Red lights on Ryko

[Jimmy Buffett]

Both of my red lights ahve stopped working. I replaced 1 Sunday and both were working fine. Now they are both out but the right one will blink occaisionally. It seems like there must be a loose connection but it is happening on both arms at the same time. It seems unlikely that I have 2 seperate loose connections all of a sudden. Is there 1 place to look that affects both arms?
Thanks,
J

 

[RykoPro]

12vdc must go through both the K-1 and K-2 relays to turn on the stop lights in the arm. I am looking at a Soft Gloss XS schematic.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Looks like the k1 and k2 are the same. I don't have a spare though. How many different size relays are there on a softgloss xs?
Thx!

 

[RykoPro]

Not many relays left on the SGXS. Everything is done with the PLC. Try swapping them around. It may help, but I would order two new relays.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I ordered 1 yesterday. Hopefully that will do it. I found 1 spare but of course it was the smaller 1. Somebody, maybe Soapy, on the old forum posted once about where to buy these relays directly. There is not much written on the thing. $30 each for a relay seems like a lot!
Thanks again!

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I switched the k-1 and k-2 relays and both the red and green are working. Go figure!

 

[RykoPro]

There are two sets of contacts on each relay. That is why I suggested swapping the relays. Because this circuit uses normally open and normally closesd contacts, you lucked out and have eliminated the burnt contacts from the circuit. Your other option is to determine what contacts are burnt and rewire the relay. Once the contacts burn up it is best to replace the relay, these are just ways to keep things running if you do not have a new one on hand.

 

[soapy]

Ice cube relays are availible form local electrical supply houses. Grainger, Johnstone supply are a couple that have them or can get them. I have a old store in town that has Vacuum tubes and old parts for radios and TVs from the 50s up and they stock them.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Soapy, Thanks. I ordered 1 from my disty before I heard from you. They sent the wrong one but the price was $40. Pretty pricey for a relay I'd say. Luckily I was able to return it.

 

[MEP001]

Check mouser.com - they carry most types of relays and their prices are really good.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

So what would make my lights only work intermitently? Sometimes both work, sometimes nothing. I thought I had this figured out and then they started working again.
Thanks

 

[RykoPro]

The relay that runs them. The points maybe burnt or the coil maybe weak.

 

[Dirt]

I had a problem like this and found out there were broken wires going from the electric panel to the right arm. Tried to get a 4 conductor cable, but ended up using 4 wires. Took about 3 days to figure out, but now I have a whole bunch of spare relays.

 

[RykoPro]

Pretty easy to figure out with a voltage meter. Cables can cause intermittent problems.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I found a place to get the relays in Lexington. I have 1 of the small ones to take with me but not one of the bigger ones. Anybody have an idea what I need to tell the guy to get the correct relay? I carried some around in the car forever but now I can't find an old one.
Thanks

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Found one.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I ordered 4 of each the other deay for $52. Of course they are not in yet and I need 2 large ones. People seemed to be managing ok so far. Everybody in Kentucky is watching basketball anyway.