Epee problems

[CrimsonWolf]

Ok...been trolling here for awhile and at last found a problem I can't fix or find a solution for (knowing me, I just missed it somewhere)

Current primary weapon is sometimes setting off the lights, sometimes not. I've checked for broken areas of wire, recheck the contacts in the socket, checked to make sure the barrel is tight, cleaned the contacts in the tip, and changed out the springs. I'm at a loss for what to do next...hoping I don't need to rewire.

It's all German if that helps.

[CvilleFencer]

Double check and make sure there is no loose wire around the socket that could be bridging, but other than that, chances are you have a break somewhere in the wire or just behind the cup in the point. Most likely, you will need to rewire.

Random on targets are the devil to track down and in my experience are usually either from an abrading of the insulation on the wires behind/at the bell or just behind the cup inside the point itself. I usually check the point to make sure there are no bits of metal rolling around in there, check the socket to make sure there is not extra wire floating around making contact and if those are not the case, I just rewire. Usually faster than trying to track down something I will have to rewire anyway 90% of the time...

[brtech]

Take the tip out and see if you can get any light wacking the blade around.

If you can, disassemble down to the blade, separate the wires, connect them to a test box (test leads with alligator clips are handy for this) and see if you can still get a failure.

If you do, rewire; the problem is in the blade or cup.

If you can get connections with the tip out, but not with the blade disassembled, inspect and/or replace the spaghetti. Look for abrasion in the wire insulation at the shoulder of the blade. The wires should not be glued all the way down, and often, if they are, you get some insulation worn off where the guard contacts the blade.

If you can't get connections with the tip out, clean out the barrel and try a different tip. You may have a problem just under the cup, which may not show up with the tip out, but it could be the pressure spring not seating, the contact spring bent, or something else in the tip.

[parrythis]

Current primary weapon is sometimes setting off the lights, sometimes not.

Sorry, I'm confused. Are you saying that the weapon is setting off the light when the tip is not depressed or are you saying that it is sometimes not setting off the light when the tip is depressed?

[CrimsonWolf]

Thanks for the help guys...I'll look into it tonight.

Parrythis, sorry for the confusion, I meant the light isn't going off when depressed.

[lefty_monster]

He means it is intermittent.

Check the connection of the wires into the sockets. Sometimes the wire will snap off right next to the connection and still make contact about half the time. Unscrew both bolts, dig out any old wire in there, strip an inch or so of wire and reattach them.

[SJCFU#2]

Once you're certain that you have a good connection at the socket end, then move to the other end, take tip apart and look at the contact spring (is it straight?). Also, look at how much travel is required before the contact spring shorts the contacts together. If you're pressing the tip down hard onto the barrel before it goes off then all you may need to do is adjust the contact spring.

[parrythis]

I meant the light isn't going off when depressed.

If you can reproduce this on the workbench, then the problem is probably electrical and the advice given so far is all good.

If you cannot reproduce it on the workbench (the light goes on every time you press the tip with your finger) check the action of the tip as it slides into the barrel. Make sure it is smooth and you do not encounter any resistance. If there is dirt, grunge, or a deformed barrel, it can cause the tip to not depress fully if you don't hit your target dead-straight-on.

[Purple Fencer]

It ALSO could be that the contacts in the cup aren't level. Tape the point and spring out and insert a punch into the tip (one narrow enough to get to the contacts without smashing the plastic cup) and tap it a few times with a hammer -- GENTLY....you don;t have to pound the snot out of it. if the contacts are NOT level, this should level them out.

also, check the end of the contact spring...there IS a right and wrong end on them...the wrong end will not have the end flat...you may see a little bit of the spring sticking out..this will make it difficult for the spring to properly short across the contacts.

[CrimsonWolf]

Thanks for all the help guys, I tried everything that was suggested and it still wouldn't register consistantly.

It looks like I need to rewire and to be safe I'll just use a brand new tip set.