FAQ

We at EF Technologies do not recommend any particular type or brand of generator. There are, however, a few items to be aware of when selecting a generator:

Every generator manufacturer determines the size of their generators differently. A 5000 watt generator from one company may or may not be equivalent to a 5000 watt generator from another company.
Contact your fitting manufacturer to find out the maximum current required to fuse the largest fitting you will be using. Divide the current of the fitting by 1.90 to determine the maximum generator current needed. Ask your generator vendor if the generator you have, or are interested in purchasing, is capable of supplying that current. Example: if the largest fitting you will be fusing has a current requirement of 80 amps, then the generator you need must be capable of supplying 42.2 amps (80/1.90 = 42.2) for a sustained period of time (large fittings may require as much as 10 or more minutes of fusing).
A simple method of determining the current supplied by a generator during a fusion is to press the green button on the processor while a fusion is in progress. In the lower left hand corner of the screen the current being supplied to the fitting is shown. Take that number and multiply it by 0.55 to determine the amps being supplied by the generator. Example: Pressing the green button shows that the processor is presently supplying 42.0 amps to the fitting. The processor is therefore pulling 23.1 amps from the generator (42.0 X 0.55 = 23.1).

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Can I use an extension cord between the generator and my processor?

Yes. EF Technologies processors are very forgiving about the input voltages they receive. As long as the input voltage to the unit is between 100 and 150 volts AC, the unit will operate fine. We do recommend however, that any extension cord used be at least a 10 gauge wire for lengths under 25 feet and at least an 8 gauge wire for lengths over 25 feet to minimize voltage drops across the cord.

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My generator does not have a 30 amp twist lock plug style receptacle. Where can I get a twist lock plug to AC plug adaptor?

Most boating/marine shops carry these adapters. EF Technologies recommends using such an adapter instead of changing the end of the input cable from a twist lock style plug to an AC style plug. Please be aware that the small 15 to 20 amp receptacles on generators are unable to supply the amount of current needed to fuse larger fittings.

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Will the processor run off a 240 volt supply?

No. Never plug EF Technologies processors into a 240 volt supply. Running the processor off of such a supply can severely damage the main circuit board of the unit necessitating a very expensive and time consuming repair or replacement.

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What is the proper procedure for running an electrofusion processor from a generator?

To properly run an EF Technologies processor from a generator:

Be sure the generator is properly sized for the fittings you will be fusing (contact the fitting manufacturer and your generator vendor for more information regarding generator sizing).
Run the generator in High Speed Manual Mode for at least 30 seconds BEFORE plugging the processor into the generator.
Plug in the processor, turn it on and you’re ready to go.

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My processor keeps flashing "Maintenance Required" every time the processor is turned on. What is wrong?

To remind customers that their processor is due for calibration, the processor will flash "Maintenance Required" when 1 year has passed since it was last calibrated. EF Technologies strongly recommends that electrofusion processors be returned to the factory once a year to be calibrated. This message does not affect the operation of the unit. To acknowledge the message merely press the green button and the processor will advance into normal operation. However the reminder message will flash every time the unit is turned on until the processor is calibrated and the calibration due date is reset by EF Technologies.

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Why should I get my processor calibrated?

Electrofusion processors are very sophisticated pieces of electronic equipment. Processors depend on both electrical and mechanical components to maintain certain critical parameters within ISO specified ranges, such as the regulated voltage output of the unit. With time, physical handling, and/or repeated usage, mechanical devices such as potentiometers will shift and electronic components will drift in value. This may cause the processor to produce faulty or weak fusions, depending on how far out of range the values move. It is important to note that even just sitting in a warehouse for an extended period of time, component values may drift. Therefore EF Technologies strongly recommends having your processor calibrated at least once per year to assure that the processor output is within the fitting manufacturer’s specifications for performing safe, reliable fusions.

