Kappa edger questions

**Vortwein** · 03-20-2013, 01:48 PM

Hi there. I have a Kappa edger that recently has been giving me trouble. The water flow is very weak, which makes edging poly look terrible and polish even worse. I have the levers on the side cranked up as far as they will go. It seems like when the water comes on, it has good pressure, but then it slowly dies and is just trickling down the back of the machine, not hitting the wheels at all. The manual is useless for this problem. I'm looking to troubleshoot without calling Gerber and getting a 'we'll send a technician' answer...it seems like something I can fix myself! Anyone have any ideas/tips? Thanks!

**EyeCare Rich** · 03-20-2013, 02:06 PM

Have you checked your water flow tubes/hoses out yet? Sounds like a clog in either the pump, or the water supply lines. Good luck.

**Plausible** · 03-20-2013, 02:26 PM

Along with the hoses be sure to check the pump itself. Kind of sounds like it may be bad.

**dgg0732** · 03-21-2013, 06:30 AM

You need an air compressor for cleaning the water hoses.

**Craig** · 03-21-2013, 06:58 AM

Check the electrical connections. We just had a loose plug on our back water and it caused intermittent problems.

**PRECISIONLAB** · 03-21-2013, 07:35 AM

Can you post pic of edger tank? How is water flow during a CR-39 cycle? I had a similar issue and the solution was maintaining a sufficient water level in tank. Sounds simple and obvious but this is what was happening. As you know the poly cycle is a bit longer so...water pumping for rinse of swarf from back...then water on for finish bevel...then on for polish cycle..with a total edge cycle time of 4-5 minutes. I'm guessing @ least 3-4 gallons is cycled. If the filter is not allowing water to return to a normal level in tank then pump does not have water to pump and pressure will drop. Test pump by going to "clean chamber" setting which will turn on pump for as long as needed. We switched to a larger tank and empty/clean daily.

**Vortwein** · 03-21-2013, 12:55 PM

We have a direct water connection, not a pump and tank. The hoses looked good from what I can see. I will double check the electrical connections! We are having some work done in our office, and I found out that the water had been shut off for a day...but I disconnected the hose from the faucet to check the water pressure, and it seemed to be coming out fine.

**Plausible** · 03-21-2013, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Vortwein

We have a direct water connection, not a pump and tank. The hoses looked good from what I can see. I will double check the electrical connections! We are having some work done in our office, and I found out that the water had been shut off for a day...but I disconnected the hose from the faucet to check the water pressure, and it seemed to be coming out fine.

Can you disconnect the hoses and flush / run water through them to be sure that they are not clogged?

**obxeyeguy** · 03-21-2013, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Vortwein

We have a direct water connection, not a pump and tank.

Use barcode test #35 to check your solanoids. I believe that there is a pressure adjustment on it also.

**Vortwein** · 03-21-2013, 03:10 PM

Whelp, I disconnected the hoses from the back-no clogs. I used barcode 35...the water comes on, but varies between a strong stream and a weak one. I didn't see any option for adjusting pressure. I am stumped!

**kdavenport** · 03-21-2013, 07:35 PM

If you need new selenoids, I have two new ones from my retired Kappai I will be happy to sell.

**Vortwein** · 03-22-2013, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by kdavenport

If you need new selenoids, I have two new ones from my retired Kappai I will be happy to sell.

I will check with the boss, I might take you up on that. I can't imagine what else would be wrong.

**Vortwein** · 04-02-2013, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by kdavenport

If you need new selenoids, I have two new ones from my retired Kappai I will be happy to sell.

I spoke with Diagnostics, and they suggested I swap the soldenoids around to see if the water ran better. I did and it didn't. How much are you willing to sell your new solenoids for? Are they for a 230V machine?

**kdavenport** · 04-02-2013, 07:30 PM

I will sell them for $250 which includes shipping by UPS. I will check the voltage in the morning and get back with you.

**kdavenport** · 04-03-2013, 05:04 PM

What's your email and I will email close up pics of the selenoids

**kdavenport** · 04-08-2013, 06:29 AM

Here are two pictures of they solenoids. Does this help to answer your question?

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**Vortwein** · 04-10-2013, 07:04 AM

Can I have your email? I have a few more questions.

**daveyboy** · 04-14-2013, 09:03 PM

Saw a similar problem in the past. The city was working on the water supply and after they were finished the water pressure was reduced to the edger. You could try to turn off the water supply and remove the solenoids then connect the water supply without the solenoids. See how the water flows through the edger without the solenoids.

Most solenoids are easy to open. There should be four screws that hold two brass parts of the body together. Inside there is a rubber plate and spring. Check there is no grit stuck in the springs. If the city were working on your water supply sometimes there will be some grit in the water after they switch it back on.

Also some solenoids have a mesh filter disc in the inlet to the solenoid body. Take off the water hose to the inlet and check if there is one there (it may need to be cleaned).

Dont forget to turn off the water before you open the solenoids.