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Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Support
1) Maintenance
What maintenance is necessary to keep the Mosquito Magnet® running effectively?
A standard Propane tank of 13 kgs should be replaced approximately every 28 days (the average gas consumpsion, run 24 hours a day, is 0.454 kgs per day) and the Octenol cartridge should be replaced every 22 days. The following points should be noted: ~
- The gas regulator must be tightened VERY tight. Use a wrench or spanner on the Liberty 2003 and Pro 2003, to ensure no gas can escape. All models from 2004 onwards can be tightened by hand according to the manual's instructions. Use a concentrated washing up liquid/water mix to check there are no gas leaks at the connection between the Propane gas cylinder and the regulator.
- The net should be looked at very regularly and should be emptied when it is half full. The nets can be washed out and re-used but will eventually have to be replaced. When emptying the net, check to see that the fan's air exit grill is not blocked with midges. Use a vacuum cleaner, if necessary, to clean out the machine of dead midges.
- Small CO2 cartridges can be purchased separately on our website to flush out any build up of contaminants in the Propane gas lines during and at the beginning & end of the season - see 'CO2 Cartridges 3-unit pack' (CO2 Cartridges only) or Octenol & CO2 packs in 'Products'.
When should you use the Quick Clear Valve?
It is recommended that you use the Quick-Clear Valve before and after any prolonged storage period, at least every two Propane tank changes, and if you have problems starting your Mosquito Magnet® or keeping the Mosquito Magnet® running. It is recommended that you use the Quick-Clear Valve after the first Propane tank change and then every two tank changes after that in order to keep any contaminants from building up in the fuel system of the Mosquito Magnet®. These contaminants may build up over time and clog the fuel system and cause trap failure. For additional maintenance, you can use the Quick-Clear Valve after every tank change, this will help prevent problems from happening. It is also recommended to use the Quick-Clear Valve before and after any prolonged storage period so that contaminants do not build up during that time. Make sure you disconnect the machine from the Propane gas cylinder before you run the CO2.
What size CO2 cartridge to use with the Quick-Clear Valve.
It is recommended that you use the Quick-Clear CO2 cartridges that are available at any retail location where the Mosquito Magnet® and it's accessories are sold or on our web site.
You can use a standard treaded CO2 cartridge. The CO2 cartridge may come in a variety of sizes. You should only use a 12 or 16 gram threaded CO2 cartridge. If you use a larger size the pressure may damage the Mosquito Magnet®. You must use a CO2 cartridge that is threaded at the end. Non-threaded CO2 cartridge will not be able to connect to the Quick-Clear Adapter.
Instructions on how to use a CO2 Cartridge
In order to clean the gas system and lines in a Mosquito Magnet® machine with the CO2 cartridges, it is now suggested by the manufacturer that you carry out the following to purge the machine: ~
1 Turn Propane gas off and disconnect.
2 Turn system off and leave for about 2 hours to cool, if it has been running.
3 First remove the small black CO2 valve cover. Insert CO2 adapter and then attach the CO2 cartridge but do NOT screw in the CO2 gas yet.
4 Switch system on and wait for 3.5 minutes for the Liberty 2003 or Defender or wait 1.5-2 minutes for the Liberty Plus, Pro 2003, New Pro or New Pro Plus.
5 At this time the solenoid will open - this means that when the CO2 is let through the system, it cleans right through. We suggest that you have a dummy run to listen when the solenoid clicks open so that you know when to let the CO2 through the system.
6 Then, as soon as the solenoid opens, screw in the CO2 cartridge, slightly releasing a part 1/4 turn until the CO2 starts to flow. It is recommended you wear eye shields during this process.
7 Unscrew the empty CO2 cartridge once it has warmed up or use gloves, as it will be icy cold following the release of the CO2 and remove the adapter replacing the black valve cover - leave the system for ONE hour to warm up again - the CO2 cools the system due to gas expansion - then switch off the electricity supply (Liberty 2003 & Defender only) and turn the system off (all models) to reset the electronics in the machine.
8 Reconnect the Propane gas, turn on the electricity supply at the wall (Liberty 2003 & Defender only) and switch back on (all models) to commence the start routine.
How to check for sufficient vacuum.
To see if you have a good vacuum you need to hold a piece of tissue, about half the size of a penny, under the opening of the trumpet shaped part under the green and tan housing. Place the piece of tissue about a half inch into the trumpet shaped part. Release the tissue, and it should be pulled upwards into the trap. It may not get vacuumed all the way in through trap and into the net. Mainly you are looking to verify that there is air current moving in the right direction. The vacuum may not seem very strong, but keep in mind we are only trying to pull in a very tiny insect.
