Switch LED Fail

Since your switch controllers are showing two of the green LEDs at the edge of the controller, I would say that the problem is in the controller. Here is a schematic of them.

The Yellow wire is the lighting signal and goes from +5 to -5 vdc. Since it is lighting half of the two green LEDs, I would say that the problem is with the other green LED or the circuit board inside the controller. You can disassemble the controller and remove the wires inside it to disconnect. Just make a note of which color goes where and wire on new controllers. Chances are if they never worked, then the green LED may have gotten inserted in the circuit board backwards, the resistor is open or a trace is cut. It can happen. Odd that you might have gotten two of them.

You can also just move the wires to a known good switch and see if the switch, wiring, or the controller is the issue.

That’s about what I thought. What’s odd is that they worked fine before. We didn’t notice the lights out until after we had tidied up the wiring under the table. But, I can’t see anywhere that a staple pierced a wire, or something had come loose. I was hoping this was an easy, common problem to fix...

Thanks for the responses.

Tom

Any solution yet?

Hmmm...if it worked before, then I wonder if there is a highish impedance connection and the lower LEDs are lighting because less current is required for them. Some kind of goings on like that.

Did you try a different controller? Or a different switch on the same controller? Or can you read the DC voltage on one of the questionable controllers between the yellow wire and the black wire? You can pop the cover off the controller and measure right there where the wire goes in.

romiller49 posted:

Any solution yet?

Well, one just started working again, without my having done a thing to it. I have a spare controller, and may try to swap it with the one that’s still not working if measuring the voltages doesn't point to the problem.

TR

Electronics certainly act strange at times. Something caused it though and will probably happen again. 

I'm very careful with stapling wire. Too many repairs from over zealous factory use. I slip a small screwdriver blade over the wire so there is less chance of shock or squeeze severing a wire inside the insulation.

If you're going to staple a lot of control wiring, consider the proper stapler.

The T59 Insulated Cable Staple Gun is the pro’s choice when installing data and communication cables. Whether working with Cat 5 cables, RG-59, or RG-6 cables, this tool will secure wires without crimping.

Sorry to hear about your (phantom) issue. I found your post while getting ready to post a similar issue.