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Unread 22-02-2010, 08:46
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Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
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Re: Help at the midnight hour (electrical)

Mat,
I can believe one Spike and maybe really bad luck could get two but not five. What you describe sounds like a PWM cable issue. Remember that the Spike is not a PWM device. It is getting straight command signals using a PWM cable as a standard interface.
A common failure mode for Spikes is caused by rough handling. Pulling on the input and output power connections causes the 1/4" male "push on" to pull out of the circuit board. Test the tabs by wiggling with your finger. If they move around they have been pulled out of the circuit board. In most cases, a person who is good with a soldering iron can simply push them back into the board and resolder. Moral of the story is don't wiggle the push on terminals while you are trying to insert or remove them from the Spike.
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.