tip problems

[Portela]

ok, i just rewired my foil and im having some problems with the point. as im testing, when the tip gets compressed, the light just dims a bit instead of completely shutting off. next, when i repeatedly push the point down, the white light on the test box comes on every once and a while. is this a point problem or just a bad rewire?

[DHCJr]

From your description, I would say the 1st test is on a test box and the 2nd on a Box and this is a Foil. This may be the same problem or may be different problems. On the test box, make sure you are not touching the barrel or the blade when you push down on the tip, especially if using LED lights. Your hand does conduct. You might remove the tip and see if the light stays on. If so, check that you have not crushed the wire under the handle or at the connector have excess wire. If not, use a jewelers screwdriver and press down on the contact without touching the side of the barrel. If the light comes on, it is possible the blade has too many threads.

If the 2nd test is when you are fencing, that would be an intermittent break. If it is at testing then it could be the short you have is around 200 ohms, so with various other resistence in the line it may go over the threshold of the machine, which should be set between 200 and 250 ohms.

[Portela]

ughhh.

alright, i did what u said with the screwdriver and everything was ok. i put it back together and now its doing less of what it did before but now the light comes back on fully when the tip gets fully depressed. if its only a slight depression the light is dim. wat do i do?

[neevel]

Portela-

Take note of what Donald said about how some LED boxes (especially the Faveros) will be affected by the conductivity of your body, especially if your hands are a bit sweaty. When you break the foil circuit, there will still be enough current flowing over your skin to make the LED glow slightly. I get this a lot when I'm using my Favero tester. Put a glove on or hold the foil by the tip-tape when you test it and see if you still get the glow.

-Dave