Martin®

Air Cannon Controller -

multiple circuit
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Operator’s Manual
M3858
 Important
MARTIN ENGINEERING HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR: DAMAGE DUE TO
CONTAMINATION OF THE MATERIAL; USER’S FAILURE TO INSPECT, MAINTAIN AND TAKE
REASONABLE CARE OF THE EQUIPMENT; INJURIES OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM USE OR
APPLICATION OF THIS PRODUCT CONTRARY TO INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
CONTAINED HEREIN. MARTIN ENGINEERING’S LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO REPAIR
OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT SHOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE.
Observe all safety rules given herein along with owner and Government standards and regulations. Know
and understand lockout/tagout procedures as defined by American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
z244.1-1982, American National Standard for Personnel Protection - Lockout/Tagout of Energy Sources -
Minimum Safety Requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Federal
Register, Part IV, 29 CFR Part 1910, Control of Hazardous Energy Source (Lockout/Tagout); Final Rule.

The following symbols may be used in this manual:

! DANGER
Danger: Immediate hazards that will result in severe personal injury or death.

! WARNING
Warning: Hazards or unsafe practices that could result in personal injury.

! CAUTION
Caution: Hazards or unsafe practices that could result in product or property damages.

IMPORTANT
Important: Instructions that must be followed to ensure proper installation/operation of equipment.

NOTE
Note: General statements to assist the reader.
 Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Section Page
List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Overview of controller operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Material required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Before Installing Controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing Controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mounting enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Wiring air cannon solenoids to controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Wiring external flow switch to controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
After Installing Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Manually firing air cannons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Programming Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Setting off time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Parts Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Appendix: Air Cannon Controller Electrical Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 i Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

 List of Figures
List of Figures

Figure Title Page

1 Flow switch inputs open, controller disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Terminal Block Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Air Cannon Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4 Air Cannon Controller Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5 Off Time Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6 Selecting Off Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7 Setting Off Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
8 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit, P/N 38901 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9 Air Cannon Controller Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 ii Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Introduction

Introduction
General The Martin® Air Cannon Controller is a reliable, practical system for firing
Martin® Air Cannons at predetermined intervals. The controller uses
programmable logic to energize the air cannons’ solenoids. It reduces the
chance for human error and is expandable to control multiple air cannons in
several structures where material flow problems exist.

The controller is used to fire cannons in a timed sequence. It is available with

up to 10 outputs.

Each controller has a factory-set on-time of 1 second and an adjustable off-

time of 1 to 65,000 seconds. Manual override selector knobs are mounted on
the outside of the enclosure.

Overview of The controller can be used to fire air cannons in three ways:
controller • Manually fire individual cannons using the manual override selector knobs.
operation
• Automatically fire all cannons in a timed sequence.
• Automatically fire all cannons in a timed sequence when activated by an
external switch.
(An example of an external switch is a paddle-type flow switch that
monitors flow of material as shown in Figure 1. When material stops
flowing from the hopper, the flow switch inputs are closed and the controller
is enabled to begin the firing sequence. Whenever material is flowing from
the hopper, the flow switch inputs are opened and the controller is disabled;
the firing sequence is deactivated.)

To manually fire individual cannons, it is not necessary to program the

controller. The selected cannon fires when activated by the selector knobs on
the outside of the controller.

To automatically fire all cannons in a timed sequence, the controller must be

programmed for the desired number of air cannons to sequence (from 1 up to
10 air cannons) and the desired off-time (the length of time between each
cannon firing).

To automatically fire all cannons in a timed sequence when activated by an

external (flow) switch, the controller must be programmed as described
above, and the switch must be connected to the controller as follows:
• When connected to the controller’s ENABLE terminal block, the cannons
will fire in the programmed sequence (e.g., cannons 1 through 10 fire in
sequence) until the switch disables the controller and deactivates the firing
sequence. When the switch enables the controller again (activates firing),
the controller resets the sequence to begin with cannon 1 (e.g., if the switch
disabled the controller after firing cannon 3, the sequence will start by firing
cannon 1 the next time it is activated).

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 1 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Introduction

Out to air
cannons (1–10)

Controller

Flow
switch Power in

Belt travel

(+124)
(ENABLE) ENABLE

Flow switch

Figure 1. Flow switch inputs open, controller disabled

References The following documents are referenced in this manual:

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) z244.1-1982, American
National Standard for Personnel Protection - Lockout/Tagout of Energy
Sources - Minimum Safety Requirements, American National Standards
Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
• Federal Register, Volume 54, Number 169, Part IV, 29 CFR Part 1910,
Control of Hazardous Energy Source (Lockout/Tagout); Final Rule,
Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), 32nd Floor, Room 3244, 230 South Dearborn Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60604.
• The National Electrical Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association,
1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.

Safety All safety rules defined in the above documents and all owner/employer safety
rules must be strictly followed when working on this equipment.

Material required Only standard hand tools are required to install this equipment.

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 2 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Before Installing Controller

Before Installation
1. Remove controller from shipping box.
2. If anything is missing or damaged, contact Martin Engineering or a
representative. Keep any damaged goods subject to examination.

! WARNING
Before installing equipment, lock out/tag out energy source to
hopper, conveyor, and/or conveyor accessories.
3. Turn off and lock out/tag out energy source according to ANSI standards
(see “References”).

! WARNING
If equipment will be installed in an enclosed area, test gas level
or dust content before using a cutting torch or welding. Using
a cutting torch or welding in an area with gas or dust may
cause an explosion.
4. If using a cutting torch or welding, test atmosphere for gas level or dust
content.

