boss 8 drive error 4000

[IeatSteel]

ok i have been getting a error 4000 code for sometime now... i have found that if i have the limit switch held down i can jog all the axis, but as soon as the limit switch is released the error 4000 code comes back. all the axis move fine when they are jogged. buts that all it will do . are the drives ok if they will jog the axis or is there something in the drive still bad. as soon as the machine is on the screen says "enable drive , axis limit" ..so does it think it is at the limit switch for some reason , cause soon as you enable the drives the error 4000 code comes up ...but if you hold the lmit switch down on any axis you can jog all three axis , but code 4000 always comes back...what is next move here...i thank all of you for trying to help me ... thanks Brett

[IeatSteel]

ok i guess its time to fire the "boss" time for a upgrade, seems like nobody can help me with this old thing ..so i guess i will start looking to upgrade to new stuff , just to get some help...thats to bad too cause i like the ol machine..

[machintek]

You are over-riding the axis drive fault by holding the switch down.
The machine jogs, but I do not know how much current is going through the motors, etc. One of those drives is telling the control it sees a problem. It may be bogus, but from here it is hard to tell.

George

[IeatSteel]

ok whats my next move then ...i have already removed the number 17 fault wire on each drive and it still has the error...i have placed a mirror in front of the drives to see if the fault led lite for the 1/2 second ,i think i have read somthing like that on here . the only way to get the fault light on is to have the drives on and unplug the enconder...then the fault light will come on...how do i tell what drive it is causing the prob...if you can tell what you need me to do so you can have more info , please let me know what i need to do for you ...thanks again brett

[machintek]

Unfortunately you have a BOSS 8. The BOSS 9 has a CRT and the FIST and BOSS logs can be viewed at the machine. The next step would be to hook up what is called a FIST EVENT MONITOR. This is a feature of the FMDC board. There is a log of all the events on it as well as real time diagnosis. It is in the maintenance manual. It is used with a PC to interact with K3 on the FMDC board at 9600 baud. This may yield some data as what is causing the error.Attached are some trouble shooting hints. Note the bottom of page 2.

George

[IeatSteel]

ok well if thats my next move then i guess its dead , because iam not really wanting to put more money into this and not be able to get it to work . i mean cause iam going to have to buy the maintance book (for some reason nobody will share this info )then get the fist program, the cable, etc. and learn how to access all that stuff and read it ...iam not sure that is something i want to get into.. i would like to pay you to come check it out , but iam sure its hard for you to leave a dollar to look at a dime... i mean cause you are the only guy i guess on the planet who knows these machines like this ... i guess i need to look at the upgrade , so i can get some help...i mean its hard for me to have to wait on one person for hope...plus i hate to bother you ...so i guess i while go shoot it this afternoon...maybe i can sale all the old boards to help pay for my upgrade... thanks again george for all your help and time. to bad a legend must die...poor boss 8

[machintek]

I use a shareware version of PROCOMM for DOS and an old laptop. The cable I made. You are correct that knowledge is the key. Was the machine running before you purchased it? Did it sustain damage (wires loose, etc) in transportation?
Manuals are necessary for fixing, ordering parts, programming, and operating this machine or for that matter, any other machine. Just about any service tech that shows up expects the machine to have manuals there. It is impossible for us to carry all the manuals for the machines we have worked on. There are a few of us Jurrasic service techs around. Most got smart and retired or found other employment.

George

[IeatSteel]

LOL.. so all of your kind are dead are gone huh ...no kidding its been like a snipe hunt looking for help.... yes my machine has been workin fine , i have the machine that you looked at in bessemer that time, on your lunch break when you putting in a machine at alfa machine i think. i have taught myself how to program the machine and have been makin some parts on it ....tha machine sat for a few weeks and when i first turned it back on it had an error 2000 code , so i just wiggled the wires on the fmdc board and reset it. then error 2000 code went away, then when i tried to home it , on its way home it stoped and threw the error 4000 code and has been brain dead ever since. how much would you charge or would you even come, to run the fist check for me .. i think this would be my only hope to get it fixed.... thanks so much. oh yeah when i turn it and everthing boots up like normal and the screen says >enable axis drive...but at the bottom it says axis limit...dont really remember that being there , but any way, the axis are no where near the limits and all the limit switchs work, but as soon as you enable the drives is when it throws the 4000 code, the only way to move the axis is hold the limit switch in , .....dont know if that helped any thanks again for helping teach a young dog your old tricks.. Brett

[machintek]

Send me your tel number in a private message.

George

[IeatSteel]

i think i may still have your number , i will look and if i do i while leave you a voice mail or something . If not i will leave it here Thanks Brett