Epee tip (?) question

[ysbadadden]

Problem coming up recently with annoying frequency: epee stops registering touches. Blade wiring and socket connections seem sound. Take the tip apart and use a screwdriver to short across the two pins inside the socket: that registers. Maybe the contact spring is too short, so we stretch it -- now we're sure it's long enough, because if we push the tip in, the spring pushes back. But it still doesn't register, or registers only sporadically. What's wrong, and what repair is indicated?

All I've been able to think of is that the pins have been pushed too far in for the contact spring to reach them (yes, the contact spring is straight). In that case, rewire, right? (But if the pins have been pushed too far in, how did the screwdriver reach them?)

Could it be something else, with a different fix? Or do we just rewire?

[Goldgar]

Could it be something else, with a different fix? Or do we just rewire?

Maybe a short to ground. Did you check for that?

[DHCJr]

Is the bottom of the spring flat? Not only does it need to be straight, it must be flat. Is there corrosion on the bottom of the spring or on the contacts?

You are probably putting the screwdriver in between the two contact points and then twisting, which causes the blade of the screwdriver to come in contact with the sides of the contacts, not the top. The spring comes in contact with the top.

Try a different tip.

[Purple Fencer]

The contacts also might not be level. Get a 3.5mm flat head punch, insert it against the contacts, tap gently with a hammer of some sort (4-5 times should do it) and then retest.

That's how I SET my epee contacts....gets 'em down all the way and levels the contacts in the same action.

[wdragon007]

I'd try cleaning the contacts with a Qtip and alcohol. I've solved intermittent frequently doing that simple thing. If that doesn't fix it, I'd check the contact spring as others have mentioned because if it's not hitting both contacts it's going to cause that issue.

[K O'N]

Problem coming up recently with annoying frequency: epee stops registering touches. Blade wiring and socket connections seem sound. Take the tip apart and use a screwdriver to short across the two pins inside the socket: that registers. Maybe the contact spring is too short, so we stretch it -- now we're sure it's long enough, because if we push the tip in, the spring pushes back. But it still doesn't register, or registers only sporadically. What's wrong, and what repair is indicated?

All I've been able to think of is that the pins have been pushed too far in for the contact spring to reach them (yes, the contact spring is straight). In that case, rewire, right? (But if the pins have been pushed too far in, how did the screwdriver reach them?)

Could it be something else, with a different fix? Or do we just rewire?

First, check for ground. It's possible that you're grounding at the bell or in the tip, that the tip is connecting A to B, but that the box doesn't register the touch because the thing is grounding. If you use LP tips the screws may be grounding to the core of the tip, I had that happen a few times with my last batch of LP tips, so test for ground with the tip in and the screws in.

Second, German wires? If so the contact spring may be catching on the cup. The long term solution is to not use German wires. Short term, turn the tip 180 degrees, see if that helps. Try a new tip.

The contacts may not be level. Use a punch to level the contacts (gently!).

If they're not German wires or you're sure it's not catching on the cup, try putting the tip in and holding one probe of the meter on the face of the tip and the other on the A plug in the socket. You should see a connection when you press the tip down. Now try the B plug. Again, should see a connection.

This should narrow down the problem. I'd bet the contacts aren't level.

K O'N