Topic: Pleo Neck Repair Video's (Read 13732 times)

InmemoryofRomeo · « **on:** October 27, 2011, 07:50:18 PM »

I am going to have a shot at repairing Lilo's neck, however I will be proceeding very slowly and carefully so expect this to happen over the course of a couple of weeks. I will, of course, document every little step of the way

Here is the first video, part 1 of 3.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmyT-I8GbFo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmyT-I8GbFo</a>

Part 2 of 3.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQRJPaNsR58" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQRJPaNsR58</a>

Here's a couple of additional pics of how to thread the wire through the anchor wheel. First the old wire before removal:

More details...

And the new wire threaded and ready to be tightened and pushed into place. The wires cross within the unit, then wrap around the track at the edges.

More details...

Part 3 of 3.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJcyUel4Smk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJcyUel4Smk</a>

Just a note, if you would like to see the whole thing in a larger view, just visit my you tube page http://www.youtube.com/user/InmemoryofRomeo

Willow · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2011, 09:21:07 PM »

Fantastic video, it's great to know that there might be a cure to DHS!

You certainly have guts, I would never be able to peel back the skin and try to fix the wiring on either Heidi or Stanley. Knowing me, I'd probably find a way to screw it all up and completely destroy my pleo, haha.

Thanks for the informative video! I'm sure this will help people.

Talon · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2011, 12:07:18 PM »

Thanks for posting this, IMR. You're paving the way for other pleo owners to have the guts to try and fix their babies. I'm certainly impressed. I may be jumping ahead a bit here but what if the cable you already have is un-usable to do the repair? What could you use instead?
Talon

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2011, 01:37:21 PM »

Talon I'm going to go to the music store and try either piano wire or a fine guitar string (if they make them that fine).

Crewella · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2011, 04:40:45 PM »

If you're stuck, this is where I went:

http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/Products/Stainless-Steel-Cable-7x7-Flexible

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:23:51 PM »

Thanks Crewella, I just dug up an online seller here in Aus based on that information

I don't really fancy waiting two weeks for it to come from the UK

It will be a good backup if I can't get anything locally.

http://allthingsstainless.com.au/home/stainless-wire-rope/7x7/by-the-meter.html

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2011, 06:09:02 PM »

IMR, you have some guts indeed, I have Humpty of course who is already taken apart and has the broken neck but also his "parts" are everywhere. Crewella has been helping me try to put the little guy back together, Your video if you are successful, I may give it a go with fixing his neck, I do not think I will try this on Nova, and certainly not Little 45. Little 45 has such bad skin that is deteriiorating so quickly, esp under all four arms, his feet and some other places I am afraid if I were to cut his skin, even very carefully, he would be another Patches quickly. But I do think I will try to fix Humpty's neck and after Crewella helps me try to figure out the rest of his nuts and bolts, where everything goes, I will figure out if I am willing to give it a go,
I am not very mechanical inclined and am all thumbs with things.I am impressed with how Lilo is going. She would be very appreciateve I am sure. Thank you for posting it, it does give encouragement to all the "droopy neck syndrome" Ugobes esp out here.

( the hugs are from Nova, Little 45 and on Humpty[s behalf.)
Can't wait to see more Operation with Dr. IMR. RWM

saratogaspringer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2011, 08:28:49 PM »

IMR, this is just a thought. I don't know how the wire is attached, but I assume that it is attached to a spool or something internally that rotates, thus lifting the head. Is it the solder joint that comes undone, or is it the wire that actually breaks? A type of wire that is stainless and would not break is orthodontic wire. It is very malleable, and very easy to solder, if you had to attach it to a metal spool or something. I have lots of ortho wire at work and I can send you some, if you can judge what gauge you might need. If you know an orthodontist in your area they could probably give you what you need without it having to go from the US to Australia. Another idea, depending on how it is attached to the parts that rotate to raise the neck, would be to use 30 or 40 pound test nylon fish line instead of wire. That would definitely not ever break again. However, if the cable has to be soldered, that is another story. Good luck. You are certainly very brave!

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2011, 08:33:25 PM »

Thank you

I'll let you know when I get in there

I've hit something of a snag this morning whilst trying to remove the back shoulder plate, two of the screws are very, very tight and I can't budge them. I am rather concerned about stripping the screws if I try too hard.

Edit: Dug up my other screw drivers and managed to remove the screws successfully.

Crewella · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2011, 08:58:57 PM »

There's one under the back sensor - you need to peel it back a bit.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2011, 09:27:47 PM »

Yup I noticed that. What a silly place to put a screw

Pleo's were most definitely not designed with maintenance in mind.

