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Help! SP300V sensor issue, no red light.

rtcustom

New Member
I had a scan motor error, I think it was 0080, 0090... I did some research and could not see a red light coming from the sensor so I figured I needed a new sensor. I bought a new sensor and installed it (the wires are short and really tight, but I believe it is connected) Still no red light.... Does that mean there is no power going to the sensor? I try to go through the service menu and do the linear encoder check... it started counting (position) but only travels about a foot to the left, stops abruptly and then reads error codes 0050, 0040. How does it start counting the position if the sensor isn't working? I am so confused and would love to speak with someone who might be able to help. Any old Roland techs willing to help? Or someone who has had this issue before?
 

Solventinkjet

DIY Printer Fixing Guide
The first errors you received mean the motor was experiencing slight drag that became too much to overcome. The second set of errors means it's experiencing a large amount of drag really quickly. Since the encoder setup didn't fail immediately, which indicates the sensor was reading properly for at least a little bit, I'd say it's probably not your encoder sensor or encoder. It's more likely the motor itself, or a bad bearing/something else causing physical drag.

It's been a while since I've worked on the old Rolands so I can't remember if the encoder sensor shines red. Most encoders use infrared to read the strip so you wouldn't be able to see it but there are some cases where they use one that shines red as well. But like I said, the fact that it moved at all tells me it's reading and the errors are more motor/drag related.
 

netsol

Premium Subscriber
i am very sure it is NOT visible light
in the days of repairing VCR's and different types of industrial equipment with infrared sensors,we used something like this


ir-laser-detection-card.jpg.webp


it allows invisible light to reflect back in a visible part of the spectrum

WARNING the card must match the wavelength of the device you are testing
 

rtcustom

New Member
The first errors you received mean the motor was experiencing slight drag that became too much to overcome. The second set of errors means it's experiencing a large amount of drag really quickly. Since the encoder setup didn't fail immediately, which indicates the sensor was reading properly for at least a little bit, I'd say it's probably not your encoder sensor or encoder. It's more likely the motor itself, or a bad bearing/something else causing physical drag.

It's been a while since I've worked on the old Rolands so I can't remember if the encoder sensor shines red. Most encoders use infrared to read the strip so you wouldn't be able to see it but there are some cases where they use one that shines red as well. But like I said, the fact that it moved at all tells me it's reading and the errors are more motor/drag related.
Thanks for your feedback. So you are saying that if the sensor wasn't working then it wouldn't move at all? It does seem to get to the same point each time and stop.... everything seems to move freely when I physically move it. this machine is relatively new to me (about 1 year), and I have read that many like them because they are relatively easy to work on, but I find it hard to find information on how to work on them. This forum and YouTube have been very helpful.
I also tried changing the encoder strip. Any chance you could point me in the right direction of what to change or check next? how do I know if the bearings are good? Thanks
 

rtcustom

New Member
i am very sure it is NOT visible light
in the days of repairing VCR's and different types of industrial equipment with infrared sensors,we used something like this


ir-laser-detection-card.jpg.webp


it allows invisible light to reflect back in a visible part of the spectrum

WARNING the card must match the wavelength of the device you are testing

Thanks,
I watched a video that said there should be a red light visible, I think maybe the originals had visible light, but perhaps the replacements only have infrared, like you are saying. Another reply I got indicated that it wouldn't likely be moving if the sensor wasn't working and that the issue would be physical drag, I just don't know what to check next, or how.
 

netsol

Premium Subscriber
stupid question. was POLARITY obvious?
did you end up splicing the wire?
i imagine you would have quite a physical drag if the motor was wired in reverse
 

rtcustom

New Member
stupid question. was POLARITY obvious?
did you end up splicing the wire?
i imagine you would have quite a physical drag if the motor was wired in reverse
The only wiring I have unplugged/ plugged back in was the encoder sensor and It looked like there was only one way to clip in that tiny wire harness. I have not messed with any other wiring and I have run plenty other jobs prior to the scan motor error.
 

netsol

Premium Subscriber
The only wiring I have unplugged/ plugged back in was the encoder sensor and It looked like there was only one way to clip in that tiny wire harness. I have not messed with any other wiring and I have run plenty other jobs prior to the scan motor error.
just wanted to be sure you didn't have to splice, introducing the chance of reversing the motor rotation.
that would CERTAINLY give you excessive drag.
i have gotten chinese motors with wrong connector,, etc & saw the chance of this happening to you
 
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