Hi Dale,
Well,unfortunately I don't have a scope(Yet...I know a scope is a must
have when working with this stuff,that's why its at the top of my"Must
Have List")so I am going to take a chance that the encoder is okay once
I reinstall it and test for the 5 volts on the V+ terminal.

Hi Bob,
I wish that were an option,but right not it just isn't going to happen.
This stuff has always been a big interest to me so what better way to
learn.

Hi Pete,
Hey,I better take the encoder back apart(I had it apart once and
cleaned it...there's not much to an encoder is there)I never thought to
check and see if the disk with all the teeth was slipping on the shaft.
I will check that before I put the encoder back in circuit.

You mention replacing yours with a Grayhill or Bourns optical
encoder...If I find that my encoder is the culprit can you just put in
any old encoder? as long as it fits the space and voltage requirements?

Here I go putting the cart in front of the horse again,I better check
the things you all have mentioned first before I do anything else.
I'll let you all know what I come up with.

Thank you everyone.