I need clicker help

[JJN]

I believe MattS is correct. That is not a potentiometer. It is a rotary switch with an array of capacitors. Capacitors allow the flow of electricity for a limited time depending their value usually measured in microfarads ( μF ). It looks like the range of movement of the clicker plate is regulated by how long the current flows. The switch may be working properly. The short stroke may be caused by the speed that the hydraulics are moving. Possibly getting the oil changed and the mechanism cleaned and lubricated could solve the problem. The capacitors in that switch look like they are 'potted' in epoxy. Difficult to repair. You should be able to use a multi-meter that has a capacitance measurement mode to check the condition of each capacitor by measuring between the contacts and comparing to the values printed on each capacitor.

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

7 hours ago, Matt S said:

I still reckon that's an array of capacitors rather than resistors wired to the back of that rotary switch. Sprague yellow cans, voltage ratings printed on the side, polarity bands... sounds like caps to me.

Those are probably polarised therefore on a DC branch of the circuit. My hunch is that they form part of a RC time delay. Perhaps thats how the length of stroke is controlled.

@turbotexas good job replacing that wiring, very neat. Did you find anything like the bottom of travel microswitch that was mentioned upthread?

This is what I’m thinking... a “timer” of sorts! Did nothing but ruin the cutting board! That may be why there’s a big label on top of the head that states do not use for 30 seconds after initial start up! It might be giving those capacitors time to charge initially! No I never found anything like a switch on the shaft column! At one time while we were piddling with this, we got it to go full stroke! Which as mentioned above, Did nothing but ruin the cutting board!

 I have yet to find a drain plug in the tank holding the hydraulic fluid! So I might have to find a means to siphon it out! 

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

 

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

 

[DSloop]

Does it have an inline filter? If so, remove the line going into the filter and pump the oil into a container. The gear pump will pick up and push most of the oil out of the system. Then refill the reservoir and test the system.

If no filter, just remove the line that feeds the hydraulic cylinder and let it pump into a container. Same operation, different method.

NOTE- the oil will come out with great force, be careful.

Edited March 17, 2019 by DSloop

[DSloop]

13 hours ago, turbotexas said:

 

It is not cycling properly, the pump does not change pitch as it is under no load, the signal is not getting to the relay that controls the stroke. if the pump was under load it could be heard as in the hydronic press video. First thing to do is change the oil.

Edited March 17, 2019 by DSloop

[SolarLeatherMachines]

Check the solenoid for the spool valve.  It might be bad, and not able to fully cycle.  

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

19 hours ago, SolarLeatherMachines said:

Check the solenoid for the spool valve.  It might be bad, and not able to fully cycle.  

Where is the solenoid? What does a spoil valve look like? 

 

What I was hoping to see here is this “micro switch”  doing something? No movement that I could see? 

Edited March 18, 2019 by turbotexas

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

19 hours ago, DSloop said:

It is not cycling properly, the pump does not change pitch as it is under no load, the signal is not getting to the relay that controls the stroke. if the pump was under load it could be heard as in the hydronic press video. First thing to do is change the oil.

Oil has been changed, with no change? 

[Matt S]

Tell me if I'm talking out turn here @turbotexas but are you keeping the "trigger" down or just tapping it? Can't quite tell in your videos. My limited understanding of these old presses is that the head rises as soon as the bottom stop is hit or the trigger is released.

If you are keeping the trigger down, maybe see what the solenoid it triggers is doing. If it's only actuating the valve momentarily (no matter how long you press the trigger for) that would give similar results, in my decided non-expert opinion.