Dremel isn't working!!!

[Spacehonkey]

I just got back from my vacation and I wanted to do some more work on my skeleton hands for Monitor Mod (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6802) but when I went to turn on my Dremel it didn't work at all. I figured OK just needs a charge, even though it's suppose to hold a charge for 2 years. Then I noticed the base station green light won't come on when I plug the Dremel Stylus (http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66204&I=69808) in. I'm guessing it got fired somehow but I've got it pluged into a surge protector so I'm not sure what the hell happened to it. It worked just fine before I left a week ago.

[Eclecticos]

You may have overcharged the battery. . I had a Cordless Phone and a Drill go out like that. Was it real hot?
Have you tried a different outlet?

[Spawn-Inc]

blown fuse inside?

[OvRiDe]

Wow its been a BAD week for rotary tools.. heh

I don't know about the stylus, but some of the dremels have replaceable brushes. Since they are removable, maybe one slipped out of place. I suggest checking the troubleshooting section of the manual, maybe there is something in there.

Good luck.

[Spacehonkey]

You may have overcharged the battery. . I had a Cordless Phone and a Drill go out like that. Was it real hot?
Have you tried a different outlet?

I tried a couple different outlets with no luck.:(


blown fuse inside?

I thought about that. I saw that I might be able to unscrew the bottom plate on the charging station but I haven't opened it up yet. Before I went and did that I thought I would get a few suggestions from you guys.



I don't know about the stylus, but some of the dremels have replaceable brushes.

Replaceable Brushes?

[Drum Thumper]

Replaceable Brushes?

On the motor. At least I think that's what the OP is getting at.

[Spacehonkey]

I had another look at the charging base and they used some special screws to put it together. I need a triangle tip screwdriver to get them off.:(

[OvRiDe]

I was indeed talking about the brushes in the motor. I am not sure how the Stylus is constructed compared to some of the others, but if it is the brushes, its like a 3 dollar fix. Which would be nice!

HERE (http://www.hobbieguyrc.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16790&category_id=426) is an example of what I was talking about..

It may be a long shot but I figured it was worth mentioning.

[Spawn-Inc]

I was indeed talking about the brushes in the motor. I am not sure how the Stylus is constructed compared to some of the others, but if it is the brushes, its like a 3 dollar fix. Which would be nice!

HERE (http://www.hobbieguyrc.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16790&category_id=426) is an example of what I was talking about..

It may be a long shot but I figured it was worth mentioning.

in case you still don't understnad/know what hes talking about look for caps like these
(green hand pointing to them)
http://www.bellcoglass.com/images/brush%20repl3.jpg

i looked at the stylus from pictures and couldn't see any so i don't think they can be replaced (easily anyway)
but like i said before if the base isn't working (no green light) then its probably a fuse or something inside the base.

[OvRiDe]

like i said before if the base isn't working (no green light) then its probably a fuse or something inside the base.

Yep.. I totally overlooked the part about no green light... If you have a VOM (Volt Ohm Meter) you could try checking if there is any voltage on the base charging contacts. I would have to agree with Spawn here.. it sounds like the the charging station is dead. Those are pretty new for the market, still under warranty?

[Spacehonkey]

Yep.. I totally overlooked the part about no green light... If you have a VOM (Volt Ohm Meter) you could try checking if there is any voltage on the base charging contacts. I would have to agree with Spawn here.. it sounds like the the charging station is dead. Those are pretty new for the market, still under warranty?


Now why didn't I think about checking the charging contacts. I'll get right on that. Of coarse it'll have to wait until I finish watching UFC season 5 finals.

[Spacehonkey]

Well I shot for power on the posts on the charging station and they are good. So then I opened up the Dremel and shot for power on the batteries they also shot good. I looked for the brushes or at least a way to gain access to them on the motor but I can't see anything. I took some pix to help you guys see want I'm talking about.

All taken apart
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/spacehonkey/Computer%20Mod/Dremel001.jpg

Close-up
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/spacehonkey/Computer%20Mod/Dremel002.jpg

[OvRiDe]

Well unfortunately if you had to dig that deep to even get to where you can see if the brushes are replaceable, then Dremel didn't make them replaceable. :( If the batteries are good then I would guess that the charging circuit is ok. Now I would see if you have power to the on/off switch, and then to the variable speed control .. This is proabably in vain because I fear its the motor itself. But who knows you may get lucky.. :)

[Redundant]

I would try unplugging the motor and hooking up a 9-volt battery to it. (it looks like it can be unplugged at least, you could probably do it while it's still wired up too)

If the motor works, you've narrowed your problem to the small amount of wiring in it.
EDIT: Actually, I'd suggest checking, in particular, the cables coming out of that over discharge circuit to the left of the battery; that might be the problem, though it cannot be fixed easily if it is.

[Spacehonkey]

Hey guys a quick update. I sent the dremel back to the company and I just received a nice shiny new one. :banana: Problem solved.