Miner AggreGate User manual

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 1of 28
Solar Powered Stand-Alone
Electric AggreGate™
Revision B
8/14/2020

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 2of 28
Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™
Section 1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.................................................................................... Section 1
General Information................................................................................. Section 2
Safety Precautions.................................................................................. Section 3
Component Identification......................................................................... Section 4
Principle of Operation.............................................................................. Section 5
Operating Instructions............................................................................. Section 6
Installation Instructions............................................................................ Section 7
Inspection/Maintenance .......................................................................... Section 8
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... Section 9

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 3of 28
Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™
Section 2
General Information
This manual consists of information, which will be useful in the operation and
maintenance of the Miner Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™ equipped
ballast cars. The manual includes operating, maintenance and troubleshooting
procedures with illustrations to assist in identifying various components.
Before proceeding with operation or maintenance of the ballast cars, read and
understand the SAFETY PRECAUTIONS SECTION of this manual in addition to
precautions prescribed by the AAR, FRA and individual handling railroads.
It is expressly understood that issuance of these Miner instructions which were
prepared in good faith and are believed to be complete and accurate, shall not be
construed to mean that Miner Enterprises, Inc. assumes any liability on account of
accidents to persons or property involving the Miner Solar Powered Stand-Alone
Electric AggreGate™ .
Miner Enterprises is not responsible for car construction or design, including
modifications for gate application.

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 4of 28
Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™
Section 3
Safety Precautions
In addition to safety precautions prescribed by the car owner, loading site, unloading
site, repair shop and handling railroad, the following safety precautions must be
observed whenever a Miner Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™ is
operated and whenever any maintenance is performed on it.
1. All maintenance, repair, or adjustment must be made on a shop or repair track
where the car will not be moved.
2. Protective eye and ear wear and gloves should be used when doors are
operated.
3. Read and follow Caution Notes, Remote Gate Operation, and the Emergency
Manual Operation decals which are posted on the side of the car.
4. Emergency Manual Operation is only to be used when the doors cannot be
operated by the Remote Gate Operation or the Manual Powered Operation. In
the event of Emergency Manual Operation, the car must be stopped.
5. If doors do not operate by the Remote Gate Operation or the Manual Powered
Operation refer to SECTION 9 Troubleshooting.
6. Never attempt to adjust or repair the system without disconnecting the power
using the main power shut-off located in the battery box.
7. After unloading, confirm that all doors are in the completely closed position with
no obstructions.
8. Always report an inoperable or damaged gate to a supervisor so that it may be
properly repaired or replaced.
9. Do not attempt to force the door system in any way.

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 5of 28
Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™
Section 4
Component Identification
General Description
The Miner Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™ was designed and built for
twin hopper ballast rail cars. The system is actuated by electric drive units, is powered
by solar modules that charge special batteries, and is remote controlled by a hand-held
transmitter. There are two gates per hopper and each gate is independent of the others,
with two electric drive units to discharge inside and outside the rail.
Component Identification
For a complete list of components and descriptions and part numbers, refer to latest
revision of the following:
General Arrangement Drawing
Electrical Schematic Drawing
Customer Schedule
For a complete list of Miner part numbers and descriptions refer to the latest revision of
the Customer Schedule. Any of these documents can be obtained by contacting Miner
Customer Service at [phone].

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 6of 28
Part Identification
Hand Held Transmitter
and Battery with Charger

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 7of 28
Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™
Section 5
Principle of Operation
General Description
The Miner Solar Powered Stand-Alone Electric AggreGate™ was designed for twin
hopper ballast rail cars. The purpose of the gate is to rapidly discharge ballast from the
car to the rail-bed. The primary mode of operation is remote gate operation with hand-
held transmitter. In the event remote operation cannot be completed, manual powered
operation can be achieved using manual override toggles located in the box assembly
on the side of the car. If primary and secondary modes of operation cannot be
achieved; the car must be stopped, power cut off in the battery box, and emergency
manual door operation can be completed using the provided wrench on the hex nut
mounted on the gate shafts.
Carefully read and understand the SAFETY PRECAUTIONS SECTION of this manual.
Principle of Operation Electric Aggregate Gate System
Principle of Operation - Gate
Ballast can be unloaded inside or outside of the rail. Power supplied to the drive units
results in rotation of the operating shafts which act through linkages to open and close
the inner and outer door.

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 8of 28
Electricity from two deep cell batteries provides the power to activate the electric
drive units on each gate. The electricity is directed to the proper gate by solid state
circuitry.
The system is designed for primary operation through digital signal from a radio
receiver controlled by an operator using a hand-held radio transmitter. In the event
the primary operation cannot be completed, a secondary manual powered operation
of the gates can be achieved using toggles located in the gate control box located on
the side of the car.

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 9of 28
Principle of Operation –Radio Receiver
The receiver can be controlled by two separate transmitters that operate on opposite
sides of the car without interfering with each other. Data is transmitted by the radio
signal. Up to four transmitters can operate on the same frequency while in proximity.
The operating range outdoors is -22°F to 140°F (-30°C to 60°C), RH 0 to 95%
The hand-held transmitter transmits signals to the receiver/decoder using a UHF radio
link. The signal is picked up by the antenna and passed on to the receiver. If the signal
is the correct frequency and passes all required data tests, the signal is passed on to
the decoder.
The decoder compares the base address code of the signal to its own address code. If
the signal's base address code does not match the decoder's base address code, it is
ignored. If the base address and sub address (ballast car I.D. number) codes are
correct, the decoder processes the message and energizes and de-energizes the
appropriate output relays.

©Miner Enterprises 2019
Page 10 of 28
A 20 Amp control fuse is mounted in the common input line of each relay group to
provide over-current protection. During operation, the microprocessor on the decoder
board resets a watchdog timer circuit whenever valid messages are received and
decoded.
The system operates in the specific band, does not require an FCC license, and has a
range of 200 feet. The transmitter can operate up to 1000 cars (000-999) individually by
using preprogrammed radio receivers mounted on each car which is set up with a
unique address. The receiver is turned on by depressing one of the two power toggle
switches located in the aggregate control boxes mounted on either side of the car above
the side sill.
Note: The receiver will not operate unless both the lids on the aggregate control
boxes are latched closed.