Questions Answered, Professional Plow Operators Put Back to Work

Spreader Gear

We Provide Repair Services for Motor Controllers

Air Flo Sand / Salt Spreaders

Frequently Asked Questions

First, a list of DOs and DO NOTs:

  • DO use an appropriate fuse at the battery connection point, between the battery and the wire harness for your spreader system
  • DO use the appropriate wire gauge in the wire harness for your spreader system
  • DO install an appropriate shield between the controller and any nearby heating vent
  • DO use an appropriate grease to keep the moving parts of your spreader system lubricated
  • You should use a grease designed to work well in cold temperatures, such as Amsoil's Arctic Synthetic Grease or Dow Corning's Low Temperature Lithium Phenylmethyl Silicone Bearing Grease. Before switching to another grease product, be sure to check that it is compatible with the grease already used on your system -- in other words, do the due dilligence you should do any time you change any part of your spreader system.

  • DO follow the maintainence guidelines provided by your dealer to keep your spreader system functioning smoothly
  • DO feel free to ask us if you have any questions!

  • DO NOT forget to install an appropriate fuse at the battery connection point, between the battery and the wire harness for your spreader system
  • DO NOT try to plug the main power from the battery (red SB50) into the spinner (green SB50) or conveyor (blue SB50) ports
  • DO NOT install your controller where the heating system will blow warm air on it
  • DO NOT cover the metal case of your unit with gloves, clothing items, papers, or anything else for that matter
  • DO NOT overload the wire harness for your spreader system by drawing too much power
  • DO NOT attempt to draw more than 50A total with your controller
  • DO NOT open your controller's metal case FOR ANY REASON

Does this unit require any kind of a fuse?

Yes, absolutely. This unit requires an appropriate sized fuse at the battery connection point. That's why the illustration on the bottom of the unit shows you that. All electrical items in a car or truck require a fuse for safety.

A fuse is absolutely essential in order to help prevent a catastrophic failure. Such failures can occur if an inappropriate type of wire is used in the wire harness, if an in appropriate gauge of wire is used in the wire harness, if the wire harness or connector is heated by a cab heating system, if the crimps that connect the wires to the connectors are inappropriate, if any kind of damage to the wires causes a short between power and ground, and any number of other similar problems.

This is true of ANY DEVICE installed in a vehicle, especially when it is connected to the vehicle power system.


How heavy should the wire in my spreader system's wire harness be?

Given that the Anderson SB50 connectors used on the wire harness are rated for 50A, a wire gauge appropriate for 50A should be used. What gauge is most appropriate varies depending on the length of your wire harness and the ambient temepratures you are using your spreader system in.

A "good rule of thumb" is to use 6AWG (or heavier) copper wire to carry 50A in ambient temperatures of 30C (86F).

More detailed information can be found here.


Do you sell new controllers?

No, we definitely do not.

We repair and rebuild broken controllers. We also offer an upgrade for D2646PV users -- send us your unit and pay the upgrade charge, and we'll send you the latest-generation D355PV in exchange.

Click here for an explanation of these services.


All lights ON solid, unit doesn’t respond.
     ( Model D2646PV or D3555PV )

If all of the lights (POWER, PAUSE/AUX, SPINNER and CONVEYOR) are on solid, this most likely means the ignition sense is not receiving power from the vehicle's ignition. This is a red wire that comes out of the back of the unit. See if the wire is disconnected, broken anywhere, or has been torn out.

Until the unit sees ignition (approx. 12V) on that wire, it will refuse to operate.

This is intended as a safety feature, the idea being to prevent someone from accidentally running the spreader when the vehicle isn't running.


Green light on solid Yellow light off or flashing, unit doesn’t respond.
     ( Model D2646PV or D3555PV )

Make sure both the SPINNER and CONVEYOR knobs are turned to zero (CCW), then depress the blast button this enables the unit then start turning either of the knobs and see if the unit’s motor start to spin/respond.

This is another safety feature -- the idea is that if someone turns on the unit by accident, you don't want to spray the guy standing behind your truck with salt. You have to turn it on, put in RUN or RUN/AUX mode, and then depress the blast button.


Why is the Yellow (Pause/AUX) light flashing?
     ( Model D2646PV or D3555PV )

The unit has the ability to drive an extra output, such as a vibrator or a service light. We call that the "AUX," short for "auxiliary function." When the MODE switch is set to AUX, the unit drives that output and flashes the yellow PAUSE/AUX light so that you don't forget that the AUX is on.

