Nova Neptune DVR 55700 Inoperable

[Alan Fletcher]

My one-year old Nova Neptune DVR is dead and it appears the company is no longer in business and neither is Striatech Motors, the company that made the motor with a 10-year warranty. The problem began when I bumped the spring-loaded spindle lock button and it attempted to engage while running at 2,150 RPM. It screeched to a halt but did not engage. Afterwards it will start but quit after only 1/4 turn. The spindle turns freely by hand. I get an error code of 02, which the manual defines as "RPS_State_Error_0", but is not otherwise defined elsewhere in the manual or online. Another clue is the small lightening bolt that briefly appears on the screen when it shuts down, which a repair guy in Iowa told me indicates a load problem, meaning electrical. Question: is this machine toast? Can I fix it with a simple electrical component replacement? No help from Striatech. I have opened the motor and blown out the dust. The bearings seem okay. The display indicates a default start RPM of 500 but shuts down after only 1/4 turn following the start button engagement. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks, Al Fletcher

 

[William Rogers]

Appears Technatool is still in business as is Striatech. Here is the link for Striatech I found on google.

Homepage

Almost Sentient Intuitive Electric MotorsReturn of Investment Within A YearLearn whyIntelligent Motors With Up To 10 Year WarrantyNo brushes. No rotating winding.Learn whyIncredible Energy SavingsUp To 50% In Full Load and Up To 95% In No Load.Learn whyThe Fully Computerized Motor of The...

striatech.com

 

[John Whitley]

Teknatool is still in business, just the USA arm is undergoing Chapter 11 restructuring. The expectation is that that will resolve with it being folded back into Teknatool International, which simply puts the USA on an equal footing with every other country in that regard. It sucks for now, but given that the rest of the world is like "what Nova supply problems?!?" I think it'll work out better for US Nova customers in the end. Reports do vary on customer support responsiveness, which I'd place squarely on US staff cuts related to all of that. Have you attempted to contact their customer service about your lathe?

Likewise, I've not seen anything about problems with Striatech, nor does a quick search produce anything about business issues with them. Recent discussion here also gets into a brand new Grizzly lathe which almost certainly has a Striatech motor and controller. Can you cite a source for news of problems with them?

 

[bob elliott]

Do a google search of An “RPS State Error 0”


“An "RPS State Error 0" typically indicates a problem with the Rotary Position Sensor (RPS) on a NOVA DVR lathe or Shopsmith
PowerPro system. This error often arises due to issues with the sensor itself, its wiring, or the presence of debris interfering with its readings.”
There is much more info on that page.

 

[Alan Fletcher]

Thanks guys, I knew there would be help from this broad audience. Okay, admittedly I overstated the degree to which I was sure that either company is out of business; however, I have over a dozen records of my attempted contacts with both companies. Absolutely no response or help, except for one follow-up question from Nova that may have been from a robot. Their automated systems make it appear that they are viable but either they are all on Summer vacation or no one is around to monitor the recordings or e-mails. Either way they are both dead ends. Along the way others, such as repair guys from hardware stores that sell Nova products, have told me they were out of business, and since I was getting no help it made sense. I'm trying to fix it in time to finish a bowl for the MN state fair and I don't want to wait till some day in the future when and if Tehnatool can solve it's problems with Nova USA. Yes, I tried to reach out to Teknatool New Zealand.

Bob, I'm going to attempt to insert three pics of my partially dismantled motor to see if you can further guide me with ideas of technical possible fixes. Thanks to all, Al

 

[Kevin Jenness]

One more example of why I cling to "old tech". Integrated motors and controls that turn to bricks without proprietary support do not appeal to me. Technatool has some innovative products which work well for many people but if factory support is unavailable the tools become as disposable as Kleenex.