®
Flowtron Mosquito PowerTrap
Operating Instructions
IMPORTANT
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
READ THE LABEL AND OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
DOMESTIC
REG. NO. 28457 PCPA
Please retain operating instructions for
future reference.
Your Enemy – the Mosquito
There are some 2,700 species (different kinds of
mosquitoes) in the world with about 170 species in
North America alone.
How Your Flowtron
Mosquito PowerTrap Works
The revolutionary new Flowtron Mosquito PowerTrap
replicates the attractants mosquitoes use to locate, bite
and annoy humans. It does this by producing carbon
dioxide, heat and moisture and combining these stimuli
with octenol to create an attractant to mosquitoes.
Most mosquitoes live and die close to where they
hatch, although some can travel miles (kilometres) in
search of a host. Only the female mosquito bites as
she requires a blood meal to produce eggs.
Your Flowtron Mosquito PowerTrap:
•
Replicates the human attractants of respiration,
odor and body heat.
Mosquitoes require standing water in aquatic habitats
including fresh water, salt water marshes, brackish
water or in water found in containers, old tires, tree
holes, even flower pots. The female mosquito lays
her eggs on the surface of the water and if conditions
are right the eggs hatch and become larvae, then
pupae and finally adult mosquitoes; all in 10 to 14
days.
•
Converts readily available propane gas into heat,
moisture and carbon dioxide, the acknowledged
leading mosquito and attractants emitted by
humans.
•
•
Special super bright LED motion lighting provides
added lure.
Both male and female mosquitoes feed regularly on
nectar obtained from flowers, but females require
blood to produce fertile eggs. Therefore, she must
find a human or animal host to blood feed before she
can lay her eggs.
Produces a powerful vacuum to draw mosquitoes
into a convenient, removable catch tray where
they quickly dehydrate and die for safe, clean dis-
posal.
•
Contains state-of-the-art computer controlled elec-
tronics to operate automatically in one of four
modes selected by you.
Most mosquitoes that emerge in the wild never come
in contact with humans but obtain blood from birds
and other animals. Mosquito species that breed
around the home remain close to where they hatched
and are regarded as pests and carriers of disease.
Mosquito PowerTrap does away with ultraviolet lights
and high voltage killing grids. Most importantly, it kills
only female mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes in search of a blood meal use visual,
thermal and olfactory (odour) stimuli to locate a host.
Of these, olfactory cues are the most important.
Flowtron Mosquito PowerTrap uses an exclusive plat-
inum catalyst that converts air and propane gas into
heat, moisture and carbon dioxide. It does this in an
efficient, effective and economical manner. The cata-
lyst converter is completely safe, flameless and never
needs to be replaced.
Out of the more than 100 compounds detected in
human breath only two have been isolated and identi-
fied as significant mosquito attractants; carbon diox-
ide (CO2) and octenol (1-OCTEN-3-OL). These
attractants serve as long-range airborne attractants
and can be detected by mosquitoes at distances of
100 feet to 125 feet (30 - 40 m).
At close range, body heat, moisture and lactic acid
serve as terminal attractants. Certain species show
strong preferences for biting different parts of the
human body. This is thought to be related to local
skin temperature and lactic acid output.
The attractiveness of different persons to mosquitoes
varies substantially. Men are bitten more readily than
women, adults more often than children and larger
persons attract more mosquitoes perhaps because of
their greater relative heat and carbon dioxide output.
Page 3
Placement
Your Mosquito PowerTrap is site specific and place-
ment is critical for successful results.
Rules for Safe Use
1. Use outdoors only. Install the unit a
minimum of 10 feet (3 m) from
buildings and other structures.
Your Flowrtron Mosquito PowerTrap emits a plume of
octenol-enhanced carbon dioxide which mosquitoes
follow in their search for a blood meal. Mosquitoes fly
up-wind toward the source of the plume in their
attempt to locate a host. Since the direction of the
plume is dependent upon the direction of the wind,
your unit should be positioned so it’s
2. Never place fingers or insert any
object into the unit while it is operat-
ing.
attractant outlet faces downwind.
3. Always disconnect unit from its
power source and wait for unit to
cool before handling, moving or
servicing.
