Channel failed in Betapack 3

[PeterV]

One of our Betapack 3 packs has lost its channel 6 (channel 5 is fine) - it has completely failed, in that it does not come on when called up on the console. It was working at the start of the dress rehearsal week, then went intermittent then failed.

 

The socket wiring to the bar and lantern and back has been checked and found to be working correctly, and has been swapped asis to a spare channel on another pack and is working fine.

 

The pack is a Zero 88 Betapack 3 with serial number CC0030711 143201 3698424601 (not sure which number is the actual S/N but those are all the numbers on the unit.) I think it was purchased in November 2014.

 

Obviously we have checked the breaker. Is there anything obvious which is worth checking, or any additional P/D needed to narrow it down?

 

Peter Vincent, Chesil Theatre Winchester

[Edward]

Hi Peter,

 

On Betapack 3s there's a menu option for top set. Is there a possibility this option for channel 6 has been accidentally set to 0? If so there would be no output from that channel.

To access that mode, from memory you just keeping clicking menu until the LED on the display indicates you are in top set mode. You can then with the arrows select the channel, hit enter, and then set its values.

 

If this isn't the issue, have you tried bringing the channel up manually using the pack itself?

 

Edward

[PeterV]

Hi Edward - thanks for the thoughts. I have passed them on to the running crew but they might prefer to wait until the current show is over (as our control position where the dimmers also are is extremely cramped). If they can do a test I will report results here.

Peter

[PeterV]

Is there a reason why no-one from Zero 88 is giving any advice?

[kgallen]

Hi Peter,

 

Might be worth dropping Keith a direct line, either with your text or to point him towards this Forum entry:

 

KeithRogers@eaton.com

Failing that, then Ian at CTS might be able to give you some knowledgeable support:

ian@centraltheatresupplies.co.uk

Hope you get this sorted soon.

Regards,

Kevin

[Jon Hole]

...Is there a possibility this option for channel 6 has been accidentally set to 0...

...have you tried bringing the channel up manually using the pack itself...

 

I have passed them on to the running crew ... If they can do a test I will report results here.

 

Is there a reason why no-one from Zero 88 is giving any advice?

 

Edward's already asked all the questions we would be asking, so we're waiting to hear the reply :-)

[PeterV]

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

We are in production this week and everything is stable at the moment so the running crew don't want to mess with the dimmer yet, but will do so soon after the current show closes on Saturday. I will report back results of the tests shortly.

 

If there's anything else worth checking at the same time, let me know.

 

Peter

[PeterV]

OK here is the result of our tests with this Betapack 3:

 

I investigated dimmer channel 6 today. On arrival and test Ch 6 worked fine, having left it not working. Some time later it failed again. I set the Betapack to manual and faded up on the front panel push buttons. The lamp started to come on and then there was a nasty cracking/spluttering noise that seemed to come from (or behind) the breaker. I suspect the breaker is faulty.

As I will have to take the breaker out and trot around trying to find one of a similar physical size, the Betapack will be out of commission for a while. So I think we should leave working on it until after the guest show on 25 Feb.

[iank99]

Zero88 part: 5480100 10amp single Pole Breaker - most dealers should be able to order them

[PeterV]

Thanks Ian -- Peter

[PeterV]

When opened to replace what we thought was a faulty breaker, turns out is more serious than we thought as a cable appears to have been arcing and damaged wiring around it. Photos and description being sent to Keith direct to check repair options.