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I know somebody can solve this quickly. When I start up my machine to carve a pattern I get a power fluctuation error. I restart my machine about 5 times( it runs for about 30 seconds each time)..After restarting it a few times It runs through the rest of the project no problem. I had The power company check my incoming current. No Problems. I kept a meter on the circuit while running, No fluctuation.
Here is where having a second machine really helps. Sounds like a power supply board problem. For me, I would roll the power supply board between machines. Check all the connections inside underneath (remove bottom cover).
Clint
I only have one machine Clint, But thanks so much for your solution. I guess I can just buy a new power supply board. Is that something Carvewright would sell me? BTW, I just shut the machine down for about 15 minutes to download and start a new job, no problem on the restart.
Are you sure that there is nothing else using the same circuit? EG. vacuum, fan, refrigerator.Quote:
Originally Posted by kwbcpastor
Yes, the plug is in my shop. Those receptacles are on a separate circuit. I have a 100 amp breaker box with 12 breakers. I tried it on another breaker on the other side of the shop, and it did the same thing. 4 or 5 restarts after a 20 to 30 second run each. Then it would run without stopping for the next hour and 45 minutes. Put on a new job. It ran fine. Seems to happen only on a cold start. It seems to do it when I first start up the machine after being idle for the night.
Does sound like power supply problem. Here are some of their parts. https://store.carvewright.com/home.php?cat=254
I agree it is likely a power supply board. The "A" Series Machines had a problem with the L2 Coil Choke on the 5 volt line. It would snap one of the leads and then touch and not touch. A fix before they snapped was more RTV or Glue to hold it to keep it from vibrating. As vibrating was like taking a piece of 14 gauge house wire and bending it over and over until it changed color and snapped. Since the L2 is in series with the output voltage when it opens or loose contact you get a power failure or if it is being held by glue BUT broken, a power fluctuation.
What model is it? "A", "B", "C", "CX" ? This is only a "A" Problem unless someone put in a "Referbished" Power Supply in that had a partially failed L2 Coil then glued it...
I would put a Incandescent lightbulb in the same outlet and watch it closely or even put a video camera on it... Watching for a dimming of the lamp like when your house "AC" kicks in... I know you have a 100 Amp Service but the 200 amp home service may have some Freezers or AC on the same phase...
I know you had this checked but before you spend all that money on the Power Supply it would be good to explore all possibilities... EVEN moving the machine to the home 200 amp service for a test project to see if the problem is in the machine or the home power... Even ask a neighbor to let you run a project in his garage...
I know power... I wired my shop and home with 200 amp service and the inspector ended up being the son of the guy that taught me in 1975. Said I did nice work.
Here is the L2 Coil Problem Pictures.
AL
WOW AL!! no doubt you know your stuff here. I will try running the machine from garage attached to the house and running off the house power. I think I have the CX machine. I bought it in 2015. I did put a volt meter in the receptacle outlet above my machine plug and watched as I initiated the startup. There was not much variation in the voltage, it was 118.8-119.8. I also switched receptacles to the other phase coming into the shop it was 119.8-120. I tighten all of the grounds coming in and going out. I got the same results on both sides of my power out. But I will try it in the house. Oh, I forgot to mention, sometimes it cuts off( JUST A 1/2 SECOND) and starts right back all by itself! THAT WAS PROBABLY IMPORTANT,SORRY.
Betting it is just a bad power supply then... It happens.
AL
I just took the bottom off the machine. Gave all the little screws a tighten, slightly loose. I feel more comfortable now that I've looked inside for the first time. It should be easy to change out. Let's see how it goes from this point. Is there any way to run the motor with out a project? You all have got me on the right track! I got another suggestion from Carol this morning. Plan to look at that!
To run the motor with out setting up a carve use the "axis test" function. From main menu on key pad press 0,8 and arrow down to the cut motor test. Follow the instructions on the key pad display.Quote:
Originally Posted by kwbcpastor
Thanks so much for this information!! I called carvewright to order the power supple. Chris told me to measure my carbon brushes. They were under 1/4, .250 so I called him back. He said that's your problem so I ordered them. I'll keep ya posted.
Some people gripe about Carvewright's postage, but it can usually be circumvented by ordering extra parts that you're likely to need. Brushes at 250 hours - if you're using your machine quite regularly, why not order two pair at once? The flex cable is another good part to have on hand. Or even order an extra bit or two.
Dag nab it Dick! You are exactly right. Wish I had thought of that! It was $12 bucks to ship that little envelope. I bet I could have gotten a lot more on this order for the same price.
Well. I just got my new carbon brushes. I put them in and reassembled my machine, Greased my flexshaft and ran a cut motor test run. It worked without a flaw. Ran it twice for ten minutes , no problems. I want to thank every one that helped solve this problem,especially Chris at Carvewright who suggested I try the brushes before spending a lot of money on other things. Start with the cheapest fix I guess is what he was saying!