I shorted a redel cable, maybe electronic damage elsewhere.

[yeshelp]

Hello every body.

I made a error of judgment tonight trying to cut corners to save time.
I tried to take the volt mesurement of the chair inside the redel connector instead of somewhere else. I know so little space.
so the multimeter sticks created a spark . The joystick was disconnected. the chair number is S64-041628. quickie 646se.

When I Tried to connect the redel to see if it still works I think there was some light in the joystick but the problem is that I could not connect the redel connector all the way in because apparently the short has added a layer of something ? that might makes it so that it does not want to fully penetrate the other part. Also there is a very obvious black color inside the redel where the spark happened. Maybe the black color is a layer of something . see pictures of the black versus the picture of another redel connecter I have . The male redel connector from the old chair(same model) accepts to connect with the joystick I am using.

After the chair's joystick was disconnected for like 15 minutes I heard a weird noise that I dont recognise. I thought that it was coming from the multimeter but that loud I think it came from the chair. Is it possible that after x minutes joystick disconnected the chair 's computer module emits a sound ? Also after the sound I tried to touch connect again the redel and there was no light in the joystick anymore if Im not mistaken I was stressed so memory not sure for this.

1)If there is something to be done to start the chair's computer module please let me know so that i Know in advance because changing batteries everytime is consuming .Will I have to also do the magic formula of joystick forward backward something like that?

2 )A short like this has created a problem to the redel connector yes but could it have damage the computer or other components? how to verify? maybe a damage to a fuse or breacker?

3) How to resolve. the issue? I have an old chair same model. Both are Q tronix. I see these ways. Let me know how realistic each of them are.
A) To clean the black stuff from the redel . Ish , there is not a lot of space in there, The male extremities are tiny , I dont have specialised stuff to sand that and if the job is not done properly, that might bring some black stuff inside the female part going into the joystick. I have
Hosa Caig Deoxit Contact Cleaner 5% Spray 5 Oz . But is that sufficient? We dont know what prevent the 2 parts from penetrate each other.

B) It is possible to disconnect the redel cable from the computer part I did it once . maybe I could buy one or take the one from the old chair and put it on the working chair? How to test the redel from the old chair or one that i would buy used. I have this multimeter Proster Digital Clamp Meter TRMS 6000counts, 800A DC AC Current AC/DC Voltage NCV Continuity Capacitance Resistance Frequency Diode Hz Test,


C) Maybe I could take a cutter and cut the broken redel cable close to the redel connector, cut the working redel with a bit of loss cable and solder it on the working chair. Now I never opened redel cables. I imagine there are 6 wires? are there 6 wires? Are each of the wires colored with a different color that would make it so that i could not make a mistake while soldering them with the 6 other wires? The downside of this one is that it makes de old computer module not ready to serve and almost ready to garbage , it lessens it.

D) I could buy a new redel cable but it brings me to question B and adds costs.

E) I could switch the computer of the 2 chairs but that comes with some wires manipulations and a I am not completely certain the computer from the old chair is in working order.

F) how easy is it to install just a male connector to a wire. I could cut the cable very close to the redel connector and install a male one. how easy is it . The videos I see are about metal connectors but the this redel seem to mostly be in plastic. Anyone tried to install one before?

I think the option B would be the fastest

LEt me know that you think

Thanks

[Burgerman]

Where to start...

The layer of "something" you are talking about is metal that the short has welded in place in the male or female part. The black is a sotty deposit caused by vaporising metal with electricity.

If it were me. I wold throw it all away and fit NEW batteries and R-Net.

[yeshelp]

I am confident that that is what you would do.
But I have not this freedom . Money is problematic and also there is the time that i have to think about since this is my most comfortable chair and only proven one to be effective in snow. This is the one I would like to keep using . I need one everyday so I look for a quick repair for this one . Not sure the orthofab is good in snow plus I would have adjustements to do to it and preparation for winter and there is the possible draining im' trying to see what to do with your help . I Know you already wrote a lot and you have your day to do If you can still help it would be appreciated, I did not sleep and I am trying to resolve the situations as quickly as possible..

Both have to be working .
Is there a chance that by just replacing the redel cable it will function again? Or this kind of accident usually comes with breacker or fuse to change that would have been damage by the short. If just changing the cable is likely to solve the problem I would put the batteries back in to see if it worked...

