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Opto help

  • Thread starter Thread starter toastyhamster
  • Start date Start date
T

toastyhamster

Got a broken opto switch on my W? (made left ramp - 37). At this point I'm stuck, I just know it doesn't work from the switch test but beyond that how do I know whether it's the receiver or sender that's gone, or do both get replaced as a matter of course? Secondly anybody in the Nottingham area can help me replace it? My bodging solder skills aren't good enough for the light touch work on a small opto. Thanks
 
The ramp+opto are now out of the playfield so I can transport these for repair. Anybody?
 
Well I hadn't heard of that, but it hasn't helped, I can't see the infrared on the working opto on the other side of the ramp! I'll do some more dismantling to see if I can make it obvious.
 
OK that's weird, my DSLR can't see infrared but my cheap 10 yr old pocket Canon can. Both opto's seem to be ok (I'm guessing that them changing pinkish when looking directly into the opto means they're on).
There's power to the receiver, what next?
 
Well I guess I'll buy a few opto's and have a go at soldering.
 
Hmm weird. So it works perfectly off the ramp in tandem with the receiver. Cleaned them both up, put back on the ramp and it's not working again. It looks like it's VERY sensitive to vertical alignment on the transmitter. I've bent the base slightly and it seems ok, but I'm not sure it will last.

Still, while I was motivated I finally put in a permanent fix to my DK sticky joker spring wire. Only taken me two years.

W? more than likely up for sale in a couple of weeks.
 
I had something like this on IJ. The receiver appeared to be too sensitive and the set up gap meant it didn't work. Re-soldering . I replaced it and that fixed it properly.
 
You can use a penlite to check the reciever.
Go to switch test, shine a light (NO LED) on the reciever and it will show up in switch test. (so, transmitter = broken)

If you short the reciever LED with a wire or screwdriver..it will also show up on switch test (cables are ok)

I have made a test fixure for testing opto.
Just a small box with a 9v battery, an infrared LED and a reciever.
When I light the reciever with the infrared LED, a LED light will light up on my testbox.

......very handy.
 
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