Pyromate P-45 User manual

Pyromate P-45 Firing System
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Pyromate P-45 Firing System
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The Pyromate P-45 pyrotechnic firing system provides the ability to individually apply an activating
voltage to 1 to 45 separate circuits. The 24 volt po er source is internal to the control panel and is
recharged thru the charge jack using a 12 VDC external po er supply.
The Pyromate P-45 firing system consists of a control panel and up to 12 directly attached firing
modules. Each firing module is attached to the control panel using a 50 pin multi-conductor cable.
Using the firing system
1. Open the control panel lid.
2. Verify that the ON/OFF s itch is set to OFF.
3. Verify that the ARM KEYSWITCH is set to SAFE by rotating counter-clock ise until vertical.
4. Select Bank A using the rotary knob.
5. Turn the ON/OFF s itch to ON and verify that the LED indicator above the ON legend lights.
6. Turn the ON/OFF s itch to OFF again.
7. Make sure that the shunting plugs are inserted into the firing modules hile igniters are being
attached.
8. Attach pyrotechnic igniters to the firing modules that ill be used.
9. Inspect the male end of cable for bent pins before attaching firing cable to the connector
labeled A on the Expansion Module.
10. Remove and save the SHUNT PLUG from the firing module and then attach the firing cable to
the input connector on the firing module.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for each firing module that ill be used.
12. Remove personnel from the proximity of the firing area hile performing continuity status
checking.
13. Verify that firing area is clear.
14. Verify that the ARM key is vertical (safe).
15. Verify that the Selector is set to A.
16. Turn the ON/OFF s itch to ON.
17. Observe the light above each firing s itch is lit for each expected pyrotechnic igniter.
18. Rotate the Selector to the next used firing module position and check the continuity indicators.
19. Repeat step 18 until all used firing modules have been checked.
20. Ready to fire connected pyrotechnic igniters.
21. Verify that none of the firing s itches 1 thru 45 are stuck ON.
22. Verify firing area is clear.
23. Select the 1st firing module position by turning the rotary selector to A.
24. Turn ARM KEYSWITCH clock ise until it stops in a horizontal position and the ARM indicator LED
lights.
25. Press each numbered firing s itch up to activate the connected electrical ignition device and
then release it.
26. When another firing module is required, release all firing s itches first, then rotate the Selector
to the required module letter.

Pyromate P-45 Firing System
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Control Panel
The Panel CONTROLS consist of the following:
Power Switch – This toggle s itch, labeled ON OFF controls the po er of the control panel. When the
po er is on, the ON indicator LED ill light and any igniters attached to selected firing module is be
sho n by the associated continuity LED.
Firing switch 1 thru 45 – These 45 momentary toggle s itches control po er to the associated terminal
connections on the selected firing module. The s itch ill only apply the po er to the terminal hile
the ARM keys itch is turned to ARM (clock ise horizontal position). To fire igniter attached to the
associated terminal connectors of the selected firing module, the appropriate s itch is moved up ard
momentarily and then released. The continuity LED of the terminal position ill go out hile the s itch
is held in the activated position, but may relight hen the s itch is released.
Arm KEYSWITCH – This keys itch controls the firing operation of the firing toggle s itches by applying
or interrupting po er to firing s itch. The vertical position (s itch rotated counter-clock ise) is the
SAFE position here po er is interrupted to the firing s itches. The horizontal position (s itch rotated
clock ise) is the ARM position and also is indicated by the ARM LED being lighted.
Ban Select Rotary Switch (A-L) – Each firing module that is attached to the control panel is accessed by
rotating the Bank Selector to the associated Selector letter A thru L. Each letter on the rotary s itch
refers to the similarly lettered DB15 connector at the top of the control panel. When a cable and firing
module is attached to the selected connector, a pin on the firing module can be activated (fired) by
pressing the desired firing s itch on the control panel.
The INDICATORS consist of:
Charge Status LED –This LED located by the charging jack sho s the status of the battery as it is being
charged. The LED is off hen no charger is connected. When the correct charger is plugged into the
charging jack, the LED ill be RED if the internal battery is charging or GREEN if the internal battery is
fully charged.
Power ON LED – This status LED located Right of the ON legend in the upper left corner of the control
panel indicates that the ON-OFF s itch is set to ON and that the internal battery does have some po er.
If this LED doesn’t turn on hen the ON s itch is set ON, the internal battery is completely discharged
and ill need to be replaced.
Continuity 1 thru 45 LEDs – These status LEDs located above each of the 45 firing toggle s itches sho
the presence of a electrical connection (igniter) attached to the selected firing module hen the control
panel is ON. Each of the continuity LEDs ill conduct 20 milliamps of current thru the connected device.

