22 August 2022
Spooling of first 2000m fiber cable using RMC panel and pendant controller.
22 August 2022
Spooling of 2000m tether cable done. OTDR test after spooling shows no sign of fiber optic disconnection. Splicing of other end ongoing. 1m fiber cord at 2inch housing ongoing assembly.
23 August 2022
UPDATE: 1st 2000m spool and termination done and ready to be shipped.
Started 2nd 2000m spooling. Reached 500m with the winch and OTDR results still perfect.
25 August 2022
Update: Finished spooling the 2nd 2000m spool and OTDR results still perfect.
Next step: Unspooling
30th August 2022
We spooled and unspooled a total of 8km without issue and on Friday 26th, for no apparent reason, the motor stopped working.
Using the controller diagnostic software we found that HALLs U and W were not working. We tested the controller inputs and they were found to be working. Our cabling was also testing good so we decided to disassemble the winch to take the motor out.
Once we opened the motor, the issues were obvious. Bad soldering of the encoder rires U and W on the HALL PCB.
As to the reasons these came loose is clearly a manufacturing soldering defect from the motor manufacturer. After the motor became hot the poor soldering let go of the wires.
This is the first time we have had a quality issue with these motors and the manufacturer has been advised.
We are now reflowing all the wires on the motor and will reassemble everything and start running tests again.
Regards,
Etienne
31 August 2022
Update: Winch reassembled and is now working properly. Stress test ongoing with 120rpm speed.
01 September 2022
RMC already in its case. Winch in its transport case containing the cables and fiber connector and junction box (with spares).
02 September 2022
Winch, 2-2000m fiber cable (spooled), and control panel packed and ready to be shipped.
As per above pictures, the winch system was received in poor condition.
Planned interventions:
- Reassemble the equipment and test. (ongoing)
- Repair anything needed to get it back to functioning condition with old motor and controller.
- Stress test to failure. Use the on board thermistor to monitor temperatures over time.
- Fix any issues to make it as reliable as other units already sold.
- Stress test to ensure failures are no longer an issue
Once the issues are sorted out, we will make the following modifications:
- Modify the mechanical design to allow an easier motor change. (Ongoing)
- Add pogo pins on the motor to allow easier swap of the motor.
- Repair drum.
- Machine new cheek plates and design mods
- Amend software to allow IP address reassignment
- Amend software to allow temperature reading, alarm and cutoff
- Add USB-Serial converter for programming the BLDC controller software without jeopardizing the on-board 232chip
Regards,
Etienne
17th May 2023
Reassembled winch and tested with new motor since the old motor has been taken apart.
Winch worked although the speed and torque of the motor seems lower than original setting.
Unable to communicate with 232 port on controller.
Second controller is providing feedback but not turning the motor. Its possible it has not yet been programmed.
Unable to communicate with that controller’s 232 channel either.
Replacing 232 line drivers on both controllers.
Cleaning and reassembling original motor.
Regards,
E.
18th May 2023
We are unable to achieve communication link with the motor controller.
19th May 2023
Contacted supplier.
25th May 2023
Still waiting for a solution from the supplier.
26th May 2023
Still no news from the supplier.
We have ordered a different motor controller from another supplier. We will test to see if it is compatible with this motor.
If it is, we will amend our control system to accommodate.
This might be the fastest option.
Regards,
Etienne
29th May 2023
We are waiting for delivery of the alternative controller.
Still awaiting response from the original controller supplier.
I believe we will need to work with the alternative controller which is scheduled to arrive before June 7th.
We will need time to integrate and test it before dispatch.
Hopefully we can return the winch by the end of June.
We will keep you informed.
Regards,
E.
09 June
Still waiting for the alternative controller to arrive.
23 June 2023,
We have been ignored by the supplier and bought an alternative controller.
We received the controller and tested it with the motor. This looks like a good alternative but we now need to interface it with the winch controller which will require new parts and re-wiring.
We hope to deliver this by the end of July.
Regards,
Etienne
26 June 2023
Good afternoon Etienne!
As we have already informed in the mail, we are anticipating service inspection works in the coming weeks, so we request to speed up the process and send the item as early as possible