Pig feeder system

[Jimmyb]

Hello after abit of advice on adding a automatic start to my granddads pig feeding system,
when I installed it 8 years ago it was wired with a sensor on last feeder so when it was full it turned off and need start button pressing on the night.
has any one put a auto start system in ? do I need to add a magic eye on one of the feeder pipe if so wots the best way of wiring it now.

any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks

 

[Knobhead]

I have but it was for coal and many years ago.

Answer a quick question, what sort of conveyor feeds the bins?

 

[JD6400]

Hi Jimmyb , what type of sensor have you already got ( proximity or paddle ) , and is it just a single auger system or is there more than one linked in tandem ?

 

[Jimmyb]

I have but it was for coal and many years ago.

Answer a quick question, what sort of conveyor feeds the bins?

a single auger system (worm)

 

[Jimmyb]

Hi Jimmyb , what type of sensor have you already got ( proximity or paddle ) , and is it just a single auger system or is there more than one linked in tandem ?

its a paddle sensor and it a worm single auger system

 

[stevey1983]

Depends on a lot really, is there only one motor? 3phase? Whats controlling it at the moment? Do you want it to autostart all the time or at set times? Can be simply done with time clock, motor starter with overload and paddle switch.

 

[Jimmyb]

one sigle phase motor, DOL starter at the minute
He wants autostart all the time

 

[Darkwood]

Just be careful here as the system is now it relies on a deliberate action to start it so it is supposedly under the control of a person, you cannot simply make something auto-start without ensuring there is no inherent dangers in doing so. A risk assessment is the first step to ensure automating it cannot endanger anyone be it you, a farmhand or maintenance guy.. you may need to fit guarding with limit switches through a safety relay system to ensure no-one can get their hand on the pig menu if the screw suddenly fired up.
The minute you alter it then all responsibility stays on your shoulders if anyone is ever injured or worse.

Sorry to be the merchant of doom here but I know of many instances of people been injured and killed after bodgit alterations.

The concept of doing this maybe simple but the implementation to ensure it is safe can be costly.

 

[stevey1983]

This is the type of setup normally with no accessible parts to the augers moving parts

 

[Jimmyb]

that's exactly how it is wired now

 

[telectrix]

this any help. :49:

 

[t-s]

just link out the N/O contact or the start button and make sure you have an isolator fitted and a sticker saying something along the lines of "warning auger may start without warning". this is assuming that you have it wired correctly as it is and your start button doesn't bypass the flap switch.

 

[t-s]

i say this because i have wired 100s of pig feeders and i have seen people wire them in a way where the start button if held will still run the motor if the flap switch of probe is covered, then mr farmer wedges a bit of wood on the start button and burns out the motor or snaps the auger

 

[Silly Sausage]

this any help. :49:

View attachment 28345

Cannibalism?

 

[Darkwood]

just link out the N/O contact or the start button and make sure you have an isolator fitted and a sticker saying something along the lines of "warning auger may start without warning". this is assuming that you have it wired correctly as it is and your start button doesn't bypass the flap switch.

So your giving this advice to the OP without any detailed knowledge of his particular set-up!... what works for one system can be highly dangerous for another hence the cautious advice I gave him, out of interest what experience of control systems and the Low Voltage directive and other associated regulations that may limit your options on such a request do you have... I only ask because of the possible dangerous advice you give... PS if the start button would over-ride the paddle then the control system is incorrectly wired be it by adaption by others or manufacturing issues, stop commands should hold priority on start commands so if you had a Stop command active the Start option wouldn't work until the stop command was cleared... if you are altering any controls that are found to do this (Unless by special design) then you are required to rectify the issue as part of your alteration, addition etc...