Connect Up The Boards In A Frog?

[PeterV]

We have been given a Frog to use as spares for our Fat Frog, but on opening it up it is clear that the electronics are quite different (although there are probably some parts we could reuse).

 

We are therefore curious to see if this desk is in face a "runner" but there are seem to be some ribbon cables missing. Has anyone got any photos or other information about how the insides of this desk should look when properly connected?

[iank99]

From memory - because the same mainboard was used for all variations on a Frog - when inside a Frog one of the headers that feed the front panel was vacant (Header C I think). If the mainboard was inside a Fat Frog the last header is also used.

[PeterV]

Hi Ian - we managed to get hold of the maintenance manual and found that A and C were used, but not B - as this includes amongst other things a simple block diagram of which boards connect to what. We also discovered that the ribbon cables inside were not original ones (as A, B, C were connected, but B is only for moving light panel). So we are trying to get hold of some suitable cables so we can at least try and fire it up because there are no obvious signs of problem apart from the cabling (and disconnected earth). It seems that the original parts are not available either.

 

So you are right as nearly all of it is the same as in our Fat Frog. But if it runs it is too good to cannibalise! But main benefit was being able to take it to pieces when it doesn't matter, which we would be wary of with our live desk. Changing the battery on this recently was like a scene from a hospital film!

[iank99]

I've not seen inside many 'small' Frogs to be honest - we mostly sold Fat Frogs and get them in for service hence my memory playing tricks!

 

If it's some cables you need - can you give me until tomorrow to have a look through my odds & sods? I know I stripped a Fat Frog for spares a couple of years back but I can't remember if I kept the cables - I'll need to root through my bits and pieces BUT I'm out onsite today with Keith. If I have them around - then you're welcome to them to try!

 

Battery changes on the Mark 1's were fun - always insisted they come here to be done on the bench rather than onsite

[PeterV]

HI Ian - much obliged,

 

The A and C cables will be identical to what our Frog is looking for, if you still have them. The "A" cable is 1 to 4-way (motherboard to 2 x channel presets, submasters, memory masters). The "C" cable is only motherboard to LCD.

 

Regards -- Peter

[iank99]

Peter - found the cables - eMail me a postal address to iank*at*centraltheatresupplies.co.uk and I'll stick them in a Jiffy bag and post em to you.

[PeterV]

Peter - found the cables - eMail me a postal address to iank*at*centraltheatresupplies.co.uk and I'll stick them in a Jiffy bag and post em to you.

Hi Ian - fantastic. Email on its way. Many thanks - Peter

[PeterV]

The correct ribbon cables were carefully put in and the Frog fired up in test mode. Works perfectly! Connect to theatre DMX and works as good as new. Updated to latest software level. Now we have the nice problem of what to do with it as it is too good to use for spares for our Fat Frog as originally intended! Peter

[iank99]

You could buy a DMX Merge and use the Fat Frog to control the fixtures and the Frog the generics - oh wait

 

Glad the cables helped Peter!