Power Dropping Out - Machines Running Weak

[PAWNJOB]

It doesn't seem to matter what I do, my machines tend to slow down over the course of a session. Usually longer sessions but sometimes it's right off the bat. I feel like I've really covered my bases between machines, power supplies, and rca cords. I have literally spent thousands of dollars trying to rectify this issue. I have been using rotaries almost exclusively for the last year. I have experienced this problem w/ my Stigma Bizarre, Spektra Halo, Bishop Capo, DK MC-13; so it can't be the machines right? I sent the first 3 machines listed back to the builder to address the issue. The fix seemed to help w/ the Halo and Bizarre so I though it might actually be the fault of the machines. But my Capo seems to run just as bad as it did before I sent it in. And my Cranker is brand new so I decided not to send it back until I've tried to figure out what the real problem is.

I use a CX-2R w/ the wireless pedal. I also switch to my hardwired GEM pedal intermittently just to make sure it isn't the wireless pedal but no love. I also have a middle of the road National power supply which doesn't seem to help. Actually it does help sometimes. When my machine starts bogging down I'll switch from the Critical to the National and it will run better, but only sometimes, and only for a short period of time before the machine starts running slower again. My machines will intermittently go from running too slow and under powered to full tilt for short bursts. This would seem to indicate that the ps is to blame so I have also sent my Critical supply back to be serviced but that didn't help either.

And lastly Clipcords; I've gone through nearly 20 RCA cords in the last year. I've purchased Al Brodeur's premium cord, Eikon, Needlejig's new cord, Talon's, Radio Shack cheapos and a few other cheapos. Some of the above mentioned seemed to rectify the problem but went bad very quickly. Some of them didn't help at all. I've even run an extension cord from my co-worker's outlet to make sure that I wasn't just using a bad outlet but to no avail. I'm on my way to pick up a UPS Surge Protector, which for those of you who don't know is a power strip w/ a battery that holds a charge and distributes clean power w/o the drops and spikes of power from the outlet. I doubt this will fix the problem but I don't know what else to do.

I assume that whatever the cause of the problem is will be unlikely as I've got top of the line everything, but something has to give. I'm ready to cry and just give up sometimes. When they're running really bad the client can hear and feel the difference in the machines consistency. Not to mention that it slows down my work. I've been dealling w/ this for a year now! Please Help! I'm at a complete loss??? Two bad power supplies? 4 bad machines? 20 bad RCA cords? What gives?

[tattood]

maybe it has to do with your shops elecricity,, maybe faulty wiring some where id call an electrician

[PAWNJOB]

Probably not a bad idea Tattood. It still bothers me that my Halo is running well and seemingly unaffected by the unknown problem. Is it a matter of compatibility? Anyone else have trouble running a Capo or MC-13 on a Critical?

[peezie]

Just by reading your post. It seems it's not a hardware or power issue as you said it still didn't work while using your coworkers line (I assume your coworker tattooed fine). Might be dry gunk(ink, vasoline etc.) clogging your tips causing strain to your machines. What do you use to lubricate the skin? What type of tubes do you use? This information needs to be known to troubleshoot online.

[peezie]

ink type also would help. powder based (type thats thick and gummy usually) or predispersed ink. Brands.

[peezie]

Also tight rubberbands causing your machines to overwork. I dunno, these are just thoughts that im throwing out there.

[(Opted Out)]

Yeah its the wiring for your shop without a doubt... You have covered all the quality equiptment needed..

[tattood]

^^ exactly with all the high end gear u have there is no doubt u have looked into the ink, rubberband, and possible clogging issue.. i wood take my set up home and see how it runs there..

