Acorn 180 stairlift - Problem.

ale112002 · Jan 1, 2019

Good morning I'm Italian I have a problem with this stairlift, it has completely shut down and I managed to bring it manually to the charging point only that now does not go down anymore, probably it should be programmed know the procedure?
The electronic board has no switch is the T565 model. This is link of the pcb board:

Acorn 180 T565 PCB Board from working Stairlift | eBay - https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Acorn-180-T565-PCB-Board-from-working-Stairlift/302915135573?hash=item4687262855:g:FI0AAOSw8MZbvNyO

Rpa07 · Jan 1, 2019

Is there anyone in your area that could service it for you and diagnose the problem - just because it has a circuit board will not mean that it is the problem. It could be a number of safety features such as position switches and micro switches that manually have to actuate to allow the thing to move - you’ll end up throwing money at it in what could be an easy fix.
Try researching that first.
Welcome to the UK forum by the way.

Pete999 · Jan 1, 2019

ale112002 said:
Good morning I'm Italian I have a problem with this stairlift, it has completely shut down and I managed to bring it manually to the charging point only that now does not go down anymore, probably it should be programmed know the procedure?
The electronic board has no switch is the T565 model. This is link of the pcb board:

Acorn 180 T565 PCB Board from working Stairlift | eBay - https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Acorn-180-T565-PCB-Board-from-working-Stairlift/302915135573?hash=item4687262855:g:FI0AAOSw8MZbvNyO

How long has the lift been installed and was it installed by a local contractor? if the answer to the last question is yes, then wouldn't it be best to employ a local firm to quote for repairs as opposed to buying spares from the internet in hope, rather than good judgement.

telectrix · Jan 1, 2019

first thing is to power it down, both mains and disconnect 1 of the battery terminals. wait a few minutes( during which time you can check the battery voltage) then power up again. sometimes these lifts lock out.

ale112002 · Jan 1, 2019

Thanks for the answers, the technician in my area does not have to come from far away, I just wanted to know if maybe there was a reset procedure that I could do alone.

ale112002 · Jan 1, 2019

I have already tried to switch off and disconnect the batteries for a while but the problem persists, in practice the stairlift has memorized the position where it was locked and stops there.

freddo · Jan 1, 2019

Are you saying the lift works ok but stops at the wrong point every time?

All of the lifts I have worked on have had moveable blocks mounted on the rail that operate micro switches on the chair to tell it where to stop. Many have 2 at each end, one to slow the chair the second to stop it.

Also check nothing is obstructing the chair and operating any emergency anti crush/trap switches around the base.

ale112002 · Jan 1, 2019

freddo said:
Are you saying the lift works ok but stops at the wrong point every time? All of the lifts I have worked on have had moveable blocks mounted on the rail that operate micro switches on the chair to tell it where to stop. Many have 2 at each end, one to slow the chair the second to stop it.

Also check nothing is obstructing the chair and operating any emergency anti crush/trap switches around the base.

Yes, if I move it manually you will position yourself where I am standing. In my opinion, the encoder communicates the position and it is memorized.

A reset or programming procedure would be required to allow the stairlift to reach the lower recharge point.

freddo · Jan 1, 2019

I think the installation manual is here. The user guide is here. Though it doesn't mention position programming, other than setting the position of a top and bottom stop ramp that operates micro switches on the chair.

What is displayed on the LED display when the chair stops? Might give an indication of the fault.

The encoders appear to be for speed/rotation sensing only from the information I can find, rather than position sensing.

After any repair, all of the safety checks in section 1.3 of the installation manual must be carried out.

ale112002 · Jan 1, 2019

Thanks, I had read those manuals, I noticed a microswitch on the back but I do not know if the problem is there. I have not noticed any other switches, but it is clear that there is a problem.

freddo · Jan 1, 2019

There should be 3 microswitches apparently, they all look to be shown as normally closed, a loose connection would initiate a stop.

What does the display show when it stops?

ale112002 · Jan 2, 2019

On the display shows a strange symbol that does not appear in the manual, it should show A5 when it goes down from the remote control.

Surely something happened because as I said while my grandmother was using it is blocked, it could be the batteries even if I measured the voltage and both gave about 15 volts.

When the stairlift is at the charging point, the symbol C4 appears if the batteries are low and C1 is charging.
On previous models there was a "programming" switch on this one does not exist.

ale112002 · Jan 2, 2019

I found this manual for programming the T565 model so there is a procedure.

Instructions on Programming for Bison 80/Acorn 180 Stairlift with T565 PCB Board | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Instructions-on-Programming-for-Bison-80-Acorn-180-Stairlift-with-T565-PCB-Board-/123543066986

Timbo · Jan 2, 2019

I found this on a quick Google:
How To Problem Solve an Acorn 180 or Bison 80 Stairlift* – okprops - http://okprops.com/how-to-problem-solve-an-acorn-180-or-bison-80-stairlift/
It might be of some help, although it appears to be for the pcb with switches.

Wilko · Jan 2, 2019

ale112002 said:
On the display shows a strange symbol that does not appear in the manual, it should show A5 when it goes down from the remote control.

Hi - this may be critical to understanding the fault. Can you take a picture of the symbol and post it up please?