Acti-feed not working???

[Mary Bowser]

I've got a Big Red, and it looks like no thread is feeding down to the needle, not just on one needle (I've tried at least 6)It sews for a little while, a hundred stitches or so, but all that is visible is bobbin thread on the top. And then the thread breaks. I usually use Standard acti-feed, but tried Auto, that didn't change anything. I've rebooted the computer, changed bobbin cases, and anything else I could think of. Any ideas?
Mary Bowser

[Rod or Sharon]

Mary,

In OS, go into Maintenance, Steppers and click on "Home" in the Thread Feed column. Also click on the tab in this same column for Thread Feed 200 and see if it will feed thread when doing this.

If it won't, then there is a possibility that the thread feed motor has gone kaput and will need to be replaced.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Mary Bowser]

Okay, I did that and although it made a noise when I hit "home" and "Fwd 200" no thread came shooting out anywhere. I'm guessing it would have come out at needle 9 since that is the needle it's on.
Is a thread feed motor something we can replace ourselves?
When it rains, it pours...and it is, in Indianapolis today!
Mary

[Rod or Sharon]

Mary,

The thread feed 200 is a test to see if the thread feed motor/computer is feeding the proper amount of thread it is suppose to.

When clicking on the 200 tab, a length of thread 88 to 91 mm in length will be fed out on every click. Techs will pull out the thread , trim it off at the grabber blade, click 200, trim, click 200, trim, etc. With 4 or 5 lengths to measure, it can be determined if the system is or is not feeding properly.

As far as replacing it yourself....well that depends on how mechanically , computer , electrically inclined you may be....there is an optical sensor involved that is easily damaged along with the PC board it is attached to, wiring, gear & flag.....etc....I hesitate to say go for it....a tech call would be advisable.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Mary Bowser]

After being out of town all last week I finally called Melco for help with the problem. We determined that the Thread Feeder Gear was broken and I have the new parts on order. However, the special "Feeder Drive Gear Shaft Tool, part # 30617" is on back order and they don't know when it will be in. Is there anyone out there who has one to lend? Or buy? My parts will be here by Friday or Monday so if you'd send it right away, we'd use it and then send it back. Of course I'll pay for shipping.
Please let me know ASAP, I'm down to one machine and it hurts!
Thanks!
Mary Bowser
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