Fluxeon Annie User manual

AnnieTM
Brass Annealing Induction Heater
Manual Version 1.81 10/08/20

WARNING · WARNING · WARNING
Do not use this heater around your reloading bench.
While Annie emits no sparks nor lames, it can heat
objects inserted into its work coil hot enough to ignite
powder and primers.
Serious harm or death could result.
USE A SEPARATE AREA FOR ANNEALING BRASS
NEVER anneal a primed case!
While Annie is ast enough to leave the case head
cool, a piece o hot debris could all o the mouth
and land in the primer hole, detonating the primer.
HE OU!!!
ANNEAL ONLY DE-PRIMED CASES!
WARNING · WARNING · WARNING
Page 2 of 14

Safety Warning
•Do not get wet. Thi unit i not water re i tant. I the unit does get wet, unplug it as
quickly as possible and allow to thoroughly dry be ore trying to use it again. Low heat (150F or
less) is recommended to aid drying.
•This equipment contains sensitive electronics. Do not use this instrument to drive nails, break
rocks or otherwise subject it to excessive shock or vibrations. Try not drop it any more than
necessary.
•Do not heat anything other than ammunition brass with this unit. No aerosol cans, air tanks, or any
container that is sealed. Yeah, it's un to heat things until they blow up but please don't use Annie
or that purpose!
•Do not heat anything lammable or anything that contains lammable materials or substances.
Automobile gas tanks or hairspray bottles, or example.
•Do not use the radio requency output or anything other than case annealing. No, this isn't a cute
little ham radio transmitter!
•Do not remove the 3rd wire sa ety prong. The Earth Ground is vital to this unit's operation, and
OUR SAFET .
•Do not carry the unit by its cables or coils.
•Do not open the case. No user-serviceable parts inside. Warranty will be voided i the case is
opened. es, we will know....
•Do not tamper with the circuit breaker. It is not adjustable.
•This unit emits strong radio requency (RF) energy. Please do not use it around other sensitive
electronic equipment.
•Annie's case may get quite hot during extended operation. The over-temperature protection
triggers at 70 deg C (158 deg F). This is quite hot to the touch and can cause mild burns. I
Annie must be operated or an extended period then we suggest setting up a an to blow on the
case.
•I any o the cords become rayed or cut, please return the unit to the actory or replacement.
We’re pretty reasonable about such things.
Page 3 of 14

