Nord's classical Virtual Analog Synth Nord LEAD 1/2/2x/3/4/A1 and Nord Rack versions

NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby tofil » 02 Mar 2016, 22:42

Hi everyone!

I know that this topic exists already, but i must have read all the post on the internet regarding this problem and did not find the solution for it. YET (i tried the suggested modification on the PSU, soldering the 2200 muF capacitor and it did not work). But i am persistent little ****er :]] Long story short, i have NL3 for 10 years now, and i noticed pretty quickly that sometimes it just turns off spontaneously. It is VERY picky when it comes to electricity. After ten years of this very annoying problem, and many ruined gigs I decided to solve it once and for all ! I don't want to sell it, I really want to fix it because it grew on me... :keyboard:

I have a electrician genius friend that suggested that we could open the synth and monitor the PSU to find out where exactly the problem is. He also suggested that if NL3 has switching mode PSU, could replace it with DIY classic, linear PSU that can handle dirty electric power better (i didn't showed him the synth yet). He did it on few synths and mixer consoles always with great success. So, before he begins this surgery I would like to ask few questions for my own peace of mind.

1) I guess that NL3 has switching mode PSU, not classic 'linear' one, or am I mistaken?
2) I searched far and wide for NL3 service manual, and couldn't find it. Does anyone knows where to find one or has one? I'm buying beer if we ever meet! :D
3) Has anyone successfully solved this problem using external voltage stabilizer, i tried with one, without any luck. Friend also suggested that he could make one with better specifications if changing the PSU wouldn't fix the problem.
4) Any suggestions? Has anyone solved this problem some other way?

sending it to clavia or closest dealer is out of the question, i don't have any confidence in them, and it will cost way to much, just to hear that ''the unit works just fine''.

Thank you, and best wishes!

Igor
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NL3 power problem / service manual


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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby pterm » 10 Mar 2016, 09:17

1. From the online photos of the power supplies of the NL3, it looks to me like NL3 uses a linear power supply.
2. The NE2 manual is available (http://www.workhousepoets.com/NE2%20Service%20Manual%20&%20Schematics.pdf), and from the looks of things, the power supply schematic appears close to what I see in the NL3 photos.
3. -sorry, no experience.
4. The NE2 schematic might prove helpful to your electronics genius friend... The NE2 was released around the same time as the NL3, so I expect some of the circuits are similar.

Your original post only briefly described your problem. --Does your NL3 turn off and then restart itself or does it turn off completely and you have physically switch it off and on to restore function?
--The answer to this question might help isolate the problem.
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby tofil » 16 Mar 2016, 19:44

pterm wrote:Your original post only briefly described your problem. --Does your NL3 turn off and then restart itself or does it turn off completely and you have physically switch it off and on to restore function?
--The answer to this question might help isolate the problem.


Thanks for your answers!

To answer your question: The unit rapidly turns off, with no warning and than restarts itself, never just turn-off. Sometimes it does this restarting action pretty often (e.g. ten times within 5 minute interval), and sometimes it's good for 10 hours. I also noticed that if I use NL3 somewhere near the power substation (we used to have band practices in a house that is very close to power substation) these restarts are happening more often. I guess that vicinity of substation means greater variations in distributed current voltage. Few days ago i tried using UPS (the one with battery) and it worked. Using a stable battery supply heleped (works only for 10 to 15 mins max), but that's not a solution...

Thnx!

Best wishes,

Igor
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby pterm » 16 Mar 2016, 20:30

Okay.
It is standard practice to monitor power supply quality and reset the microprocessor if the voltages go out of range. --Your electronics friend ought to be able to track that down from the schematics.

My guess is either capacitor failure or a diode failure (less likely) in the AC-to-DC rectifier bridge.

If you or your friend need any help drop me a PM or post to the forum and I'll try to assist. Good luck, I hope you get it fixed soon.
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby tofil » 17 Mar 2016, 12:55

pterm wrote:Okay.
It is standard practice to monitor power supply quality and reset the microprocessor if the voltages go out of range. --Your electronics friend ought to be able to track that down from the schematics.

My guess is either capacitor failure or a diode failure (less likely) in the AC-to-DC rectifier bridge.

If you or your friend need any help drop me a PM or post to the forum and I'll try to assist. Good luck, I hope you get it fixed soon.


OK thanks a lot, will do! I'm currently out of country, but as soon as get back, two weeks from now, we'll get down on it so I'll keep you informed, and hopefully will share some good results here.

Cheers!

Igor
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby cju198 » 15 May 2016, 22:27

Hi,
I just saw your thread, and I am in exactly the same boat. I don't want a new synth, I want my lead 3 to work again! So far I tried the first capacitor trick, didn't work, then I have changed all capacitors on the power supply module, didn't help, diode's were all working. THen I've had it in the dealer numerous times, without too much succes, it works for a bit then same problem again with the rebooting.

I haven't tried the replacing the ribbon cables yet, did you do that? Otherwise I just made a post if someone has a new psu they can sell me! I really want it back in action.

Let me know how you get on please!
Chris
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby Bjosko » 16 May 2016, 12:35

Hi Chris
Have you checked your ribbon cable connections ? Cleaned them, and added some good contact spray ?
I can recommend Deoxit ( you can get it from tubeampdoctor.com located in Germany if you can't find it locally).

I had a similare periodic problem with my NS Classic, so I rushed to Nord authorized repair shop and bought a new PSU (1795,- danish krones :-0), but found out it was my ribbon cables.

I still have my old PSU if it fits, and you want it. It are with a square on/off button and a 2 pins 230v connector ( like on an old transistor radio or shaver), and are labelled G2.
/Bjørn
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby cju198 » 16 May 2016, 20:36

Hi Bjørn,

Thanks for the reply. I haven't changed the ribbon cables, I can see that the service guy sprayed them with some contact spray though, and it doesn't seem to have helped much, although he did get it working longer than it had been, before the problem came back. Is it just the power ribbon cable you cleaned / changed?

I've attached some pics of the power module. I didn't see a G2, and the power button is rectangular , but 230v 2 pin as you describe. Does it look similiar?

På forhånd tak,
Chris
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Re: NL3 power problem / service manual

Postby Bjosko » 16 May 2016, 23:26

Hi Chris

I did not had a contact cleaner when I fixed mine, I just unplugged all connectors a couple times.
Here's the one I have laying around: (somewhere in my post)...

If you think it will fit, it's your for a bottle of wine :D

You can contact me at my username @gmail.com
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/Bjørn
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