[SMrob]

Hi everyone.

Firstly sorry if this is in the wrong place or what ever! Im new to all this! anyways

My amdram group have been doing a huge over haul/revamp in the past few years, guided by yours truly. However we've come to a point where I am at a loss because it's something I know very little about! I'm hoping I can find some help somewhere. We currently use two 6channel Hardwired dimmer units that are quite a few years done now (currently Pulsar - Model Im not sure of) and more and more recently we've been having problems with finding dead channels and problems with the units themselves. Now I have been in touch with a friend of mine who runs a Lighting hire/sales business and he started to waffle on about the possible problems of the units.. we narrowed it down to the 'Triacs' in the unit. Which Im told is common for the age of our units. Anyways my point of this is we are looking to upgrade rather than repair these units as I feel they have done their time with us. So what Im looking for is what units would people recommend to replace these? what units have you used and are good/bad? Naturally being amdram it is a very tight budget, what we're looking for is something slight better spec than what we have ( I appreciate that what I've given isn't a lot to go by) and what units would you recommend for possible eventuality of an LED upgrade.


Thanks

[GridGirl]

First, you don't need dimmers for LED units - they run off hard power and just take DMX for control. So that doesn't come into it. A question which will inform any further answers is, what is your desk? Is it analogue or DMX, are you planning to upgrade it, how many channels of dimming do you want - more than you currently have? If it's an analogue desk, are you happy with the idea of using a demux to run dimmers until such time as you upgrade the desk?

[Junior8]

Hire until you decide what to do re LEDs

[paulears]

Quite difficult to hire hardwired dimmers. The thing with old dimmers is they are not really products where age matters. Old dimmers with triacs or thyristors can often be repaired for just a few pounds by somebody connected with the society. To be honest the wprst problem you have is that to replace them involves electricians time and could be more expensive than budget replacements! You can buy modern replacements of branded quality for £500ish per 6 channels, or cheap ones for £130ish per 6. However, the cheap ones are rack mounted, so you need a strong wall mounted enclosure, and you can bet the cabling won't be quite long enough meaning strips of terminal blocks and rails and more expense. Removing them,fixing them and replacing could well be the cheapest solution- and as they've lasted so long, there's no reason to believe the fixed ones won't do a decent amount of extra time. To hire in, you need extra boxes,protection and socketry - which will be more than a new dimmer - even without labour. Two 63A single phase, or 32A 3 phase (depending on the power supply) RCDs and the enclosured for them - plus a patch panel to put plugs on the end of the hard-wired circuits will be pretty expensive.


Get them fixed by a friendly electronics enthusiast - by far the cheapest solution.

[kerry davies]

Definitely think hard about getting rid of the old stuff, as Paul says it just goes on and on and is easier to fix than the stuff around nowadays. Years ago I cannibalised two separate units out of a set from a refurb in a major London venue and they are still around working away.

The thing is, I am not exactly geek central on electronics and managed a decent and safe job with my electrical skills. Unlike some of the techno-kit they were built by real engineers for people like me.
Idiot proof and repairable.

[greenalien]

Why not send them back to Pulsar for refurbishment? Their service department is excellent, and reasonably priced.

http://www.pulsarlig...03/Default.aspx

[musht]

Can feel the love for Pulsar in the room :-)

If they haven`t been soaked or burnt, a little care and attention will probably help them lose their senior moments.

Its likely that they are analogue dimmers, so to run a more modern desk will probably require some sort of de-mux, DMX>Analogue convertor, but may be a better way of using limited funds.

Or the Behringer LC2412 can output 0-10V on its first 12 channels, not everyones favourite desk but memory and chase facilities for under 150 quid might make opping more enjoyable.

[SMrob]

Thank you guys. I appreciate all the response. System is completely fine as far as I am aware. the only issue we have with the system, is that we have dead channels. We recently changed one dimmer unit for another of the same. Still Pulsar exactly the same (purchased kindly through Ebay) which after installation worked just as well as the two original we have. Now we seem to have the same problem we started out with. However as for changing the units If you don't think it is worth changing them then I will probably just look into getting repaired.

As far as I know they are analogue. Not 100% sure on that .. we currently have also two 24 channel Pulsar control desks, (one of which also needs a little tlc)

[themadhippy]

Quote

Now I have been in touch with a friend of mine who runs a Lighting hire/sales business and he started to waffle on about the possible problems of the units.. we narrowed it down to the 'Triacs' in the unit. Which Im told is common for the age of our units.

if its a certain Mr foster tell him to stop waffling and just repair the buggers,

[SMrob]

 themadhippy, on 04 February 2012 - 04:48 PM, said:

Quote

Now I have been in touch with a friend of mine who runs a Lighting hire/sales business and he started to waffle on about the possible problems of the units.. we narrowed it down to the 'Triacs' in the unit. Which Im told is common for the age of our units.

if its a certain Mr foster tell him to stop waffling and just repair the buggers,

It wasn't Mr foster I was referring to but someone else I know and was talking to. It's likely I will take them to Mr Foster to repair though.

I Have had divided opinions on the matter through people I've spoken to, so I thought I would post to see what the general opinions where.

[J Pearce]

These days it's likely to be Mr Maxted wielding the soldering iron, either way your friendly local co based just outside of Dunstable are definitely the people to talk to!

[SMrob]

Lol! I must admit.. I do generally ask around before I go and see Mr Maxted or Mr Foster.. the Majority of of the time I goto them. I do like the service they provide for us :-)

[Junior8]

Sorry missed the fact they were hard-wired. Get them repaired as others have said. You'll find its worthwhile as Pulsar kit is very well built.