Need Help!- 1050 GE Controller

[clindsay]

Need information on a 1050 GE Mark Controller on a LeBlond Knight 20 Lathe or familiar with clearing alarm code.

[WGoyer]

LeBlond used two different 1050 controls - the original refrigerator sized one that required software tapes, and the newer HL series that is integrated into the machine.

Which one do you have and what alarm do you have? I wouldn't be able to look up a LeBlond alarm, but they are usually printed on the side of the box. If it is a GE alarm, I should be able to help.

Warren

[clindsay]

Thank you Warran... We have the HL integrated controller series. We are receiving alarm code 197 Spindle Motor Overload. At the time this happened we were timing the front turret, now both index buttons for the front and rear turret are flashing. We have gone through all fuses and resets we can find and all appear normal. We are at a loss as the direction to go.

Thank you in advance for your knowledge and help.

Chris

[WGoyer]

Chris,

This doesn't really sound like a 1050HL problem yet. Many LeBlonds used GE spindle drives (trade name Valutrol). In any case, I'd see if this is really a spindle overload (by looking at the spindle drive for problems). Valutrols have a green ready light if there is no alarm.

The fact that you have strange things happening on the turrets leads me to believe there are multiple things wrong here.

Warren

[clindsay]

Warren,

Thank you very much for your help. We found the problem with the alarm, a50 cent 2 amp fuse in the controller box. We are still having indexing problems with the turret. As you suggested they are unrelated issues.

Thank you again for your time.
Chris

[WGoyer]

Chris,

I'm glad you found the fuse and hopefully that's the end of it. If it was the small glass fuse in the lower right side of the Valutrol Spindle Drive, and it just blew on its own, I have a suggestion.

This fuse grounds the logic of the spindle drive to the neutral winding of the spindle transformer. The only reason for it to blow is that there are problems inside the motor in the form of carbon dust accumulation from years of brush wear. This excess carbon, on humid days, will form a path of leakage inside the brush ring area and flash over, thus causing a surge that blows this fuse.

Blowing the inside of the motor out with air (wear a mask) will help this.

Good luck,

Warren

[clindsay]

Warren,

Thank you again very much for your expertise. I will definitely look into cleaning the spindle motor as you suggested. It seems less stressful then looking for a .50 cent fuse for 3 days

You are very well versed with the 1050 GE controller and I was wondering I could keep your contact information on file if in the future I run into problems. My knowledge of this system is very limited and do not have many sources to turn too. If you would like to share your information, my email is chris@lindsayracingwheels.com.

I thank you again for you time and knowledge,
Chris