Dish Moves Then Stops

[JFOK]

Hi All,

I guess its just one thing after another.
My dish now moves a bit before stopping. The menu on the ASC-1 says...
Reach W/E limit!
Limit Switch? Sensor?
Motor Blocked?
Press OK to Return.
When I press ok, it moves just a bit before showing the above error again. I know the limits haven't been reached because I did a global reset to clear them. The motor isn't blocked, so its either the limit switch or the sensor, neither of which I know anything about. I also checked all wiring behind the ASC-1 and in the dish mover itself and all are connected correctly.
Any ideas ??
Thanks,

John

 

[gpflepsen]

Losing the feedback from the counting device can make the positioner "think" the actuator isn't moving.

Check the condition of the feedback wiring, especially the connections.

 

[gpflepsen]

People should have some basic tools if they want to FTA. One tool is a multimeter with a continuity tester which gives an audible tone when there is a completed circuit. Use this function to monitor the actuator feedback from the positioner location while you apply DC voltage to the actuator motor leads. You'll hear "... beep beep beep..." through the entire range of motion. If there are any gaps in the tones, that's your problem.

As the dish moves, the wires are flexing and possibly causing issues.

 

[JFOK]

Hi gpflepson,

Where do I find the feedback wiring ?

John

 

[gpflepsen]

The wires that give or deliver the dish counts is the feedback.

 

[JFOK]

gpflepson,

So I would find those "dish count" wires on the back of the ASC-1 ?
If that's the case...I've checked those, plus the wiring in the Venture dish mover box.
All connections look okay.

John

 

[Magic Static]

The error indication is not specific. Very many things can cause this. Basically the unit expects to see a count signal within 500 milliseconds of applying power to the motor circuit. If the dish slows down below 2 counts per second it will stop and issue a fault indication. Does the mount move freely? Or is it rusted up from years of inactivity? Are all actuator electrical connections and wires clean and corrosion free? Can you disconnect the actuator from the dish and see if it runs ok and then you can get a feel for the ease of movement in the mount.

 

[JFOK]

Magic Static,

The dish moves freely and was doing so when I last operated with this actuator it 2 weeks ago.
Beginning to think that at 16 years of age, it might need replacing. Its been giving me problems as of late. I would like to think its an easy fix but, my free time right now is limited and I don't have the time, nor the knowledge to run diagnostics with continuity testers and the like.
Like I stated earlier, I've checked all the possible causes when it comes to wiring connections both at the ASC-1 actuator and the Venture motor itself. If there's an easy fix...I'm all ears.

John

 

[Magic Static]

The hard part of the fix is determining what is causing the problem. So if we can carefully observe the operation we might discover what the problem is.

 

[gpflepsen]

Without the knowledge, equipment and limited time available, I would suggest undoing, cleaning and remaking all the connections between the dish positioner and the actuator. See if that fixes the problem.

Amazon product ASIN B00KHP6EIK
The above link is a multimeter. They are pretty much standard with a continuity testing function. The "Sound" symbol on the control dial will give a tone if the leads are connected to a completed current path. Use this function to monitor the contacts of the feedback circuit of the actuator (not the positioner). You can use a DC power source of between 12VDC and 24VDC to move the actuator by connecting it to the actuator motor wires.

Connect the feedback wires to the multimeter in "continuity test mode". Use a DC power source (battery from a cordless tool, car battery, etc.) connected to the motor leads to move the actuator while you monitor the feedback for pulses. You can do this at the actuator and from the positioner's installed location. If you don't get consistent and regular feedback and the actuator is always moving, something in the feedback loop is not working correctly.


Like Magic said, diagnosing the problem is the toughest part. Doing what I suggested would be my first step.

 

[N6BY]

Is your sensor wire shielded? After switching to shielded sensor wires about 1 1/2 years ago, my dish mover has been flawless.

 

[JFOK]

Without the knowledge, equipment and limited time available, I would suggest undoing, cleaning and remaking all the connections between the dish positioner and the actuator. See if that fixes the problem.

gpflepson,

Great minds think alike. This is the first thing I did.
No positive results though.

