Discussion:
Intermittent Drive and Lift failure

Hi, I have a strange issue with our GPW series walkie. Was working fine until the other day the operator said that it would drive forward and reverse but would not lift. I confirmed, and started troubleshooting. Found a broken wire to a limit switch, which I assumed was the problem. I repaired the connection and still had no lift.

I ordered a service manual which won't be delivered for a few days. I was able to obtain a schematic and I was checking things over visually. Thought I would give it another try, plugged the battery back in and lift worked fine up and down but now no drive forward or reverse. No contactor engagement at all.

Thought maybe a short, but can't find anything obvious. Fuses good. It seems that when I connect the battery, EITHER the drive or the lift will work but not both. At one point another person was looking at it and said that reverse was working but no forward (but I can't reproduce)

I tried messing with the handle while trying to lift/drive but nothing strange it seems to be working as it should.

Any Ideas? I'm stumped!
Thanks!
  • Posted 8 May 2014 00:33
  • By dwatson
  • joined 8 May'14 - 3 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Showing items 1 - 3 of 3 results.
check your battery power, usually the battery is a problem that causes these other concerns (low battery voltage=higher amperage to do the same work, higher amps cause heat, and arcing of contacts in switches and relays.
  • Posted 9 May 2014 08:27
  • By edward_t
  • joined 5 Mar'08 - 2,334 messages
  • South Carolina, United States
"it's not rocket surgery"
SOLVED:

Just thought I would post this in case somebody else has a similar problem. I had a couple of problems at the same time.

Contactors needed some help, which solved the drive issues. Lift limit switch was the culprit for the lift trouble. I failed to test the switch which was an obvious oversight once I thought about it some more. I assumed the broken wire to the limit switch was the problem from the beginning, but did not think the switch was bad (it's a very heavy duty mechanical switch) I should have tested it. Maybe an operator had something wedged or stuck in the switch area that busted it on impact?

Strange that it all happened at the same time, but anyway, it's fixed (well the switch is bypassed till I can get another one)
  • Posted 9 May 2014 01:18
  • By dwatson
  • joined 8 May'14 - 3 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
UPDATE:

I have cleaned all contactors and fwd / rev working. Problem is no matter if the speed switch is on the turtle or the rabbit it operates in fast speed (as far as I can tell) in both forward and reverse. Contactor "B" Upper right of the 4 never pulls in only the bottom 2 (fwd / rev) and the upper left contactor "A" operate.

Any thoughts?

Still no lift at all.

Batteries test OK without load and are pretty new (3 yrs? ) water is good. Can't really test under full load if the lift does not operate.
  • Posted 8 May 2014 06:40
  • By dwatson
  • joined 8 May'14 - 3 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States

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