This article specifically covers powering an iBall Instruments DC Cavitator by connecting it to the Bloodhound’s 12VDC power outlet.
PREREQUSITES:
1) While it is advisable to have a Bloodhound and DC Cavitator on-site.
2) When the time comes to actually wire the power connections, you will need an adequate supply of 10-gauge outdoor Low-Voltage DC wire (available in the landscape/outdoor lighting section of most home improvement/hardware stores).
HOW-TO SETUP A DC CAVITATOR ON THE BLOODHOUND:
1) It is recommended that the Bloodhound is turned off when initially rigging the iball Instruments DC Cavitator. If you do not know how to turn off the Bloodhound, consult the section at the end of this article called “OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST” and look for the link to the article entitled, “How to Power the Bloodhound On (and Off)”
2) Take a look at the left hand side of the Bloodhound where all of the connections are located (see the figure below for what this looks like):
3) CONNECT POWER LINES TO THE BLOODHOUND 12VDC OUTLET: Connect one end of the 10-gauge power wires to the 12VDC power outlet (identified in the figure below):
4) MAKE THE RUN: You will need to run the 10-gauge power wires such that it is not subject to being bent, broken, or otherwise tampered with. Any short in the line will cause the cavitator to stop functioning properly.
5) CONNECT POWER LINES TO THE DC CAVITATOR: The DC Cavitator has two leads to which you will connect one end of the dual-lead wires. The DC Cavitator (shown in the figure below) is relatively easy to connect via the two screw-in lead connectors:
6) TURN ON THE BLOODHOUND: Turn on the Bloodhound by plugging in the 120V/AC power cord supplied with the Bloodhound into a 120V/AC outlet, and the other end into the matching 120V/AC port on the Bloodhound. The Bloodhound will take up to a minute or so to fully boot up. At this point, power will be supplied on the 12VDC power terminals to which you have already connected the DC Cavitator.
7) TESTING YOUR DC CAVITATOR CONNECTION: Here are some steps to make sure the DC Cavitator is properly connected:
a) Go to the DC Cavitator and make sure the motor is running. You should be able to feel vibrations in the motor, may be able to hear it running (depending on background noise) and should see the mud being agitated.
b) Check the draw on the Bloodhound to make sure the DC Cavitator is drawing current:
i) Look at the face of the Bloodhound and find the LCD screen.
ii) In this screen, check the central table of information for an item titled “AMPS” (you will find it in the section identified below). The number next to AMPS should read something other than “0.0” or “-0.0” if the DC Cavitator is drawing a current (for example, it might show something like “AMPS 4.0”):
Congratulations! You now have setup the DC Cavitator on the Bloodhound!