2) Troubleshooting
If I should have a problem with my machine what should I do?
You should first of all check the Troubleshooting Guide in your Operations Manual, supplied with each machine. To assist you further you can click on this link that gives you access to the details of every Mosquito Magnet® machine.
Troubleshooting Information
Defender
Q My defender is stopping (displaying fast flashing red light) after running for only 1 month or less – is it faulty?
A Turn off gas, unplug machine, remove side vent from machine (using a Phillips screwdriver) tip machine over to vent side and shake - excess insects will fall out of machine. Machine should restart after emptying.
Q My defender is dripping water at base of plume tube is this okay?
A Yes this is normal the water is the by product from creating CO2
Other Defender Issues
· Due to the net size of the Defender we have found that unless there is someone present daily to maintain the machine the volume of insects shuts it down over time. The Defender is highly effective and is recommended for people with a minor insect problem.
· Before moving the Defender it is crucial that the machine goes through its cooling down cycle to bring the burner temperature back to an acceptable level. If this is not carried out then damage can occur to components.
· The Defender cannot be run off a car battery without the use of an inverter. Tampering with the power cord voids warranty
Liberty Plus
Q I have charged my machine for the recommended 24hrs and it will not start?
There is NOT an icon on the Liberty Plus to inform that the battery is fully charged
A
1. Was a light present during the charging period as it may have been charged in the “ON” position (RHS on rocker switch) – The machine imust be turned to the “OFF” position and charged for a further 24hrs.
2. Check all power to the machine i.e. wall sockets - plug another device in to check for power – you can double-check the power cord by plugging into machine and turning on - the LED will be lit.
3. Check polarity of battery connections (red to red & black to black) uncommon but has occurred.
4. Check connections on battery and machine – are all metal pins in connectors?
5. Double check that battery has been charged for 24hrs – some customers get quite excited about the prospect of catching insects and only charge the machine for 12 hrs or less.
Q My Liberty is making a loud noise (foghorn, howling etc)?
A Machine requires to be brought in for repair - Call your machine supplier.
Note:
· Some Liberty Plus machine’s will “howl” until the green running LED is on – please double check that machine continues howling in the running condition before sending back.
· Also, make sure all parts are fitted to the machine – in particular the plume tube, net and trap cover is closed securely.
Other Liberty Plus Issues
1. Side vent require to be removed periodically - every week (depending on catch) and cleaned by brushing off excess insects
2. Depending on type of insect and machine age it may be required to use the net adapter if this is not used the machine will only run for 2/3 days max then shutdown
3. Check machine condition by removing battery while machine is running – if the machine shuts down then there is a problem on board that will require repair. This method can be used for machine’s that are running for only a few days at a time before showing battery out LED. If the machine shuts down when battery is removed then it requires repair.
Pro & Pro Plus
Q I have charged my machine for the recommended 24hrs and it will not start?
There is NOT a charge icon on the Pro/Pro Plus to inform that the battery is fully charged
A
1. Was the machine charged in the OFF position (indicated on the LCD – top left hand corner) during the charging period as it may have been charged in the “ON” position (indicated by “warming icon flashing). – The machine must be turned to the “OFF” position and charged for a further 24hrs.
2. Check all power to the machine i.e. wall sockets - plug another device in to check for power – you can double-check the power cord by plugging into machine and turning on - the LCD will be flash.
3. Check polarity of battery connections (red to red & black to black) uncommon but has occurred.
4. Check connections on battery and machine – are all metal pins in connectors?
5. Double check that battery has been charged for 24hrs – some customers get quite excited about the prospect of catching insects and only charge the machine for 12 hrs or less.
Q I have a large metal plate in the box what is it?
A It is the gas tank adapter plate for larger tanks to be fitted to the rear of the machine
Other Pro and Pro Plus Issues
1. Side vent require to be removed periodically - every week (depending on catch) and cleaned by brushing off excess insects
2. Check machine condition by removing battery while machine is running – if the machine shuts down then there is a problem on board that will require repaired. This method can be used for machine’s that are running for only a few days at a time before showing battery out LED. If the machine shuts down when battery is removed then it will need sent in for repair.
Fault Codes / Troubleshooting
Defender - Start Sequence:
1. Switch on machine ( rocker switch to LHS)
2. Machine will run for 3.30 mins and you will hear fan speed drop (ignition)
3. Machine will speed back up to normal fan speed
4. Approximately 7 mins later the machine should display solid red light (running)
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Fault Code |
Possible Causes |
Remedy |
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Fast flashing red light
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Gas out (No gas)
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· Check gas tank is full,
· Check regulator connection and leak test if necessary
· Purge system using CO2 and re test machine.