Female mosquitoes also feed on moisture laden nec-
tar and fruit juices when not in search of a blood
meal. They are usually found in shade; around flo w-
ers, trees, bushes and other vegetation; and adjacent
to standing water.
For best results locate your unit 20 to 40 feet
(6 -12 m) away from areas of human activity in a loca-
tion near (but not in) bushes, wooded areas, or adja-
cent to standing water (other than swimming pools).
Select a location which will result in the carbon diox-
ide plume blowing toward the area where mosquitoes
are likely to hide and emerge. A proper location will
ensure that mosquitoes encounter the plume and
follow it up-wind to the Flow t ron Mosquito
PowerTrap before they detect the presence of
humans.
4. This device was designed for use
with propane gas. Never attempt to
use any other fuel, including liquid
fuels or natural gas. Fire or damage
to your Flowtron PowerTrap could
result.
5. Always operate the unit in an
upright position to prevent damage
See Illustration 1.
2
to the CO generator.
6. Do not abuse the power pack.
Never carry the power pack by its
cord or yank it to disconnect it from
a receptacle. Keep power cord
away from heat, oil and sharp
edges.
Illustration 1
Prevailing wind direction
Plume
Attractant
Outlet
7. Never connect the unit to a
battery or other D.C. voltage. Such
an attempt will damage your unit.
HOUSE
PATIO 20 – 40 ft.
SOURCE OF
INSECTS
8. Store indoors when not in use.
Remove propane tank from unit
before storing and store tank out-
doors in a well ventilated space.
Page 4
Tank Support
Strap
Connect Propane Regulator
Assembly
Tank Stand
1. Remove the plastic dust cover from your propane
tank valve.
Tank Stand (MT-200
series only)
2. Screw the propane regulator coupling located on
the end of the propane hose onto the tank valve by
turning the black threaded coupling clockwise until
tight. Hand tighten only. See Illustration 4.
1. Insert tank support strap
into openings in tank stand
as shown. See Figure A.
2.On the underside of the
tank stand, loosen the two
hex nuts located on the
screws which extend from
the sides of the base plate.
Place the slots at the ends
of the tank support strap
over the screws and
Openings
Figure A
Note: Gas will not flow unless connection is tight.
Tighten by hand only.
Using a wrench or
other tool could
damage the regulator
Base Plate
Tank Strap
coupling and could
cause a gas leak.
Illustration. 4
secure by tightening the
two nuts. See Figure B.
Screw & Nut
(2 places)
WARNING
PowerTrap (MT-200 &
MT-300 series)
Check for gas leaks by wetting the connec-
tions with a solution of soap and water and
watching for bubbles. If bubbles form or if a
bubble grows larger, there is a leak and
connection must be tightened.
Figure B
1. Insert one end of the post
into the post opening at
the front of the tank stand.
Insert opposite end of
post into the post opening
located at the bottom of
the Flowtron Mosquito
PowerTrap®. Align unit in
relation to the tank stand.
See Illustration 2.
Tank
Cap
WARNING
Tank
Strap
Check for gas leaks every time you disconnect and
reconnect a gas fitting.
Be sure there are no sparks or open flame in the
area when you check for leaks.
Tank
Wrap
Post
Place a 20 lb. tank on
the tank stand and install
tank wrap around the
tank.
Do not use a liquid propane tank with a damaged
valve. Have dented or rusty propane tanks checked
by your propane supplier.
Only use regulator supplied with your Flowtron
PowerTrap.
2. Install catch tray by first
inserting the rear of the
tray into the housing.
Tank Stand
Illustration 2
Then push in upper part of
the latch and raise front of
catch tray into place.See
Illustration 3.
3. Place tank cap on top of tank.
4 . (MT-300 series only)
Move your unit to the
desired location in your
yard. Remove catch tray
and grasp housing as
shown.
3. Position and screw power
pack to either an outside
or inside wall adjacent to
a electrical outlet (screws
not provided). Run the low
Push
illustration 3
See trap “Placement”
instructions on pg. 4.
voltage wire either above or below ground from the
power pack to the unit. plug the low voltage wire
into the power cord connector located at the bottom
of the Flowtron Mosquito PowerTrap®. Plug the
power pack into the electrical outlet.
