Circuit Board Testing?

S

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
A bit of a strange one, but bear with me.

I bought a second hand rowing machine with a computerised console to control the tension levels - except that it doesn't. The resistance works via magnetic / air, which in turn is controlled by a servo motor. I've already replaced the servo and the cables that run from the servo to the console, but it still doesn't change the tension.

I've opened up the console and there doesn't seem much to it, but I have no idea how to test whether the circuits inside are working or if this is possible on a layman level.

For what it's worth, the main screen and buttons are working perfectly, it's that I don't know whether it's sending a signal to the servo. I'm guessing I may have a heap of junk to put out to the scrap man, but just thought I might ask just in case anyone has any ideas.

Oh, and I've already spoken to the company that sells it, York, who said that if it isn't the servo or the cables, it's most likely that there's no signal being sent from the console. However, they also added that they no longer sell the console as a spare part. :(

Cheers.
 
hop

hop

Well-Known Forumite
How does the board connect to the servo ? If it's like the circuit board on a burglar alarm and has screw down terminals a simple voltmeter set to DC should be sufficient to determine if the signal is sent.
If you can get a connection between the terminal on the board and the connection on the servo then measure the set the voltmeter to resistance to see if there is a break in the wire. If the wire is good you see get a reading.
 
S

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
Cheers folks. I shall get Bailey'ing some time tomorrow and upload the results. It seems such a waste of metal if it can be fixed with a little bit of soldererpokerey. Thanks.
 
S

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
Righty, here goes. I'm not too sure how much of this will make sense but thanks for having a look anyway.
York_R301_Console.jpg

cheers.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
The red and black pair is what goes off to the motor? *

You should be able to jab through the silicone and see if you have power at the solder points - then try at the motor end - you might have to go through the insulation there.

If power at the source, but not at the motor, than it's a continuity issue check the resistance of the red and black wires separately, with the power off.

* If that conjecture is wrong ignore this.

Maybe they're the power in?
 
S

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
Gramaisc said:
The red and black pair is what goes off to the motor? *

You should be able to jab through the silicone and see if you have power at the solder points - then try at the motor end - you might have to go through the insulation there.

If power at the source, but not at the motor, than it's a continuity issue check the resistance of the red and black wires separately, with the power off.

* If that conjecture is wrong ignore this.

Maybe they're the power in?
Click to expand...

I really appreciate that you've got nothing to go on here, Gram.
York_R301_Console2.jpg
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
OK - Solder joints are often a source of trouble - try the continuity of each motor wire.

See what is going on at the supply end of the motor cable - it won't be easy to predict what should be happening, but there should be some volts about somewhere.

If it's not a cable continuity issue, it might be wise to give up....

Unless somebody breaks a working one somewhere - arms/bearings may fail after a while and you might get good electrics - long shot.
 
S

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
Gramaisc said:
OK - Solder joints are often a source of trouble - try the continuity of each motor wire.

See what is going on at the supply end of the motor cable - it won't be easy to predict what should be happening, but there should be some volts about somewhere.

If it's not a cable continuity issue, it might be wise to give up....

Unless somebody breaks a working one somewhere - arms/bearings may fail after a while and you might get good electrics - long shot.
Click to expand...
I'll have to dissect everything you've said there, v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y. Electrics / electronics are not really my forté, but thank you, Gram.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Basically, I'm hoping that your issue is a wiring connection fault - either a solder joint on the boards or a break inside wire - if it's a component fault on a board, then it's probably not worth pursuing.
 
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