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Annie Induction Annealer! You will discover that induction heating
brass and steel cases to be a pleasant, ast and un experience. Please read this manual in its entirety
be ore operating Annie or the irst time. (It's not that long....)
Setting Up for the First Time
When you open the shipping container you will ind a ully assembled Annie. The heating coil (work coil)
has been disconnected and packed care ully or shipping.
The Annie is sold apart rom the various coils, but they all connect to the ront panel in the same way.
•To prepare Annie or operation, remove it rom its packing material and attach the work coil to the
ront ace terminals. Tighten the screws with the included hex key wrench. Note: 'Firm' is
enough—don't tighten as if you need to ratchet it down.
•Re-tighten after your first 25 cartridges. The solder-dipped ends will so ten a little with use. I a
good connection is compromised, the result will be a hot spot, and a melted connector.
•You might notice some brown ‘gunk’ inside the terminal housing. Don’t worry, and don’t clean it!
It’s conductive electrical grease and helps make a good connection.
•For the water recirculator, insert the DB-9 Cable into the ront panel connector, and the emale
2.5mm power connector into the recirculator’s mating power cable.
•Attach the oot switch to the ront panel jack and place it on the loor in a convenient location. A ter
you inish reading these instructions, you are ready to start annealing your brass!
◦Key word: AFTER
The Front Panel
The eatures are as ollows:
•Work coil connectors – where the heating coil connects. Only use Fluxeon-provided coils. Any
other type o coil will damage the Annie and void your warranty.
•3-digit LED display. Shows the time in tenths o a second that the timer is programmed to run.
•“Set” LED. Shows that the heater is in the “time set” mode. This mode is entered by pressing
and releasing the “Set” knob.
•“Heat” LED. Shows when the induction heater is on.
•“Set” knob. This is a multi- unction control. I you press and release it one time, Annie enters the
“time set” mode. Turning the knob sets the desired time on the display. When the desired time is
set, press the knob again (“set” LED goes out) and the heater is ready to run.
I you press and hold the “Set” knob or 4 or more seconds, the time setting is reset to “0.0”.
Note: the Maximum time or the Annie is set to 19.9 seconds. Most cartridges are annealed in
under 3 seconds, 50BMGs in about 12 seconds.
•“Start” button. This switch turns the heating on and o and starts the timer count-down. I you
press the “Start” button while a heating cycle is underway, the cycle is paused.
•Foot Switch. (optional) is wired in parallel with the “Start” button, and so unctions identically.
•Power Breaker. This hydraulic-magnetic circuit breaker is the power switch or Annie. We
recommend that Annie be le t in the “o ” position when the unit is not in use, but no harm will come
i le t on. It consumes less than 10W while idle, with a maximum o 32W at ull capacity o the
internal power supplies. On larger cartridges, you may hear the breaker buzz. It's designed to put
up with a small overload or a short time, so don’t ret.
◦I Annie is overloaded, the breaker will trip. I it repeatedly trips then there might be something
wrong with Annie or the coil. Contact support@ luxeon.com or troubleshooting—we’re happy
to help!
Page 4 of 14

Using Annie
Using the annealer is extremely simple.
•Switch on the power breaker on the ront panel. The heater will do an LED test and then recall the
time rom the last session i one was present. You will hear the an controller spin up the an, and
then drop down to a minimal speed. As you work and the Annie begins to warm, the an controller
will gradually increase speed. Working ast, and/or with large cartridges, you will probably be at
maximum an speed. But i you are working with smaller cartridges you may be a orded a little
more quiet.
•I the time is not correct, press and release the “set” knob (“set” LED illuminates) and adjust the
time as necessary. Press the “set” knob again when you have your desired time displayed to lock
it in.
◦Note: “20.0” seconds is a special setting (on some versions it's “999”). This allows or 'momentary' operation.
This is so that you can use an external timer, or integrate with a logic controller.
****DOUBLE-CHECK TO MAKE CERTAIN THE CARTRIDGE IS NOT PRIMED****
•Insert a brass cartridge into the work coil approximately as deep as you want it heated. Normally
that would be just the mouth o the case, especially or shouldered cases. For correct insertion
depth, paint a line o Tempilaq® along the length o the case, and observe where the melting
happens irst.
•Put the timer on 10 seconds. While carefully observing the Tempilaq® line, press the start button.
The moment you see the line turn translucent, press the start button again, which will stop the
timer. Loo at the cartridge--did it melt FIRST in the heat zone you wanted? ma e vertical
adjustments to the coil position if not.
◦Ta e the time left on the timer and subtract it from 10, and that is your anneal time. Push the
nob in and dial in this number, press again to set.
•I you desire additional cycle speed, the Fluxeon Universal Foot Switch will be worth considering.
•The heating is so ast that you can hold most types o cases by the head. Annealing pistol
cartridges will probably require gloves or a non-conductive holder.
•Repeat! Note that the power output will increase slightly a ter the irst 10 or so cartridges. This is
because the internal trans ormer is warming up, which can change the output 5-8%. so please give
Annie a dozen or so practice shots be ore you ‘ ire or e ect’. Just put these “test anneals” back
into the line to be annealed again (once they have cooled).
•I you are heating a large number o cartridges and doing so at dea ening speed, the thermal cut-
out may engage. The Start button or oot switch will still initiate a countdown on the timer, but no
heat will be produced. You will see the HEAT LED blinking blue when the ault is in e ect. You will
also hear a beeping tone rom the Annie.
◦Go grab a cold one and let Annie cool o .
•For high duty-cycle operation, please use a water-cooled coil. Fluxeon also has an 1800W Annie
that is all water-cooled and capable o 100% duty-cycle. I you’re really into 50BMG and the like,
this is something you should consider.
Heating Times
Most shouldered cartridges up through .30 cal and straight walled pistol cases will anneal properly in 2-4
seconds. Shouldered cartridges larger than .30 cal will require more time. A 50 BMG, or example, will
take about 10 seconds. For larger cartridges such as this, allow more time in between heats. I you’re
using the lux concentrator output head, larger calibers should be slowly rotated to ensure evenness o
heating. Just 90 degrees (a quarter turn) during the length o the cycle. No rotation is needed or the
water-cooled helical coil, as it is sel -centering by the intense magnetic ield.
For best results, obtain a Tempilaq® temperature measuring liquid or crayon and vary the time until you
get exactly the temperature you desire. 750F Tempilaq® will turn rom a chalky appearance to translucent,
exactly at 750 degrees F. Just paint a lengthwise line on the cartridge, which will also help with correct
positioning. The tenth o a second resolution o the Annie timer is more than adequate or precision
annealing.
Page 5 of 14