Page 5
has reached operating temperature, which will take
five to ten minutes, the fan and LED lights will remain
on and the start cycle will be complete.
Operation
Your Mosquito PowerTrap is fully automatic. It is
equipped with a photocell, temperature sensors and a
computer microprocessor.
When a timed mode is selected, the fan and LED
lights will come on immediately and remain on. The
unit, however, waits for dusk and then checks the out-
side air temperature to determine if it is sufficiently
warm for insect activity i.e. above 55º – 60ºF
(13º - 15ºC). This is an important feature to conserve
propane fuel. The unit will automatically begin its start
cycle when the light level reaches dusk and remains
at the level of dusk for ten minutes (thus avoiding the
effects of transient light sources) and if the outside air
temperature is above the 55º – 60ºF (13º - 15ºC)
range.
The control panel is located on the top of the unit and
has the following operating modes:
•
•
•
24/7 (on 24 hours, 7
days/week)
3 Hours (on at dusk,
off 3 hours later)
3 + 2 Hours (on at dusk,
off 3 hours later; on again at dawn, off 2 hours
later).
•
•
4 + 3 Hours (on at dusk, off 4 hours later;
on again at dawn, off 3 hours later)
The start cycle is also repeated at dawn when the
3 + 2 hr or the 4 + 3 hr mode is selected.
Off/Reset (manual off)
During start cycles, which are from five to ten
minutes in duration, the fan and LED lights operate
intermittently.
To select the desired mode, first push the button
labeled “Off/Reset” to clear the computer memory.
Then push the button labeled “Mode”.
Ten to fifteen minutes after the unit detects a lack of
propane fuel (either due to an empty tank or due to
improper installation of the propane regulator to the
tank valve) the three green timed mode lights on the
control panel will flash. Simply switch the PowerTrap
off and refuel. If the unit is not out of propane and the
lights are flashing check that the tank valve is fully
open and that the regulator is properly attached to the
tank valve.
For continuous operation press the “Mode” button
once. The green light labeled “24/7” will light and the
unit will operate continuously 24 hours per day until
the “Off/Reset” button is pressed.
For timed operation, press and hold the “Mode” but-
ton. When the desired mode is selected as indicated
by its green light, release the button. No further con-
trol is necessary and your unit will function in the
mode selected every day until the “Off/Reset” button
is depressed or an interruption occurs in the electrical
power source.
Mosquitoes are generally most active shortly after
dusk and again at dawn. Therefore, the 3 + 2, or
4 + 3 timed modes are usually the most economical
settings.
Note:
To resume operation following an electri-
cal disturbance or a loss of electrical
power, press the “Off/Reset” button to
clear the computer memory then reset
the unit to the desired operating mode.
The 24/7 mode is desirable if day flying mosquitoes
are present or to operate at temperatures below
55º F (13ºC).
Note:
In the event the Flowtron PowerTrap fails to
respond to its controls (mode selection)
unplug the unit for a few seconds, reattach
plug and then reset to the desired mode.
As mosquitoes pass through the fan, most
are killed and thrown against the side of the
internal screen-lined funnel.Those that
escape the fan’s killing action end up in the
catch tray where they quickly dehydrate and
d i e. See page 7 for instructions for removing
the screen-lined funnel and cleaning the
screen.
When the 24/7 mode is selected, the unit will begin
its start cycle and approximately three minutes later,
the fan and LED lights located in the entrance to the
trap will come on intermittently. Once the catalyst
Page 6
3. Empty the catch tray periodically to ensure proper
air flow through the trap. To remove the catch tray
push in on the latch at the front of the catch tray
and pull tray down.
Octenol Cartridge
U.S. Government and university researchers have
demonstrated that o c t e n o l combined with carbon
dioxide (both components of respiration) are irresistible
attractants to mosquitoes.
4. Remove and clean the screen-lined funnel each
time the propane tank is refilled or more often dur-
ing periods of heavy infestation. To remove funnel,
proceed as follows:
The Flowtron Mosquito PowerTrap uses a specially
designed time release cartridge containing octenol (1-
OCTEN-3-OL).
Switch unit off and allow it to cool. Remove catch tray.
