One Of My D-r-o's Is D-e-a-d....

[MeredithJL]

I bought three of the Igaging AccuRemote DRO's off Amazon and installed them all recently. The Y-axis DRO has never worked properly. With no movement, the display would flash random numbers non-stop. When moving the table, it did the same.

I finally had the time at work to address it this week, so I removed it and took it apart entirely. Then I put it back together again. It stopped flashing randomly. So I cancelled the order I had just placed on Amazon for a replacement. Once reinstalled on the table, it now remembers where Zero is when zeroed out, but it flashes random numbers when I move the table. But it always knows where Zero is.

So I un-cancelled the order. I don't know if it's a bad cable or just a faulty circuit board, but I didn't have an extra cable to test that theory unless I disassembled one of the other DRO's which currently work fine, and I didn't want to do that.

Anyone else have this type of issue? For 60 bucks, I'm not expecting perfection, but I don't want to have to worry about this happening again. Thanks.

 

[FOMOGO]

First and foremost, let me express my condolences on the tragic loss of your your Y axis DRO. I know how painful it can be. Could be cable, or scale, or? I would just hook up the new one and chances are it will be fine. Mike

 

[MeredithJL]

First and foremost, let me express my condolences on the tragic loss of your your Y axis DRO. I know how painful it can be. Could be cable, or scale, or? I would just hook up the new one and chances are it will be fine. Mike

Thanks, I hope so as well !

 

[RCWorks]

Probably just a bad unit, it happens. On the good side if it goes 90 days it will probably last until you don't care...

The more complex the device the more problems you may have... Just the facts.

 

[royesses]

Plug your x axis cable into the suspect display unit. Move the x axis back and forth. If the display has the same erratic operation it is a bad display. If the display unit now functions properly the y cable or scale is kaput.

 

[Hex173t]

Not sure how helpful this info is but I'll throw it out there -

I just got a mill with a dro but the X axis was missing the read head on its scale. To figure out what the resolution was and even what the computer was looking to see to buy the right scale I put an oscilloscope on some jumper wires between the scale and computer connection to read the good Y scale output. From that I could see what each pin did.

In your case it might help to determine if the signal from the scales is ok and the power/ground for the scales are good. And if you don't have access to a scope then I'd think a DMM would do the job. Well probably 2 DMMs to see the A and B output relationships.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hex173t]

On further thought, forget what I said. You're troubleshooting, swap cables and see if the trouble follows.

 

[GCM]

Hi,
I have one of my iGaging units on my mill not flashing but changes the reading every now and then which are very irritating . I found the connector of the cable where it plugs into the readout a bit loose. I was busy on the mill so I wedged 'n nut under the cable as a quick fix to ensure better contact and carry on working. Unfortunately this happened a month ago and the nut is still there doing its job.
Also note I am not so sure you can mix and match cables and readouts as they are calibrated but would be OK just for diagnosis.

 

[mtwheatley]

I've had these problems with iGaging DRO's It's always been improper grounding. Make sure the wires between the reader and the display are all properly connected. If necessary replace them -- it's not hard.

 

[Baithog]

It came from Amazon, so return it. I don't know why we insist on fixing defective stuff that we receive. Myself included. My wife gives me hell every time I try to make busted stuff work. Even if you've had it too long, call up customer service and see what they can do for you. Tell them that the people on Home-Shop Machinists forum feel that it is a defective unit. It doesn't matter if it is the capacitive scale, the cable, or the read out. It is defective.

Loosing zero is a common occurrence with that type of scale. You learn to live with its limitations. They sometimes loose their mind when moving fast, but random numbers while stationary or moving slow is busted. Tighten the mounts, swap the cables, but I'm thinking you need it replaced.