clock type. Note that the Program Clock only tells the system when to initiate a spray cycle; it does not govern how long the spray cycle will last. The length of a spray cycle is determined by the Spray Time Adjustment knob 1c.

 

Analog Clocks

Analog clocks initiate spray cycles by passing pulled pins along the clock face. In the example below. The current time is 7am and the next spray cycle is set at 8am. Each pulled pin represents 15 minutes, during this time, the relay that governs how long the spray cycle will last is engaged and will not be able to accommodate a second cycle until the 15 minute time period is up (this includes cycles initiated by remote controls and “Mist Now” buttons). 

Analog clocks are Mechanical devices; they have moving parts that turn the clock face and switches that activate cycles. It is very important that these devices be kept clean from excessive dust and debris by keeping the enclosure door (1d) closed when not in use and system covers when needed. Exposure to dirt and excessive moisture will dramatically shorten the lifespan of an Analog clock and will void its warranty. In the example below, the clock stopped working within 6 months.

 

In some cases, the mechanical components of an Analog clock can break down internally. If a system with an Analog clock is not keeping time or initiating spray cycles at random times; the clock could be sticking at the pins. The following image shows a pin pulled at 8am with the triangular marker that shows current time just below. 

If you notice a cycle has been skipped; check to see if the Program Clock is “stuck” in this position. Note that Program clocks move slowly; so it can take an hour or so to know if a clock is truly stuck. Program Clocks that stick at pins require advanced troubleshooting: contact us for assistance. 

Digital Clocks

 

Digital clocks initiate spray cycles according to programmed events. A programmed event has two parts: an “On” time (time of spray cycle) and an “Off” time (to reset the timer relay). Like the Analog clock above, the Digital clock only tells the system when to initiate a spray cycle; it does not govern how long the spray cycle will last. We therefore separate the On and Off times by only one minute. The length of a spray cycle is determined by the Spray Time Adjustment knob 1c.

 

Digital clocks do not have mechanical components and, on average, last longer than Analog clocks. Most reported failures with Digital clocks are related to programing at set up or a status change made in error.

  • When programming a spray cycle, ensure both “On” and “Off” times have been programmed for each event. “On” times without a corresponding “Off” time will suspend all spray cycles from the clock, remote and/or “Mist Now” button until the clock reaches an “Off” time. 
  • Be sure “On” and corresponding “Off” times are set only one minute apart. (Ex On 7:00am Off 7:01am) 

Digital clocks must be in an Auto status to initiate spray cycles. The status indicator appears as a bar over a corresponding state printed on the clock face. There are three states a Digital clock can be in On, Auto or Off. The manual button below the time readout toggles between the states. The image below shows the clock in an Auto status and the power LED off.  

 

If you depress the Manual button the clock status and power LED will switch to On (see image below). It can sometimes be necessary to use this feature for troubleshooting purposes; however, the clock should be put back in an Auto status with the Power LED off. Leaving the clock in an On status will suspend all Spray Cycles and make the Remote inoperable. Note: To return to the desired status use the Manual button to toggle from On to Auto to Off to Auto. Toggling from On to Auto will not reset the clock and the power LED will remain On. Toggling from On to Auto to Off to Auto is the only way to reset the clock and properly initiate spray cycles.

 

In the Off status, the Digital clock will not initiate spray cycles. Use the Manual button to toggle the status to Auto.

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