General Pipe Cleaners Hot-Shot 320 User manual

General Hot-Shot™
Operating Instructions
Model 320
(For use with Copper and Iron Pipe)
Your Hot-Shot is designed to give you
years of trouble-free, profitable service.
However, no machine is better than its
operator. We therefore suggest you read
these instructions through carefully before
using your machine on the job. This will
enable you to operate the Hot-Shot more
efficiently and more profitably. Failure to
follow these instructions may cause
personal injury to operator or damage to
equipment.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Before connecting the cables.Make both
pipe connections before plugging unit into
receptacle. Make sure all connections are tight to
prevent arcing at the clamps. Loose connections also
get hot and reduce current flow. Caution: Uncoil
the cables. Do not leave any cable coiled up or
placed on steel objects as the heating in the pipe will be
reduced.

Hot-Shot™
Safety Instructions
WARNING
Machine must be plugged
into properly grounded
outlet. Failure to follow
instructions may result in
serious injury or death.
Do not operate power tools
in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, gases, or
dust.
Use safety equipment.
Always wear safety glasses
and rubber soled, non-slip
shoes.
READ AND UNDERSTAND
ALL INSTRUCTIONS!
Failure to follow all instructions listed below
may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious
personal injury.
Call General’s customer service department at
412-771-6300 if you have any questions.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Work Area Safety
1. Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive
atmospheres, such as in the presence of
flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools
create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
3. Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away
while operating a power tool. Distractions can
cause you to lose control.
Electrical Safety
1. Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet,
properly installed and grounded in accordance
with all codes and ordinances. Never remove
the grounding prong or modify the plug in any
way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with
UL approved tester or a qualified electrician if
you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is
properly grounded. If the tool should electrically
malfunction or break down, grounding provides a
low resistance path to carry electricity away from the
user.
! 2. Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces
such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric
shock if your body is grounded.
3. Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet
conditions. Water entering a power tool will
increase the risk of electric shock.
4. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to
carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or
moving parts. Replace damaged cords
immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of
electric shock.
5. When operating a power tool outside, use an
outdoor extension cord marked “W-A” or “W”.
These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce
the risk of electric shock.
6. Use only three-wire extension cords which have
three-prong grounding plugs and three-pole
receptacles which accept the tool’s plug. Use of
other extension cords will not ground the tool and
increase the risk of electric shock.
7. Use proper extension cords. Insufficient
conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop
and loss of power.
8. Extension cords are not recommended unless
they are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI) found in circuit boxes or outlet
receptacles. The GFCI on the machine power cord
will not prevent electric shock from the extension
cords.
9. Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plugs or tools with wet
hands. Reduces the risk of electric shock.
Personal Safety
1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use
common sense when operating a power tool. Do
not use tool while tired or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of
inattention while operating power tools may result in
serious personal injury.
2. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair,
clothing, and gloves away from moving parts.
Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in
moving parts.
3. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is off
before plugging in. Plugging in tools that have the
switch on invites accidents.
4. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and
balance at all times. Proper footing and balance
enables better control of the tool in unexpected
situations.
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Hot-Shot™
5. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye
protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard
hat, or hearing protection must be used for
appropriate conditions.
Tool Use and Care
1. Use clamp or other practical way to secure and
support the workpiece to a stable platform.
Holding the work by hand or against your body is
unstable and may lead to loss of control.
2. Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on or
off. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the
switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
3. Disconnect the plug from the power source
before making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing the tool. S
uch
preventative safety measures reduce the risk of
starting the tool accidentally.
4. Store idle tools out of reach of children and
other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in
the hands of untrained users.
5. Use only accessories that are recommended by
the manufacturer for your model. Accessories
that may be suitable for one tool may become
hazardous when used on another tool.
Tool Service
1. Tool service must be performed only by qualified
repair personnel. Service or maintenance
performed by unqualified repair personnel could
result in injury.
2. When servicing a tool, use only identical
replacement parts. Follow instructions in the
Maintenance section of this manual. Use of
unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance
Instructions may create a risk of electric shock or
injury.
Introduction
A frozen water pipe can be thawed very quickly by
passing low voltage high current electricity through the
frozen pipe. Plastic pipe will not conduct electricity
so this method will not work on plastic pipe. There
must be unfrozen water under standard water pressure
on one side of the frozen part of the pipe and an open
faucet on the other side.
When thawing a frozen section of water pipe, heat the
pipe only enough to melt a thin film of ice in the inside of
the pipe. A faucet must be opened in the unfrozen
part of the line down stream from the frozen section.
