While Sub-contracting for Leed Engineering on their large tunneling project on the bendigo mains water line the control box on the largest micro tunneling machines gave up. Power drivers that control the steering and camera failed. After stripping down and blowing all the dust out of the circuit boards the problem power transistors were identified. Replaceing did not realy last long as they blew again. Much time was spent tracing the fault down to a Milspec coupling that had been damaged by a bit of rough handling. After this was replaced , along with a new set of power transistors we were back in action.
Lesson learned : Although we work with heavy and large equipment , there are parts that need to be treated delicately and with much care.
Control box shut down - notice the gaping hole which we covered up to stop dust form getting into the electronics.
4 Silver and 4 Black power transistors that were replaced.
Faulty Milspec coupling that started all the problems
Control box ready for action - dust problem also solved.