•Coil Options
The Annie has several work coil options:
•Water-Cooled Helical Coil. The Water-Cooled Coil essentially gives the Annie virtually unlimited
duty-cycle. The helical coil has the
astest cycle time o the three, and
most even heat. The high
requency ield will actually sel -
center the cartridge to magnetic
center.
Connect the end to the white terminal
block, just like the Litz coil.
You can position the water connections
however you like—the copper is lexible.
The Water-Cooled Coil includes 1/4”
plastic tubing. Cut to the length desired,
and insert the tube into the instant tube
itting on the coil. On connectors that
have the blue retaining ring, remove it,
insert the tubing, and put the retaining ring
back in place. to release, remove the
retaining ring, push in the release ring, and then pull the tube out. I you have di iculty getting the tube to
ully seat, try putting a little dish soap on the end o the tubing. Push hard!
The water supply can be just about anything: tap water rom a nearby aucet, pump-recirculated water, or
i you have a high shel , a gravity eed system will work. Only a dribble o low is required, on the order o
1 gallon per hour. I you pre er to use a
pump, the best choices are diaphragm, gear
or vane pumps. But some small DC impeller
pumps will work ine. You'll need about 5psi
(or 3M o li t) to get the required low.
Fluxeon now o ers a pump/heat exchanger—
please check the web store!
•Litz Wire Split Ferrite Flux
Concentrator. Now there's a
mouth ul! Let's just call this the ”FC
Coil” and make it easy on ourselves.
This coil is made o 1,750 strands o
individually insulated 40AWG magnet wires,
with a solid 12AWG core so that it keeps its
shape. It will get warm, and can be ruined
with too much usage so you'll have to go a
little more slowly with this one. It is, however, air-cooled and requires no water. It also eatures access
rom the open side, which some applications or personal pre erences demand.
The Annie FC coil kit comes with either a .5” gap, or .625” gap. Choose according to what most closely
accommodates your cartridge. It’s easy to remove the coil wire in order to change out errites or di erent
sized cartridges. The cartridge should be close to, but not touching the sides. I you alternate between
the errites, we recommend that you also get an additional Litz wire coil. In addition to being more
convenient, it will save wear and tear on the iberglass sleeving.
You'll want to rotate the cartridge 90 degrees as the timer counts down. It's not 100% necessary, but it
will give a more even anneal.
Page 6 of 14

