Hot Foot Electrack A.S. Electric Shock System

Overview

The Hot Foot Electrack A.S. (Anti-Stretch) Electric Shock System is a low-amperage, direct current electric deterrent for birds which is very safe for humans. The two-wire system consists of a "live" wire and a ground wire running closely together through a flexible track which is made from a fire retardant plastic that will not support combustion. When a bird (or other animal) steps on the two wires at the same time, it creates a circuit from the live wire through the bird to the ground wire, giving them a very mild electric shock.

This shock is unpleasant, but it does not harm the birds in any way - in fact it is much like the electric static zap you get occasionally when you touch a doorknob. It's more of a mental conditioning for the birds rather than a physical barrier, letting them know they're not wanted. The birds avoid further discomfort by flying off, never to return again. Better yet, the birds will make warning signals to the other birds around it, so not every single bird has to step on the track to get the message!

The Hot Foot Electrack A.S. Electric Shock System is perfect for ledges, parapets, rooftops, and other areas where birds of any size like to nest or roost. It is extremely low profile so it is usually not noticeable from the ground. Its patent-pending design virtually eliminates stretching and sagging, and only needs to be secured every 5 ft with adhesive, reducing installation time and costs. It is also bendable, curving around corners and other architectural features without breaking or needing to be cut and re-joined.

The system is also extremely cost-efficient with solar options available, yet it can power many feet of track with just one transformer. For example, the Hot Foot SPB-HP High Power Solar Box (low impedance) is a 12-volt solar-powered box that can energize up to 5,200 feet of track - that's about 1 mile of uninterrupted track.

The Hot Foot Electrack A.S. Electric Shock System is one of the best - if not the best - shock deterrent system on the market today.

Pre-Installation Considerations

IMPORTANT!

Any alteration to the design of the Hot Foot Electrak A.S. system and failure to follow these installation instructions may void the warranty and/or lead to serious harm.

Please follow these safety procedures:

1.  Inform the Building Management, maintenance staff and anyone else who might possibly come into contact with the track, about its location and operation. The low-amperage, direct current system cannot physically harm a person, but the mild shock it delivers can startle people leading to slip and fall hazards. Instruct all persons on how to disconnect the system from the power supply. The system should be disconnected before any work is done around it.
2. Mount warning labels in visible areas to identify the electrified system clearly.
3. Never lean over or touch the system while in operation.
4. Never use more than one energizer on the same system.
5. Ensure that the track is properly grounded to ensure good performance.
6. For connecting tracks separated by a distance far enough that a lead-out wire is required, it is recommended you use a Hot Foot terminal block (Hot Foot Cat. No. TB) which will completely eliminate any chance of arcing and will make your installation neater.
7. To connect tracks end to end, simply butt the two ends together, twist current carrying wires which are adjacent to each other, and then crimp the twisted joint firmly using a crimp (Hot Foot Cat. No. CR), as described in Step 5 of Track Installation, below.

Track Installation

Step 1
Fit the first track of Electrak as close to the leading edge of the surface being treated as possible. Subsequent tracks should be spaced apart according to the density of roosting birds. Try to ensure that when you connect subsequent tracks together that the wire used for connection to the active output on the power box is the wire at the outer edge of the track.

For high density birds (birds sitting very close together and for large, established flocks using the site on a regular basis either nesting or roosting); lay one track every 6-8" apart. If you have a ledge that is 8" wide then you should run two tracks (one at the leading edge and one at the rear).

For medium density birds (birds sitting close together and for mid sized flocks using the site on a regular basis either nesting or roosting); lay one track every 12" apart.

For low density birds (sparse birds and for small numbers of birds using the site on a regular or irregular basis for either nesting or roosting); lay one track every 18-24" apart.

Use the following "Easy Calculator" as your short cut to determining the number of tracks to be applied.

Step 2
Lay the track out onto the surface and fix one end of the first track firmly, using a suitable anchor.

• On masonry, use a 3/16" plastic screw anchor and screw. Do not over-tighten to avoid cracking the track.
• On wood, use a wood nail or a Hot Foot adhesive such as E6100 or Fastbond
• On steel, use a Hot Foot adhesive such as E6100 or Fastbond.
• On sheet metal, use a sheet metal screw. Do not over-tighten to avoid cracking the track.