The warmer water above the ice will seep through the
melted film and very quickly melt the rest of the ice. The
water will start to flow in about 10 minutes if the
connections are properly made. Since copper pipe will
not heat as fast as steel pipe, allow about a 30 percent
longer thawing time. (See Chart)
Features
•The Hot-Shot 320 puts out 320 amps, yet pulls only
14 amps. It can clear 1/2" to 1-1/2" pipes up to 100
ft. long. The Hot-Shot 400 can clear 1/2" to 1-1/2"
pipes up to 175 ft. long.
•The Hot Shot 400 features a "High/Low" switch to
allow the unit to be used on either a 15 amp or a 20
amp outlet. When the "High/Low" switch is in the
"Low" position, the unit will draw 14 amps and
supply 320 amps of thawing power. When in the
"High" position, it will draw up to 20 amps and
supply 400 amps of thawing power.
•Both units have a built-in thermal protector. If the
internal temperature reaches a critical level, the Hot-
Shot will automatically shut down.
Warnings
•The Hot-Shot 320 requires a 115 volt AC grounded
15 amp circuit.
•Be sure the unit is plugged into a properly
grounded receptacle. If in doubt, check receptacle
before plugging in unit.
•If the power cord supplied with the unit is not long
enough, be sure to use a grounded heavy duty
extension cord that is in good condition. Using
lighter cords can result in severe power loss and
overheating.
•There is a possibility that the output current of the
unit may be transferred into the electrical service,
either at the house being thawed, or at a remote
location. Therefore, all grounds (i.e. electric service,
telephone, and cable TV grounds) must be
disconnected, both at the house being thawed and
all houses on the same distribution transformer.
•Do not leave unit unattended while thawing. Do not
leave unit operating overnight.
Operating Instructions
1. Isolate the frozen section of pipe. Inside a house,
this is done by opening faucets and back tracking
the pipes. The frozen section will usually be in the
outside walls, near doors, windows and in crawl
spaces under floors. If all the water outlets in the
house fail to operate, the line from the curb valve to
the house is frozen.
2. House service pipes usually have to be thawed by
connecting one cable to the exposed pipe in the
kitchen or basement and other cable to the curb
service. At the curb, make the connection to the
valve at the bottom of the service riser, using the
curb key. Do not connect the cable to the adjustable
ground level cover as it is a poor connection to the
valve.
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Hot-Shot™
3. Connect the cables on either side of the frozen
section so that they complete an electric circuit. The
cable clamps must be at least 10 ft. apart. Caution:
The cables get hot! Keep them clear of rugs and
finished floors that can be damaged by heat.
4. Good connections are required. Clean all pipes
before connecting the cables. Make both pipe
connections before plugging unit into receptacle.
Make sure all connections are tight to prevent arcing
at the clamps. Loose connections also get hot and
reduce current flow. Caution: Uncoil the cables.
Do not leave any cable coiled up or placed on steel
objects as the heating in the pipe will be reduced.
5. If a good connection is made, the pipe and cables
will vibrate with a 60 cycle hum that you can feel
with your hand. After all connections are made and
the unit is plugged in, switch the circuit breaker on.
Some Common Problems
1. Cables stay cold. Pipe does not thaw.
•Do you have power? Check fuses.
•Is the circuit breaker switched on?
•Do you have a good connection?
•Are the pipes clean at the connection?
•Are both clamps on the same pipe?
•Has the thermal protector tripped?
•Is there a rubber coupling in the line?
•Is there plastic pipe in the line?
•Has the ice pushed the joints apart?
2. Cables get warm. Pipe does not thaw.
•Are clamps on pipe, not on curb cover?
•Are the pipes clean under the clamps?
•Are cables sized properly? (Larger cables must
use larger wire size.)
3. Cables get hot. Pipe does not thaw.
•Is there water pressure in pipe?
•Is the source of water pressure frozen?
•Is source water pump operating?
•Do the clamps cover all of frozen area?
•Can the current go more than one way from
clamp to clamp?
Thawing Times
The times in the below charts are approximate and under ideal conditions. Actual times will vary depending upon type of
pipe, diameter, gauge, and length of cable, etc.
Note: Since copper pipe will not heat up as fast as iron pipe, allow about a 30 percent longer thawing time.
Note: Longer cables must also be a larger gauge. If smaller diameter cables are used, current will be reduced.
320 AMP Output
Thawing Time
Pipe Length Iron Pipe Copper Pipe
20 ft. 9 minutes 12 minutes
40 ft. 12 minutes 16 minutes
50 ft. 14 minutes 19 minutes
60 ft. 17 minutes 23 minutes
80 ft. 24 minutes 32 minutes
100 ft. 30 minutes 40 minutes
General Wire Spring Co.
1101 Thompson Avenue
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
© General Wire Spring Co. 2004 C-HSOI-1204