•Custom Flux-Concentrator Coils
These are made or third-party annealers, such as the Annealeez, Giraud, or FW Arms automatic
annealing machine. They are used in lieu o a gas torch.
We eature water-cooled versions o the Custom Flux-Concentrator Coil, or those interested in very ast
cycling. I you plan to anneal large cases such as 50BMG, you’ll need the 3/4” gap version. Because the
power levels are highest with these larger cartridges, we do recommend that you buy the water-cooled
version o this coil.
•The Fluxeon Universal Foot Switch
The Universal Foot Switch is compatible with the Annie. Use it to actuate the timer, same as pressing the
'Start” button. It will give you an extra ree hand to move your brass. There is a 3.5mm jack in the ront
panel that the oot switch cable plugs into. Don’t plug your Dr. Dre headphones into it.
•The Fluxeon Slap Switch
This is a large push button mushroom switch in a NEMA enclosure. We noticed that some olks were
using the oot switch on the tabletop, and smacking it with their hand to start the timing cycle. So it was
suggested that we come up with something more intentional to the purpose. And we did.
The idea is that when you are moving your hands quickly it can become kind o inconvenient to locate
and push the start button on the Annie ront panel. The Slap Switch is a large button and easy or your
hand to ind, even without having to look.
•The Water Recirculator/ Reservoir
This is to supply pressurized water to the water-cooled helical coil, and also to cool the water as it passes
through the radiator. It’s a 120mm radiator and DC an, with a pump and power cable that connects to the
ront panel DB-9 connector or power. A 1oz bottle o Anti-Corrosion Fluid concentrate is included. You
need only 2 droppers- ull to treat the whole volume o the recirculator and tubing. This corrosion inhibitor
enables higher heat capacity and will remove heat more e iciently by decreasing sur ace tension and
preventing oxide buildup.
You can use any available water, but make sure it is particulate- ree. The coil internal diameter is very
small and easily plugged up. For best results use distilled water.
The pump is not self-priming. Take time to rid the pump cavity o air bubbles by cycling power and
tilting the unit. When the air is gone the pump is virtually silent. Make all your tubing connections rom
the pump to the coil prior to illing. It takes a little ‘technique’ to ill the radiator reservoir so that the pump
gets the water it needs right away. Gently tilt up the side o the radiator on the side that has the ill port.
Move back and orth, and slowly work it around until you don’t see any more air bubbles. Turn the pump
on and observe the luid level. It’s likely that the level will drop as the tubing and coil are illed. Just add
more.
Turn the system on by plugging the 2.5mm DC power cable into the jack at the bottom o the unit. You
may have to cycle power a ew times while tilting the radiator to remove any remaining air rom the
system. Recheck the coolant level at the ill port, and add more i necessary.
The recirculator also includes a 1oz dropper bottle o corrosion inhibitor. Put 2 ull droppers in. The luid
is a custom ormulation o our own that prevents scale build-up, reduces sur ace tension (which makes it
low more easily), and increases thermal capacity. Plus, it’s luorescent red and looks really cool.
Please see the Fluxeon website or the MSDS i you need it.
The current version o the Annie eatures an internal 12VDC auxiliary power supply. So accessories like
the recirculator can be powered simply by plugging in an included cable that connects the pump to the
DB9 ront panel connector. IMPORTANT: only Annies with serial numbers higher than 750 will have the
larger internal power supply. Whether you need it or pre er it, you can opt or 12VDC wall adapter when
you place your order.
Page 7 of 14