Once the first section of track is installed, connect to the power box (see "Power Box Installation," below).

Step 3
Pull on the track at the far opposite end just so it sits straight on the surface and then attach this end as described above. If you are joining additional tracks together at this point, attach remaining tracks in the same manner until all tracks have been fitted. (See Step 6 below on joining the sections.)

Step 4
It is not necessary to use mounting clips for the Hot Foot Electrack A.S. system as it will not stretch when installed. Simply apply an adhesive such as E6100 or Fastbond every 5ft, and a fastener every 30ft as described in Step 2 above. Areas of higher winds or more exposure to the elements may require fastening the track at shorter intervals.

Step 5
To join tracks together, simply take the exposed wire from each track and twist them together to form a good, solid connection. Slide a connector crimp over this joint and crimp firmly. If you have cut the tracks and there aren't any exposed wires, take a pair of sharp-nosed pliers and pull a 1/2" section of wire from the plastic track. Cut away the non-wire carrying piece of remaining track using scissors or shears.

Step 6
To jump the power from one track to another in order to conduct power through both, use Hot Foot Jump Ferrules (Cat No JC) which are split. Expose approximately 1/2" of track conducting wire by pulling it from the base using sharp-nose pliers. Slide the split ferrule under this wire through the split. Cut a suitable length of Twinwire (TW-50, TW-100) to run from one track to the next and insert one end of the stripped Twinwire into the split ferrule and then crimp firmly. Do the same to the other end of the Twinwire to connect to the next track (see photo).

Power Box Installation

Step 1
Insert the fuse into the power box if necessary. Some power boxes come with the fuse already installed.

Step 2
Fully charge the battery/solar box by placing in daylight or sunlight for 24-48 hours, or until your digital test meter (Hot Foot Cat. No. EVT-D) records an output voltage of over 7.5KV.

Step 3
Mount the power box to face south if installed in the northern hemisphere OR to face north if installed in the southern hemisphere.

Step 4
Run your Twinwire (Hot Foot Cat. No. TW-50 or TW-100) from the power box to the place where the first track is to be fitted. You must use lead-out wire which has at minimum 7,500-volt insulation.

Step 5
Once the first section of track has been fitted, connect the power box to the track with Twinwire. Take one piece of Twinwire of sufficient length to run from the power box to the first track. Split the Twinwire at each end to expose the two individual power wires and their insulation. Strip both ends of both wires a distance of 1". Attach one lead-out wire to each of the power terminals on the power box and then run both cables to the first track. Attach by crimping using a Hot Foot crimp (Cat No. CR) or preferably by exposing the Twinwire and inserting it into a terminal block (Cat No. TB) as shown in the picture. The Hot Foot Electrack A.S. conducting wires are run into the other side of the terminal block and an arc-proof connection is made.

Step 6
Turn the power on and check the voltage by testing at the power box with a digital voltage tester (Item No. EVT-D). You should have approx 6,800-7,500 volts for the battery/solar unit and the 110 volt power box. Further, the power unit should have a flashing light to indicate power.

Step 7
If power is low or non-existent, check connections and look for any short circuits. Refer to the "Common Problems" section below.

Step 8
Turn the power off, install the second track to the surface and then join the two tracks using Twinwire or butt two tracks together and join wires directly. When attaching Twinwire to the track, or when joining tracks together, it is essential that a positive connection be made in order to minimize power loss along the installation. This should be done by twisting the lead-out wire many times around the track wires and then crimping firmly using a good crimping tool. When joining two tracks together, twist track wires firmly together and then crimp also.

Installation and Operating Instructions for Your Hot Foot Energizer

Tools Required

• Drill which can make a 3/16" hole in the mounting surface+
• Hammer
• Screwdriver with Phillips head
• Cutting shears which will cut the track if necessary and a cutting tool for the lead-out wire
• Crimping tool (Item No. CRIMP)
• Voltage test meter (Item No. EVT-D)
• Hot Foot Adhesive

To Install the Battery/Solar Unit

Step 1
Both the solar powered box (SPB) and the High Powered Solar box (SPB-HP) come fully assembled. For optimum performance it is essential that the solar panel faces south (for applications in countries located in the northern Hemisphere; for countries in the southern hemisphere, the solar panel should face north). Be sure to select a location where the solar panel will not be shaded by trees, buildings, or other objects.

