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Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

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Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#1

Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

Hal Taylor

The short story - I blew out the controller with air, and it's been working fine since.

The long story - I had put this question to WC before with no solutions. About perhaps a year ago I plugged in my 3520a and pulled the switch on and immediately the speed maxed out even though the speed controller was turned "down". Luckily, at the time, what was mounted on the lathe stayed on. Had it been a big, unbalanced piece - disaster. After unplugging then replugging with the switch off, the controller read about 1700. I punched the reset a number of times, and the controller finally "reset" to 000. I then began to check the controller readout before pulling the switch on. This has happened a number of times since. A few days ago - same thing, but this time, no matter what I did to the controller - punching all the buttons numerous times, unplugging, repeating punching the reset, etc., no resolution. Readout was about 1700 - no error codes. (I figured I would need to replace the VFD for the second time.). Finally, in desperation I removed the controller front and blew out the insides. Some dust did blow out. Result - been working fine so far. I have not seen this problem addressed before, but for what it's worth, blowing out the controller on a malfunctioning one may solve the problem.

Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#2

Glad that worked and great info.


Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#3

Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

Karl_TN

I bet there's a lot of lathes with VFDs that have never been blown out on a regular basis. Thanks for the reminder. :)

Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#4

Be Careful When Blowing Out

Stuart Johnson

Don't use a very high pressure when blowing out stuff like VFD, drills or other electrical stuff. You might just blow apart a connection or cause other internal damage.

Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#5

Re: Be Careful When Blowing Out

Karl_TN

Good advice.

I haven't opened the side plate on my older series Vicmarc VL300 since aquiring it used 2 years ago. I'm curious to know which VFD they used at that time. I'd like to someday add a remote on/off switch, speed controller & stop bar like the newer models. Any experience doing this?

Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#6

Relocate to a sealed box?

Mike Brazeau

Have had my Oneway 2436 for almost 13 years and no issue on this topic. VFD is located in a sealed industrial style sealed box, down below and away from main dusty area. Have blown out switches and potentiometer in control unit though.

Re: Wacky VFD controller on PM 3520

#7

Re: Relocate to a sealed box?

Bill Howatt

My Cdn General 26020 also has the VFD in a fairly large, sealed box. I have had to blow out the pushbutton switches but nothing else.

Bill

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