Nova DVR 3000 cutting out

[NOTTNICK]

I've just got myself a s/h DVR 3000. What a great piece of kit and a great upgrade from my old Record lathe.
However, after just one day's usage (when it worked perfectly) it has suddenly started cutting out after maybe only a minute's use. It just switches itself off. After an anxious 5 minutes or so, I am able to re-start it. It cuts out even if not under load.
I am a bit confused by the Teknatool troubleshooting. I wonder if anyone else has encountered this.
I've just got hold of a big load of spalted beech so am keen to get going.

Cheers
Nick

 

[lurker]

Thermal trip in motor?
Bearing , switch or motor full of sawdust?

Capacitor failing?

 

[NOTTNICK]

Thermal trip would make sense as it resets after about 2 or 3 minutes although it does cut out even when not running. Could that indicate capacitor?
Now I need to find out more, how to diagnose accurately and maybe how to fix it.
There I am at a loss.

 

[CHJ]

I believe this lathe is an Electronically controlled direct drive motor, therefore there will be no 'start/run' capacitor as encountered on a conventional single phase motor.

Unfortunately I suspect it's going to be difficult to diagnose what part of the electronics is causing it to trip if it is doing it in a no load quiescent state unless you can locate a repair facility that is used to servicing this older system.

Worth looking inside the housing to see if there is an accumulation of dust on any heat dissipating fins on circuit boards etc.

 

[Deejay]

Hello Nottnick

RP kit normally has a 5 year warranty.

If it's less than five years since the original purchase, it's worth having a word with them to see if the warranty 'transfers' to subsequent buyers.

Cheers

Dave

 

[CHJ]

I've just got myself a s/h DVR 3000. ...

Is this an early model Nova? do you know the year of manufacture or original purchase.

 

[Doug B]

I’ve not experienced this problem with mine though I do know there are stall settings so I googled that & came up with this thread which sounds similar to your problems
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php ... shuts-down
It would be worth getting in touch with Teknatool I’m sure they will try & sort your problem

 

[NOTTNICK]

I think it's 2005.
The problem is not intermittent.
It runs for 20 secs to 5 minutes (even with no load). Then cuts out. I can retrieve things by switching off. It then re-sets and the whole cycle starts again when I switch on. I've been in touch with Teknatool, and got a brief reply (possibly the software - but how to update?) but as it is the weekend I reckon I won't hear more until next week now.
I'll follow up the sawmillcreek info too, a bit to read through here.
It is a lovely lathe, I only got it last weekend and it ran perfectly yesterday. So much nicer to use than my old Record. I so hope I can fix it.
Fingers crossed and thanks for help so far.

 

[Deejay]

Morning Nottnick

If it's less than five years since the original purchase ...

No joy with the warranty then but I'd still speak to RP, who do have a good reputation for 'customer care'.

Good luck

Dave

 

[Doug B]

I think it's 2005.

Morning Nottnick

If it's less than five years since the original purchase ...

No joy with the warranty then but I'd still speak to RP, who do have a good reputation for 'customer care'.

Good luck

Dave

Robert Sorby had the distribution rights the Teknatool Nova dvr in 2005

 

[Doug B]

Don’t know if this is of any use Nick, I’ve just book marked it for future reference


https://teknatool.freshdesk.com/support ... 3000-lathe

 

[Deejay]

Robert Sorby had the distribution rights the Teknatool Nova dvr in 2005[/quote]

Sorry Nick. RP used to produce a DVR lathe with some sort of connection (made under licence ?) with Teknatool. I thought that was what you had.

Cheers

Dave

 

[NOTTNICK]

Thanks for looking into it Dave.
I shall see what they say on Monday.
At least it I can be completely specific about the fault.
I shall stay confident and spend the weekend cleaning up my Record stuff to sell (helping cover Nova cost).

 

[NOTTNICK]

Oh No
Teknatool have suggested that it might be dust build up.
Otherwise it is u/s
I have blown air in from the end, stationary and running, it seemed to be pretty free of dust anyway.
It ran for 13 minutes then.........................
I might have a big problem now

 

[Doug B]

Have you taken the back plate off nick, I did mine a couple of years ago & was surprised how much dust I managed to blow out.
The screws took some removing & I ended up replacing them with Allen key cap bolts.

 

[NOTTNICK]

Yes, I unscrewed it. Blew air in. Couldn't take it right off as the rotating metal piece at end of the spindle is in the way. Is it possible to get that piece off? I can't see how as it looks like it is firmly attached. Not much dust came out though.

 

[JWD]

Thats some terrible luck! any word from the person you bought it from? seems very coincidental to have an issue pop up just after purchasing it!

if no-one is offering you any assistance, personally i would take the thing as far apart as possible and check and double check each component along the way. Could be a really simple fix you're overlooking

I do have a VS system i built myself for my lathe but it's all separate and I don't have any experience with NOVA. What is the heat build up like just before it cuts out?

 

[Walnut Les]

From what I have read when the Nova lathes go wrong it is a costly fix.
They do say to clear the dust out by a sensor that's in them but they normally need new circuit boards put in them. (at a cost of about 450 to 500 pounds)
They can suffer with power surging problems so I always unplug my one when not in use and always have it plugged into a power serg protector when using it.

One thing that a few people have said that has worked for them is to unplug the ribbon lead inside the control box and refit it back in again.

I hope that you find an easy fix for your one and that doesn't cost you too much. Les

 

[NOTTNICK]

Update
After a lot of troubleshooting and calls to Teknatool in USA, I do have an answer. They are incredibly helpful.
It is certainly the circuit boards.
I have removed them with the expert help of Pete Maddex (one of UKworkshop's excellent contributors).
It also looks like the seller is liable for repair, so it might be that I'll be sending them across the Atlantic for replacement. It is expensive, but it does mean that I shall have a fully working lathe.
He is looking into PCB repairs locally, but I am not certain it will work out cheaper (or even possible).
I shall post more when I know what the final outcome is.
Cheers

 

[NOTTNICK]

Amazing news.
After some excellent support from Nova (including a few chats with their engineer), and their offer to upgrade / repair for about £450. I found a company in Coalville who specialise in fixing PCBs
http://www.greasley.co.uk/
who took things on.
They found that one of the microprocessors was overheating and replaced it.
I got it back today and Bingo it is all working.
It took a while but in the end a good outcome (and of course the seller is paying for the repairs).
Thanks for all the advice here.
Nick