To Install the Octenol Cartridge:
Push rear of bottom funnel
Figure A
ring up into the unit’s hous-
1. Remove the octenol cartridge from the sealed
pouch and peel the protective cover from the face
of the cartridge. Avoid touching the openings in the
cartridge and always wash hands thoroughly after
contact.
Housing
ing until front tabs become
disengaged from housing.
See figure A.
Up
Front
Tab
Bottom
Funnel
Ring
2. Place the cartridge in the rectangle slot located at
the bottom of the plenum. Insert the cartridge with
the openings facing inward. See Illustration 5.
Pull funnel down and for-
Push Up Here
ward releasing rear sec-
tion of upper funnel ring
and remove funnel from
Figure B
unit. See fig u r e B.
Down
Remove insect debris
from screen surrounding
funnel. Wash screen with
water and shake off
Forward
Upper
Funnel
Ring
Tabs
excess water before re-
installing.
Plenum
Re-install funnel by hold-
ing funnel at a slight
angle and insert the front
edge of the upper funnel
ring inside of unit’s hous-
ing. See figure C.
Cartridge
Shown in
Place
Figure C
Slot
Insert
Cartridge
Octenol
Cartridge
Illustration 5
Front
Edge
of Upper
Funnel Ring
Maintenance
Up
Push funnel upwards and
with the rear section of
the bottom funnel ring at
a slight angle compress
funnel until front tabs of
bottom funnel ring are up
inside of the housing. See
figure D.
1. Refill your propane tank as required. The green
timed mode lights on the control panel will flash
when a new supply of propane is needed.
Figure D
2. Replace the octenol cartridge after 450 hours of
operation.
NOTE: The following table may be used as a
general guide to determine approximate propane
r e fill times.
Up
Release funnel and it will
spring into place.
Refill Times
(20 lb propane tank)
Operating Mode
Hours per Day
Replace catch tray and re-start unit.
6 – 7 months
3 – 4 months
2 – 3 months
3 – 4 weeks
3
. . . hours
3 + 2 . . . hours
4 + 3 . . . hours
24 . . . . hours
Page 7
WARRANTY
Trouble Shooting Chart
Symptom
Probable Cause
No power at outlet
Remedy
Check for electrical power at outlet.
Mode lights on control panel do
not light when “MODE” switch is
depressed.
Unit not properly connected to its power pack. Check plug connections between unit and power pack low voltage cord.
Green lights on control panel
are flashing.
Lack of propane.
Refill propane tank.
Open tank valve.
Propane tank valve closed.
Regulator coupling not properly attached.
Lack of propane
Check propane regulator coupling for proper engagement and/or leaks.
Same as for “green lights flashing”.
The fan does not run
continuously after the unit has
been on for at least 10 minutes.
Start cycle malfunction.
Press “Reset” and restart in 24/7 mode.
The unit does not start up at
dusk when in an automatic
mode.
Unit has not sensed dusk or night for a
full 10 minutes.
Wait for 10 minutes of darkness.
Unit will start automatically if temperature rises above 55º F
within 2 hours of dusk.
Ambient temperature is below
55-60ºF.
Shield unit from extraneous light.
Ambient light level is too high.
Not catching mosquitoes when
the fan is running, the valve is
pulsing and the green lights on
the control panel are not
flashing.
Funnel end is not over catch tray
nozzle opening.
Engage the funnel end with the catch tray nozzle opening.
Clean funnel. See page 7.
Funnel clogged with insect debris.
Trap is not located in a productive site.
Windy, cool or stormy weather.
Move trap to a new site. See placement guidelines in the owner’s manual.
Wait for conditions more to the mosquito’s liking.
Current mosquito population not readily
Notably the day flying Asian tiger Mosquito. Operate the trap with the
octenol cartridge removed.
2
attracted to CO + Octenol.
Any problems you encounter that are not corrected by the action recommended in this chart should be referred to the Flowtron Service Department • (800) 343-3280
Accessories
Mosquito Attractant:
Extension Cord – EC-50
Octenol Cartridge – MA 1000
Makes your Mosquito PowerTrap
more effective in attracting mosquitoes
and biting flies.
50 foot low voltage extension cord.
Allows placement of the Mosquito
PowerTrap an additional 50 feet away
from the power source.
Page 8
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