Some Notes About Duty-Cycle
The Annie has about a 50% duty-cycle. What does this really mean? At 100% power, it can only be on
half the time. Since most cartridges will not draw ull-power, and it takes time to move cartridges
through, Annie is essentially a continuous-use machine. It eatures a thermal cut-out switch, but that only
triggers when the case exceeds 70C (be care ul—that’s HOT!). There is also a thermal cutout switch on
the internal trans ormer, but that happens only in extreme circumstances.
The power supply is one actor, but the coil is another major limitation. The FC Coil coil is made up o
1,750 individually insulated strands o 40AWG magnet wire. This is called “Litz Wire”. Since electricity
rides mostly on the sur ace o a conductor, the goal should be to have a conductor with the highest
sur ace area possible. In a nutshell, this is the genius o Litz wire.
Coils are not just heated by heavy currents. The Annie coil can have well over 100 amps lowing at peak
power, to be sure. But also, induction heating heats anything conductive in the ield--including the coil
itsel . You'll notice that the portion o the coil closest to the errite gap will tend to get hotter irst.
So it becomes necessary to monitor your usage o the Annie, not so much because o the power supply,
but because o the FC coil. I you notice any smoke at all rom the coil, that means the wire varnish is
beginning to melt. Stop! Further use will damage the coil.
For heavier, worry- ree usage, please consider using the water-cooled helical coil. It connects just like
the Litz coil, but also has two 1/4” instant-tube connections to a water source. Since the low rates
required or cooling the coil are in the neighborhood o 1 gallon per hour, many users will see economy in
just hooking up to a water aucet and sending the exiting water down the drain (or into the lower bed,
etc.). Alternately, you may use a recirculating reservoir as complex as a re rigerated chiller*, or something
as simple as an aquarium pump and a bucket o water.
Fluxeon o ers a simple, low-cost water recirculator/ reservoir that is a drop-in solution or this. See our
web store or more details.
*Do not use water temperature that is below the dew point. I you see condensation on the lines, then there will be
condensation inside the Annie. Not good…!
Page 8 of 14

Care and Cleaning
Annie requires very little maintenance. There are no user-serviceable parts inside Annie. The only care
required is to make sure the ventilation holes are clear and unobstructed. You can always return your
Annie to us or a deep cleaning, i desired. We don’t charge a lot or that.
I Annie gets wet, as long as the power is o , it will not be harmed. Simply let it dry be ore using. Set it in
the window sill or some other warm place. I you have any doubt at all that it's dry, please return it to us
or service.
I Annie is powered up when it gets wet, immediately remove the power. I the spillage is beer, cola or
anything else, then you should return Annie to the actory or a proper cleaning and testing. Get an RMA
number rom the web store, or email support@ luxeon.com.
(o course, you should be saving that adult beverage until AFTER annealing!)
Page 9 of 14

Specifications
Rated input power 1200W 1200W
Rated input Current 10A 5A
Operating voltage 120 VAC +10% 230V + 1 0%
Operating Frequency 50-90kHz, depending on load
Standby Watts 33W max, 12W typical
Ambient operating
temperature
50 – 110 deg F
Storage Temperature -10 – 160 deg F
Temperature Cutout 70C
Duty cycle Approximately 50%
Maximum operating
temperature
70 deg C.
Page 10 of 14

Frequently Asked Questions
-Are coils interchangeable?
Yes, the Annie is compatible with all our standard coils. But please don’t use the Annie or brazing
or heat-treating or anything other than brass. You will break it.
-Is the Annie electrically dangerous?
No. The output is less than 80V. This may seem high, but because o the nature o high requency
electricity, you can touch a bare conductor on the output terminal and you won’t eel a thing. As with Litz
wire, the ‘skin-e ect’ is in play here. The human nervous system is electrical, but doesn’t perceive high
requency electricity which essentially rides on the outside o our nerves.
Additionally, the output is ground isolated by a trans ormer, so there is never any potential between
the output and ground.
-Am I going to get cancer from the EM field?
No. There are no studies that conclude that electromagnetic ields cause cancer. There are
dubious studies that try to make the case with cellular phones, but even i true it’s apples to oranges. Cell
phones operate near 1GHz, while the Annie works at 40-90kHz. 1 GHz is 1,000,000 kHz, so we’re not
even in the same universe here.
-Does the Water Cooled Helical Coil really need water, or can I run it at a slower pace and make
do?
It really does need water. You can go or maybe 2-3 cycles be ore the sleeving will begin to
smoke, but i you keep going, you will eventually cause the coil to glow red-hot. This is due to ‘thermal
runaway’. Copper is an excellent electrical conductor, but we are conduction over 100 amps through the
coil. As the copper heats up, its resistance also rises. And this causes it to heat up more quickly, and the
resistance goes even higher, etc. In absolute terms, the heat load is not great--but it mu t be removed
by lowing water.
-Do the coils ever wear out?
The Annie is a relatively low-power induction heater. We have taken a unit with the same basic circuitry
up to 10kW, and there are large industrial heaters that output 100kW or more. While coils or these large
systems do su er metal atigue due to power ul vibrations work-hardening o the copper, the amount o
stress placed on the Annie coil is minuscule in comparison. For all practical purposes, the coils will last
as long as the Annie, so long as they are cooled appropriately.
Page 11 of 14

