Troubleshooting
5
5-3
Problem
Solution
Dropping chamber will not drop
Travel lock engaged
Controller not initiated
Current at portable ion pump power increases
after each drop.
Ferrofluidic rotary feedthrough needs to
be replaced.
Vacuum level (ion pump current) consistently
high.
This can be caused by a small leak in the
dropping chamber (usually at an O-ring
seal). Also, the ion pump may need to be
replaced. Leak check the dropping
chamber. If no leaks are found, replace
the ion pump. The life of the Ion Pump is
rated as 20,000 hours at 1 x 10
-6
torr
(continuous operation). However, ion
pump life is usually much less if the
pump is shut off and restarted often.
OSC mode does not operate continuously, and
cart drives into lower spring
Velocity servo needs to be adjusted
Noisy catch.
Catch offset and ramp need to be adjusted
Hum at the top of the drop.
Hold servo gain needs to be reduced.
Shaft encoder is dirty and needs to be
blown clean with high pressure air.
Upward or downward trend in gravity values
(time series plot).
Ion pump is not turned on.
Time or date on PC controller have been
set incorrectly.
Tide correction flag has not been set in
the FG5COMND.DAT file.
Latitude or longitude have been entered
incorrectly in the FG5COMND.DAT file.
Set up on non-rigid floor and verticality
of the beam is drifting.
Single clicking sound during lift and drop.
Drive belt developing fracture and needs
to be replaced.
Stops after one drop and resets itself
Drive belt could be loose and may need to
be tightened.
Multiple clicking sounds during lift and drop.
Drive bearing needs to be replaced.
Cart drives to the top very fast
No shaft encoder signal. Check cable
connection Check that the cart voltage
Summary of Contents for FG5
Page 22: ...Design Components and Function 2 Figure 2 10 The Superspring 2 14 ...
Page 31: ...Design Components and Function 2 Figure 2 13 Rotation Monitor 2 23 ...
Page 32: ......
Page 42: ...How to Set Up and Run the FG5 3 3 10 ...
Page 44: ...How to Set Up and Run the FG5 3 Figure 3 2 V Post 3 12 ...
Page 53: ...How to Set Up and Run the FG5 3 1 Backup the data 2 Shut off computer power 3 21 ...
Page 87: ...Adjustment and Maintenance 4 4 29 ...
Page 91: ...Adjustment and Maintenance 4 4 33 ...
Page 104: ...Troubleshooting 5 5 2 ...
Page 117: ...Troubleshooting 5 5 15 ...
Page 131: ...Checklists and Logs Appendix D 9 3 ...
Page 140: ...Checklists and Logs Appendix D Table 9 6 Replacing Drive Belt 9 12 ...
Page 145: ...Checklists and Logs Appendix D Table 9 10 Replace Linear Bearings 9 17 ...
Page 149: ...Checklists and Logs Appendix D Table 9 13 Replace Shaft Encoder 9 21 ...