Bowl feeders and especially  power tracks must be mounted on a solid surface.

Nothing should touch the bowl or base.

Nothing should be added to the bowl (changes turning).

• Part change, i.e. dimension (or new supplier), plating change, burrs.
• Controller failure, check with another controller (must be rectified or unrectified as original controller).  Controllers can only be repaired at the factory.
• Broken spring, look for cracks near bolts, remove springs to be sure.

• Loose screws, especially spring bolts.
• Oil under the rubber feet.

Check coil gap - armature must come close but not hit.

A B Series unit, if re-assembled must have the armature and coil laminations lined up.

Spring bolts must be tight and not too long or short, spacers are required between springs and against the cross-arm and bottom spring mounts.

Bowls cannot be changed without retuning base.

60 Hertz units need fewer springs to run on 50 Hertz.

A.  INSTALLATION

1. Visually check the equipment and report any shipping damage immediately.
2. Secure the bowl firmly to the unit cross arm.  Do not attach anything that may restrict the vibrating motion of the bowl.
3. Install the feeder on a level, vibration-free stand.  Set the unit in place and secure the isolator feet to the mounting surface with the positioning pads.  Do not restrict the slight vibration of the base of the unit.
4. Install the controller in any convenient location.  Plug the controller power cord into a power outlet delivering rated voltage and frequency.  Plug the drive unit power cord into the outlet on the controller.  Rotate the controller knob to produce the desired vibration amplitude.

B.  ARMATURE AIR GAP ADJUSTMENT

The air gap was adjusted at the factory.  It is usually  .015 to  .040  inches depending on the size of the unit.  If, for any reason, adjustment is required, it must be reset so that the gap is as small as possible without  "striking" .  CAUTION:  A gap that is too wide will result in overheating of the coil, blown fuses and poor performance.

C.  SPRINGING

1. Spring bolts must be tight.  5/6 bolts should have a torque of up to 30 ft. lbs., 1/2" bolts up to 100 ft. lbs.,  and 5/8 bolts up to 200 ft. lbs.
2. Springs are supplied for nominal-weight feeder bowls.  Adding weight will require more springs.  removing weight will require fewer springs.
3. Always use spacers between springs and against fastening surfaces.
4. For "B" Series and HS400 Drive Units, see other tuning info below and or call PFI for more info.

D.  REPAIR PARTS

When ordering repair parts,  send all nameplate information.  See Parts List supplied with your  feeder.

When you receive a base unit and blank bowl, the unit has been factory tuned.  It is generally over-sprung to allow for the addition of tooling and to provide a more stable amplitude if heavy parts are put into the bowl. If the weight of the bowl is increased too much, however, additional springs will be needed on the base unit.

To check the springing required after the weight is added, turn the unit on and loosen one spring bolt.  If the bowl amplitude decreases, springs should be added;  if it increases, spring should be removed.  Springs should be added or removed in small increments.  Try to keep the springing as even as possible.

When changing springs it is very important that the springs be TIGHTENED SECURELY. 5/6" bolts should have a torque of up to 30 ft. lbs., 1/2" bolts up to 100ft. lbs., 5/8" bolts up to 200ft. lbs, and 3/4" bolts 400ft. lbs.  Bolts should have a fastening depth of approximately twice their diameter.

OTHER THINGS TO CHECK:

Spring clamps (thick washers) must be used under the head of spring bolts.

Spring spacers must be used between the springs and against the fastening surfaces.

The armature air gap should be between  .015" and  .040" for "B" Series drives. For other drives consult PFI.

The proper controller must be used.

The neoprene feet must be attached securely.

The bowl mounting bolts must be tight. (Torque should be approximately 1/4 that of the spring bolts).

Nothing should restrict the bowl from vibrating

The stand for the feeder should be level and vibration free.

Things which rarely occur, but should be checked if the unit is still malfunctioning are broken springs or a burned out coil.

When you receive your nail feeder, the HS-400 drive unit has been factory tuned with the proper number of springs and with the correct coil gap.  Nothing should be added to the bowl.  

If the unit is operated at a high amplitude,  i.e. over 1/4" (6mm), for an extended period of time there could be some spring breakage.

When replacing springs it is very important that the springs be TIGHTENED SECURELY.  5/8" bolts should have a torque of 400ft lbs. and  3/4" bolts 800ft lbs.  (Bolts should have a depth of approximately twice their diameter).

OTHER THINGS TO CHECK:

Spring clamp blocks  must be used under the head of the spring bolts.

Spring spacers must be used between the springs and against the fastening surfaces.

The armature air gap should be between  .125" (3mm).  If the gap is larger than this the coils may burn out..

The proper controller must be used.  Input voltage must be the same as that of the controller and the coils.

The bowl mounting bolts must be tight. (Torque should be approximately 150 ft. lbs).

Nothing should restrict the bowl from vibrating.

The stand for the feeder should be substantial,  level and vibration free.