Jump to content
Vari-Lite Controls Support Forum

Sirius 24 Battery draining


Recommended Posts

Hi

 

I've recently purchased a second hand Sirius 24, but I'm having a few issues. When switching the board on, random lights are illuminated that shouldn't be. Sometimes I get random characters in the display and sometimes it is blank. After a few tries of turning off and on again, the PRESETS ONLY message comes on and normal operation can be resumed. However, anything I have stored in the memory has been wiped out and replaced with random memories. The LS (Lost Store) error also comes up when you switch to programme mode. I have to do a CLEAR ALL in Super User to clear all the memories again.

 

I know this is probably a battery problem, but have replaced the battery with a new one. What I have discovered is that the battery is draining very quickly, after only a couple of hours. I have tried swapping the ICs on the main PCB with a spare set I have, but to no avail. My latest test is to remove the connection to the DMX board. Now I have done this, the battery does not seem to be draining as it was before. (I need to leave it overnight to be sure)

 

So my conclusion is that something on the DMX board is draining the battery... but what? The underside of the DMX board has a white powdery substance all over it and brown stuff around some of the solder connections. Also in places the green board surface has flaked off. Some of the thicker printed metal traces within the board are crinkled as well, as if it has been over hot at some stage. Does this sound feasible? I've attached some pictures (sorry about the quality).

 

I have used the DMX output recently, but had to keep the board switched on to preserve the memories. The DMX seemed to work fine.

 

Can anyone help please and point me in the right direction as to what might be at fault?

 

Many thanks.

post-10061-0-22102000-1401142877_thumb.jpg

post-10061-0-83026600-1401142885_thumb.jpg

post-10061-0-75615600-1401142889_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The "crud" on the underside of your DMX card isn't unusual - it's mostly a by product of the flow solder machine process.

 

If the battery is draining so fast, then it has to be damage to the mainboard tracks around the battery - something is shorting the battery to ground causing it to discharge or a component fail.

 

Looking at a circuit diagram, I'd be looking at D42 to make sure it's still a diode and not letting battery voltage on to the voltage rail that supplies it, D42 is located next to the battery - second resistor up from the zener diode.

Ian Knight aka The Service Guy - www.serviceguy.co.uk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.