Hunter J111 alignment machine diagnose bad rear optical sensor

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I picked up an old Hunter J111 alignment machine off CL yesterday. It was listed for $10 with a bad optical sensor that would need to be repaired or replaced. When I arrived at the shop they had it out front waiting for me and the helped disassemble it and load it. The shop had been using it up until recently when the sensor went goofy and they simply decided it was time to get something more modern rather than fool with it. After I loaded it I tried to give the guy the $10 and he said he was just happy it was going to a good home. Cool!I plugged it in last night it booted right up and if I align the sensors a green light come on. Three of the sensors behave this way so I assume this is correct. One of the sensor has the green light on all the time, solid, unless I turn it upside down, then it goes off. I'm thinking the one bad sensor may just need to be calibrated.I have a couple manuals but they are operator manuals, not service manuals.Does anyone have any experience with the old Hunter alignment machines?The sensor is model number D111 with 125-108-1 below it. I found 1 listed on ebay for $275 as is... I already have one that is "as-is". Hoping to fix it before I roll the dice on one off eBay.
Reply:call hunter engineering in st. louis, mo.  they made them there.  they have service tech around country that repair them.  they might be able to help.lincoln 125spmonkey wards 250 ac/dcmiller 211 w/spool gunahp  200 sx tiglotos ltp5000dof course duramax diesel
Reply:Originally Posted by duramax-robcall hunter engineering in st. louis, mo.  they made them there.  they have service tech around country that repair them.  they might be able to help.
Reply:The old timers used simple spirit vials,, and tape measures, to align front ends.  The big truck front end shop that I use, still does it this way.  I guess you can chalk this up to lack of training these days, and no real apprenticeship programs in this country.............I think the most modern thing I've seen in the old shops is the rub gauge thing they use to check toe in as the wheel passes over the turntable.Then, to add to the misery, are the fools that refuse to look up the specs for the particular vehicle...........and rely on what "usually" works.God Save You if ever you actually need to have a vehicle aligned these days.
Reply:the best and accurate is the hunter "LIGHT-O-LINER".   one of my good friends used   tp run the training center at hunter.   always said that one was the most accurate and most dependable..lincoln 125spmonkey wards 250 ac/dcmiller 211 w/spool gunahp  200 sx tiglotos ltp5000dof course duramax diesel
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammmThe old timers used simple spirit vials,, and tape measures, to align front ends.
Reply:I picked up a fresh 9V battery this morning and gave the remote a try, unfortunately I get nothing no matter how close I hold it to the machine. I'm not sure if it's a remote problem or a receiver problem. I'll dig up a phototransistor and see if I can see anything with the oscilloscope.
Reply:Simple test. Look at the remote using the camera on your phone. That will tell you if you if the remote is putting out any light. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammmThe old timers used simple spirit vials,, and tape measures, to align front ends.  The big truck front end shop that I use, still does it this way.  I guess you can chalk this up to lack of training these days, and no real apprenticeship programs in this country.............I think the most modern thing I've seen in the old shops is the rub gauge thing they use to check toe in as the wheel passes over the turntable.Then, to add to the misery, are the fools that refuse to look up the specs for the particular vehicle...........and rely on what "usually" works.God Save You if ever you actually need to have a vehicle aligned these days.
Reply:Originally Posted by AlabamaJoeSimple test. Look at the remote using the camera on your phone. That will tell you if you if the remote is putting out any light.
Reply:when i went to hunters training school, they wanted you to strive for 0 tolerance on your alighments.  that was 0.25 0f a degree meaning you couldn't get the tolerance any less.  not just in the green as they say but perfect.  was a lot harder but doable.  i always strived for that.  made it frustrating sometimes.i think that was the machine we used and had at work, we also had the remote for doing toe-in und the car when you couldn't see the main screen. very handy.wish i could help you more with yours!lincoln 125spmonkey wards 250 ac/dcmiller 211 w/spool gunahp  200 sx tiglotos ltp5000dof course duramax diesel
Reply:Originally Posted by duramax-robwhen i went to hunters training school, they wanted you to strive for 0 tolerance on your alighments.  that was 0.25 0f a degree meaning you couldn't get the tolerance any less.  not just in the green as they say but perfect.  was a lot harder but doable.  i always strived for that.  made it frustrating sometimes.i think that was the machine we used and had at work, we also had the remote for doing toe-in und the car when you couldn't see the main screen. very handy.wish i could help you more with yours!