Pyromate P-45 Firing System
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ARMED LED – This status LED located above the ARM keys itch at the upper left corner of the control
panel ill light hen the ARM key is turned clock ise to the horizontal position, but only if the panel is
ON.
The Panel CONNECTORS consist of:
Charge Jack
BANK A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L
Firing Module
The Pyromate firing modules appropriate for this firing system contains blocking diodes that allo
s itched common buss operation (firing modules selected using the rotary selector A-H). Using modules
that do not contain these diodes will cause un-intended results!
The Panel CONNECTORS consist of:
50 Pin Input (male) Connector – Left side connector receives the firing cable from the control panel.
While attaching igniters to the Firing Pin terminals, a shunt device should be installed in this connector.
Output (female) Connector – Right side connector is used to attach another firing cable that connects an
additional firing module. Connecting additional cables and firing modules to these output connectors is
a configuration often referred to as daisy-chaining. The purpose of daisy-chaining addition modules
together is to fire multiple modules together on the same terminal pin numbers. The disadvantage of
this configuration is that continuity testing becomes less accurate because the additional pins connect in
a parallel electrical circuit. See the section Series vs. Parallel Circuits.

Pyromate P-45 Firing System
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Firing Pin terminal bloc s – The pyrotechnic igniter is connected to a set of terminals notated ith a
number 1 thru 45. Each igniter is connected bet een the top ro and bottom ro in line ith the pin
number. The igniter is attached by depressing the spring loaded lever and inserting the exposed bare-
copper end into the revealed opening in the terminal. Care must be taken to position the bare copper
igniter ire end in the connector so that the insulation portion of the ire is no pinched in the contact
ja s of the connector. Also the amount of exposed copper ire outside of the terminal connector must
be controlled to prevent the copper from contacting other exposed ires. Either condition will result in
unpredictable operation of the firing system!
Firing module with shunt device inserted into firing cable input connector.

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Series vs. Parallel Circuits – Igniters have t o ires. When just one igniter is connected to a firing pin
terminal set the circuit is simple. When 2 or more igniters must be connected to the same numbered
firing circuit, the connection becomes more complicated. The t o types of configuration are series and
parallel electrical connections. There are different advantages to each type of circuit.
When 2 igniters have one ire from each igniter inserted into the same terminal pin, the configuration is
called a parallel circuit. This is because po er ill pass thru each igniter separately, but in parallel. A
shorted igniter will prevent the circuit from firing any of the paralleled igniters. An open igniter will not
be detectable using the continuity circuit for multiple parallel connections. This is the least favorable
metho an shoul be avoi e .
When 2 igniters have one ire plugged into one terminal pin and the other ire only connecting the 2
igniters together, this is called a series circuit since the po er passes thru one igniter and then the other
igniter. Any open igniters or broken ires in the series circuit ill be detected by the continuity circuit of
the control panel. It is not a good idea to series different brands of igniters together.
This is the best metho of wiring multiple igniters.

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Firing System Do’s and Don’ts
1- Never enter field with panel connected and or powered up!!!
2- DO NOT GET WET!!!! Treat your system like it’s your Laptop computer or other
electronic device, IT IS NOT WATERPROOF. Under no circumstance should you allow
moisture of any kind to fall on Panel or modules, Cover and protect modules from Fireworks
Fallout and moisture, as you would the fireworks you are shooting. (There is no Excuse
acceptable)!
3- Keep cable ends off the ground, Do not drag along ground, dirt is the enemy. Always inspect
ends for debris before plugging in.
4- Always unplug cables carefully and not by yanking the cable or rocking plug back and forth,
always pull straight out by body of connector.
5- Never apply any kind of spray or lubricant to connector contacts.
6- Keep your system charged, Do not let system get low on charge, (battery Damage can occur)
always keep charger with panel.
7- Always roll cables out and roll cables in, Do not wind around arm or force cable to twist
against its natural coil, Twisting will destroy cable!
8- If you are unfamiliar with proper winding technique let someone that knows the proper way
wind your cables, not everyone can do this.
9- Do not rip igniter wires from Clip connectors, remove them individually with care.
10- Always series multiple igniters on one circuit (Never Parallel)
11- Following these simple steps will keep your system functioning properly for many years.

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FIRING SYSTEMS
270 OLD DUBLIN ROAD
PETERBOROUGH N.H. 03458
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
www.pyromate.com - [e-mail]
Pyromate Terms/Warranty,
All Pyromate products are covered by a one year limited warranty which pertains to factory
defects in components or assembly, any systems opened without the express permission of
Pyromate Inc will be void of such warranty as well as any abuse issues. There is no 30 day trial
period as stated in any printed brochures or written advertisements.
All freight charges will be the responsibility of the end user.
Terms, 1-All Systems are built to order and require a non refundable 20% down payment and
Cancellation of said orders are subject to a 20% restocking fee.
2- All orders must be paid in full prior to shipping unless previously agreed to on paper,
3- All delinquent payments will be subject to Finance charges of 2% monthly.
4- Anyone purchasing equipment from Pyromate is bound by these terms.
DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this equipment is to cause initiation of industry standard Pyrotechnic
electric matches to ignite display type fire orks or pyrotechnic special effects. Fire orks and
special effects materials are explosives and may cause personal injuries or death to yourself or
others, including spectators. SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY and is beyond the control of
PYROMATE Inc. The buyer / user assumes all responsibility and liability in the use of this equipment
and further agrees, by purchase and /or use of this equipment, to indemnify and hold harmless
PYROMATE Inc. and its agents against all liability for injury, loss, or damage direct or consequential
arising out of the use of, or inability to use this equipment. Any subsequent purchaser is also bound
by these conditions of sale.
This Warranty and Terms Supersede any previously written terms or warranty on Brochures or
written advertisements prior to 2-17-10

Pyromate P-45 Firing System
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