Better Pack ® 555 Complete Service Guide

Tigerseal® Products - The Tape Machine Company since 1983

Better Pack® 555

One or More Key Switched Not Operating

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Tigerseal Products features a complete line of quality replacement parts (with a full one year warranty against defects in material and workmanship for your

Better Packages 555. Please visit our on line Replacement Parts Guide

If one or two key switches do not not operate, but all of the rest do, you may just have some broken switches. However, we have seen situations where , for example, the first 3 key switches work, but none of the rest. This may also be due to broken buss wires (the wires that carry current to all of the switches.

Before Any Maintenance Procedure - UNPLUG THE MACHINE

Visually inspect each key switch. Make sure they are held onto the key drum with the silver knurled nut. If the nut is missing, the key switch is probably broken. The key switch has a threaded neck. The knurled nut (on the outside of the key drum) screws onto this neck through the key drum.

Next, remove the Key Drum & Access Hole Cover. Check to see that the  buss wires - 300KSWire  (Ref E501BW) are not broken (1 on each side of the length switches). For example, if the 6/ 9 /12 length switches work, but none past 12, the wire(s) may be broken just at or past the #12 switch!

Replacing Broken Key Switches

1. Remove Key Drum & Access Hole Cover (total 5 screws)

2. The Key Switch is screwed into 2 buss wires . Remove the 

    2 screws, one on either side of the switch.

3. Turn the switch until you can slide it out from under the Buss Wires.

4. Place the spring washer on the new Key Switch

5. Install the new Key Switch so that the screw holes on either side of 

    the switch are under the 2 buss wires.

6. It is easier to install the knurled nut first before screwing in the key switch screws.

7. With the knurled nut screwed on the key switch, screw in the 2 small 

    key switch screws.

Is there an easy way to screw those 2 little screws into the key switch?

No! Actually, there is a screw driver that holds those small screws. If you don't have one,  apply a very small amount of glue onto the end of the screw driver, let it stand for a moment, and then put the screw onto the end of the glue tipped screw driver. This holds the small screw so you can get it started into the screw hole.

How Tight Should the Knurled Nut Be?

Obviously, if you over tighten the knurled nut it will break the plastic threaded neck on the 

key switch. We tighten the knurled nut just a little tighter them thumb tight. If it is too loose, the Trip Roller will "hang up" on the switch. If this happens, tighten the knurled nut further.

REMEMBER Each switch has to be positioned so that the -400Trip Roller (Ref E538AXX) can "hit it" and shut it off. A loose knurled nut can lower the switch to where the Trip Roller gets stuck when it comes around to that switch. You may have to tighten the knurled nut or adjust the Trip Roller (see Feeds Long Strip Section B for Trip Roller adjustment procedures)

Replacing Broken Buss Wires

There is no easy way to replace a broken buss wire. The fastest way we have found is to loosen all of the small screws that hold the key switches onto the buss wire. Next, slide out the old broken buss wire. Carefully "thread" the new buss wire under each loosened screw. It takes patience. Make sure that the new buss wire does not thread under the key switch. If this happens, that key switch will not work. !

QQ EXTREME CAUTION IS REQUIRED! QQ

The buss wire carries current. If the buss wire touches any other metal under the key drum (other then the key switches only), the operator could get a shock. CAREFULLY check the new buss wire after installation. Is it touching any other screw, nut or metal piece inside the key drum ? If so, make sure the buss wire is repositioned so that it does not make contact with any other component except the key switches

If you have any concerns, or questions,  about this or any other procedure, call us at 1-800-899-9389. We do offer complete in-shop service at reasonable prices. Check out our service by clicking here

For more information on these models, please call us at 1-899-899-9389.

TIGERSEAL PRODUCTS sales & service

13093 Old Ridge Road

Beaverdam VA 23015

Tigerseal Products is not affiliated with MCM/Phoenix

Tigerseal Products is not affiliated with Better Packages Inc