FLASH means the unit is running with the AUX on, solid ON either means you are in pause mode (AUX will be off), or the unit is not seeing the vehicle ignition powered on. If the problem is not seeing the vehicle ignition powered on, all lights will be solid ON.


My Conveyor keeps shutting off! (Conveyor light is flashing RED)
     ( Model D2646PV or D3555PV )

The unit is trying to tell you that something is wrong. The number of blinks tells you what the problem is.

For example, 2 blinks, a pause, and repeat means the conveyor is drawing too much current.

We have troubleshooting guides to help you understand the blink codes. On the left-hand sidebar, pick your model number under "Troubleshooting Guides."


My Spinner keeps shutting off! (Spinner light is flashing RED)
     ( Model D2646PV or D3555PV )

The unit is trying to tell you that something is wrong. The number of blinks tells you what the problem is.

For example, 2 blinks, a pause, and repeat means the spinner is drawing too much current.

We have troubleshooting guides to help you understand the blink codes. On the left-hand sidebar, pick your model number under "Troubleshooting Guides."


Why does my unit run fast all the time? I turn the dials down, but it doesn't slow down!

You may have reset the minimum run speed by accident. Try the re-calibration procedure.


Am I under warranty?

We're here to help. If you are looking for a warranty, that's a question for the dealer / distributor / salesperson you bought your system from. We can repair your unit, but we do charge for the service.

Please complete our Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) form prior to sending us a unit for inspection or repair.


If I'm not under warranty, can you still help me? Yes!

Of course! We'd be happy to answer your questions, inspect your controller, and offer you a no-obligation estimate for repairs.

Please complete our Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) form prior to sending us a unit for inspection or repair.


What happens if I send a unit to you without a RMA number?

If you sent equipment to us without getting an RMA number and clearly labelling your shipment with that number, we will not inspect or repair it or attempt to locate it in any wya unless you can provide a valid traceable return tracking number for the shipment within 5 business days of shipping the equipment to us. For a tracking number to be valid, it must return an indication of a delivery having been made to our address. If you provide a valid return tracking number to us within that time, it will take approximately 10-12 weeks in order to locate your equipment, and there will be a tracking fee for doing so.

If you are unable to provide a valid return tracking number, we will not search for your equipment and we will not issue you any kind of credit. If we are unable to locate your return, we will not issue you any kind of credit.

There are no exceptions to this policy.


Who pays shipping costs?

Our margins are very low, and we can not afford to absorb shipping costs. As such, Our policy is that the customer pays all shipping costs, both to get a unit to us and to get their unit back, no exceptions for any reason whatsoever.


What shipping service could I use to send a unit to you?

You're welcome to use any shipping service you like to get a unit to us.


What is your default shipping method?

If you do not specify what shipping service you want us to use to return a unit, we will use some form of ground shipping -- usually FedEx or UPS ground -- with no shipping insurance.


What shipping services do you use?

We use UPS, FedEx, and the US Postal Service for our regular outbound shipments -- take your pick as to carrier and speed.

If you have another shipping service you would like us to use (because you have an account with them or you just really really like them), please make arrangements with us in advance.

We do not guarantee we will honor a special request as to shipping service, but of course we always prefer to make our customers happy.


What forms of payment do you accept?

We take PayPal, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Sorry, no checks or money orders.


What is your return policy?

Every unit we inspect and repair is put through three complete load tests before it is boxed up and shipped out. A load test is where we hook the unit up to a special test rig and make it work just as hard as you would in your truck. We are confident that every unit that leaves our shop is in 100% working order.

As such, every customer gets 14 days from the date the unit leaves our shop to return it as defective. After that, no returns are allowed and no refunds will be offered.

If you return a repaired unit as defective, we will either replace or repair it at our discretion. If we determine the defect is our responsibility, we will repair it at our expense. If we determine the defect is your responsibility, we will give you the option of having it repaired at your expense.

No matter who or what caused the defect, the customer pays all shipping costs.


What if my equipment is damaged when I receive it from you?

If your order arrives damaged or opened, immediately tell the driver that you are refusing the package due to damage. Do NOT accept the package. If a damaged or opened package has been left in your absence, you will have to contact the shipping company.

You must also notify us within 24 hours that your equipment arrived damaged. We will not be responsible for damaged equipment after that time.

There are no exceptions to this policy.

Please read our disclaimers if you have a thing for legalese.