AP®/Cumberland® SmartIR Sensor Feed Line Control

The Smart IR Sensor is used as the primary control for a Flex-Flo™ or other flexible auger feed line systems. It uses “infrared” technology to detect the presence of all types of mash and pellet feeds. It is designed to be used in place of a proximity switch or drop tube switch and will operate with or without the aid of a power relay. The sensor is installed underneath a control unit between the powerhead drop (funnel) and the drop tube at the end of a flexible auger feed system.

The Smart IR Sensor will detect when the last feeder is full and immediately shut the flexible auger system off, the yellow “Product Detected” LED will be lit and the display will read “Full”. When the feed falls away from the sensor, it will count down a pre-determined delay time and then turn the flexible auger system back on. It also includes a maximum run timer that will shut the system down if the auger runs too long in case of an empty or bridged feed tank or a feed spill. Alarm contacts are available to provide remote notification of a maximum run situation.

Includes four #10 x 3/4" self tapping screws to attach to drop cone and drop tube at installation.

Delay Time:

Delay time is the length of time after the IR sensor no longer detects feed, before it turns the flexible auger system back on again. It is used to prevent short-cycling of the flexible auger system. Excessive short-cycling will reduce the life of the motor and/or flexible auger system. It can also result in the motor running hot and continually activating the thermal reset.

The required delay time setting depends on how quickly the animals can empty the feeders once the feed system is full. Large capacity feeders or younger, smaller animals will allow for longer delay time settings. For best results, use a slightly less delay time setting than the time it takes the animals to completely empty the feeder. Always check a pen where there are the most and largest animals and at the time of day when consumption is highest. As the animals get older and larger and consume more feed, decrease the delay time setting to prevent feeders from going empty.

The range of delay time setting for the Smart IR Sensor is from 0 hours and 0 minutes to 23 hours and 59 minutes. Delay time can be manually by-passed if needed.

Max Run Time:

Maximum run time is the maximum time the flexible auger system will run each cycle. If this time expires, the flexible auger system will shut off and will not start again until the control is reset. The maximum run time is used to shut the flexible auger system off in case of an empty or bridged feed tank or a feed spill. In the case of an empty or bridged feed tank, it will prevent the flexible auger system from running empty for extended periods of time. In the case of a feed spill, it will prevent the flexible auger system from emptying the remaining contents of the feed tank on the floor.

To determine the optimum maximum run time, find the longest possible fill time by measuring the time required to completely fill all feeders when they are empty. Then add approximately 10 minutes to this time to account for variability.

The range of adjustment for the maximum run time is from 1 minute to 23 hours and 59 minutes.