Hosed Power Suppy?

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Member Since: Dec 23, 2002

I just got a refurbished Behringer MX3242X in the mail. I plugged it in to play with it -- hooked up a mics, set the levels, connected it to an amplifier -- but couldn't get it to register signal.

At first, I though the power supply was not the problem. The unit has an external, rackmountable power supply, and it was working -- fans were humming and it was warming up. The digital LEDs for the built-in effects unit were lighting. But then I figured out that if I turned it off for a while, then turned it on, signal would register for between 10-25 seconds, depending on how long the power had been turned off.

So that lead me to believe that the power supply was malfunctioning. This makes sense -- someone might have returned it, and Behringer couldn't find anything wrong with the mixer. They probably do what we do in my school's IT office -- plugged it into a single power supply they used for testing purposes.

Just now, I was playing with it again, and it did the same thing -- worked (ie, showed levels and output sound to the amp), but for only about 20 seconds. But this time I didn't have the speakers turned up, and I noticed that just as it died, the fan on the power supply kicked on.

So my theory is that maybe the fan is shorting out the power supply or something. I have very little knowledge of electrics, but this seems to make sense -- the symptoms definately fit the hypothesis.

Does anyone think this could be the case? If so, would it be worth it to open up the power supply (unplugged, of COURSE!) and take a look? I have a new one coming (the guy at Musician's Friend routed the complaint through the Missing Parts department), but it sure would be great to use this shiny mixer before December starts, you know? :-)

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jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005


Nov 16, 2005 05:51 am

DO NOT OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY!!! It's most likely a heat issue. Some part is overheating as the unit warms up, and it's just coincidence that the fan is coming on then. That's the weak point of a Behringer, the power supply. Your theory of it being a return makes sense. It's a shame they don't fully check things-out before shipping 'em back out to someone else. When you get a new PS, make sure you keep it well-ventilated.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 16, 2005 07:59 pm

I keep my MX 3282's power supply on the bottom level of one of my racks. It sits directly below a 1000 watt peavey amp and I dont have any trouble with over heating. But this rack is fairly open due to housing several amps as well as my main's power switch unit.

Where did you purchase the unit from, a retailer or a private owner?

jimmie neutron
Member
Since: Feb 14, 2005


Nov 19, 2005 05:39 am

Looked to me like he did Musicians Friend?...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 19, 2005 11:32 am

I would definately have them stand behind the product them. I dont know what exactly thier policy is on refurbished gear but I am certain they will stand behind it.

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2002


Nov 20, 2005 05:33 pm

I called them and they're sending a new one. The guy I talked to was real nice and decidied to send it via the Missing Parts department so I didn't have to send the whole thing back and wait while they did their voodoo.

Should come next Monday or so. Rotten Thanksgiving! I love it :-)and all, but sometimes these holidays get in the way of mail I'm waiting for! :-)

I opened it up, though. I know how they say you're not supposed to do that, etc. etc. But I figured they were sending a new one, so no warranty to violate. I'm not stupid when it comes to electricity, so I opened it (seven or so screws on the external case). Just a transformer, a PCB board with some standard electrical parts, the leads for the fan, and connectors for power coming in, the switch, and power coming out. I decided not to screw with it (I wouldn't ever open the transformer, for example).

But if the new one works, I'm gonna be curious as to why the old one didn't.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 20, 2005 09:26 pm

Gald to hear their taken care of you. Its great when you get a good customer service guyn like that. Good luck with the new one, I'm sure its all gonna be good.

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