Step 2
Mount the energizer to a wall or similar structure using the keyhole slot in the mounting bracket on the rear of the unit.

Step 3
The energizer is now ready to connect to the track using the Twinwire lead-out Wire. Once this is connected to the Earth and Active terminals, turn the chrome switch all the way to the left and confirm that the red indicator light is flashing. Use the digital test meter to check output voltage.

Step 4
Periodically inspect the solar panels for dust, dirt etc., and clean as necessary.

Common Problems

• Indequate earth connection.
• Track wires are connected somewhere thereby causing a direct short circuit.
• The track was installed and left before the energizer was fitted. This can result in birds landing, defecating on the track and thereby causing a short circuit.
• Where the lead-out wires are connected to the tracks, crimps are touching or are close enough to cause a short circuit.
• NEVER use any wire other than Hot Foot Twinwire or wire rated to 10KV. Common household electrical cord is not satisfactory.
• Poor connections between tracks joined together will reduce or stop voltage.

Keeping the Active Wire to the Outside

The Electrack A.S. base has two stainless-steel wires running parallel along its entire length. One wire is to be used for carrying the current and one is for the earth. When installing Electrack A.S. always try to ensure that each track has the outer wire connected to the active output of the power box. See diagram above. This is not essential but considered beneficial.

Specifications

Hot Foot Electrack A.S. is made from UV-resistant, fire retardant PVC which has an excellent non-conductive material. It is supplied in rolls of either 50ft or 100ft which is applied to the surface from which birds are to be repelled.

Electrack A.S. is manufactured in a continuous strip with notches cut out along the entire length to allow flexing in any direction but will limit stretching lengthwise. This is a patented feature.

Connection from one track to another track and from the power box to the track is made using insulating wire which has an insulation rating of 10,000 volts (10KV). Hot Foot Twinwire (50 ft rolls Cat No. TW-50 or 100ft rolls Cat No. TW-100) is ideal for this function. Twinwire is multi-strand wire with several layers of insulation and is U.V. Resistant.

Crimps are copper with nickel coating.

Power Boxes are all fused for safety and will outperform all other energizers on the market. Hot Foot Electrack A.S. power boxes are available in 110 volt or 220 volt, and 12-volt solar. These unique boxes have three layers of lightning protection:

• Diversion
• Switch power
• Double insulated transformer

Our power boxes are rugged weatherproof in design and have big, easy grip knobs to simplify installation. 110 volt power boxes should be installed in a weatherproof case for outdoor use.

Components

• Energized track (Electrack A.S.™; 50ft or 100ft rolls, Item No. FT50C, FT100C).
• Crimps (100 per pack) used for joining current conducting wires together and for attaching lead-out wire to the track (Item No. CR).
• Energizer Box, either solar (Cat. No. SPB or SPB-HP) or electric (Item No. PB110)
• Lead-out wire used to join two tracks together and to connect the track to the energizer box (Cat. No. TW-50 and TW-100).
• Warning labels (three per bag, Item No. WL) to warn people that the electric track is fitted.
• Digital Voltage Test Meter (Item No. EVT-D) needed to test the voltage output of the energizer at multiple points in the installation.

Accessories for Installation

• Jump Ferrules (Cat. No. JC) used to clamp onto Electrack A.S. wires in order to connect one track to another at any convenient point.Adhesives - we supply Hot Foot E6100, Fastbond, and AD5510 for installation of the Electrack system in outdoor locations.
• AD5510 is most favored as it is a non-slump, high UV-resistant product, which is very sticky right out of the tube.
  • Fastbond is a construction-grade adhesive which has fantastic holding power and is flexible, long lasting but is gray in color and is not sticky right out of the tube.
  • E6100 is also non-slump but with less life than the AD5510 when used in high-sunlight conditions.

Supplies of any one of these components can be purchased separately.