Epee electrical weirdness

[jjefferies]

I have an electric epee that has been exhibiting very strange behaviour recently. The weapon will fire when pressed up against properly grounded bell guards or grounded metal strips. I've checked for shorts, none. I've check ohmages, under ten ohms when the tip is pressed. I've sanded (cleaned) the tip's head to confirm that it does conduct properly. This has occurred on multiple different machines against a number of different weapons at two different clubs. The blade will work correctly for a while and then begin this weirdness. The tip is "estoc" screwless but as it's one of a doze that I have I don't think it's particularly associated with the make. And it's clearly not my opponents weapons or body cords. I change blades and the problem goes away.

One older epeeist I know commented he has heard that this can happen but couldn't remember what the cause was. He joins the veterans this year.

Any clues or suggestions?

[shlepzig]

I use the Estoc points and have seen similar behavior (in one case). Near as I could find was that there was some Superglue buildup on the post of the tip that allowed the contact spring to squirm to a position that did not conduct to the end under certain conditions (like solid hits on the bell).

I replaced the contact spring and cleaned the post thoroughly and everything went right from there.

Shlep.

[DHCJr]

There are a few items that could cause this. First, if the contact spring is insulated from the post. This can be done by several things, like glue mentioned above or rust. Second there could be a crack in the post, so it is not in contact with the tip.

This can be tested either with the tip in or out of the weapon. Connect one end of a meter to the B-line and the other to the tip and depress the tip. If you do not get a low ohms reading then you have a bad tip. This assumes the weapon is working. With the tip out, touch one end of the meter to the spring and one to the top of the tip and you should also have a low ohms reading.

A further test is to take the opponents equipment out of the equasion. Unhook their weapon and depress the tip on the C line of their bodycord and see if the light goes on. If it does, depress the tip to the C connector on the reel and then the floor cord.

[KD5MDK]

I think I might skip the reel and jump straight to the floor cord, as it's so much more convenient.
Edit: If it goes off against grounded strips, either the problem is not with your opponent's end at all, or you've got two problems at once.

[jjefferies]

Final solution, take the handle apart. No apparent crimping of the wires. Take the tip apart. Contact spring to head tested good. Reassemble. Problem fixed. Go figure.