Behringer X32 spares in UK

[timsabre]

Our X32 has just died... just after the 3 years warranty expired. On power up there is a very brief flash of a few buttons, then nothing.

It appears to be a fault with the power supply module which is an easy swap, but I cannot find anywhere to buy a replacement (except from USA) and Behringer say it must be returned to an authorised service centre.

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy replacement boards/modules in UK?

[adamburgess]

Strangely, our X32 rack is on its third PSU as of last weekend (Grrr) and was fixed in a day here in the UAE. Surprising, considering how long things take and the lack of 'normal' spares here. Surely there's a source in the UK... I've never seen the insides of one. How 'PC' standard is it?

[timsabre]

not pc at all, totally bespoke

[sam.spoons]

Have you contacted Berry's UK service centre (somewhere in the midlands IIRC), they have some good press from users over on the X32 forum? Maybe they'd bend the rules and sell you the part.

[S&L]

re repeated failures - have you got a ups in line - they really don't like voltage variations, what mission critical computer kit would you ever think about running without a ups?

the UK power supply is pretty solid but I still travel with a ups and make a judgement decision every gig I go to as to whether to use it or not (theatres generally no, hotels maybe, outdoor events always.)

 

re spares - have you talked to music group directly in kidderminster? I would be very surprised if they were not selling post warranty parts. their prices have always been reported as reasonable too.

 

incidentally, I am given to believe it's one, non region specific power supply in the x32 units, i.e. not 110 or 240 but both.

[TomHoward]

The UPS that the Facebook groups all talk about I believe is a bit more relevant to the 110V operation and their dodgy power grids. Obviously not a totally bad idea but I've never used one on a size of gig you'd use an X32 on.

 

Electronic Music Services in Southend are an authorised Behringer service centre and are much more co-operative in supplying parts than Kiddeminster. We haven't sourced any X32 parts from them but would be worth a phone call.

[nickb12345]

I used a UPS on an X32 for a tour last year and on two different shows in two different venues the X32 lost its sync with the S16 mid show. Music Group put it down to being the UPS.

 

While (having an IT background) I agree I would never run important computer equipment without a UPS, I would never run my X32 on a UPS again - not worth the risk. If there is a power outage I an explain that to the relevant parties and it isn't generally my fault. But how do you explain a piece of kit that was meant to make the show 'safer' stopping the whole thing?!

[timsabre]

Thanks I'll try some phone calls in the morning. Usually work better than emails...

[S&L]

I used a UPS on an X32 for a tour last year and on two different shows in two different venues the X32 lost its sync with the S16 mid show. Music Group put it down to being the UPS.

 

While (having an IT background) I agree I would never run important computer equipment without a UPS, I would never run my X32 on a UPS again - not worth the risk. If there is a power outage I an explain that to the relevant parties and it isn't generally my fault. But how do you explain a piece of kit that was meant to make the show 'safer' stopping the whole thing?!

 

theoretically if your s16 and x32 are on same power source via ups I can't see how you get a sync drop - but in fairness I tend to use ups where I don't trust the supplies - in a UK theatre that's not usually an issue but I have learned that it isn't just dipping below 110 (which is where many problem posts have an issue) - I have seen that the x32 will run happily if the 240v voltage slowly changes (gradual load increase) but they do not respond well to fast voltage fluctuations. I did two or three shows which were outdoors but on dodgy mains (not generator) supplies last year and the year before. I put a volt meter inline at FOH to see what was happening - glitches and freezes happened when the incoming voltage varied. a ups stopped that dead BUT I tend not to take s16s out on those sorts of gigs - just as easy and more robust using an analogue multicore.

the ups tends to stay on the vanfor theatre shows - UK theatres are in the main pretty reliable.

[timsabre]

Electronic Music Services in Southend have come up trumps, direct drop ship from Behringer, hooray.

[TomHoward]

Excellent, they have done us well for Behringer parts in the past so good to know they are good for X32 parts too.

[sam.spoons]

That's good to know.

 

I run both my X32s from separate UPS' the Compact at FOH and the Rack as stagebox, from the same mains outlet. It's a little worrying to know that the UPS could be responsible for loss of sync (though I'm puzzled as to how that could cause that issue).

[timsabre]

Just to complete this story, I fitted the new power module today and the desk was restored to life. Fairly simple fix apart from the million screws holding it together. Why it failed is another story, could be just age (3 yrs is not too impressive though) or maybe a power problem, though nothing else has been affected.

 

While it's been down we borrowed a newer X32 from a local school and it was interesting to see the changes made in the design. Screw heads all over the front panel and rubbery buttons were the most obvious changes, could not tell if the faders had also been updated.

[S&L]

Just to complete this story, I fitted the new power module today and the desk was restored to life. Fairly simple fix apart from the million screws holding it together. Why it failed is another story, could be just age (3 yrs is not too impressive though) or maybe a power problem, though nothing else has been affected.

 

While it's been down we borrowed a newer X32 from a local school and it was interesting to see the changes made in the design. Screw heads all over the front panel and rubbery buttons were the most obvious changes, could not tell if the faders had also been updated.

 

re changes you have missed a few upgrades.

1. original issue

2. fader caps changed to square edged, all fader capstains glued in place, card changed to usb only

3. rubber buttons

4. front access (haven't seen one of these yet)

[alistermorton]

Why it failed is another story, could be just age (3 yrs is not too impressive though)

 

I'd certainly agree with that view.

 

Our Ion is about that age and is exhibiting failure to boot problems and will have to go back to ETC. The Strand 300 it replaced gave reliable service for over ten years (possibly 15) before starting to show its age.