problem with either my 7094 controller or my 6100 stream

[andro]

Roger,

I have been using 2 6100 streams and a 7094 controller for the past 4 months, they have been working really well. However, over the past few days, one of my pumps stays on no matter what the controller tells it to do. When I press the feeding button, one pump stops and the other reamins on at 100% They both used to stop. I have unplugged everything and plugged them back in, even changed cables and positions, the same pump will always remain on no matter where it is plugged into the multi controller.

I am thinking it is a problem with the pump, since it doesn't matter where on the controller I plug it in, but I wanted to see if you have any other suggestions.

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

-Ian

 

[rvitko]

In general these problems result from a short at one of the plug junctions. This is usually caused by salt creep. You might open the driver, just undo the two screws on each side (NOT THE TOP ANGLE-NEVER REMOVE THIS) check for any corrosion which would appear as green or white crust, also check the jack, try cleaning with electronics cleaner and compressed air.

 

[andro]

k, checking that right now.

 

[andro]

Well everything looked fine, but I used compressed air to blow everything off, and when it was all hooked back up everything was working fine. Thanks for the quick reply Roger.

-Ian

 

[andro]

Actually, I am having the same problem again. If I unplug everything and plug it back in, if works for the first time that I press the feed button, but then after that, it only turns off one pump, and that pump is whatever pump is plugged into the 3rd port, the pump in the first port, doesn't matter which pump, will remain on. Now it's really strange.

-Ian

 

[rvitko]

You might try the same cleaning procedure on the cables and the controller.

 

[andro]

I did clean the other driver and I replaced the cables with the other 2 new ones, since the controller came with 4. Still had the same problem.

I will open the controller tonight and try.

Thanks again.
-Ian

 

[rvitko]

If you would rather I take a look at it let me know. Taking apart a multicontroller is not a lot of fun. You have to pry off all the knobs and undo the screws. The real pain is reassembly and lining up all the LED's buttons and knobs.

 

[NwG]

A little off the topic here, but the pump I sent you Roger.. ummm I removed the top angle plate on the driver I put the heat sink back on.. did I mess up bad?

 

[andro]

If you would rather I take a look at it let me know. Taking apart a multicontroller is not a lot of fun. You have to pry off all the knobs and undo the screws. The real pain is reassembly and lining up all the LED's buttons and knobs.

At this point, do you think that it might be a possible problem with the controller? Since the cables were replaced with new ones I still had the problem.

-Ian

 

[rvitko]

Nate,

The problem is that that L bracket is connected to a heat sink inside the box and that assembly cools the transistors inside. One of the leading causes of failed drivers is the transistors over heating. As long as it wasn't run this way and the screws were tightened to just snug- not to much or you can brake the transistors- it should be OK.

Ian, I still think the problem is dust, water or salt creep but where I do not know. I strongly suspect it is just dirty sockets, it takes only a single drop of water or a piece of salt to short those connectors. I would start with just cleaning the sockets with contact cleaner and compressed air. Since this helped with the pump I think it is the same for the controller.

 

[andro]

Well I took it all apart again, cleaned everything with compressed air, cleaned off the contacts, let everything sit for a while, then hooked it back up. The feed button worked once, but then on the second attempt, it would only turn off the pump that was plugged into the 3rd port, the one in the first port, doesn't matter which pump, stays on 100%

 

[rvitko]

OK, sounds like a bad capacitor. It is probably best you keep it so you have something until I can get this worked out with one of the people in Germany next week as far as how to do this repair.

 

[andro]

OK, Thanks Roger, I appreciate it.

-Ian