· Remove side vent and empty machine
· Perform Gas Leak Test
If all of the above fail the machine requires uplift |
Liberty Plus - Start Sequence
1. Switch machine on
2. Fan will start at a slow speed
3. After 1 min you will hear igniter clicking
4. After 30 seconds the solenoid can be heard clicking on
5. Igniter circuit will click off
6. Fan will speed up – you will hear an initial howl from the machine while speeding up
7. After 20 mins the machine will go to Green LED - Running
Fault Code |
Possible Causes |
Remedy |
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Fast flash red |
Thermistor fault
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· Machine requires uplifting |
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Slow flash red |
Gas out fault |
· Check regulator
· Check gas tank
· Purge system using Co2 and re test machine.
· Perform Gas Leak Test |
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Red and Yellow flash |
Battery fault
TEM/ PCB fault
If possible get machine to running condition (green LED) and remove battery from machine – does it shut down? |
· Has battery been charged for 24hrs in OFF position?
· Check connections on battery & machine
· Has machine been left off for a period of time? –recharge
· Uplift machine for repair
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Pro and Pro Plus – Starting Sequence
1. Switch machine on – indicates “warming” flashing
2. Fan will start at high speed then slow down
3. After 1 min you will hear igniter clicking
4. After 30 seconds the solenoid can be heard clicking on
5. Igniter circuit will click off
6. Fan will speed up – you will hear an initial howl from the machine while speeding up
7. Approximately 25 mins later the “warming” will disappear indicating that the machine is running
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Fault Code |
Possible Causes |
Remedy |
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Beep followed by high temperature icon on LCD |
Thermistor fault
Poor airflow to machine
Fan not working |
· Machine requires uplifting
· Check net – full?
Check side vents?
· Check fan is not obstructed and is moving |
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Beep followed by gas out icon on LCD |
Gas out fault |
· Check regulator
· Check gas tank
· Purge system using Co2 and re test machine
· Perform Gas Leak Test |
New Pro System Reset Instructions
If your system either runs out of gas or has a low battery charge, the system may need to be reset. The reason for this is that sometimes when the system is restarted, the previous fault message appears on the LCD screen and the system will not start properly.
The resetting procedure is as follows:
1 Switch system off at the LCD panel and disconnect the Propane gas.
2 Disconnect the battery - open the cover to find the battery compartment - it is just behind the clear plastic panel covering the bag compartment.
3 Disconnect the solar panel connector. The connector is a small wire at the back of the cover, which plugs into a small plastic socket. Carefully remove the wire out of this socket. This disconnects the solar panel from the system and stops any electricity being generated.
4 On the LCD screen, press the 'On' button several times until the screen goes blank.
5 Reconnect the battery and the solar power connector.
6 Recharge the battery using the battery charger for 24 hours - the input socket is inside the system to the side of the clear plastic panel.
7 When charging the battery, the system needs to be in the 'Off' position. If not, all the power input to the battery runs out to the system and the battery will not charge. There is no visible indication that charging is taking place on the LCD screen.
8 After 24 hours, reconnect the Propane gas and restart the system.
If you have the same fault code after the above procedure, please call the support contacts below.
Gas Leak Test
Gas leak tests can be carried out on regulators by carrying out the following instructions:
Warning:
To perform gas leak test the machine must be switched OFF and disconnected from mains and battery.
1. Make a solution of washing up liquid and water (foam mixture) and soak up with a sponge.
2. Apply all around the regulator – if bubbles grow around areas of the regulator then a gas leak is present and regulator will require tightened.
3. If a gas leak is detected turn off gas immediately.
4. Repeat process until leak is repaired.
Cooling and Restarting
· All machines must be left for a cool down period (min ¾ hr) before attempting to restart.
· As outlined in the Defender section it is crucial that the machine goes through its cooling down cycle to bring the burner temperature back to an acceptable level. If this is not carried out then damage can occur to components.
· Never attempt to move a machine while it is running, as this will invalidate the customers warranty - Always cool down machine before attempting to move.
Batteries
· Liberty plus, Pro and Pro Plus all use the same battery and therefore can be interchanged if required.
· All of the above machines require a minimum of 5.2v to start the machine anything below this and they will not start.
Note:
Dealers receive calls from customers that have returned to find their machine not running indicating gas out fault. It is nearly always the case that the customer has been away for a period of time and the gas is empty. The customer will have purchased another tank of gas and will have tried to restart the machine with the result being that the machine will indicate low battery fault. The machine will need recharged for a further 24 hrs. We would recommend that customers log tank changes and change over tanks prior to running out to save recharging.
Regulators
· In appearance all of the Mosquito Magnet regulators look exactly the same – this is not the case!