Calibration of a processor includes, but is not limited to:

Complete check of all connections both internal and external.
Examination of processor memory for problem indicators.
Perform any software or hardware upgrades needed.
Thorough check of all peripheral items such as the output cable and bar-code wand.
Check all operating parameters of unit.
Check and set all critical parameters of unit to ISO standards.
Computer controlled verification test of processor outputs over a complete range of input voltages and waveforms.
Final checkout and bar-code fusion tests before shipping.

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My processor flashes the Maintenance Required message and it’s been less then a year since it was last calibrated. What’s wrong?

One of two things has occurred. Either the date/time of the unit has been incorrectly set/changed, or the unit’s clock chip has gone bad/received a voltage spike. To check the if the date/time of the unit is correct turn the processor on and advance through the processor screens with the green button to the date/time screen. If the date/time are incorrect, set them to the correct date and time using the +/- buttons (or up/down arrows) to change values and the green/red buttons to advance/retreat to the next/previous value. If the date/time are correct, then the unit’s clock chip is either bad or has received a voltage spike. If so, the processor will need to be returned to EF Technologies for repair.

Turn on the processor. While the processor is displaying the welcome screen pressing the "+" (or up arrow) button will cycle through the available languages for the processor. Keep pressing the button until the language you wish is displayed then press the green button to accept the selected language as the default.

Your processors voltage reference parameter has drifted out of safe ranges and the processor must be returned for service. It is important to note that if the voltage reference is drifting right at the edge of it’s "cutoff" value, the processor will sometimes display the Error 18 message and will sometimes operate normally. Once an Error 18 message is received, the processor should be removed from service immediately. The voltage reference parameter affects almost every other critical parameter of the unit and may cause those critical parameters to move out of calibration.

There are two possible problems:

Check the red "lens" of the bar-code wand. If it is chipped or badly scratched then the bar-code wand will need to be repaired or replaced.

If the lens seems okay, try a different bar-code wand with the unit. If the new bar-code wand works okay then the old bar-code wand has an internal problem and should be sent to EF Technologies for repair or replacement. If the new bar-code wand does not work then the problem is probably in the output cable itself and the entire unit should be returned to EF Technologies for repair.

The bar-code wands and output cables are time-consuming to repair and expensive to replace. To help prevent unnecessary repairs/replacements follow these simple recommendations:

Always keep the bar-code wand fully wrapped around the end of the output cable.

Always return the bar-code wand to it’s protective sheath when not in use.

Do not drop the bar-code wand to the ground when finished using it.

Do not move the processor by pulling on the output cable. Always move the unit by using the handles provided.

Always remove the output cable from the fitting by grasping the very end of the cable where the cable is attached to the fitting. Never remove the output cable from fittings by pulling on the cable itself.

Take care when wrapping up the output cable to not put any undue pressure on the cable by very tightly wrapping the cable or putting very sharp bends in the cable.

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In the middle of a fusion my processor shuts off and then turns back on flashing Error 13. What’s wrong?

There are several possible problems:

This symptom generally indicates a generator problem. The fusion being attempted is drawing too much power for the generator to supply. Check with your fitting manufacturer about the power requirements for the fittings you are using and be sure to use a generator with sufficient capacity.

This symptom may also be caused by dirty or loose plugs and by using long, improperly sized extension cords (see FAQ #2 for more information about extension cords).

Another possible cause is plugging the processor into an incorrect receptacle on the generator. Most generators come with two receptacles; a large 30 to 35 amp twist lock plug receptacle and a smaller 15 to 20 amp AC plug receptacle. The smaller receptacles usually have a smaller rated circuit breaker (also 15 to 20 amps). Using the smaller receptacle during a fusion that pulls more than 15 or 20 amps from the generator may cause the circuit breaker to "trip" cutting off power to the processor and producing an error 13.

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My processor keeps going back to the "Connect Fitting" screen after I scan the bar-code and the fitting is connected. What’s wrong?

