Older Scoring Machines

[jjefferies]

I need some help with a couple of older scoring machines, Uhlmann and Blade. I've tried to reach Dan DeChaine but not had any luck/response.

Questions:
1. with both the machines there is a setting for which the icon is a stylized hand and "8". Any idea what this means?
2. With both machines there are "C" which I take to be "Clear". But clearing of what?

thanks

[KD5MDK]

He was at the NAC in Tucson, which is probably why he was out of touch.

2. - FIE machines have to keep the lights on until they are manually reset. "Clear" likely refers to that.

[DieterS]

I need some help with a couple of older scoring machines, Uhlmann and Blade.

You probably already know this, but for the sake of any less experienced folks reading these posts, let me say that some older machines can deliver a powerful shock to fencers. If that's happening to any extent, I'd *strongly* advise that any such a scoring machine be destroyed.

Dieter

[KD5MDK]

Preferably with Video of it.

[HDG]

Preferably with Video of it.

The shocking or the destruction?

[wahrman]

Both.

The shocking or the destruction?

[jjefferies]

You probably already know this, but for the sake of any less experienced folks reading these posts, let me say that some older machines can deliver a powerful shock to fencers. If that's happening to any extent, I'd *strongly* advise that any such a scoring machine be destroyed.

Dieter

Dream on. In such a case my coach would demand that I redesign it.

You know how to tell when an engineer is being assertive?
They stare at your feet!

[DieterS]

Dream on. In such a case my coach would demand that I redesign it.

I bet that the first lawsuit from an injured fencer would change everything!

If that ever happened, I would imagine that the USFA might consider banning these dangerous devices!

Dieter

[SJCFU#2]

Most stories I've heard regarding machines delivering serious shocks to fencers date back to the early days of electric scoring. Based on other posts from jjefferies I believe the machines in question were left over from the 1984 Olympics, so they aren't anywhere near that old.

[wahrman]

We discussed it at length on other threads but I really hate getting shocked
by the machine in foil. They are not dangerous nor are they painful but
irritating all the same. When my glove get soaked through, off targets give
me a jolt. Yeah, I know, change the glove, don't land off target, don't fence
foil.

[the ancient one]

The source of the shock in most cases was due to the use of electromagnetic relays to control the lights and timing. If the "snubber" circuit was damaged i.e. open diode, the reverse voltage from the relay coil opening up could put out a very unpleasant shock that you would feel in the chest and the jaw.

A less common problem was a compromised isolation of the mains supply which in at least one case had a fatal consequence. It involved a reversed hot/neutral wire in the plug and a fencer touching a grounded radiator somewhere in Europe.

[jfarmer]

Both.

Originally Posted by KD5MDK
Preferably with Video of it.

Originally Posted by HDG
The shocking or the destruction?

You know, I bet that Craig could sell a few DVDs of that... Most of us would, of course, want it as a training aid for new armorers...