· All regulators are calibrated to each machine’s specification and therefore cannot be swapped over without invalidating the warranty.
· All regulators use an O-ring to form a gas tight seal between the regulator and gas tank on the Defender, Liberty Plus, New Pro and New Pro Plus. Please double check that this is present and in good condition with customers. The Liberty 2003’s regulator connection to the Propane gas cylinder has to be tightened with a spanner.
· All machines sold in the UK do not require the Gas re-set tool (USA only) mentioned in the manual.
Regulator O-ring
· Some regulators use an O-ring to form a gas tight seal between the regulator and gas tank. Please double check that this is present and in good condition. Renew if perished.
Gas Hoses
· All machine’s gas hoses should be periodically inspected for damage. If a faulty hose is detected the machine must be returned for repair.
CO2
Q Is this really necessary?
A Yes, all bottled propane contains contamination to a certain degree (depending on suppliers) and over a period of time the contamination, sometimes known as waxing, (i.e. heavy oils & rust) builds up to a point that the machine nozzle becomes blocked making the starting /running of the machine more problematic. American BioPhysics recommends that machine’s are quick cleared every 2/3 bottles of gas used. It is also a good practice to clean the machine before winter storage and prior to start up.
Q Can I use my own CO2 to clear out machine?
A No
Only the product that is endorsed by American BioPhysics can be used on the machine. All other products vary in pressure and contamination and are therefore not suitable for use on the Mosquito Magnet range of machines
Q CO2 discharge only took 20seconds – is this normal as it states in the manual that it should take up to 3 minutes?
A Yes, the CO2 will discharge very quickly (up to 30 seconds) and this is normal.
Purge Procedures
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Defender & Liberty 2003 |
Liberty Plus |
Pro 2003 & New Pro |
Pro Plus |
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Disconnect Gas |
Disconnect Gas |
Disconnect Gas |
Disconnect Gas |
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Switch machine on |
Switch machine on |
Switch machine on (New Pro only) |
Switch machine on |
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Screw on Co2 adapter |
Screw on Co2 adapter |
Screw on Co2 adapter |
Screw on Co2 adapter |
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Wait 3.5 minutes |
Wait 2 minutes |
Wait 2 minutes (New Pro only) |
Wait 2 minutes |
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Screw on Co2 cylinder |
Screw on Co2 cylinder |
Screw on Co2 cylinder |
Screw on Co2 cylinder |
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Back off Co2 cylinder (anticlockwise) ¼ turn |
Back off Co2 cylinder (anticlockwise) ¼ turn |
Back off Co2 cylinder (anticlockwise) ¼ turn |
Back off Co2 cylinder (anticlockwise) ¼ turn |
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Wait 30 seconds |
Wait 30 seconds |
Wait 30 seconds |
Wait 30 seconds |
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Unscrew Co2 & adapter from machine |
Unscrew Co2 & adapter from machine |
Unscrew Co2 & adapter from machine |
Unscrew Co2 & adapter from machine |
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Connect gas to machine |
Connect gas to machine |
Connect gas to machine |
Connect gas to machine |
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Turn gas on –slowly |
Turn gas on -slowly |
Turn gas on –slowly |
Turn gas on -slowly |
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Start machine after ONE hour |
Start machine after ONE hour |
Start machine after ONE hour |
Start machine after ONE hour |
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Repeat if necessary |
Repeat if necessary |
Repeat if necessary |
Repeat if necessary |
Note:
· Some machine’s may require 2/3 purges before the nozzle is cleared – always advise customers to quick clear their machine’s on a frequent basis.
Gas
There is only one fuel used to power the Mosquito Magnets in the United Kingdom and that is: Propane (UK)
Manuals
All Mosquito Magnets come complete with manuals and interactive placement CD-ROM.
Not all customers read them...
3) Support
Click on this link if you require any Spare Parts.
We will always try and assist you with any problem on 01436 679735 during office hours (Monday to Friday). In the event that we are unable do this, you should e-mail Technical Support at techsupport@mosquitomagnet.com for assistance. Finally if you need to speak to an American Biophysics Technical Service Representative telephone 001 401 884 3500 Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST, Sat & Sun 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST giving the following information, or the number shown in the operation manual of 001 877 699 8727:
- Your name
- Telephone number
- Model
- Serial number
- Nature of problem
For UK service and warranty repairs of Mosquito Magnet products, please contact:
Ewen Todd
Telephone: 0141 764 1963 or 07766774458
E-mail: info@midgetech.co.uk
Abbreviations
LCD Liquid Crystal Display LED Light Emitting Diode CO2 Carbon Dioxide TEM Thermo Electric Module PCB Printed Circuit Board
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