Quick Fix

Magicman · March 16, 2015, 08:53:19 PM

Well a temporary fix anyway.

I suddenly lost my power feed. Hit the auto clutch to disengage, and that would not work either, so I killed the engine and started looking for a kicked breaker. Yup, the "acc" breaker was tripped. I reset the breaker and the power feed was OK, but as soon as I engaged the auto clutch....tripped again. I quickly determined that the auto clutch wire was grounded. Since the wire goes through the wiring harness, etc. the quickest way to get going again was to run a temporary wire.

I laced the temporary wire along the flexible conduit.

Backed off on the conduit connector and entered the control box.

And then it was a simple matter to connect the temporary wire on each end. Five minutes and I was sawing again.

I'll trouble shoot the grounded wire when the customer's hired help is not watching.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · March 16, 2015, 09:06:55 PM

Better sign up for the "Loop" this year. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Peter Drouin · March 16, 2015, 09:14:10 PM

Good job, Did you have all the stuff with you to fix it?
Or did the customer have the stuff.

red · March 16, 2015, 09:16:21 PM

He is part Magic and part Mc Gyver

Lumber Grader · March 16, 2015, 09:22:20 PM

"It's Magic"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Magicman · March 16, 2015, 09:26:44 PM

I had everything to do the temporary with me which prompted me to do the quick workaround.

pineywoods · March 16, 2015, 09:40:22 PM

Hhmmm, must be a common problem. I got bit with almost the same problem on LeroyC's mill last week. An added complication, the Dang breaker would not reset. Loosend the nut that holds the breaker in place and rapped the side smartly with a screwdriver handle. Re-tightened the nut and back to sawing.. GI maintenance ;D

Peter Drouin · March 16, 2015, 10:04:19 PM

Quote from: Magicman on March 16, 2015, 09:26:44 PM
I had everything to do the temporary with me which prompted me to do the quick workaround.

When I was on the road I had all that stuff too, And a big box of tools.

bandmiller2 · March 17, 2015, 07:47:23 AM

Good quick fix. If a fellas mill is controlled by electrons its prudent to always carry a multimeter, wire, crimpons, and tape. Frank C.

terrifictimbersllc · March 17, 2015, 07:59:15 AM

Expecting no less from a master lineman. Thinking I better put some wire in the truck. Curious to hear how it was grounding out.

red · March 17, 2015, 05:19:20 PM

Just use taillight wires

21incher · March 17, 2015, 07:13:32 PM

Looks like you saved the day. Last time I fixed some wiring like that it became a temporary forever fix.

Magicman · March 17, 2015, 10:34:28 PM

:D I was thinking the same thing. My "corrugated" conduit has cracked and needs replacing, so I will figure out what happened at that time.

Which brings up the conduit subject. What type flexible conduit is being used now. How about a picture someone. Yup, I could order it from WM but shipping? If I could get it local, then it would save shipping.

4x4American · March 17, 2015, 10:46:28 PM

Magicman, how did you determine it was a ground?

Try a google search on wire loom. It is good stuff, easy to work with, flexible, and readily available anywhere. Get wire loom clips to easily mount it.

Magicman · March 17, 2015, 10:55:23 PM

Quote from: 4x4American on March 17, 2015, 10:46:28 PM
Magicman, how did you determine it was a ground?

The "other" side of battery is ground. A multimeter is an essential tool.

4x4American · March 17, 2015, 11:02:27 PM

So the multimeter told you that there was an open loop I would guess? or wouldn't there be an open loop if it was a short or a ground because the breaker was tripped?

Come to think of it, it looks like the conduit they are using is wire loom!

beenthere · March 17, 2015, 11:42:24 PM

Look at McMaster Carr (mcmaster.com) and search "standard cable sleeving" for a wide variety of designs for passing wire through that are flexible. And I've found their shipping to be quite reasonable.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-cable-sleeving/=wcukha