Appendix A
Auxiliary Connector
The Annie eatures an auxiliary connector on the ront panel. This connector is designed to permit the
external control and monitoring o Annie. The pin-outs are as ollows:
Pin
Number
Function
1 End-o -Cycle pulse 5V+ coming oon!
2 DUMP Solenoid 12V+ 1.5A coming oon!
3Power Indication 5V+ isolated
4* Isolated Ground
5 12VDC Pump +pos 1.5A
6 LOAD Solenoid 12V+ 1.5A coming oon!
7 Overtemp 12V+ isolated
8* External Switch in **
9 12VDC Pump –neg 1.5A
* Pins 4 and 8 start the Annie timer when shorted (switched). It is wired in parallel with the 3.5mm audio
jack and Start button on the ront panel.
** Pins 4 and 8 are or connection to an external switch such as The Fluxeon Universal Foot Switch, or
any other physical switch. Note, that this cannot be switched by a triac or solid-state relay. It must be a
physical contact or mechanical relay. I you have an SSR output on your controller, just have it turn on an
additional mechanical relay, and connect the Annie to that.
Do not use pin 5 or the pump with isolated ground pin 4. You could damage the heater. The pump will
only work with pin 5 positive, pin 9 negative.
End-o -Cycle Pulse is a pin that goes high at the end o the timing cycle or a preset duration. It is
intended to signal a PLC or other automation controller. Use with pin 4 Isolated Ground. NO LOAD may
be connected to thi - it i a ignal only.
Pins 2, 5, 6, 9 output 12VDC max 1.5A. Note that this is or the combined load. For example, i you are
running your Recirculator/ Heat Exchanger @ 1A, then you only have .5A le t or the Load and Dump
eature. I power budget is an issue, you can always use a separate wall adapter to power the
recirculator.
I you are putting together a special project with the Annie, we’re more than happy to provide guidance.
Just email us! support@ luxeon.com
Page 12 of 14

Technical Support
The Fluxeon crew is dedicated to supporting you the customer. The best way to get technical support is to
email support@ luxeon.com. For non-technical support questions, email sales@ luxeon.com. We try to respond to
requests within the hour during business hours and within a day regardless.
For telephone support, call us at 858-699-6096. This call goes directly into voice mail that is transcribed into a text
and sent to the tech on duty. Please speak clearly and slowly so the transcription is accurate. Someone will get
back to you as quickly as possible.
We are a small company and telephone support takes up a lot o time, so i your problem isn't a genuine
emergency, plea e, plea e, plea e u e the email upport. Even when you telephone us, the support ticket is
going to end up back in email so that you can send us photos and such, so you might as well start with email in the
irst place.
Returns
I you need to return your unit or service (in warranty or out) then you must contact us or an RMA number. Email
is the best method o contact. Write the RMA number on the outside o the package in large numbers so that it is
easily visible. The RMA number lets us track your problems and associate them with the machine when it arrives.
Packages without RMA numbers may be returned to sender. Please also include your contact in ormation inside
the box, just in case.
Limited Warranty
The Annie is covered by our limited lifetime warranty! Please visit http:// luxeon.com/warranty.html or all the
warranty details.
Page 13 of 14

NOTES
Page 14 of 14