Formostar Trouble

[Beach Bum]

The "yellow" pad is not heating too hot and sometimes not at all. I plug the "yellow" pad into the "red" port and it works. I plug the "red" pad into the "red" port and it doesn't work properly.

Apparently a problem with the unit, and not the pad. What could it be? the fuse? something else? something inside the unit? ???

[Din]

If you open the formostar up, there is basically nothing to them.....

Call formostar direct and speak with Jim Frye. He will tell you what the issue is, parts shouldn't be that much for it. Capacitor/Resistor probably needs replacing. Maybe able to pick one up from electronic parts store.

See what they charge for it. Probably a $40 part.

[Kathe]

Please post and let us know what you find out. Nice to be prepared just in case it happens.

Thanks, Kathe

[EliteMike]

yea, I'd give them a call. Mine was covered by sun italia, but there is nothing in that machine. I had a faulty timer.

I love the results I'm hearing from clients, if other people don't want to beleive, screw them.

[Beach Bum]

Jim had me call and talk with Patrick in Nevada. Turns out it's the AMP gauge. The amp gauge is the needle gauge. On the back side of the gauge, inside the unit itself, there are two wires that bolt on to it.

Apparently one of the wires was loose (the nut had backed off and was not tight) and that cause an arc that burned the connection up. The amp gauge is $71.

Since I had the unit apart I checked all the other connections. There are four Amp gauges, one for each knob. All of the connections were a little loose. So I tighted all of them up.

Everyone may want to open up there unit every so often and check these connections. And like most desktop computers, it would probably be good when you open up the unit to check for dirt and debris. Perhaps use that aerosal air spray to gently remove dust.

[EliteMike]

"The amp gauge is $71." You've got to be kiddin me, that looks like a standard guage you can get at electronic shops

[Kathe]

I'll bet you can take the gauge into an electrical place and they would have the exact same one for $10 or less. Anyway, thanks for the info. Tom is coming tomorrow to do some bed maint so he can take it apart and check it out. Better to be proactive. We are doing a lot of them right now and I would hate to have it down.

Thanks again for sharing, Kathe

[Din]

I went on grainger and other electronics sites but didn't find that exact one. The ones i found range from $16-$19

See if there is a part # on it....and google it. You may get lucky.

if you do, be sure to let us know.

[EliteMike]

I would imagine they can be replaced with electronic ones too. these are simply meters and nothing more

[EliteMike]

Damnit, I need to sell my formostar, it only made me 350 in less than 12 hours.

[Kathe]

Tom opened ours up yesterday and there is not a speck of dust inside. So that was good. All wires looked good, too. He said, man why did this cost so much, there is nothing to it. LOL

Kathe

[EliteMike]

It's the pads that SUPPOSEDLY cost soo much.

You know what though, there aren't too many things out that that will pay themselves off soo fast.

[Kathe]

Yes we are very pleased with our purchase. Kathe

[EliteMike]

this little purchase might save me during JASONDJ

[Beach Bum]

The breakdown as I see it is the pads cost about $6k and the unit about $3k. Now, are they really worth it? Maybe not by component breakdown, but as for the revenue it generates --- wait for it --- hell yeah!!!

[Jan]

Hey does anyone know of a used formostar for sale I have been reading all about this machine form you guys and it sounds great. I live in Canada and I can't seem to get anywhere when I email the suppliers about it. Help

[Din]

Jan,

I got your email.....sent one back to ya.

Keep on looking on here in the Trading post, you'll find them.

[Jan]

Din I take it that the formostar is approved for use in Canada seeing as you have one. I couldnt find any information as to if it was approved or not. I did go to the site for a new one and they haven't emailed me back. I sent the email last thursday. I thought maybe they weren't for sale up here or something.