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BE FM-30B problem...

S

spinjector

Hi all,

I have a BE FM-30B with an IPA chassis that goes dark intermittently - it simply turns off, as if it’s receiving an erroneous remote-off command from the transmitter control board. It started about two weeks ago, and the time periods between are anywhere from 2 days to 10 minutes.

No error/fault LEDs come on anywhere, on the IPA, transmitter, or control board. The only symptoms are the power LED on the IPA goes dark, and the transmitter power rolls way back and stops anywhere from 30% to 50%. If I turn the transmitter completely off/on, everything comes back on normally after the plate delay.

Does anyone have any troubleshooting suggestions, or have knowledge of known issues like this..?

Thanks.
 
What type of IPA is it. Dual combined or newer module type? If transmitter emissions only drop to 30% it must be dual combined. It could be a problem with one of the two IPA portions, resulting in low drive. Or if you are saying that transmitter power resumes to around 30~50% TPO see what happens if you disable APC. Just some ideas.
 
All faults require power to be removed to reset.

Doesn't look like IPA current overload will have any indication on the front.
IF your video screen still working (if you're lucky) are the currents somewhat balanced between amps?

Check all the large red wires for burned/loose connections.
The connector on the regulator board burned up on both of ours.
Check F3 10 amp Fuse holder. Had to the wires to the "spare" after they heat up & fail.
All caused intermittant failure.
 
None of the 30 and/or 20B's I've used have had video screens. If this is the same vintage, the IPA's have fault lights.

From the stupid questions dept, have you checked the power cords on the IPA drawers? Could be a loose power cable that gets just enough wiggle on restart to make it work.

Check the pins on J9, check for any erroneous off commands or interlock.

Check your RF cables too, make sure everything is tight. You may even want to remove them and check for a short, but your description of the power going off completely on the drawer is leading me towards the power cable/supply and all connections on it. As Boise said, check the fuse holders too. Prolonged heat (and vibration from the blowers) can do funny things to electronics, wires and connections.
 
Video screens. Nice when they worked. Made it really easy to tune
with everything on one screen.
Both the BE FM10A and an FM30B in the same room "had" displays.
Without them there's no metering for the IPA supply current.
Makes it more of a guess if you've got the loading right.
The 10A is no longer emmitting RF but the 30B is still plugging along.

Time to update it to a model T controller.
 
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