learning things the hardway - electrical problems and spares save the day ...

Dan_Shade · December 02, 2007, 03:35:42 PM

I had a sawing job yesterday, lots of fenceboards, poplar logs....

after I loaded the second log on the mill, the hydraulic pump switch got stuck in the "run" position. I knew better, but I ignored it, thinking I'd fix it later. well, later was after the mill shut off!

my setworks went all haywire showing "cation overload" and "TL module is bad". I thought I'd have to toss in the towel for the day, which I really didn't want to do, so I piddled around a bit, and realized that if I waited a few minutes, the head would go back up and down, at that time, i realized that it was a charging system/battery problem. so i dug into my spare parts box, found my spare switch, and got to rolling again, after having to jump the mill to get it started.

moral of the story, if it's not right, fix it, don't wait!

ended up sawing out 165 1x6x16 boards 8)

logwalker · December 02, 2007, 06:48:42 PM

You likely just ran the battery so low that the electronics took a break. After it sat a bit the voltage came back up enough to run again. How difficult was it to change the switch out? joe

Dan_Shade · December 02, 2007, 06:51:56 PM

that's what happened with the battery.

the switch is not too hard to swap, but those little tiny screws are hard to get out. the worst thing it was cold and the wind was blowing...

jeremiahdixon · January 18, 2011, 10:08:19 PM

can anyone tell me where my TL module is on my LT40? I just recently bought it and have no idea anything about it. ???

terrifictimbersllc · January 19, 2011, 04:40:38 AM

Quote from: Dan_Shade on December 02, 2007, 06:51:56 PM
that's what happened with the battery.

the switch is not too hard to swap, but those little tiny screws are hard to get out. the worst thing it was cold and the wind was blowing...

The hydraulic micro switch? You're not kidding about the little screws. This one is good to swap out at the first sign of trouble (constantly having to adjust the set screws on the different levers off the rocker arm assembly). Mine took me an hour last Spring most of it fiddling with tiny washers and nuts in a place where the sun almost doesn't shine. Fortunately the customer had an unbelievable supply of tiny hardware as I dropped mine a few times.

Magicman · January 19, 2011, 08:36:46 AM

The WM switch is sealed, water/oil proof, and quite pricey. I put this one on mine many years ago. Look over this entire thread.

Link: https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,41872.msg607728.html#msg607728

sparks · January 19, 2011, 11:32:19 AM

The TL module is part of you Setworks. If you a remote mill they are mounted on the door. If you have a non-remote they are in the Setworks box. To test them you remove the wires form the Module and do a continuity test. Take a reading accross the 2 big terminals and then from each big terminal to the little terminal. If you read continuity it is bad. Low battery voltage will cause the error as well. If the modules check good then you have a bad circuit board.

All that said the only parts we have left for the Setworks are Encoders. If you find a bad part you will have to either remove the Setworks or upgrade to a new system.

1997 and newer mills to Accuset 2 $1895.00
1997 and newer mills to Simple Setworks $1295.00

jeremiahdixon · January 20, 2011, 03:42:04 PM

Sparks, how do I know where my TL module is to test it? I understand inside my box but theres alot of stuff in there that makes my head spin when I open it.

sparks · January 21, 2011, 08:25:44 AM

The errror message is not accurate. It may say TL but it could be any one of the modules. You want to test them all.

MartyParsons · January 21, 2011, 06:14:39 PM

TL stands for Top Left, but like Rick says you will need to check them all. Times when you get the Error it can be simple as a loose wire. I always check all of the little screws and the wiring.
Hope this helps.
Marty