[Burgerman]

Its a prehistoric system. As such a redel cable will cost you the same price as a COMPLETE new R-net system. Once you bought that - if you can even find one - then you may still not have a working system.

And its basically plug and play, 30 mins to install. BUT you would need a programmer or at least someone nearby like a dealer that will lend you one. To configure it and make it work.

Complete 120A R-net system, £50+£50 = £100
Redel cable alone, costs more USED than this. And you still have a prehistoric system that is old and tired. And that may not even fix it.

£50, for 6 seating functions, lights, a 120A power module and 2 bus cables.

Add ANY Rnet joystick and you have a full system.
I paid 40 (offer accepted) for a brand new on here:
So a complete system, inc seating etc £90...

[yeshelp]

HI
why do you say then you may still not have a working system if i find a cable? Why would it not be a working system?

I understand that when times come to buy it is worth looking at rnet .And shopping delevery intallation and programmation wich would require some days weeks for me. It is the kind of thing to do when you have 2 working back up chairs so you are not stress . I dont yet. I have 2 but not in order , i progressed but they are not ready so im not yet in a position to do it.

I do have a redel cable from an old chair that looks good so I have it for free. And if it all works, I corrected my mistake fast even if I did not sleep all night working on the chairs.

So that is why im interested in this path and I asked if there are other parts that are likely to be changed with the incident I made yesterday night.
And if there is something to do apart from plugging the other cable to make it work if there is not fuse to change . would you know or it is hard to estimate ?

[Burgerman]

You could have killed the power module, seating module, etc too. The other ends where the cable plugs in may also be damaged internally too. There may be a fuse or breaker, I cant see your chair.

The only way to know is to examine everything properly and test.

Even if it works, you have no more spares... Old and defunct system now. Even used parts are too expensive. Not worth repairing. Its FASTER and cheaper to do R-net conversion, and then do all of your chairs with identical r-net parts. All new and shiny! And spares available easily. And greater power (120A) and bettr efficiency.

Just trying to stop you throwing good money after bad. Bettr to move on!

[Burgerman]

e.g. Canada ebay $49 for a as new 120A power module.
Then you just need a joystick. And a bus cable and good to go!

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/198007922766

[emilevirus]

I wouldn't trust Pilot+ to go outside anyway. I have a R-Net controller, Joystick I could send you cheap if you want.

[Burgerman]

Why?

Pilot plus.
Hole in joystick rubber...
Top laminate repaired with tape as the button "fell off"...
BUTTON/HOLE dirt... Old chair.
https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/pdf-files/hose.jpg

Chair stays outside as basically a pile of spare parts 3 years already in winter / summer.
Dont think outside bothers it very much!

wet movie...
https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/gopro/hoseshorter.mp4

[yeshelp]

I wouldn't trust Pilot+ to go outside anyway. I have a R-Net controller, Joystick I could send you cheap if you want.

Hi Emile
Yes if it is inexpensive and fit the chairs specs. Do you have the specs, In what shape are they? Did you use them? Why do you dont want to keep them anymore?

Thanks

[emilevirus]

Why?

Pilot plus.
Hole in joystick rubber...
Top laminate repaired with tape as the button "fell off"...
BUTTON/HOLE dirt... Old chair.
https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/pdf-files/hose.jpg

Chair stays outside as basically a pile of spare parts 3 years already in winter / summer.
Dont think outside bothers it very much!

wet movie...
https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/gopro/hoseshorter.mp4

I have no idea how it managed to survive. Back when I used Pilot+ it was randomly stopping with error codes. I had to change the joystick cable every 6 months. Small rain drop and everything stopped working. Not sure how yours manage to stay alive.

[emilevirus]

OR as you pointed out the other day. All your PGDT stuff are made in England. American SKUs are made in China. Maybe they're less sealed or something. Even R-Net. I go under the rain for a few mins and screen gets all foggy.

[Burgerman]

Well me either. I dont recommend trying it! The chinese manufactured ones are identical, made in the same PGDT controlled conditions, under licence. Other than a label.

Well I have been out in rain many times, never had a foggy screen or other issues so far. But if its seriously wet I find cover as I dont like being sat in a puddle myself much. Because then I will be the thing that malfunctions.