PowerPro Headstock not responding

[AEA]

I just recently purchased a PowerPro headstock. I've used it twice and was quite impressed. Today I turned it on and it went through the usual safety lectures and got to 500 rpm now ready to run.
But none of the buttons respond. It just stays in that mode. I've tried turning the machine off, waited 20 seconds, then back on. No change.
I then tried turning it off and unplugging it for half a minute and turned it back on, still the same result.
Any thoughts?
Dan

[DLB]

If you bought it directly from Shopsmith or an authorized agent, meaning it is under warranty, I would contact SS Customer Service or just go ahead and schedule a call with SS engineering. You might have a loose connection, but I'm guessing that they would want to be involved in the diagnosis. I would think that the problem would have to be in the Power Supply, Control Panel, or the ribbon cable that goes between them. That cable connection is, unfortunately, not easy to see or access. As I recall from building my DIY PowerPro you'll need to partially remove the Power Supply, and to do that you'll need to remove the motor, to gain visual or physical access to the cable.

Note - When you say none of the buttons respond, I'm interpreting that to mean there is no change to the display, as opposed (in addition) to the motor not spinning. For example, if you selected a different speed it stays on 500, Ready to Run and if you press ON, same thing. You cannot get to the menu, cannot get any other display.

- David

[AEA]

Thanks for your input Dave.
Yes that is what I meant. Display doesn't change no matter what button is pushed.
I called Shopsmith and set up an engineering appointment.
I bought it directly from them less than a month ago so it is still under warranty.
I was certainly glad that I still have my original 510 with headstock. It may not be as powerful and convenient, but it has proven to be more reliable.
I just hope it's a simple fix and I don't have to send it back for repair.
Thanks again,
Dan

[DLB]

Please post a followup here to let us know how that goes. Good plan, keeping a conventional headstock for a backup. Good Luck.

- David

[AEA]

I will David.
Again thanks for your input. It makes me think that ShopSmith Engineering can walk me through the fix so I don't have to send it back.
Dan

[AEA]

Shopsmith Engineering called me today and said they suspected one of the same issues that David suspected. They are sending me a return box because they want to analyze what the problem is specifically.
I really wanted to do it myself, but if it's a faulty component instead of just a loose connection somewhere, I'd still be stuck.
So that is where it stands at this time.
Dan

[AEA]

Sue from the Shopsmith engineering department called me today and said my PowerPro headstock is repaired and ready to ship. She said the problem was a defective control panel.
I was thankful for the call and telling me what was wrong.
I hope they send it out quickly, and I'm really glad that I still have my Old 510 set up with the old reliable headstock.

[RFGuy]

Dan,

Glad you got your PowerPro back and hope it keeps running for a long time after this. Still disappointing that it died after only being used 2 times. Did Shopsmith give any more information on what went wrong with it to begin with? Wondering if possibly it was a loose connection or if they have seen this kind of premature failure before? Just curious...definitely gives me pause on considering a PowerPro purchase.

[AEA]

Nope, Sue said they have never seen this before. She called in an engineer to look at it and said it was just a defective board. I also shared your concerns and I think she picked up on it. She told me that there are problems pointed out on forums like this, but with the amount of PowerPro headstocks that are out there the percentages are pretty small and the warranties are good.
I'll be using it a lot when I get it back just to make sure. Especially since I convinced my wife that this would be a blessing for us to have and then, ... well, you get my point.

[AEA]

Nope, Sue said they have never seen this before. She called in an engineer to look at it and said it was a defective board. I also shared your concerns and I think she picked up on it. She told me that there are problems pointed out on forums like this, but with the amount of PowerPro headstocks that are out there the percentages are pretty small and the warranties are good.
I'll be using it a lot when I get it back just to make sure. Especially since I convinced my wife that this would be a blessing for us to have and then, ... well, you get my point.

If you decide to get one, I would keep your old headstock.