You should only be attempting to set pressure when you actually have something on the lower platen to press and readings should be taken after the press is in fully locked down position, ie, the magnetic release is engaged.
Pressure indicator malfunctioning?
Bought a Hotronix STX20 off the show floor at the DAX Show in Chicago last weekend.
I set up the press, turned it on. The indicator read "0" when the press was open. I turned the adjustment knob so that the heat platen hovered over the shirt table. Then tightened the knob until it touched, and the indicator read "1". I raised the lever and tightened the knob to increase pressure. I repeated the process to set the press for the various pressure settings, until I found the one I wanted. I let the press finish heating up, and then started printing some shirts.
However, as I kept using the press the indicator reading continued to increase even though I made no changes to the pressure knob, and was printing the same shirts, the same way.
I did a quick test today and here is what I discovered:
Cold
Open - 0
Just touching - 1
1/2 turn from touching - 3
Full turn from touching - 7
1 1/4 turns from touching - 9
170 temp
Open - 1
Just touching - 2
1/2 turn from touching - 4
Full turn from touching - 9
1 1/4 turns from touching - 9 flashing
250
Open - 2
Just touching - 3
1/2 turn from touching - 5
Full turn from touching - 9 flashing
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
300
Open - 3
Just touching - 4
1/2 turn from touching - 6 to 7
Full turn from touching - blank
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
400
Open - 4
Just touching - 5 to 6
1/2 turn from touching - 8
Full turn from touching - blank
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
When the press cools down, the numbers come back down, but are still not "accurate."
Cool down to 170 temp
Open - 2
Just touching - 3
1/2 turn from touching - 5
Full turn from touching - 9 flashing
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
Any clues?
I set up the press, turned it on. The indicator read "0" when the press was open. I turned the adjustment knob so that the heat platen hovered over the shirt table. Then tightened the knob until it touched, and the indicator read "1". I raised the lever and tightened the knob to increase pressure. I repeated the process to set the press for the various pressure settings, until I found the one I wanted. I let the press finish heating up, and then started printing some shirts.
However, as I kept using the press the indicator reading continued to increase even though I made no changes to the pressure knob, and was printing the same shirts, the same way.
I did a quick test today and here is what I discovered:
Cold
Open - 0
Just touching - 1
1/2 turn from touching - 3
Full turn from touching - 7
1 1/4 turns from touching - 9
170 temp
Open - 1
Just touching - 2
1/2 turn from touching - 4
Full turn from touching - 9
1 1/4 turns from touching - 9 flashing
250
Open - 2
Just touching - 3
1/2 turn from touching - 5
Full turn from touching - 9 flashing
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
300
Open - 3
Just touching - 4
1/2 turn from touching - 6 to 7
Full turn from touching - blank
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
400
Open - 4
Just touching - 5 to 6
1/2 turn from touching - 8
Full turn from touching - blank
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
When the press cools down, the numbers come back down, but are still not "accurate."
Cool down to 170 temp
Open - 2
Just touching - 3
1/2 turn from touching - 5
Full turn from touching - 9 flashing
1 1/4 turns from touching - blank
Any clues?
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Thanks, but it was in the fully closed position (except when it was open) when I took the reading. In every case, no matter what, the press should read "0" when it is fully open. And, you don't necessarily need anything on the press to close it fully to test the reading. If something is on the press, the adjustment would allow for the extra thickness. But, the scale would be the same either way.
By any chance are you using an extension cord or plugged into a line conditioner?
The extension cord line conditioner question was posed because I purchased a 2nd STX-20 (Phoenix) and after the Hotronix helped me trouble shoot the reason the press wouldn't open after end of timer cycle we went through the extensive step laden pressure re-calibration process. After fully calibrated I moved the press to another spot in my lab and ran one of those standard 16 gauge orange extension cords to the original outlet I used from my everyday STX-20 (Hotronix). Needless to say I was getting sporadic pressure readings jumping all over the place. After several calls back and trouble shooting I re-read the manual and discovered my 16 gauge extension cord was the source of my erroneous pressure readings. After getting a 10gauge contractor grade extension cord from Harbor Freight, the pressure readings returned to the correct readings.
No extension cord. Plugged directly into an outlet, on a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
Personally, I question the accuracy of those digital pressure readings anyway. In a short time, you'll get a feel for the pressure as you use your machine. I never look at my pressure readout anymore. I just know based on feel what pressure I'm at.
I agree. But, it is a feature I paid for. I wouldn't be concerned if the press was years old, but it's brand new. It's fairly easy to feel the press's pressure on my old press which is about 15 years old. But, on the newer presses, it's not as easy. They are designed to have more leverage to make easier to close.Personally, I question the accuracy of those digital pressure readings anyway. In a short time, you'll get a feel for the pressure as you use your machine. I never look at my pressure readout anymore. I just know based on feel what pressure I'm at.
Sorry to ask the obvious but many people don't do this. Did you call Tech Support? Tom is an old hand there and has helped me on several occasions.Bought a Hotronix STX20 off the show floor at the DAX Show in Chicago last weekend.
I set up the press, turned it on. The indicator read "0" when the press was open. I turned the adjustment knob so that the heat platen hovered over the shirt table. Then tightened the knob until it touched, and the indicator read "1". I raised the lever and tightened the knob to increase pressure. I repeated the process to set the press for the various pressure settings, until I found the one I wanted. I let the press finish heating up, and then started printing some shirts...
etc.
As a side note, I have little faith in pressure gauges. Yes, you did pay for the feature and should expect to get it. When I bought a new Geo Knight DC16 a while back, the pressure readings were all over the place. Tech support said the feature wasn't really intended for that model. So why advertise it as a "feature"? I believe pressure gauges are just a gimmick, unless others have seen one that actually works.
- Steve
if you have a 30 amp circuit try that. my 20 amp always pops
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
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