PowerPro - Issue With Control Panel

[ssuel]

My PowerPro stopped working. I blew out the headstock but relatively little dust. Talk with ShopSmith folks and they said it was likely the control panel 522646. The display will intermittently show up but consistently does not allow me to select a speed or direction and power up. I have searched the forum but wasn’t able to find much. Thought I would reach out to see if anyone had any ideas for me.

I did order the part 522646 control panel to try first. ShopSmith didn’t give me any idea if they had one available and checking the order status online the last three days shows it only to be in process. Hoping it doesn’t take a long time for the part to ship.

If you can point me to a previous thread on troubleshooting this issue or can help I would very much appreciate your response.

Thanks
Stan

[DLB]

My PowerPro stopped working. I blew out the headstock but relatively little dust. Talk with ShopSmith folks and they said it was likely the control panel 522646. The display will intermittently show up but consistently does not allow me to select a speed or direction and power up. I have searched the forum but wasn’t able to find much. Thought I would reach out to see if anyone had any ideas for me.

I did order the part 522646 control panel to try first. ShopSmith didn’t give me any idea if they had one available and checking the order status online the last three days shows it only to be in process. Hoping it doesn’t take a long time for the part to ship.

If you can point me to a previous thread on troubleshooting this issue or can help I would very much appreciate your response.

It is not a great design from the perspective of determining which of the three major components or interconnect wiring is bad. How old is it and where are you located? Have you done any recent maintenance on the headstock? Did SS give you anything to look for? Do you have any electronics experience and tools?

The wiring connector from the power supply (aka control module) can very easily pull out of the back of the control/display panel, IIWM I'd check this first. But if you haven't been in there doing maintenance it usually stays put once everything is in. Like everything in the PowerPro, it is kind of hard to get to. There are likely DC power and return lines in that connection, but I don't know which pins. That would be useful for isolating between power supply and display. Someone here may know that.

I would think the power supply would be at least as likely to be the problem as the display/control. And I've read other reports with similar symptoms where the power supply is at fault. The bad news here is that it is very expensive and I've had one on backorder for over six months.

- David

[ssuel]

I bought it about 10 years ago from ShopSmith. I bought a 510 in the 1980’s and upgraded to the newer rails later. I went the new headstock route when I got the PowerPro headstock. Never had any issues with until now

-Live in Arkansas
- No ShopSmith did not give me anything to look for other than based upon conversation thought it was the control panel
- no recent maintenance other than blowing out the headstock after problem started occurring
- good at mechanical things but weak on electronic skills. I do have a basic VOM

Thanks for reply. Really disappointed to hear you’ve been waiting for 6 months for your parts. I guess I need to be thinking about putting my old headstock back on my machine

[ssuel]

Since my previous post I used ShopSmith Customer Service online contact form and got a reply about 10 minutes later saying the part should be available in about 3 weeks. Pleasantly surprised with their quick reply and wanted to share my good interaction with the the company.

[DLB]

Good call on keeping your old headstock. The PowerPro DIY video is a good resource if you are not familiar with taking it apart and putting it back together. Maybe just watch from where Jim is installing the Display/Control. Disassembly is the reverse of assembly, as they say. The motor and power supply both have to come out first to remove the display, IIRC. The video has some important tricks to getting the motor in and/or out. Probably only partial disassembly would be needed to check that connector to the Display. Always unplug the machine when working inside.

The VOM would be good for checking power to the Display/Control, which I think would be useful information to isolate the failure. IF someone here knows where to measure and what value is expected. Or if you know anyone nearby that's good with electronics, they could likely determine this by inspecting the circuit board. IIWM I'd go ahead with disassembly and check/reseat the connector to the Display/Control.

- David

[ssuel]

I do have a neighbor that is a professional electronics tech but he is getting ready for deer season. I will see if he can help after he recovers from buck fever. Hopefully my new part will be here by then. Thanks again for helping me out

[edma194]

Sorry to hear about this ssuel. I agree with the recommendation to check the control panel connector. It's a possible cause for the problem you describe. There could be more serious problems with the control panel though. You'll have to remove the headstock to get to the control panel, but it's easy to remove the motor first and then removal of the rest of the headstock doesn't require as much muscle. You can reseat the connector and test it without reinstalling the PowerPro components.

If it is just a control panel problem at least it has the lowest cost of the 3 PowerPro components. Good luck moving ahead, keep us informed.

[ssuel]

Thanks Ed. I will provide an update when I get the part

Thanks
Stan in Arkansas

[ssuel]

So I received my PowerPro replacement control panel part a couple of days ago (522646) (PowerrPro HMI) and just now starting to try to work through the repair. My PowerPro was bought as a complete headstock in 2012 and this is the first time I have been inside this headstock.

Was totally shocked at what I noticed after removing the motor pan cover. Thought I would share what I just found, totally loose belt tensioning screws (see pics below by green post-it tag) Two of the four screws have vibrated partially out. First I thought the factory used two different types of screws by mistake, but I looked at the parts manual and they list two different screw types,so they are correct. The two long set screws have backed out.

I have been somewhat frustrated that ShopSmith has not done a better job providing written instructions on repair procedures for the PowerPro. Only aid I have found is Jim McCain’s old browny PowerPro conversion on YouTube.

Anybody know how tight these screws are suppose to be?
Is their any tightening differences between the part reference number 102 (522660) SBHC screw or # 103 (522662) flat point set screw?
Wonder why they choose two different types screws?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[ssuel]

I do have the PowerPro manual but I guess what puzzles me is why did the screws loosen after being set at factory. BTW I will follow manuals procedures for tensioning and balancing the belts. Just seeking insights on best way to prevent the set screws from backing out in future