Cowboy 3500 Won't Power Up

[westkyleather]

Hello leatherworkers! I'm new to chatting on this site but I have trolled it for years. I have a problem that I'm sure one of you can fix quickly. I have a Cowboy 3500 that I bought around 4 years ago and it has been an awesome machine. My problem is I left it powered up (didn't hit the off switch on the front) when I last used it about a week ago. I went to use it today and it will not work at all. I get lights on the servo motor and it looks like it is cycling, but it never shows a number like I've seen in the past. I honestly don't remember what it shows on the display because it has always worked and its tucked up underneath the table. The fuse on the servo is good. Anyone have an idea I can try? I'm sure it's something simple, but I'm stumped!

[westkyleather]

Spending most of my day trying to figure this out, here is what I have noticed. When I press on the pedal to stitch, it blinks 300 then goes to 00. It was set to run as slow as it could. I have looked all over and can't find my servo manual. I'm thinking it may just need to be reset somehow. I have powered it off, unplugged it for about 2 hours. Nothing. I can't even find a manual online. I might have to put a hand crank on this thing:)

[Northmount]

Here is one http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=39103&st=0&p=243024&hl=+servo%20+manual%20+error&fromsearch=1entry243024

It may help to tell what make and model your motor is. Lots of servos out there.

Tom

[westkyleather]

Thanks Tom! That is the instructions that came with the unit. I will try it out now! Thanks for your help.

[westkyleather]

No luck. The servo is a TN-422B and when I hold the down button it goes to "set 0", I go up one, then hit the down button and it shows speed. But it doesn't save it. I guess I'll have to call Bob tomorrow and see if he can help me.

[Darren Brosowski]

There should be instructions to "reset factory settings" which may help.

Personally I think something has "let the smoke out" but that is a worst case.

[westkyleather]

After talking to Bob this morning, it looks like my servo most likely got hit by lightning during a round of storms that came through. I should have had my machine on a surge protecter but I kept putting it off. I went ahead and ordered an FS-550 servo and went and got a surge protecter! lol lesson learned:) Thank you guys and Bob for the help to get me back up and going!

[Darren Brosowski]

Yep - it "let the smoke out".

[Colt W Knight]

Had this happen with a computer once. Had it on a power strip labeled "surge protector", but when you actually looked at the rating, it doesn't provide any real protectioname at all, especially lightning.

[25b]

Posted this in the other thread started on this topic, so posting it here so more people will see it and hopefully unplug their machines unless they're in actual use...

Devices/systems that will actually protect against lightning are quite expensive.

The best/cheapest way to protect it is to unplug it when it is not in use (i.e. only plug it in when you're going to use it right away and then unplug it afterward.)...and obviously don't sew when lightning is in the area.

Yeah, I know that's a pain, but it's less of a pain (and a lot cheaper) than replacing your motor.