Troubleshooting General Motor

  1. There are no adjustments to the robot, so if a faulty or worn part causes the robot to malfunction, replace that part.
  2. If you are not skilled at soldering, you should send in your Control Box for service if soldering is indicated. Control Box parts are small and easily damaged. Improper soldering may void your warranty and service policy.
  3. If you open the Control Box, unscrew only the 4 corner screws. Do not remove the 4 screws in the middle.
  4. The following solutions will apply to all models of Newgy Robots, except if marked with the following
    footnotes: 1 Robo-Pong® 1000 only, 2 Robo-Pong® 2000 only, 9 Model 1929only.
   
PROBLEM: Ball Speed Motor or Ball Feed Motor runs backward.
SOLUTIONS:
  1. The 5 Pin Connector is incorrectly wired or the motor connections are reversed. In either case, switching the wires on the motor will correct the problem. See Owner's Manual.
   
PROBLEM: One or two motors don't run, but the others run normally.
SOLUTIONS:
  1. If the problem is either the Ball Feed or Oscillator Motor, check the nylon transfer gears connected to the motor for obstructions. These gears can become clogged with dirt, hair, or fibers. Clean and re-lubricate sparingly with light grease. Replace any gears with worn gear teeth. See Owner's Manual. (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  2. Check the 5 Pin Connector to see if two of the terminals are touching or if a wire is not soldered securely to its terminal. If so, carefully bend the terminals apart to keep them from touching or re-solder the connection. See Owner's Manual.
  3. One or both of the wires to the inoperative motor are broken off or unattached. Reattach.
  4. Be sure wires attached to motor are not touching each other. If wires are touching, bend terminals apart to keep wires from shorting each other out.
  5. One of the wires inside the Connector Cable is broken. Examine the cable by plugging it in, turning on the power, and adjusting the knob(s) controlling the inoperative motor(s) to 10. Then twist, turn, push, and pull a small section at a time trying to get the broken wires inside the cable to make contact with one another. If the inoperative motor suddenly starts running, you have found the break. If break can be found, repair or replace.
  6. Motor is "frozen" (especially likely if robot has not been used for awhile or is stored in a damp environment). Detach all gears connected to the motor. Connect all cords, turn on the power, and turn knob controlling the inoperative motor to 10. Give the brass shaft or gear at the end of the motor a turn with your fingers. If the motor was frozen, motor will start spinning. Lubricate motor with an electrical contact cleaner/lubricant. See Owner's Manual. (all models except 1050 and 2050)
  7. Motor is defective. The motor can be tested by connecting it to a 9 volt battery. (all models excepts 1050 and 2050) Before testing, disconnect the wires attached to that motor and any gears that are connected in sequence to the motor. If the motor does not run from another power source (such as the batteries), it must be replaced. See Owner's Manual.
  8. The voltage regulator and/or the potentiometer inside the Control Box that governs the inoperative motor has gone bad. Replace or send in for repair. See Owner's Manual. (all models excepts 1050 and 2050)
  9. If none of the above solutions work, the problem is likely a short or bad component inside the Control Box. Replace or send in for repair. (all models excepts 1050 and 2050)
   
PROBLEM: A motor runs, but does not change speed when adjustments are made at the Control Box is turned.
SOLUTIONS:
  1. If all the motors run at top speed, check to be sure the wires connecting the Potentiometer Circuit Board to the Main Circuit Board inside the Control Box are plugged in securely. Red wire goes to the #1 terminal.1,2 (applies only to 1000, 2000, 540, 1040 and 2040)
  2. See Owner's Manual.
   
PROBLEM: Changing one setting at the Control Box affects a motor other than the intended motor.
SOLUTIONS:

  1. Check the 5 Pin Connector to see if any of the wires or terminals touch each other. If so, carefully bend the terminals apart. If there is a solder bridge, cut or melt the bridge between them. See Owner's Manual.

  2. Voltage regulators inside control box are shorting across each other. Be sure insulator pad is preventing shorting via contact with metal bottom of the Control Box. Also check to be sure the Voltage Regulator Bracket is not shorting across the Voltage Regulators. (applies to 1000, 2000, 540, 1040 and 2040)

  3. Wires inside the Connector Cable are broken and shorting across one another. See Owner's Manual.
   
PROBLEM: All motors run slow.
SOLUTIONS:
  1. Check to be sure you are using the correct transformer. The correct output voltage should be 12V AC, 1.2 to 1.6 amps (1200 to 1600 mamps).
  2. Bridge Rectifier inside Control Box is bad. Replace.1,2 Please contact customer service.

 

Footnotes:
1 Applies to Robo-Pong® 1000 robots only.
2 Applies to Robo-Pong® 2000 robots only.
9 Applies to Model 1929 robots only.