At a commercial shooting ground, a malfunctioning trap is not just an inconvenience; it is a direct revenue leak. Whether you are running a high-volume registered shoot or a corporate simulated game day, your Promatic equipment is the engine of your business. While Promatic machines—from the heavy-duty Falcon series to the club-standard Super Hawk—are renowned for British engineering reliability, mechanical and electrical variables can affect performance.

This guide provides a deep-dive technical analysis of common faults, focusing on electrical continuity, carousel alignment, and casting plate calibration.

Section 1: Diagnosing "No-Birds" and Clay Feed Failures

A "no-bird" (where the arm fires but no clay is thrown, or the clay breaks upon launch) is the most common issue reported by ground keepers. The fault rarely lies with the motor itself, but rather with the Singulation System.

1. The Knife-Edge Separator Adjustment The Promatic Knife-Edge system is designed to peel a single clay from the stack, even if the clays are wet or frozen.

• The Fault: If clays are breaking inside the carousel, the knife-edge is likely set too low. If two clays are fed simultaneously, it is set too high.

• The Fix: The vertical gap between the throwing plate and the knife-edge blade is critical. It must be set to the exact thickness of the clay rim plus 0.5mm to 1mm.

  • Technical Tip: Use a feeler gauge or a "dummy" clay washer to set this gap. Do not rely on visual estimation.

• Winter Operations: In the UK winter, clays absorb moisture and swell. A gap set perfectly in July may be too tight in January. Seasonal recalibration is essential for the Falcon and Ranger series.

2. The Poly-Strip and Throwing Rail Consistent friction is required to impart spin.

• The Fault: If clays are "spitting" out without distance or curling unpredictably, check the Poly-Strip. Over time, clay dust mixes with grease to form a paste on the rail.

• The Fix: Do not apply oil to the throwing plate. It must be bone dry. Clean the rail with a solvent degreaser. If the Poly-Strip is worn flush with the metal, it must be replaced immediately to prevent clay slippage.

Section 2: Electrical Systems and Solenoid Health

Slow re-cocking times or "clicking" without firing are almost always electrical issues, not mechanical jams.

1. Voltage Drop Under Load A 12v trap requires high amperage during the initial firing cycle.

• The Scenario: Your battery reads 12.4v on a multimeter. However, the trap is sluggish.

• The Diagnostic: Test the voltage while the trap is firing. If the voltage drops below 10.5v under load, the battery has high internal resistance (sulphation) or the wiring gauge is too thin for the cable run.

• Commercial Solution: For permanent fixtures using the Promatic Claymate system, ensure mains-to-12v transformers are rated for the peak surge current, not just the resting current.

2. The Solenoid "Click" If you press the fire button, hear a distinct "click," but the motor does not engage:

• The Cause: The solenoid contacts have likely carbonised (burned) due to arcing over thousands of cycles.

• The Test: Bridge the two large terminals on the solenoid with an insulated screwdriver. If the trap fires, the solenoid is faulty. If it sparks but doesn't fire, the motor brushes may be worn.

Section 3: FAQs 

Q: Why does my Promatic trap keep blowing fuses?

A: A Promatic trap blowing fuses suggests high resistance in the circuit. The most common cause is a seized or stiff throwing arm linkage, forcing the motor to draw excessive current (amperage) to cycle. Check the gearbox grease hasn't hardened and that the throwing arm isn't physically obstructed. A 12v trap should typically run on a 20-30 amp fuse; if it blows this, do not insert a larger fuse—investigate the mechanical resistance.

Q: How do I synchronize two traps for a "Simulated Pair"?

A: To fire two traps simultaneously (e.g., for a springing teal pair), you must link the release cords into a single junction box or program the radio receiver (such as the Promatic Wi-Card system) to trigger Channel A and Channel B on the same impulse. Note that wire lengths must be identical if hard-wired, as voltage delay over long cable runs can cause a split-second "stutter" between the two birds.

Q: What is the maintenance schedule for a commercial Falcon trap?

A: For a Falcon trap used in a commercial ground (throwing 500+ clays daily):

1. Daily: Clean throwing plate and check battery voltage.

2. Weekly: Check tightness of the main spring and casting plate bolts.

3. Monthly: Grease the main shaft and rod ends (use Lithium-based grease).

4. Annually: Inspect motor brushes and gearbox oil levels.