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Acorn curve 180 OSG repair
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I got lots of useful info here in my quest to get a stairlift up and running (not quite there yet though!) so thought I’d now give something back.
I had a damaged over-speed governor (OSG) – the plastic wedge arm was broken from the OSG hub. Online search gave replacement assembly from the UK at AUD$525 plus postage. Contacting Acorn direct in Australia they would not sell the part to me even though I am an electrician, it was $250 plus labour of $275 for one of their authorized techs to do it. No. Not viable.
So I repaired it. Here’s what I did. Removed carriage from rail, removed OSG body and then the OSG hub. Attempted to remove the pin in the hub, I even made a special tool to do that but it was stuck – possibly too hard, left handed thread, Loctited in, not sure. End of that idea.
So next was to re-attach the broken plastic wedge. I drilled a 0.7mm hole using a PCB (printed circuit board) drill bit from the concave end of the wedge, through the whole wedge body and out the back where it was broken off. After placing the broken wedge back onto the ring on the hub I continued drilling through that ring. I then slightly countersunk the concave part on the wedge. I got a sewing pin with a flat end and measured how far it goes in through all holes until it hit the metal shaft in the hub, and the sharp pin tip was cut off. The 0.7mm hole was perfect in my case as it just provided a touch of friction on the pin. Using normal cyanoacrylate super glue I glued in the cut down pin into the wedge first and allowed a few minutes to dry, then glued the wedge with pin onto the plastic ring on the hub. The pin on it’s own was quite rigid (when dry fitting) and applying glue made it even better. I have wiggled it around with considerable force and it seems rock solid – i would not expect this to come apart under normal use. It’s sits drying now until I can reassemble it and get the lift running.
For informational purposes only. Be your own judge as to whether it is suitable for you. Ask your parent/guardian if unsure.
It’s sad that Acorn does not even sell spare parts to their QUALIFIED customers unless you use their installers. They should have taken my $250 and been happy with it – I could have just tolerated spending that much on the fix. Total repair cost: $3.45 for a tube of super glue, perhaps $0.05 for a pin.
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Just to add a bit for clarity: the original plan was to remove the centre pin from the hub and make a completely new ring with the plastic wedge and steel braking wedges on it out of steel or brass. But that didn’t go as planned because of the stubborn pin. Perhaps that might have been a blessing in disguise since it is probably better to have a plastic sacrificial piece in there rather than creating more damage to other components if something goes wrong.
Anyhow, the whole OSG assembly has been re-assembled and tested, works perfect. Now just a matter of putting it back in and getting the stairlift working.
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Thanks for your diy tip. A year ago, I posted an offer video clip re a 10 minute OSG Over Speed Governor workaround for one of the several versions of the Acorn 180 curve stairlift. Recently, I fixed two Acorn 120 straight stairlift Mark II version OSG problems caused by improper use and uninformed owner-maintenance. Uploaded videos about those two, since deaths have resulted from uncompleted repairs such as that one i.e. the client’s husband wants to complete the rest of the job himself, after I pointed out 3 critical safety issues. Am Not an Acon employee btw.
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The supply and demand for used stairlifts have shrunk with the economy where I am. Facebook Acorn Users Group posts indicate that used stairlifts are sold for scrap metal value atm. Thus.. i lowered my service charge, as follows:
.Remote Acorn 180 Stairlift Tech Assist Flatrate Pkg $99 Cdn.
…Did you acquire a free or nearly-free curved Acorn model 180 stair lift, and need help? I have helped DIY amateur buulders get their stairlifts running by text or video conference apps.
Watch..
Please phone or text me to book.
$99 payable in advance.
Have the best day ever,
Rob’s Repairs
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMYV6F9B/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMYVrCBU/
….By text and phone or teleconference app
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