There are three possible problems:

The fitting you are attempting to fuse is bad. Replace the fitting and try again.

The output cable connectors and/or the fitting adapters are corroded or worn. Clean the output cable connectors (a .30 caliber gun cleaning brush and a drill work well for this) or replace the fitting adapters with clean, non-worn adapters. Try fusing again.

A wire inside the output cable has broken. The unit will have to be returned to EF Technologies for repair.

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My processor keeps flashing error codes 3, 4, 5 or 6 after refusing to start a fusion or after stopping in the middle of a fusion. What’s wrong?

There are three possible problems:

The fitting you are attempting to fuse is bad. Replace the fitting and try again.

The output cable connectors and/or the fitting adapters are corroded or worn. Clean the output cable connectors (a .30 caliber gun cleaning brush and a drill work well for this) or replace the fitting adapters with clean, non-worn adapters. Try fusing again.

A wire inside the output cable has broken. The unit will have to be returned to EF Technologies for repair.

Nothing is actually wrong with the processor itself. Our electrofusion processors store information in memory about each fusion it performs for data tracking purposes. The bar-code processors will each hold data on 300 fusions. When the memory of the processor is full with data it will begin to overwrite the oldest data in memory with new information. When this happens the processor will flash an "Error 11" message after completing each fusion to inform the operator that the memory of the processor is full and data is being overwritten. To prevent the stored data from being lost the information needs to be downloaded from the processor and the memory cleared. EF Technologies provides a number of tools and software for downloading and tracking fusion information. Contact us for the right software and/or tools for your data tracking needs. If you have no need of tracking fusion data, the processor can be placed in a mode (called Mode "5") that will not notify the operator when the processor memory is being overwritten. Contact EF Technologies about putting your processor in Mode 5.

Call EF Technologies (302) 451-1088. Have the following information ready:

The processor serial number(s).

A detailed description of the problem along with any error codes that have appeared.

Company name, contact name and phone number.

You will be issued an RMA (Returned Material Authorization) number for your repair/service. Write this number on the outside of the shipping box.

Yes. We will repair/service any processors we receive. However, any units received without an RMA number will wait until all units with RMA numbers have been repaired. It is in your best interest to obtain an RMA number from our service department to insure the fastest possible turnaround for your processor(s). Also, when we receive unit’s without an RMA number, we generally have no idea what problem(s) the units are having and must therefore perform an exhaustive battery of testing to be certain we know what needs to be repaired or serviced. This battery of testing is time consuming and will inevitably add to the repair time for your processor.

We at EF Technologies pride ourselves on quick and accurate service. Any unit’s received for repair/service with an RMA number will most likely be repaired and shipped back to you in less than one working day. Of course, from time to time, larger problems/repairs occur necessitating a longer stay at our factory. Rest assured that any delay’s will be kept to an absolute minimum and we will keep you informed of your repair status every step of the way.

We suggest return shipping all products in their original shipping containers. If it is possible to retain these boxes, they are excellent for return shipping to EF Technologies. If you no longer have the original shipping containers then pack the processors as follows:

All processors with steel tube frames should be shipped in as close fitting cardboard box as can be found. Do not use any packing material such as bubble wrap or newspaper unless absolutely necessary to take up any extra space in the box to keep the processor from shifting. Under no circumstances should packing peanuts be used. The steel tubing of the processors is sufficient to protect the case during shipping, adding extra packing materials such as bubble wrap, newspaper or packing peanuts does not add any protection for the processor. Packing peanuts themselves will "break-up" under the weight of the processor and are very difficult to remove/clean off of the processor.

All processors in plastic cases should be wrapped in 2 layers of bubble wrap and then placed into as close fitting cardboard box as possible.

Include your company name, return shipping address, contact name, phone number, and the RMA number for the unit with the processor. It is not necessary to send any accessories such as fitting adapters, manuals or storage bags with the unit.

Ship to: EF Technologies

119B Sandy Drive

Newark, DE 19713