Perfect Pass not working

[jmstige]

Yesterday, I noticed the PP isn't working properly. Everything seems normal with it. The paddle wheel is fine and registers proper speed. When I set it - engage the throttle - it beeps like normal, but then it just keeps climbing in speed. If I back off the throttle a little bit, it loses speed and keeps losing speed.

I tried to change it to RPM and I still have the same problem. It seems to engage normal - but it just wont hold the RPM or speed depending on which one I have set.

Any ideas?

[zad0030]

Sounds like your servo motor went bad.

Find the servo motor on the throttle linkage and see if the little black knob on the end is locked or if it turns. If it turns, the servo is ok but you might have a problem with the wires to the servo.

[jmstige]

I was able to turn it a bit - do you know how to do a servo test on it - I get confused in the menu...

Just found the PP user manual - I'll go thru some of the t-shooting steps today and see if I can isolate the problem

[zad0030]

You are supposed to turn the knob clockwise until snug, and then 1 full turn counter clockwise. When you turn the system on it should auto tighten, which confirms all electical connections.

To do a voltage test you hold the Menu and Down keys together as the system turns on. It asks to do a voltage test, press up for yes.

"Ok Servo Off" Should read between 13-14 volts.

"Ok Servo On" should read between 12.2-13.2 volts.

Press menu, It asks "Phase Test =End" Press up.

And now it checks the individual wires and will tell you which color may be bad.


***Im not sure but I think the engine should be running during this test.

[jmstige]

Thanks for the quick replies Zad...

Wish me luck that it's just a loose wire or soemthing and that this doesn't cost me money

[zad0030]

Thanks for the quick replies Zad...

Wish me luck that it's just a loose wire or soemthing and that this doesn't cost me money

Yeah, those servos run about $100.... We had to replace ours on the Tige.

[dogbert]

It could also be the computer module. Mine went out within the first month I had it. They replaced it and everything's been great since.

[R&T Babich]

Yeah, those servos run about $100.... We had to replace ours on the Tige.

If you need a servo here some info on it:
stepping motor - 5618L-54-03, motor length = 3.03”, 1.8 deg, 4.05v, 1.6A, frame size 23, 6 leads (unipolar), MSWO-71540
Lin Engineering, 1990 Russell Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Tel: 408-919-0200

[jmstige]

I did the servo test yesterday...


-------------------------------------------------------------
13.5 = OK SERVO OFF – The system automatically powers down the servo and measures the supply voltage level. This level with engine running should be between 13.0 and 14 volts. (If the voltage is below 13.0 volts, this display will show it is low. Press menu to continue.

12.9 = OK SERVO ON – The system turns the servo motor on to measure the power supply and resulting voltage. This level should be between 12.2 – 13.2 with engine running. A reading below 12.1 volts will produce a “LO” indication. Press menu to continue into Servo Motor Test function.

The difference between the voltage readings of these two tests indicates the condition of the connections. A difference of more than 1.2 volts indicates a potential wiring problem.


[ PHASE TEST ^ = END ]
The servo motor will automatically slowly rotate and continually check all phase circuits (Green, Black, Brown, White). If a circuit is bad or “Open”, the screen will change to [ BROWN PHASE ?? ] which means the brown phase wire is open and should be investigated. The brown wire at both plug ends and at servo should be checked and also the motor lead connected to the brown wire at the six-pin motor connector. Press Menu and any other open phases will be displayed. To return to main screen, press the Up key.
----------------------------------------------------------------

I forgot to mark the difference in voltage between Servo On and Off - but I think they were pretty close and they both checked out OK. The phase test seemed to fail on all colors (green, black, brown, and white) - it just went BROWN PHASE ?? until I hit menu again, then it went BLACK PHASE ?? and cycled through all the colors.

I disconnected the plug at the computer module under the helm - everthing looks normal there. Is there a plug at the servo motor that I missed? I didn't see one - just the wires going into the servo.

Is there a way to isolate this further so I don't replace the servo motor when I need to replace the computer module?

[dogbert]

I did the servo test yesterday...


-------------------------------------------------------------
13.5 = OK SERVO OFF – The system automatically powers down the servo and measures the supply voltage level. This level with engine running should be between 13.0 and 14 volts. (If the voltage is below 13.0 volts, this display will show it is low. Press menu to continue.

12.9 = OK SERVO ON – The system turns the servo motor on to measure the power supply and resulting voltage. This level should be between 12.2 – 13.2 with engine running. A reading below 12.1 volts will produce a “LO” indication. Press menu to continue into Servo Motor Test function.

The difference between the voltage readings of these two tests indicates the condition of the connections. A difference of more than 1.2 volts indicates a potential wiring problem.


[ PHASE TEST ^ = END ]
The servo motor will automatically slowly rotate and continually check all phase circuits (Green, Black, Brown, White). If a circuit is bad or “Open”, the screen will change to [ BROWN PHASE ?? ] which means the brown phase wire is open and should be investigated. The brown wire at both plug ends and at servo should be checked and also the motor lead connected to the brown wire at the six-pin motor connector. Press Menu and any other open phases will be displayed. To return to main screen, press the Up key.
----------------------------------------------------------------

I forgot to mark the difference in voltage between Servo On and Off - but I think they were pretty close and they both checked out OK. The phase test seemed to fail on all colors (green, black, brown, and white) - it just went BROWN PHASE ?? until I hit menu again, then it went BLACK PHASE ?? and cycled through all the colors.

I disconnected the plug at the computer module under the helm - everthing looks normal there. Is there a plug at the servo motor that I missed? I didn't see one - just the wires going into the servo.

Is there a way to isolate this further so I don't replace the servo motor when I need to replace the computer module?

I'd try calling PerfectPass, they have pretty good customer support from what I remember.