The tube supplied is a 50mm diameter reinforced Polyurethane flexible tube with a copper anti-static wire
moulded into the tube wall. When fitting the tube, this wire must be exposed and placed in contact with
the steel connections (on the auger/vacuum and pellet hopper) at each end. Refer to Section 4.4 for
details.
The maximum length of tube between the cyclone unit (inside the pellet hopper of the SpiraPod) and the
auger/vacuum (mounted on the bulk pellet store) is 20 metres (i.e. 2 x 20 metres lengths - one each way).
The maximum rise over that length is 5 metres. No reduction in this maximum allowance is required for
any changes in the height of the tube over the length of run.
Both tubes are secured at each end, to the connections on the vacuum and auger units, using the four
hose clips provided with the kit. Refer to Section 4.3 for details.
Any pellet tubes run against walls MUST be adequately supported at no more that 1 metre centres, and
at either sides of a bend in the tube, using the 50mm metal pipe clips provided.
3.6 Operating Sequences
The BioVac system control box has a ‘VACUUM SYSTEM’ ON/OFF switch on the control panel.
When this switch is set to ON –the vacuum system operates in Automatic mode. Refer to
Section 3.6.1 below.
When this switch is set to OFF –the vacuum system operates in Manual mode. Refer to Section
3.6.2 below
3.6.1 Automatic Mode
With the ‘VACUUM SYSTEM’ON/OFF switch set to ON the SpiraVac vacuum system is operational.
In this condition the SpiraVac system will function in one of two different automatic operating modes:
‘Top-up’ mode –to automatically top-up the pellet hopper when the pellet level falls below the
minimum level, as detected by the contents sensor. Once the contents sensor is activated, the
vacuum motor and filling process will automatically start, as detailed below.
‘24 hour’mode –to automatically fill the hopper with pellets, up to the trap door of the vacuum
unit trap door, every 24 hours starting at the time when the ON/OFF switch on the BioVac control
panel is first set to ON.
In both cases the operation of the vacuum system is as follows –Refer to the flow diagram in Figure 3-8.
The vacuum motor will start and create a vacuum in the cyclone unit. This pulls closed the trap door at
the base of the cyclone. The proximity switch (mounted on the side of the cyclone) is activated. Power is
supplied to the pellet auger located in the base of the bulk pellet store.
The auger starts and pulls pellets into the suction chamber of the auger unit, from where they are drawn
into and through the flexible suction tube and deposited in the cyclone unit. The red indicator neon on the
SpiraVac system control panel will blink on and off during this process.
The pellet auger runs for 90 seconds and is then automatically switched off. The vacuum motor runs on
for a further 15 seconds after the auger has stopped (to ensure no pellet build up in the tubes) before it
is automatically switched off (i.e. a total vacuum motor running time of 105 seconds).
