Stern Opto Problem

[robertlucas1970]

I have just noticed that the War Machine kicker on Iron man has stopped working, it kicks fine in the solenoid test, but in the switch test the opto does not work.
Is there anything I can check or do I just need to order a new board and the transmitter/receiver ?

Many Thanks

 

[windoesnot]

Clean the optos themselves, might have some dirt on them
Make sure they are positioned correct and pointing at each other
Try reseating the wires from the optos to the boards

 

[robertlucas1970]

Thanks, I have tried all that, the plugs still had the factory glue on them keeping them in place on the board.
On that PCB opto board I can see a surface mount LED L1, should this be lit do you know to indicate correct working ?

 

[DanLewell]

Don't know if they're the same on iron man, but on my LOTR the leds are red so you can see when they are working.

Mine stoped working so I ordered a new opto board but when I took it out to replace i could see tiny cracks in the solder. Reflowed and it's not had a problem since. The new one is still in the box.

 

[robertlucas1970]

I checked the board and it all looks good, but what I have found when checking the opto end is when I have it in switch test and if I touch the receiver contacts then it will switch and fire the kicker, I might well be wrong, but does that not mean the board is all good and its just the opto receiver that is at fault.

 

[stoptap]

Possible dry solder joint.

 

[robertlucas1970]

Found the problem,no dry joints, but the track has a hairline crack, so just soldered a bridge onto it for now and have ordered a new one, but at least Im back up and running