Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

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Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Hi all,

Does anyone use the USB Pressure Tuner Controller from Lunt.

I have one attached to a Lunt LS60.

Despite having both ( unused ) for a while ( long story ) I've noticed that the tuner suggests there's a leak in my chamber, as it allows pressure to drop by 0.3psi from its setting, then builds by 0.4psi - in a cycle.
I've changed both rings - no difference. I've reduced the pipe to 18 inches as a test - no difference.

Question is, do I have a leak from the inner chamber, or is this 'normal' behaviour for the controller.
Even if there is a leak the controller is keeping me as close on-band as possible, so in that sense it remains workable. :seesaw

Both now out of warranty.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Highbury Mark »

I have one but have never experienced any drop in pressure. I’ve often thought the connection between the pipe and scope/piston could be more robust - ie if there was a proper plug and socket - but it’s always worked well.
Maybe you should go back to the manual tuner and see if you can detect any fall in pressure over a long period of time - with features softening?


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Thanks. It's a possibility I suppose.

Incidentally, did you get two sets of "O" rings with your controller - large and small - Do you know what the smaller ones are for?


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Highbury Mark »

Alto wrote: Wed Jun 03, 2020 2:49 pm Thanks. It's a possibility I suppose.

Incidentally, did you get two sets of "O" rings with your controller - large and small - Do you know what the smaller ones are for?
No - I just got two o-rings that fitted the piston, but I did buy it secondhand. Can’t imagine what the smaller ones would be for.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

I'm waiting for some sun, to test the standard tuning setup.

In the meantime, I've removed the pipe at the 'scope end and firmly clamped it. When the controller is activated it goes through the same pulsing - fall in pressure of 0.3 psi, recovering by 0.4 - in a steady cycle. Seems suggestive.....


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Highbury Mark »

In hindsight it doesn’t sound like a leak is causing your problem. Occasionally my tuner doesn’t stay at its set pressure - it gets there (or very near to the pressure I’ve dialled in) but then keeps faltering, never settling - whenever this happens I just change the target pressure level by a small amount, and then it tends to hit that level and stay there. So it’s never been a problem.
Have you spoken to Lunt about it?


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Yes, Faye said she was looking into it for me....I guess they're rather busy.

I've seen past occasions like yours when it doesn't stay targetted, but a small change sorts that - but this is all the time, even with pressure at 1 psi.....


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Highbury Mark »

Ah ok - sorry I can’t suggest a solution. Bulky thing to send off to be repaired too.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Advice from Lunt.

There's a spring inside the unit that might need a bit of a stretch.

It's not a common occurrence, but it seems they've had previous instances cured by a stretching.... :mrgreen:


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

A spring stretch has a made a small improvement. Sadly it's still not producing a steady pressure.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by solarnoob »

I received my USB Pressure Tuner Controller last week, and I tested it this morning with my Lunt 100. It is somewhat bulky, but it is much better than tuning the scope manually; the pressure stayed on target (tolerance is 0.4 PSI) during my 2-hour session. It even includes a "Goto pressure" setting; I am never touching that tuning knob again!
:beanie:

Frank


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

solarnoob wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2020 8:10 pm I received my USB Pressure Tuner Controller last week, and I tested it this morning with my Lunt 100. It is somewhat bulky, but it is much better than tuning the scope manually; the pressure stayed on target (tolerance is 0.4 PSI) during my 2-hour session. It even includes a "Goto pressure" setting; I am never touching that tuning knob again!
:beanie:

Frank
It's definitely worth it - when it works properly!!!!

I wish they'd update the crappy PC app.

p.s. what sort of pressures do you need to be on target - I've varied, on different sessions, from 12.4 to 18.1 psi....


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by solarnoob »

Alto,
If that helps, I can run whatever test you'd like with mine so that we can compare notes. Let me know.
Frank


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Thanks Frank - just a hint on what kind of pressure settings you need to be on target.

I'll post a photo of the insides when next out in the shed - it's a weighty unit and most of the weight seems to be a steel box inside a steel case, that plus a hefty battery!


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

The inside of the inside (!)
IMG_20200628_094846.jpg
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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by marktownley »

I bet your leak is from one of those many pipe joints, fire it up so it is pressurising the Lunt and then systematically go round each joint / coupling - put a bit of spit / washing up liquid (whatever really!) on each joint and look for the bubbles - there's your leak then. Same principle as the bicycle tire inner tube and a bowl of water to find the puncture. Putting the whole unit above in a bowl of water is probably a bad idea.

When you've found the leak depending on where it is will dictate the fix.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Hi Mark - I've tried that one......


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by marktownley »

Wheres the leak? on the accumulator tank?


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

I've no idea Mark - there's little more I can check. I wonder if perhaps there's a dodgy sensor ( where that length of pipe reaches the circuit board ). If I squeeze that bit of pipe the pulsing stops but that might be a poorly executed test.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

It seems to be something to do with the spring - though I can't work out how the valve works given the way it's assembled. I've re-stretched and twisted the spring - it's a wee bittie cheap looking! - and I've got the pulse down to maybe 4 a minute rather than 10-15 a minute - so some improvement!


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by marktownley »

Post up some pics. Sounds like it's a mechanical predicament. I'm sure it's fixable.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by marktownley »

How tight is that o-ring seal around the brass rod?


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Hi Mark,

It's tight on - I've added a smear of silicon. There's resistance as it enters the chamber.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by solarnoob »

Alto wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2020 2:16 pm Thanks Frank - just a hint on what kind of pressure settings you need to be on target.

I'll post a photo of the insides when next out in the shed - it's a weighty unit and most of the weight seems to be a steel box inside a steel case, that plus a hefty battery!
Not sure if this is what you are looking for. See pictures below, I tried a few PSI ; it took seconds for the target PSI to be reached.
Hope this helps.

Frank
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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Unit on its way back from Bresser - a fault was discovered with a leak in the internal compressor unit - which was replaced. Hopefully I'll get to test it before the sun gets too low.


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Damn stupid thing - Playing up once again!

Good when it works, otherwise an expensive brick!


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Och well.

That's 'scope and controller on their way to Germany for checking. Pricey on p&p - hope Wolfgang and co find something again!

Got to rebalance the rig as there's only the 102 for CaK on the mount for the next wee while. Once we get rid of this overcastness of today!


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Oh sh**.

Package received and signed for. Then lost within Bresser for 10 days, despite clear label Repair Dept!

It'll be a further week before it can be seen...


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by marktownley »

Doh! Good luck


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

'Scope tests as OK.

Another leak in the controller!

I'm cursed! Especially as the sun has favoured us over last few days!


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by marktownley »

Alto wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 2:53 pm 'Scope tests as OK.

Another leak in the controller!

I'm cursed! Especially as the sun has favoured us over last few days!
That's not good -there can't be that many parts to go wrong, do you know a friendly gas fitter who can look at it locally?


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

Chuckles!

Bresser say, so far, things are looking good pressure-wise, with whatever change they've made.

You're right, though, there aren't that many parts in the inner box (as earlier images).

At the price this thing was it ought to be more robust!


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Re: Lunt LS60 & USB Controller

Post by Alto »

leaks at the controller are extremely rare. Your case was the first time that something like this happened twice to a customer. If there is a leak, it can unfortunately only be repaired by our technicians.
Looking forward to seeing the toys back home - hopefully the clouds will have cleared by then!


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