Thank you for purchasing the Rooster Booster Low Voltage Lamp and Timer
The user guide explains in simple steps how to set up and operate
your new Rooster Booster.
Please read it, and you may need this guide again so please keep
it safe.
Your Rooster Booster will need to be connected to a 12-Volt
supply.
The fluorescent lamp will need cable to connect it to the timer unit
at least 1mm diameter electrical installation cable is recommended.
Day length has an important bearing on a hen's egg laying cycle. As the days shorten the number of eggs reduce until laying may cease.
The Rooster Booster is a self-regulating timer. It monitors the
naturally occurring day light hours, and compensates for the reduction
in natural day light, by turning on a lamp for the hens.
When necessary the lamp will come on at both ends of the day to keep
the hen's day in line with yours.
At the end of the day the lamp is dimmed. It then goes into a 9 Hour
period when the lamps will not come on so as the hens can rest.
(Refer to the timing chart for a graphical representation of the timing cycle)
Note:When using fluorescent lamps the light output can only be adjusted with improvised shading.
Mount the timer unit and lamp inside your hen house where it won't be exposed to wet conditions. Bare in mind you may want to access the push switch. Position the batten lamp in the preferred location and mark the fixing holes in the feet at the end of the batten. Drill suitable holes for the fixing screws and secure the batten lamp to the mounting surface.
Connect the lamps to the timer Unit using the terminals
Red + Positive—Black - Negative
When routing lamp cables, avoid sharp object or over bending, as this may cause damage. If running cable outside it may be necessary to protect the cable with suitable outer shroud, i.e. water pipe
Use the clip provided to mount the sensor. The sensor must be able to monitor outside light conditions at all times either through a hole or a window. Don't expose it to wet/damp conditions, or position it where it can be affected by artificial light sources such as car headlights, streetlights, house lights Or the Rooster Boosters own lamps. The moon could also affect the sensor if it shines directly down on it.
Always make sure the sensor lead is plugged in fully.
Connect the power leads to your power supply.
Red + Positive (fused) Black - Negative
When you first install the Rooster Booster, connecting power and exposing the sensor to light will start the timer running 5 hours into a 12-hour day. Push the red push switch once and the LED will flash 5 times. Cover and uncover the sensor to see the lamps come on.
The Rooster Booster has been designed to use two automatic time settings (9 hours Night and 12-hours Day). Which when combined with naturally occurring daylight and darkness provide the hens with a 15-hour day. Note: - if daylight exceed 12 hours the timer will not switch to its night mode until the sensor detects dark. This ensures the hens have nine hours without artificial light in the summer.
The LED provides feedback on the Rooster Boosters status it is
positioned between the light sensor and the push switch.
2 quick flashes indicate day mode when the lamps will come on if it
falls dark. 1 flash indicates night mode when the lamps will not come
on.
The LED will not flash if your battery voltage is low and needs
charging. Refer to questions and answers section.
The Push Switch has several functions and is used with the LED. Push once and the LED will flashes the number of hours it is since it got light in day mode. Or how many hours into night mode it is. If the LED does not flash it means it is within the first hour. In night mode pushing the switch will turn the lights on for 3 minutes allowing you to check your hens.
The timer can be advanced in hourly steps by holding the push switch in. This can be done in night and day mode. To advance the hours follow these instructions.
You can advance the timer up to 12 hours in day mode and 9 hours in night mode. If you want to advance through day to night or vice versa, you should pause at 12 or 9 and cover and uncover the sensor, the timer needs a light dark change over to switch from one time setting to the next. The timer can be reset to five hours into the day by disconnecting both the back-up battery and the main battery or power supply.
To keep your Rooster Booster operating reliably, wipe over the outer surfaces including the light sensor with a cloth. Smear the sensor with a thin film of light grease / Vaseline to protect it from damp.
When using a Battery you will need to check it regularly and charge when necessary. A PP3 9V battery is used to maintain the timer cycle if the external power supply is removed. The PP3 should be renewed annually.
The internal battery will not power the lamps; so charging should be carried out during day light hours.
Check the lamps are working. This can be done during the day by covering the light sensor. (Always keep spare lamps) 8 watt Fluorescent tubes can be purchased from good electrical stores or caravan centres.
Check all connections are clean and sound.
The Backup Battery is a PP3, 9-volt type and should be renewed at the
beginning of each season. Refer to Maintenance section.
The main supply Battery must be 12 volt. The size (Amp Hour rating)
of the battery is your choice depending on your circumstances.
Calculate the amount of current required (when the lamps are on) by
dividing the total lamp Wattage by the voltage (12V).
Most small car batteries are rated at 30 to 40 Ah; so expect roughly 3 to 4 days use from each charge. The power required when the lamps are off is insignificant.
If left unused for long periods lead acid batteries tend to deteriorate, the plates “sulphate” which dramatically reduces the Amp Hour rating. A Sulphated battery will reach a fully charged state quickly and also flatten quickly effectively acting like a much smaller battery. Charging and fattening a sulphated battery may revive it a little but full capacity will never be achieved.
Modern car batteries are designed to provide large amounts of current for a short period of time rather than the small current for a long period. Batteries intended for caravan or emergency lighting are more suitable. When charging a lead acid cell you should be aware that explosive hydrogen gas is produced so never smoke or use a naked flame near a charging battery and always turn off the charger before connecting /or disconnecting it. When the cells start to bubble the battery is charged.
Maintenance free batteries that have no holes to top up the electrolyte level should only be charged with a special charger, normal charging equipment would almost certainly cause permanent damage and possibly an explosion.
The old car battery behind the shed or under the flower pots in the garage probably won't be up to the job especially if it was faulty when removed from the car and has been unused for several months let alone years.
The Rooster Booster has a 12-month Guarantee
If at any time you have a problem please contact us.
19 Norton Enterprise Park
Churchfields
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP2 7YS
www.roosterbooster.co.uk