John

 

[JFOK]

N6BY,

Up until 2 weeks ago I had no real issues, it worked okay.
An occasional hiccup here and there, but nothing big.
Now after being away 2 weeks and trying to move the dish...nothing.

John

 

[N6BY]

N6BY,

Up until 2 weeks ago I had no real issues, it worked okay.
An occasional hiccup here and there, but nothing big.
Now after being away 2 weeks and trying to move the dish...nothing.

John

Before I switched to shielded sensor wire I had the exact same experience. The problem would go away for weeks at a time. It would come back on random occasions.

Anyway, got mine at Home depot. Its got 2 conductors sharing the same shield.

Just my two cents worth......

 

[JFOK]

N6BY,

Thanks for the advice, however this dish actuator operated flawlessly for 16 years without shielded wiring.
I'm thinking its got to be something other than that.

John

 

[JFOK]

Hi All,

I was trying to do a final dish peaking yesterday when this issue occurred.
I also had my microHD receiver and pico peaker hooked up.
Could the receiver be causing the actuator to malfunction ?
Is there a reset needed on the microHD receiver when reconnecting it to the ASC-1 ?
Just some thoughts ?

John

 

[Magic Static]

Make some observations for me. On the front panel of the ASC1 push the East or West buttons while watching the counter. How fast are the counts changing? We would like to see around 10 counts a second. If it's real slow then you maybe looking at an actuator. If the wiring or sensor is bad the dish will lose track of where it's at. When it does move does it move to the correct position?

 

[Titanium]

Great advice from all!

Because it worked a few weeks ago, has no bearing on now. Motors can fail, wires corrode or break, water can enter housings or wiring, etc.

The error message display has nothing to do with the receiver or connection between the receiver and the controller.

If performing a reset on the controller, first save a back-up of the satellite list to your computer. Once the reset is complete, drive the dish to the 0000 reference position, perform a "Position Reset", reload the satellite list, power cycle the controller and the controller will be ready to go again without reprogramming all satellite positions again.

Do the position count numbers on the controller display change during these short movements?

While watching the dish, is the dish physically moving before the error message appears?

Does the meter connected to the S1/S2 wires at the back of the controller show the open/close cycles as the motor moves?

Does the meter connected to the S1/S2 wires at the reed switch (inside the actuator) show the open/close cycles as the motor moves?

With all wires disconnected from the controller, does a 12 volt battery at the actuator move the dish? If so, does the meter show the reed switch cycles open and close?

As a recommendation, I 100% agree with above posts using shielded sensor and shielded servo wire bundles with the shield drain wire connected to the controller. Using unshielded wiring is like wrapping a transmit antenna (servo and actuator motor noise) around a receive antenna (sensor) and wonder why the receiver is picking up noise. As motor brushes wear and age in the servo and actuator, noise levels will increase.

Moisture in the cables or actuator housing can either cause a short or change impedance/resistance and create havoc with noise.

Please post up your testing results. Good luck!

 

[JFOK]

Magic Static,

I'm unable to try that test today as I'm working. Maybe this evening when I get home.
Thanks,

John

 

[JFOK]

Brian,

Here are some answers to your questions based on what I observed yesterday...

Do the position count numbers on the controller display change during these short movements? Yes.

While watching the dish, is the dish physically moving before the error message appears?...Yes. I can hit okay after each error message and the dish will move for a second west or east.

Does the meter connected to the S1/S2 wires at the back of the controller show the open/close cycles as the motor moves?...Don't have a meter connected.

Does the meter connected to the S1/S2 wires at the reed switch (inside the actuator) show the open/close cycles as the motor moves? Don't have a meter connected.

With all wires disconnected from the controller, does a 12 volt battery at the actuator move the dish? If so, does the meter show the reed switch cycles open and close? Didn't try that yet

So what you are saying is don't use the actuator wires in my ribbon cable, but purchase shielded wire and use that instead as N6BY recommended, connecting from the actuator to the ASC-1 ?

John