Betapack 1 Problem

[techwsussex]

Hi Guys,

 

Haven't posted for a bit, but here we go. I have a slight problem...

 

I have just been put in charge of a new venue that has 3 Zero88 betapack 1s installed, and dimming capabilities have failed on several channels. I'm told by the previous technician that the betas have some channels fed power directly from the step-down and some behind more circuitry and one resistor each. Apparently the very early original specs of the betas had resistors spec'd slightly too low for the actual consumption and so they blow, leaving no power to the dimming circuits, and the channels at full.

 

I beleive this is what is wrong with my dimmers, but before I take panels off, two things:

 

1. Does anyone know of this problem, and maybe know slightly more about it? I know we have users from Zero88 who could maybe shed some light on this.

 

2. Does anyone have circuit schematics for these dimmers or any more technical info that may be helpful?

 

Cheers in advance...

 

Owen

 

Resident technician, Lakeside Theatre Colchester

[the kid]

I've just looekd on the zero88 site and they only do things for the betapack 2 but heres the site anyway you may be able to find more but I couldnt get the search to work.

 

zero88

[robloxley]

At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious (again), why not phone up Zero88 and speak to someone there?

[Jivemaster]

Talk to Zero88, the advantage of buying from an established english speaking supplier is that they will usually help and do servicing. Start to tamper inside and you are on your own. Sort out in which box the fault lies then if necessary get the packs to the factory or their accredited repairer and check that all the control inputs do as you expect

[the kid]

Also if you open them; you may loose guarranty cover if you had it and is its still valid.

[Brian]

At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious (again), why not phone up Zero88 and speak to someone there?

Another vote for phoning or emailing them. I've contacted them on a number of occaisions and they (Keith and his team) have always been very helpful.

[nickb12345]

Or post on their forums!

[Jivemaster]

Check the control cables, check it really is the packs. good repairs always start with good diagnosis.

[dominicgross]

Sounds alot like the Triacs have gone: channels are permently at full even with out desk intervention???

[Andrew C]

Yes there are resistors that fail in them, (big fat ones). They are there as potential dividers. I have replaced them throughout the 10 packs I have here. This is a pretty well known fault, and gives the "always on" symptom.

 

What I can't remember is the value. They are arranged in pairs, 2 pairs (?) to a pack, and are pretty obvious.

 

If you aren't competent, don't do the fix yourself, as I belive them to be at mains potential, and making a mistake could be uncomfortable to say the least.

 

BTW, how likely is it that a Beta1 will still be in warranty?

[Eric]

The resistors in question are the 100k 1w resistors located near the live busbars.

There are four of them in total.

 

Please contact me for more detailed information.

[techwsussex]

I didnt phone Z88 because I knew that Keith was a user of this forum.

I didnt post on their forum for the same reason.

I can spot a failed triac, and its not them.

And finally of course I checked the controls.

 

Thanks to Keith and Andrew for their support, but everyone else's advice seemed to be "Don't use this forum".

 

Owen

[gareth]

Did you perhaps get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?

 

No-one's suggesting that you don't use this forum - in fact, I think that the replies which suggested that you should contact Zero88 directly with your technical query were right on the money. Surely if you have a technical problem with a piece of equipment and you need advice on diagnosis and a fix, the manufacturer should be your first port of call?

 

I'm sorry you felt you didn't get the help you were looking for from the forum. But let's face it, even Keith from Zero88 said in his reply that you should contact him personally for more information - which is precisely what everyone else has been saying. So let's get this straight - when a member of Zero88 staff says "contact me directly", it's good advice ; but when anyone else says "contact Zero88 directly", they're being unhelpful? Well, I guess that just goes to prove that there's just no helping some people. :)