One of my dynamos has broken!

[OllieJames]

Hey,

I was playing around with my lights this morning, sorting out my rig for tomorrow, and everything was working great.

Then 2 hours later, i switched it back on again, and one of my dynamos just didn't work. It was plugged in correctly, had the correct bulb in, and the dip switches were all correct. It just wouldn't function, not even the fan would turn...

Any ideas how to fix this?

Also: I have no warrenty, as i bought these second hand off ebay... :o

Thanks,

Ollie

[Rowleys]

open the case and make sure all the plug are in on the main board

also on the main board in side there is a fuse its on the left side of the light check that make sure its not blown

[Jiggles]

Fuses?

[OllieJames]

I've opened the unit, but (this will sound really stupid...) how do i know if the fuse has blown? :o

Thanks!

[Jiggles]

got a mulitmeter? use it on the contanuity setting. If its a see through glass one then you can see if it gone ie its not there lol or if you dont have a mulitmeter then a battery, wire, a lamp and the fuse. Connect them to the fuse if itcome on then its fine, if it stays off then its blowen

[Rowleys]

yeh in side its a glass fuse

in side the light not the plug lol

[OllieJames]

yeah, i've taken off the casing, and found the fuse, and yes it is glass.

I've got another 3A fuse, and it doesn't fit :confused:

The glass one fits perfectly, and this one, which isn't clear doesn't, it's too long/large. Do i have to replace it with another glass one?

Thanks

I tried the other fuse, and it doesn't work..

So, as said previously, do i need to replace with a fuse that is exactally the same? 3A 250V and exactally the same size?

Thanks

[Jiggles]

yep, also check the fuse in the plug!

[OllieJames]

I've tried loads of plugs! :(

Well, i'll pop out tomorrow, and try and find some identical fuses, and if not, i don't know what to do!

UPDATE: There is another fuse in the socket where you put the kettle cable, and it has blown (gone black), and luckily enough there was a spare in there in a little compartment. So i replaced it, turned it back on and... BANG (didn't make the sound, was only used for dramatic effect!) it's blown this one too, which suggests something in the unit is causing it to do it, so i'll take it into my store within this week sometime!

Thanks for your help!

[spin mobile disco]

Was the light working previously?, if so then it may just be an earth fault or a breakfown in the cable. Have you tried a different cable?
The fuses inside are quickblow glass fuses. These can be purchased from maplin for about £1 for 10 of them. Always handy things to carry anyway so well worth the purchase.
Dynamo's are pretty robust in general so I would expect a relatively simple problem rather than a complex one.

As the internal fuse hasnt blown then we know the internal board is probably ok as a fast blow fuse lives up to its name. So most likely problem is qoing to be one of the following:
1. mains plug
2. mains cable
3. iec plug
4. iec connector (also check fuse on this as some of them have one here as well.
5. Check internal wiring insulation is all ok no breakdown or connector come loose.
6. Finally the prime suspect is the transformer.
When transformers breakdown they can make fuses trip as I have found out to my cost in the past. As the quickblow fuse didnt blow the problem must be before its place in the chain which normally is after the stage down transformer.
Hope this helps while not definative I think it covers the most likely suspects. Anything else wrong is probably beyond the average users ability to fix in which case a local DJ shop would be able to help or a quick call to prolight may help as well.

[Vectis]

If all else fails I've got a set of 4 working dynamos you can buy... :p :o

[OllieJames]

Was the light working previously?, if so then it may just be an earth fault or a breakfown in the cable. Have you tried a different cable?
The fuses inside are quickblow glass fuses. These can be purchased from maplin for about £1 for 10 of them. Always handy things to carry anyway so well worth the purchase.
Dynamo's are pretty robust in general so I would expect a relatively simple problem rather than a complex one.

As the internal fuse hasnt blown then we know the internal board is probably ok as a fast blow fuse lives up to its name. So most likely problem is qoing to be one of the following:
1. mains plug
2. mains cable
3. iec plug
4. iec connector (also check fuse on this as some of them have one here as well.
5. Check internal wiring insulation is all ok no breakdown or connector come loose.
6. Finally the prime suspect is the transformer.
When transformers breakdown they can make fuses trip as I have found out to my cost in the past. As the quickblow fuse didnt blow the problem must be before its place in the chain which normally is after the stage down transformer.
Hope this helps while not definative I think it covers the most likely suspects. Anything else wrong is probably beyond the average users ability to fix in which case a local DJ shop would be able to help or a quick call to prolight may help as well.

Hi, Thanks so much for your reply!

The mains cable, plug, IEC connector and plug are all fine. At a glance, all cableing looks fine! I think i'll take it into Fabtronic (my local shop) and see what they can do for me. My water tells me it's the transformer... (bye, bye money :()

Ollie

[Rowleys]

if the glass fuse had blow you can just get fuse wire and rape it round the old fuse like

[OllieJames]

if the glass fuse had blow you can just get fuse wire and rape it round the old fuse like

I think i'll stick with taking it to the shop!

Also, not sure that's a good idea :rolleyes:

[Kernow]

if the glass fuse had blow you can just get fuse wire and rape it round the old fuse like

Or tinfoil across the terminals ???

NOT (either) !!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Unless you want a genuine flame effect !!! :confused:
And your PAT testing person in trauma. :attn:

The fuses are housed in glass for a very good reason.

I do hope you meant 'wrap' :(

[Rowleys]

its manly for testing

but other them that the light look very basic and that not gone then its a new light i think

Or buy a new light and send your brocken one back in the box

there is no S/E number on them or anythink

i would get a new light change the power boards over and send it back lol

say new this cheap light would be a bad choose lol

[Sapphire Disco]

its manly for testing

but other them that the light look very basic and that not gone then its a new light i think

Or buy a new light and send your brocken one back in the box

there is no S/E number on them or anythink

i would get a new light change the power boards over and send it back lol

say new this cheap light would be a bad choose lol

No sorry you've got me there , can't decipher that one :D

[OllieJames]

No sorry you've got me there , can't decipher that one :D

:agree: :rolleyes:

[spin mobile disco]

its manly for testing

but other them that the light look very basic and that not gone then its a new light i think

Or buy a new light and send your brocken one back in the box

there is no S/E number on them or anythink

i would get a new light change the power boards over and send it back lol

say new this cheap light would be a bad choose lol

That is also rather immoral and illegal as well. To purchase a new item then return the used one as being the same is fraud. I believe the jail term for fraud is 5 - 10 years in the Uk at the moment so would not really recomend that.
Most manufacturers are quite willing to offer their help for free on their products if faulty. Try ringing prolight as previously mentioned they may just send you a part for free. When my dynarocks had a problem i found them very helpful and they were about a year old at that point and they still sent me the parts gratis.
Very good customer service I would recomend speaking to them before parting with your money.

[Jays karaoke]

have you knocked one of the switches on the back, this once happened to me and i took it in for sorting and looked abit of an idiot when he spotted the fault straight away.