1. Forum
  2. Usenet
  3. REC.CRAFTS.METALWORKING

  • Need a little 'lectronics help

    From Snag@21:1/5 to All on Mon Nov 20 16:06:45 2023
    I picked up an overlock sewing machine for a VGP , but I suspect the
    control is dead . I'll keep looking for a wiring diagram for the motor
    just to be sure I don't let the magic smoke out while testing it . But
    the control unit - looking at diodes and power regulators makes me think
    the output is going to be DC . I'm just not sure of voltage or which
    terminals do what . I think it's a dual-range speed control from the
    switch on it . No obviously damaged devices n the control board , I
    don't see a fuse . I'll be checking diodes and some other components as
    time permits (winter is coming , right now the priority is firewood) ,
    it might be as simple as a blown diode . I already cleaned the speed
    control device , next was going to be the power-on micro-switch .
    If anyone is familiar with Pfaff overlock machines from around 1990
    I'd like to pick your brain ... this one is a model 786 Hobbylock
    machine . The motor and mechanisms in the machine are free and
    apparently working correctly , no timing issues .
    --
    Snag
    Men don't protect women because they're weak .
    We protect them because they're important .

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jim Wilkins@21:1/5 to All on Mon Nov 20 17:44:08 2023
    "Snag" wrote in message news:ujgl9o$g51f$1@dont-email.me...

    I picked up an overlock sewing machine for a VGP , but I suspect the
    control is dead . I'll keep looking for a wiring diagram for the motor
    just to be sure I don't let the magic smoke out while testing it . But
    the control unit - looking at diodes and power regulators makes me think
    the output is going to be DC . I'm just not sure of voltage or which
    terminals do what . I think it's a dual-range speed control from the
    switch on it . No obviously damaged devices n the control board , I
    don't see a fuse . I'll be checking diodes and some other components as
    time permits (winter is coming , right now the priority is firewood) ,
    it might be as simple as a blown diode . I already cleaned the speed
    control device , next was going to be the power-on micro-switch .
    If anyone is familiar with Pfaff overlock machines from around 1990
    I'd like to pick your brain ... this one is a model 786 Hobbylock
    machine . The motor and mechanisms in the machine are free and
    apparently working correctly , no timing issues .
    Snag

    ____________________

    The manual, no schematic: https://manualzz.com/doc/13231845/pfaff-hobbylock-786-manual

    Does anything here look like yours? https://www.electro-tech-online.com/attachments/pfaff-1222-motor-control-jpeg.135523/

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jim Wilkins@21:1/5 to All on Mon Nov 20 19:20:22 2023
    "Jim Wilkins" wrote in message news:ujgng2$gg2l$1@dont-email.me...

    "Snag" wrote in message news:ujgl9o$g51f$1@dont-email.me...

    I picked up an overlock sewing machine for a VGP , but I suspect the
    control is dead . I'll keep looking for a wiring diagram for the motor ------------------

    Does anything here look like yours? https://www.electro-tech-online.com/attachments/pfaff-1222-motor-control-jpeg.135523/
    -----------------

    If you don't have an oscilloscope, the DS211 for $20.79 from Amazon is
    adequate for low speed signals. Since it's battery powered and completely isolated you could look at floating SCR gate drives with it, though I
    wouldn't touch it with the power on. At that price you could buy two and
    look at signals referenced to different voltages.

    Having several channels helps solve subtle problems, but one may be enough
    to find where a signal dies in a failed part.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Snag@21:1/5 to Jim Wilkins on Wed Nov 22 11:00:44 2023
    On 11/20/2023 6:20 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Jim Wilkins"  wrote in message news:ujgng2$gg2l$1@dont-email.me...

    "Snag"  wrote in message news:ujgl9o$g51f$1@dont-email.me...

      I picked up an overlock sewing machine for a VGP , but I suspect the control is dead . I'll keep looking for a wiring diagram for the motor ------------------

    Does anything here look like yours? https://www.electro-tech-online.com/attachments/pfaff-1222-motor-control-jpeg.135523/

    -----------------

    If you don't have an oscilloscope, the DS211 for $20.79 from Amazon is adequate for low speed signals. Since it's battery powered and
    completely isolated you could look at floating SCR gate drives with it, though I wouldn't touch it with the power on. At that price you could
    buy two and look at signals referenced to different voltages.

    Having several channels helps solve subtle problems, but one may be
    enough to find where a signal dies in a failed part.


    My training in electronics was like 50 years ago ... and while I
    still understand the basics I'm not up to tracing a signal . I can still
    test most components but that's about my limit . I'm going to do a
    little more disassembling to check the condition of the motor . If I can
    figure out what that problem is and get it to run I will go ahead and
    get a new pedal control . It's only around 50 bucks for the control ,
    but I've found a couple of problems in the motor unit and I'm not
    throwing money at this thing unless/until I'm sure I can make it run .
    My wife has wanted an overlock machine for many years , I'm hoping if I
    can get this one running it will help motivate her to do more sewing -
    for fun and maybe a little profit . But mostly to get her out of that
    damn recliner .
    --
    Snag
    Men don't protect women because they're weak .
    We protect them because they're important .

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jim Wilkins@21:1/5 to All on Wed Nov 22 12:58:57 2023
    "Snag" wrote in message news:ujlc3s$1dijk$1@dont-email.me...

    Does the motor have a nameplate that gives its power requirement?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Snag@21:1/5 to Jim Wilkins on Wed Nov 22 12:48:17 2023
    On 11/22/2023 11:58 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
    "Snag"  wrote in message news:ujlc3s$1dijk$1@dont-email.me...
    Does the motor have a nameplate that gives its power requirement?

    If it does it's on the side I cannot see ... it can't be much of a
    current load as the input wires are like 30something gauge . A lot finer
    than I expected . I suspect it's operating voltage range is probably
    like 24vdc-100vdc or so . I'll be testing with 12 volts from a battery .
    Might not spin the motor but should let me feel some torque .
    --
    Snag
    Men don't protect women because they're weak .
    We protect them because they're important .

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)