ARB Turbo Timer info
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 08:03
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Thermoguard Instruments
Hi All,
The ARB turbo timer in our Discovery has 'died'.
Well, more accurately, it stopped working after I inadvertently shorted out the pump solenoid circuit a few weeks ago...
After replacing the vehicle fuse the engine runs OK but, while the timer's six timer setting LEDs still work and can be stepped around the different settings, the unit doesn't keep the engine running after the key is turned-off.
Had a quick look at the control unit but couldn't spot a fuse. Does anyone have technical info and/or a circuit diagram for one of these units? It has a small display/setting unit on the dash (stop button, six time settings LEDs and a change setting button), connected to the main control unit under the dash by a 'phone-type cable. I emailed the ARB Tech Info section - with precisely zero response!
Please, no comments about the worth, need or legality of turbo timers. That's been done to death. The unit was in the Disco when we bought it and I've found it invaluable in ensuring the turbo doesn't
cook in it's own oil after hard work.
Ian.
Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 08:20
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 08:20
Ian,
The main problem with turbo timers was the earth connection of the unit.
Even thought it has been working up until a few weeks ago, I would still check the earth wire.
Wayne
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Thermoguard Instruments - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 09:16
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 09:16
Thanks Wayne. Will check that. Ian
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Reply By: Mick15 - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 10:08
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 10:08
Sorry i can't give you a difinitive answer, but i had a turbo timer on a car some time ago, it used three transistors to hold power onto the ON curcuit when the key was turned off.
I found that when too much current was pulled through it, a transistor or two would blow, you could see when you pulled it apart as they get damn hot and there should be evidence of it overheating - if its something so simple as this you should just be able to read the part numbers off of the transisitor and replace it (dick smith, jaycar etc) - then preferrably use heat transfer compound and don't get it too hot when soldering it in.
If you don't know what to look for it would be a small black box 10mm x 5mm with three electrical connections and usually a metal tab with a small bolt holding it to the circuit board or a heatsink - they do generate some heat so it is important to have good contact with the mounting surface.
But thats assuming its the same thing - i could be on the wrong track, still, something to check.
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Follow Up By: Thermoguard Instruments - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 09:15
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 09:15
Hi Mick,
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm reasonable at hobby-level electronics but was hoping to avoid a full component-level fault finding exercise if someone could point me to a
well-hidden fuse or similar.
I learned that all electronic components have a tiny puff of smoke embedded into them at the factory many years ago - 1st year uni I think. In a 'prac', we must've got a resistor value wrong by a factor of 1000 or so. When we connected the power to our circuit, a little TO-92 package transistor immediately split in half and errupted like a microscopic volcano! We didn't get very good marks for that 'prac' as I recall...
Thanks again. Ian
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603671
Reply By: Member - Matt (Perth-WA) - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:03
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:03
Ian...correct me if Im wrong but isnt the ARB one a Bogaard timer?
Could you try them direct rather than ARB technical support?
All the best
Matt.
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt (Perth-WA) - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:06
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 11:06
Bogaard
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Follow Up By: Mick15 - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 13:20
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 13:20
interesting, the one i was talking about earlier was a bogaard, probably a bit older though (maybe) had a switch to select 1 3 or 5 minutes and an override stop button.
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Follow Up By: Peter 2 - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 13:31
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 13:31
Yes I've got a really old one on a petrol turbo that has the1,3,5 switch and a stop button.
The newer ones with LEDS etc look to be moulded and might not be repairable as dissasembly may be an impossibility.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 22:10
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 22:10
go toAutobarn and get a Minitimer for about $79
works Ok in my cruiser anyway
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Follow Up By: Thermoguard Instruments - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 09:07
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 09:07
Thanks Matt & others,
I've never had a close look at a Bogaard (never needed to - already had a T-timer...) but I will see if it's similar.
Mine has the the Stop button on the left, ARB logo, six LEDS (0.5, 1,2,3,4,5 min) and the Select button on the right.
As mentioned, this display panel still appears to work OK, so I suspect the fault is in the ign. switch bypass circuit in the main under-dash unit. And I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a fuse or silimar in there.
Thanks again. Ian
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