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Electrical Guru Question - Baler Monitor

K

Kerwin

Member
I've got a baler monitor for my New Idea 484 round baler that no longer indicates when the bale is done. The full bale light/alarm do not come on. I've checked the harness and switch, and I have continuity to the switch and switch functions OK. The circuit is open when the bale is getting formed and then closes once the bale lifts the catch enough to let switch arm move. Anyway, I would think there should be some voltage coming out of the monitor and then flowing through switch back to monitor to indicate the full bale.

Anyone know how to troubleshoot on a circuit board? I opened it up and there's a lot going on inside the monitor as far as circuit components on the board for being such a simple functioning monitor.

I know that I can bale without the full bale indicator, but I'd rather have the function operating as I rotate a couple of different tractors on the baler...hard for me to rely on sound and RPM drop to know when bale is full.
 
Your best bet. Is to contact the OEM that made the system. A circuit board is not something you want to play with. One wrong connection and you can destroy the system. I have over fifty years working with control systems. Trust me you don't want to make that mistake. Depending on the system it could shut the whole system down. Leaving you with a pile of scrap. I know people mean well. But that is no help when you knock out something you need.
 
Yes, that's what I was afraid of when I opened it up and saw the circuit board. Too much going on for some simple diagnostics. I've got the names of a couple of companies that repair older Ag electronics, not sure if AGCO would even know what to do with this old monitor other than try and sell me a new baler.
 
I don't know your system. It could be a failed board or some sensor out of adjustment. But sometimes it is better to upgrade to a newer system. You could look for any instructions on that system. Might save yourself some money. But it might be time for an upgrade.
 
As far as troubleshooting a circuit board, without a schematic and knowing how to read it, about all you can do us look for the obvious.

Look it over for heat discolored components. Slightly discolored resistors don't count, but charred is not good. Look for swollen capacitors. Anything that doesn't look normal.

But one of the most common failures is broken solder connections. They usually happen around areas that are physically stressed, like terminal strips, any large components, but can happen anywhere.

Look the board over, try to find where the circuit in question connects. Start there and look for a cracked ring around where any related components are soldered to the back side of the board. A jewelers loupe or good magnifying glass helps. Also if you can connect an ohm meter to the circuit and gently move the components around, look for a loss of connection.

Sometimes just going through the motions of removing, cleaning any edge connectors, plugs, wire terminal connections, and reinstalling will make one work.
 
Steve has some good pointers. If you are good with a solder gun. You can repair the joints. But don't try to repair the very small joints.
 
Does the unit have a model number? Sometimes you can get a schematic, but unless you have electronics knowledge, it won't do any good. I'm an electronics engineer and find it can be a challenge to get service information.

I've tried to get schematics for battery charger circuits from Schumacher and find that's a brick wall - no schematics. Fortunately battery chargers are fairly basic.

You have good information in your other replies.
 
I just had the monitor on my 484 go out also. I sent mine to Ag Express for repair. Most repairs are done in 24 hours.I had mine repaired and back to baling hay in less than a week.
 
There is a company that can check out and rebuild monitors like that and pretty reasonable ag express I think I?m sure someone here knows ? I contacted them about my baler monitors and they said they could go through both monitors for around 150$
 
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