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Sphere Dispenser > Equipment > PREMO
MK III Operational Manual > Operational Manual
Operational Manual
A metal container (about two gallon size) is necessary to catch and remove
primed spheres from the vicinity of the aircraft. Do not conduct this
test near refueling area or where other combustibles can be ignited.
Deposit several spheres into the dispenser hopper and place the metal
container under the dispenser exit chute.
To start the Dispenser:
- Lift feed control handles. (refer to page
16, A.)
- Turn on hopper-feed switch. Ensure free movement of spheres in feeder
chutes an and that chutes are filled.
- Pull out on the manual assist wheel and rotate until one sphere drops
into the slipper block. This procedure is a feel, as well as a visual
process. The feed chute assembly has slots so that the operator can
see the spheres as they process down into the slipper blocks. As
the operator turns the assist wheel, a pressure will be felt. The
pressure is caused by the sphere riding against the injector needle.
Any further rotation will inject the sphere and cause a possible
fire in the dispenser. The assist wheel may not always snap back
because the drive slot and the assist wheel may not be aligned. Allow
it to remain out. When the electric drive is turned on they will
align themselves and start processing spheres.
- Turn on drive (slow speed), ensure free movement of sipper blocks
and a steady progression of spheres down the feed chute.
- Turn on glycol pump (spheres will now be primed), run a few spheres
through the dispenser. Then stop the dispenser as follows:
- Close feed chute by lowering control handles.
- Turn off hopper feed.
- After all spheres have cleared the dispenser, turn off the glycol
pump and main drive.
- Remove the metal container away from the aircraft.
- Timing of ignition should begin when the spheres clear the dispenser
exit chute.
- All spheres should ignite in about 20 seconds (Grade "C" spheres
and anti-freeze). Any apparent discrepancy must be corrected
by following bench test procedure to adjust anti-freeze amount.
(Ex. 13)
- Check the system for leaks.
- Test the on-board fire extinguisher by pushing the red water button
on the control panel.
- Check intercom communication and aircraft to ground communications.
- To correct any malfunction, see trouble shooting section.
Note: Problems are minimized if starting instructions are strictly followed.
Caution: The preflight test must have ensured the following:
- installation as instructed with restraints in place
- mechanical operation satisfactory
- extinguishing system filled and operational
- additional one gallon of water available
- glycol reservoir filled and tightly capped
- sharp knife readily available
- approximate 20 second ignition delay achieved
- in aircraft and aircraft to ground communications operable
- pilot and operator wear Nomex or other fire resistant clothing, flight
helmets and goggles
- operator must be well trained and qualified
- pilot has been briefed and agrees that all is in order
2-c Bench Test Procedure
Operator should wear gloves and goggles with breathing mask during this
test. Review applicable portion of operation check list prior to beginning
bench test.
Mount the dispenser securely on a suitable table or bench approximately
30 inches high.
Fill dispenser with ethylene glycol and water.
Connect the power cord to proper power supply—one 24 volt battery
or tow 12 volt batteries connected in series. Special receptacle required.
Adjust injector control valves by loosening locknuts and rotating valve
screw. (New dispensers are pre-set) Test should be conducted prior
to adjustment of needles (Ex. 13)

EXHIBIT 13
EXHIBIT 14
CAUTION: ENSURE POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE DOES NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH
BATTERY ACID
Place metal bucket under exit chute (about five gallon size). Ignition
will occur during this test.
- Ensure that glycol tank is filled and its cap is securely fastened.
Refer to the section on priming the pump.
- From within hopper, drop several EMPTY spheres into desired
feed chute.
- Lift feed control handles.
- Pull out manual assist and rotate until one sphere drops into
slipper block.
- Turn on drive and glycol pump allowing a few EMPTY spheres to
be filled with glycol. Note that if the glycol system has air
trapped within it, the first several spheres may not produce an
accurate reading until the air is fully bled from the glycol system.
Refer to the section on bleeding the air.
- Catch spheres as they exit the Dispenser and take reading. Spheres
should be approximately 1/8 full with anti-freeze for proper ignition.
(Ex. 14)
- Turn off drive and glycol pump. Repeat procedure if required
after adjusting valve. Calibrate remaining chutes.
After adjustments have been made, repeat above procedure using spheres
charged with Potassium Permanganate and allow them to fall into
the metal container that has been placed under the exit chute. A
stop watch should be used to time the delay of the spheres from
injection to ignition. Ignition delay should be approximately 20
seconds. Increase amount of glycol by turning valve to left (counter
clock-wise) until desired delay is obtained. Continue with adjustment
for all (4) chutes. About ¾ cc of anti-freeze will give approximately
20 seconds delay with grade "C" spheres.
2-d Hangfire Test Procedure
- Ensure that the emergency water tank is filled and its cap is securely
fastened. Refer to the section on priming the pump. Run a few spheres
charged with Potassium Permanganate through the Dispenser. Turn
off main drive, glycol pump and hopper feed while injected spheres
are still within the slipper blocks. Do not remove hopper. A fire
will (should) occur in the slipper blocks.
- Activate the built-in emergency water supply. A one gallon canteen
of water must be available for this test should the emergency
water supply fail to extinguish the fire.
- Rotate manual assist wheel to clear machine. If machine will
not clear, remove hopper and remove particles of unburned plastic
from slipper blocks with screw driver.
- Turn on dispenser and observe to ensure machine is clean and
working properly. Additional cleaning may be necessary.
- Replace hopper and make short re-test.
NOTE: Intentional fouling of machine should
be accomplished with sphere in slipper block to test emergency fire
extinguisher and operators
ability to remove broken spheres. Cleaning and storage of dispenser
should follow bench test.
2-e Cleaning and Storage
Clean with water, CRC 656 or 666 and degreaser or equivalent. Lubricate
moving parts with "Triflon" or "Never-Seize" or equivalent.
WD-40 is not recommended. Dry machine before storage in shipping crate.
Store with glycol tank full of anti-freeze. Store with water tank
empty.
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