High resistance

[remise]

I have a favorite epee that works well, but has a high resistance in the wires. I've checked and cleaned the tip, checked the wires at the socket, the guard, etc. I can't seem to find anything. Still, when I hook the epee to my box, I get a high reading. Any thoughts as to why? Think I should just tear it apart and rewire?

[esskreemr]

For some reason that brings up an interesting question. Why don't they have impedence/resistance guages built into scoring machines? Would the cost be prohibitive relative to the cost of the machine. I would think that a running digital gauge would be a godsend for directors.

With the new timings, should I be shopping for ultra-low impedence wires and tips?

Just a few questions to see if I can successfully highjack this thread.

[SJCFU#2]

Try to eliminate other possibilities before rewiring.

Check for any corrosion on the contact spring and the sockets.

It's also possible that your contact spring simply isn't doing a good job of shorting the contacts together, especially if you are having to practically push the tip all the way in against the barrel just to close the circuit. Check the resistance of the individual wires before rewiring.

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by esskreemr

With the new timings, should I be shopping for ultra-low impedence wires and tips?

You mean for the new epee timing?

[The Armourer]

Another thing to try before taking things apart and re-wiring is to clean out the socket connections inside the guard. I do this by rolling-up tightly a small piece of the smoothest wet and dry paper (like a little cigarette if you like) and use it as a sort of file in the little socket holes - then roll-up a piece of tissue paper and remove/clean the hole afterwards.

Good luck - don't forget if you do need to rewire there are plenty of tips on that in here as well.

[neevel]

As has been mentioned, try cleaning off any corrosion in the point and socket. You can get a thin layer of oxidation on the contact spring and wire contacts that may not be removed by contact cleaner (and certainly not alcohol). Use a bit of fine (600 grit) sandpaper on the end of the contact spring, and gently scrape the point contacts with a small scewdriver. Armorer described how to clean the interior of guard socket plugs.

You might also check to see if a wire has become pinched by the socket and guard, or if one of the wires is starting to break where it attaches to the socket.

How high is the resistance you're seeing (in ohms)? That can help indicate what the point of trouble is.

-Dave

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by remise

I have a favorite epee that works well, but has a high resistance in the wires. I've checked and cleaned the tip, checked the wires at the socket, the guard, etc. I can't seem to find anything. Still, when I hook the epee to my box, I get a high reading. Any thoughts as to why? Think I should just tear it apart and rewire?

another solution i've heard of is to use CRC electrical contact cleaner. i think it comes in a spray. you can spray a q-tip and use that to clean the tip out. it will significantly reduce the resistance in the weapon.

[remise]

I got a reading as high as 17 ohms last evening.

[glowstix]

Originally Posted by remise

I got a reading as high as 17 ohms last evening.

after the electrical cleaning, the reading will be down to less than 2 ohms...i've seen it happen.