[MickWrath]

Agreed wiring

[acink]

Have to agree with the guys on your wiring, as i had the same issue over the last few months changed every thing to see if that was the issue new supply every thing then one night i was working late drawing up for the next day when the lights started to flash like the exercist had entered the studio, on checking the fuse board there was sparks flying from the board and it was the last ass hat gunterd the main fuse and it couldint trip out and lucky i was there or the hole place could have went up and two make it worse it was only a 1pound for a new fuse :confused: some mothers do have them, get an electrican in to give your wiring a good going over mate

[peezie]

Wouldn't fluctuations in his power show up on his meter? Just wondering though as I've never had this problem but I would assume that the output the power supply is showing would indicate that thats how much it's outputting at that moment and any fluctuation would show up. Also, does your coworker have any problems? You stated that you plugged an extension into his outlet and things didn't change for you. Well, if he has problems too then it could be the wiring of the building as others have said. If your coworker is all good then I don't think it is the power. Just my guess though.

[tattood]

it maybe to if ur running rotaries and ur coworkers are running coils. I have a 6v rotary works that only works properly with one of my clip cords as it needs the ability to pull more amps(from my understanding). so my point rotaries differ from coils in the power they need to pull to work right.. may be the case with yours to . have u tried ur co workers power supply ?

[slicksteel]

I would take your stuff home and run it there under a needle load for at least a few hours straight if you have swaped cords etc. It does sound like the shops power and like tattood says some machines pull more amps. also a good thing to run is one of these -i use them for my ps and guitar gear.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Furman-M-8X2-Power-Conditioner-105920011-i1503304.gc

[fkirons]

I doubt is the power at the shop. try changing the transformer of your critical and try using an Eikon Power supply.
That happen to me years ago with the power supply and it was a bad external transformer.

[Ty Bones]

quick ways to troubleshoot all the scenarios. A polarity tester can be purchased from home depot for about 15 bucks, use this in your outlet to see if the wiring is correct. the polarity will affect the waves in which the electricity travels on and if improper, can result in spotty current (surges and low spots). If thicker pigments or lubrication is your issue load the machine with a larger mag in an open or shovel tipped tube and lubricate the end with soap and water where you get metal on metal contact, if the machine does not slow over time with only intermediate reapplication of soap and water, then you will know thats its your pigments or on skin lube ( clean your tip regularly during tattoo). and lastly i guess, make sure you are doing the regular maintenance as outlined in your machine care and instructions, not only will they run better but the parts will last much longer. hope some of these help

[Mozzer337]

If you use disposables, they can sometimes heat up and and actually start to melt, causing your needle grouping to start working into the plastic on the tip. I had this issue a while back but mainly with coils.

[Jack Steel]

quick ways to troubleshoot all the scenarios. A polarity tester can be purchased from home depot for about 15 bucks, use this in your outlet to see if the wiring is correct. the polarity will affect the waves in which the electricity travels on and if improper, can result in spotty current (surges and low spots). If thicker pigments or lubrication is your issue load the machine with a larger mag in an open or shovel tipped tube and lubricate the end with soap and water where you get metal on metal contact, if the machine does not slow over time with only intermediate reapplication of soap and water, then you will know thats its your pigments or on skin lube ( clean your tip regularly during tattoo). and lastly i guess, make sure you are doing the regular maintenance as outlined in your machine care and instructions, not only will they run better but the parts will last much longer. hope some of these help

i have to agree with ty bones , what u can do also is put a volt/multimeter between the rca /clipcord and check while u run the machines, if there is any changes on the screen of the meter , some powersupplies don't register little spikes or drops on the screen
a good meter does ;)

[tattood]

If you use disposables, they can sometimes heat up and and actually start to melt, causing your needle grouping to start working into the plastic on the tip. I had this issue a while back but mainly with coils.

thats funny u say this this happened to me thankfullly not when i was tattooing. i had just got a nicks rotary and i was seening how it ran. had the rubberbands super tight and was running the motor really high. needle melted right through the tip.lol..

[nivek]

try a high end power bar see if that helps (with surge protectioon)

[hendricksonart.com]

try a high end power bar see if that helps (with surge protectioon)
Not sure how that would help. Those work like a secondary fuses so you dont fry your computer, could be wrong but I just do not see those helping I would take every thing home try it out or tattoo some where else and see if it helps

[serial1313]

I think slicksteel makes the most sense for your next step. Take your equipment home along w/ a needle & tube & all of your machines & see if you are still having the same problem. If they run fine, which they should, you will know it's the wiring in the shop.