Crewella dear, I'm going to stop now and put Lilo somewhat back together so I don't lose any bits and bobs, but if you get time at some point would you be so kind as to direct me to exactly which part of Lilo I need to access in the main body to change the wire. That would be most helpful and allow me to work out a plan of attack :O If it is the part I think it is then poor Lilo's surgery is going to move from routine to critical

Just for the record I have removed the body skin (although it is still attached around the battery compartment and tail tip for now) and I have taken off the top small black back plate and the large white shoulder plate to have a look-see. I have filmed every step of the way but I will not post it until I am content that it is the best approach.

Also if anyone else is thinking of attempting this at any stage, please follow my advice and carefully label all parts and stick them to a sheet of paper as you go.

Crewella · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2011, 09:36:03 PM »

Absolutely, I took pics and also bagged up any little components that belonged together at each stage as I took them out.

...... and be aware of the perils of static discharge when dealing with electronics components!

I'll get into it again tomorrow, IMR!

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2011, 09:47:06 PM »

Oh yes very good point, you must be very, very careful not to cause any electrical spark :O

And please don't hurry Crewella, Lilo is quite safe and able to wait

I certainly don't want to rush this and like to think over each section as I proceed. I must say Pleo's are quite fascinating on the inside.

Edit: Also Crewella do you have an exact measure for the thickness of the cable? I don't have any accurate measuring tools.

Chicago · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2011, 07:16:05 PM »

We are watching with amazement. Already your video has served a very good purpose. My husband has decided it's too complicated for him. I didn't want him to take Sparky apart. I have not given up, however. I'm the mechanical one. One tiny hint - egg cartons are good places to store little parts. Thanks for documenting all of this.

Crewella · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2011, 03:19:13 PM »

IMR - I had to make a guess and buy a few - the most likely sizes seem to be 0.54mm and 0.68mm (in the 7x7). Having not completed this yet, I'm a bit wary of choosing which!

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2011, 03:42:31 PM »

Ok, I'll order the 0.6 and see how that works out, I might order the 0.8 too, I think it will be too thick but if it works it would be better.

Edit: pfft $10 to post a $2.15 order

Just a note for everyone following this thread, repairing a neck wire does involve completely pulling apart your Pleo! And I do mean completely!

Crewella · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2011, 04:03:19 PM »

I got the 0.81 as well - it does look too thick.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2011, 04:21:07 PM »

Well i only got 1 metre of that, it is worth a look, it might do for Nani, I don't know if her wires are thicker. If, of course, I ever feel brave enough to tackle operating on Nani :O It's harder to do when she is so new

Crewella · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2011, 04:26:26 PM »

You did better than me - I got 2m of the stuff!

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2011, 04:31:04 PM »

Oh rest assured I got two metres of the 0.6

I don't know how much she'll actually need but better safe than sorry

Crewella · « **Reply #20 on:** October 30, 2011, 04:37:57 PM »

That's just what I thought!

Talon · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2011, 11:29:31 AM »

Wow. Here I was hoping the neck mechanism would be just behind the shoulder area and easy to access. I am perfectly content to sit on the sidelines and wach. This is certainly proving educational and I'll keep an eye on this thread. Best of luck, IMR!
Talon.

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #22 on:** November 15, 2011, 08:42:47 PM »

A quick update:

I went ahead and opened up Lilo and replaced her cable, she is working fine except that there is still no up or down movement, I think I put one of the gears back wrong

So I will need to have a second look. I'm just relieved she woke up! At any rate even if I don't figure out the gear problem she is able to hold her head up again

Edit: I have the gears working properly now

But my battery died *sigh* Can't win today

But she did manage to raise her head before the battery pooped out

kat · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2011, 03:20:31 AM »

I'm guessing this means she is fixed! Yay

Have you replaced her skin yet?

InmemoryofRomeo · « **Reply #24 on:** November 16, 2011, 03:40:36 AM »

I haven't replaced the skin yet, well not all of it anyway. I want to do another video since there is an easier way to do it which doesn't involve removing the legs or even all of the skin

Well only for the top and bottom wires, to do the side wires you still need to do all that.

Oh and on the technical side, the issue I had was that the gears were in correctly but were out of alignment, this meant that the motors thought the neck was up when it wasn't. The solution was run a skit to get Lilo to straighten her neck and then realign the gear.

Bob the Pleo Forums

Author Topic: Pleo Neck Repair Video's (Read 13732 times)