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 3 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

 Installing Controller
Installation

To install the controller, follow the procedures in this manual corresponding

to the following steps:
1. Mount the controller enclosure on a wall.
2. Wire individual air cannon solenoids to controller or, if air cannons are
wired to a solenoid enclosure, wire solenoid enclosure to controller.
3. If using an external flow switch, wire dry contact to controller.

! WARNING
Mounting All electrical work must be done to National Electrical Code
enclosure (NEC) standards.
1. Determine location for controller.

! CAUTION
Do not mount controller in area subject to shock, vibration,
temperatures exceeding 130°F (55°C), or explosion. Damage
to controller circuitry could result.
2. Mount onto wall with fasteners.
3. Drill conduit holes in controller enclosure for solenoid and power wires.
Use care not to damage internal components. Drill in most weather-proof
location available on enclosure.
4. Using electrical connectors, route wires from solenoid valves to
controller enclosure.

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 Installation
Fuse

Input Power Solenoid Ground

Terminals Terminals Terminals

ENABLE TERMINAL BLOCK NOTES:

1) ACTUAL COUNT OF COMMON TERMINALS
Jumper Wire MAY BE LESS THAN SHOWN.
2)UNMARKED TERMINALS DO NOT REPRESENT
ACTUAL COUNT OF UNUSED SPARES.

Figure 2. Terminal Block Layout

NOTE
Wiring air cannon Only wiring required is power wire to controller and
solenoids to N terminals on controller’s printed terminal strip.
controller 1. Connect wires from air cannon solenoids to terminal strip outputs 1
through 10 and N terminals (see Figure 2). Connect number 1 solenoid to
1 supply and N, number 2 solenoid to 2 supply and N, etc. Continue until
all solenoids are connected.
2. Connect ground wire from each solenoid to controller enclosure. Route
power wire (115 VAC, 60 Hz) into controller enclosure.
3. Connect power safety ground wire to terminal block labeled GND.
4. Connect power wires to terminal blocks labeled 110V and COM. Connect
phase to 110V and neutral to COM.
5. Ensure ENABLE jumper is in place.

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 5 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Installation

Figure 3. Air Cannon Inputs

NOTE
PLC uses an octal numeral system.
6. Determine number of air cannons to be controlled.
7. Move “SELECT” wire (A) to terminal number (1—12) that corresponds
with number of air cannons to be controlled. For example, to use four air
cannons connect “SELECT” wire to input 4.
8. If using an external flow switch, follow the procedure under “Wiring
external flow switch to controller.” If not, follow the procedures under
“After installing controller.”

Wiring external
flow switch to
controller ! WARNING
Before making any connections, lock out/tag out electrical
supply to controller according to ANSI standards (see
“References”).

NOTE
ENABLE always resets the controller to cannon 1 while
material flows. See “Overview of controller operation” under
“Introduction” for more information.
2. To use ENABLE, do the following:
a. Remove factory-installed jumpers between ENABLE terminal blocks.
b. Connect external flow switch dry contact to ENABLE terminals.
c. Connect external flow switch ground to controller.

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 6 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

After Installing Controller

After Installation
Manually firing 1. To manually fire cannons 1 through 10, turn selector knob on door of
air cannons controller enclosure to number of cannon you wish to fire. Turn
HAND-OFF-AUTO knob to HAND (see Figure 4), hold for 1 second, and
release. (Selected cannon will fire and knob will return to OFF
automatically.)
2. When finished with manual firings, return selector knob to O. (This
disconnects the manual mode, and prevents accidental firing if the
HAND-OFF-AUTO switch is turned to HAND.)

Figure 4. Air Cannon Controller Door

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 7 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Programming Controller
Programming Controller

NOTE
Before programming the control system, determine the
number of air cannons to be controlled and the off time
between firings.

Off time between firings

1 2

6 3
Off Time
Off Time (D 0002) Off Time
(D 0001) (D 0003)

5 4

Off Time Off Time

(D 0006) (D 0004)

Off Time
(D 0005)

Figure 5. Off Time Selection

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 8 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

 Programming Controller
Button Function

Cancels the current operation, and returns to the immediately

ESC
preceding operation.

Scrolls up the menu or increments the selected number.

Scrolls down the menu or decrements the selected number.

OK Goes into each control screen or enters the current operation.

Setting off time

Figure 6. Selecting Off Time

1. Scroll to the Data Register Menu (screen with only the letters DR).
2. Follow the steps in Figure 6 to select the off time (1–10) to be changed.

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 9 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Programming Controller

Figure 7. Setting Off Time

3. Follow the steps in Figure 7 to input the number of seconds between
cannon firings for the selected off time interval.

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Parts Numbers

Part Numbers
2

Figure 8. Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit, P/N 38901

Item Description Part No. Qty

1 Air Cannon Controller NEMA 4 38901-01 1
2 Martin Products Label 32238 1
3 Operator Manual M3858 1

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 11 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

Part Numbers

8.14
(207)
12.16
(309)
8.00
(203)

13.31
(338)

14.38
(365)

Note: All dimensions are given in inches (mm) and are for reference only.
Figure 9. Air Cannon Controller Dimensions

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 12 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit

 Appendix
Appendix
Air Cannon Controller Electrical Schematic

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 A-1 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit
Appendix

Electrical Schematic

Martin Engineering M3858-05/12 A-2 Martin® Air Cannon Controller - multiple circuit
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Patent and Trademark Office and may be proprietary in one or more countries or regions. Other trademarks and
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be designated with the “TM” and “SM” symbols. Brands, trademarks, and names of other parties, who may or may
not be affiliated with, connected to, or endorsed by Martin Engineering Company, are identified wherever possible.
Additional information regarding Martin Engineering Company’s intellectual property can be obtained at
www.martin-eng.com/trademarks.
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Form No. M3858-05/12 © Martin Engineering Company 2011, 2012