Gamma edger problem

**THE MEB** · 10-04-2008, 05:21 AM

We are blowing a fuse(literally and figuratively) every morning on our Gamma edger when we do our first job of the day. It doesn't blow(at least literally) any other time throughout the day. We looked it up in our manual to no avail, and replaced some electronic components at Gerber's suggestion. We have 2 on our staff who can take the edger apart, for the most part if we can find the reason the fuses keep blowing. Gerber's answer is to send one of their technicians out, because of where we live will be beaucoup bucks. Have any Optiboarders had similar problems with their Gamma and be willing to offer suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help in resolving dilema, for we are now on a short fuse(literally and figuratively)

**Thumbs** · 10-04-2008, 07:36 AM

Maybe a crazy question, but have you changed the fuse holders and are you using the proper fuses?
My experience is they are made of plastic with a sping inside to keep the fuse tight. Over time, the holder dries out from the heat in the edger and the fuse becomes loose. When you turn on the edger, the electrical current going thru the fuse holder will arc and blow the fuse. Don't try to find the same fuse holder locally, you won't find them. Just order them from GC, don't complain about the price, replace them in your edger and you should be a happy edger operator.

Good Luck!

**THE MEB** · 10-04-2008, 08:33 AM

Thumbs Up!!! I will pass on the info to the powers that be, sounds like something worth our while to try. Thanks for the help.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 10-04-2008, 09:10 AM

Just replace the fuse with a .22 long rifle cartridge.:D:D

Seriously, only the first job of the day? It does sound like the fuse holder has maybe gone pootie. Does your edger have a "warm-up" servo motor cycle? If so, does it blow during that? If not,, your cutter motor may be binding, or ready to go itself.I'm assuming you're using the correct, non-fast-blowing fuse. Try to isolate what's going on when it blows for the first time that's different form other times. Are there other machines on the same circuit?

**JRS** · 10-04-2008, 09:30 AM

If I can venture a guess, it sounds like the bearing are tight. They tighten (seize maybe a better word) up over night and the initial startup (everything cold) is causing the main motor to ask for excessive voltage. The fuse gives out. Once it gets started - post first job, the load is less and no blown fuse.

**Thumbs** · 10-04-2008, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

Just replace the fuse with a .22 long rifle cartridge.:D:D

Seriously, only the first job of the day? It does sound like the fuse holder has maybe gone pootie. Does your edger have a "warm-up" servo motor cycle? If so, does it blow during that? If not,, your cutter motor may be binding, or ready to go itself.I'm assuming you're using the correct, non-fast-blowing fuse. Try to isolate what's going on when it blows for the first time that's different form other times. Are there other machines on the same circuit?

Sounds like a diagnosis for an SGX Generator, servo motors and cutters.

**Thumbs** · 10-04-2008, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by JRS

If I can venture a guess, it sounds like the bearing are tight. They tighten (seize maybe a better word) up over night and the initial startup (everything cold) is causing the main motor to ask for excessive voltage. The fuse gives out. Once it gets started - post first job, the load is less and no blown fuse.

If it where bearings that are seizing, it would probably blow the fuse on the initialization of the machine.