bad power supply?

[gregmidd10]

My NS3 HAP76 has suddenly started failing to power on - I get a super fast dim blink on the panels and then nothing. If I keep trying the power switch it will usually finally power up, and then performs completely normally. It's getting pretty scary, tried to fail on me at my last gig! A local repair guy told me it's most likely the power supply needing to be replaced. Looks pretty expensive by the time I buy the power supply and pay him to swap it out. Has anybody else run into this, and did replacing the power supply take care of it? Also, if you replaced it did you do it yourself or pay a repair service? When I looked under the hood it looked pretty simple to swap out. Thanks for any advice!!

[cgrafx]

I just started to experience the same issue on my NS3 compact. It's a thermal problem. Either a cold solder joint or a failing chip with an internal thermal issue.

When you turn on the power supply, even though the unit doesn't boot, all the chips are still receiving power and they physically warm up. As the board/chips warm they experience thermal expansion and push the loose connection together. If you then power cycle the unit it boots up and operates as if nothing is wrong.

I'm pretty sure its not a power supply issue. However, if it is power supplies are available in the USA for $240 shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to swap out.

https://instrumentalparts.com/power-sup ... ams-60300/

[cphollis]

Also, when the matrix connectors between the main controller board, keybed and control panel, all sorts of weirdness can result.

[gregmidd10]

I just started to experience the same issue on my NS3 compact. It's a thermal problem. Either a cold solder joint or a failing chip with an internal thermal issue.

When you turn on the power supply, even though the unit doesn't boot, all the chips are still receiving power and they physically warm up. As the board/chips warm they experience thermal expansion and push the loose connection together. If you then power cycle the unit it boots up and operates as if nothing is wrong.

I'm pretty sure its not a power supply issue. However, if it is power supplies are available in the USA for $240 shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to swap out.

https://instrumentalparts.com/power-sup ... ams-60300/

Well, certainly not happy you are experiencing this too, but it's a relief to see I'm not the only one that's seen this. It is odd behavior for sure, and the way you explain it makes sense. That would explain why I can power it off after playing it and it will power back up every time, but not after it's been sitting cold. What are your plans for this with your compact? If I knew it would reliably power up and behave after giving it some time I might just live with it for now, but it's a terrible feeling when you are loading in for a gig and it just blinks and sits there powered off. I did look under the hood just to see if I saw any loose connections etc and it looks to be a pretty straight forward swap out if I decide to order a power supply.

[cgrafx]

My initial diagnosis was also that there must be something wrong with the power supply, but upon opening and doing some limited testing the power supply appeared to be working properly. After sleeping on it I realized that the symptoms were consistent with a thermal issue, and I was able to reliably get the unit to boot by just leaving the power on for a while and then cycling the power switch.I took that opportunity to do a full backup which if you have not done you should also do.

I'm currently planning on trying to find the location of the fault before I take it to a service center to get it repaired so they don't have to hunt for the problem. If it turns out to be a cold solder joint that is accessible I may do the repair myself, but it would have to be on a larger pitch component since I don't have the proper soldering equipment to work on the smaller pitch chips used on the circuit board.

You will definitely want to get this fixed as this sort of problem will eventually fail permanently.

[gregmidd10]

My initial diagnosis was also that there must be something wrong with the power supply, but upon opening and doing some limited testing the power supply appeared to be working properly. After sleeping on it I realized that the symptoms were consistent with a thermal issue, and I was able to reliably get the unit to boot by just leaving the power on for a while and then cycling the power switch.I took that opportunity to do a full backup which if you have not done you should also do.

I'm currently planning on trying to find the location of the fault before I take it to a service center to get it repaired so they don't have to hunt for the problem. If it turns out to be a cold solder joint that is accessible I may do the repair myself, but it would have to be on a larger pitch component since I don't have the proper soldering equipment to work on the smaller pitch chips used on the circuit board.

You will definitely want to get this fixed as this sort of problem will eventually fail permanently.

Hello, have you gone any further with resolving this? Just curious, was wondering if you found it to be outside the power supply. I have debated ordering a replacement power supply myself - when I looked under the hood it looked to be pretty straight forward to just do a simple replacement, but don't want to drop $200-300 and find out the problem is elsewhere. I contacted the local Nord-authorized repair guy in my area and described the problem and he pretty much said all you can do is replace the PS. If that's the case, I would consider doing it myself rather than paying an additional $100+ for him to do it. Currently, I'm just leaving it powered on at home, and holding my breath each time I have to load into a gig that it powers up.

[cgrafx]

I haven't had time to take my board to the local tech yet. If it turns out to be the power supply, I'll let you know. Swapping the power supply a pretty simple procedure, you just have to have the correct TORX screw and Nut drivers (I don't remember the size).

[cgrafx]

Seems there is a faulty DSP chip on the main board. The service tech identified the specific chip but doesn't do board level repair anymore, so his only option for me was to replace the mainboard at a total cost of about $1400. The chip in question costs about $35 and is readily available. I have to purchase some tools to properly unsolder and replace the chip without damaging the board, but I'm going to go that route first. Worst case I'm out $200 or so and will still have to replace the main board. Best case I'll save $1200.

Please note: This is not the kind of repair work you'd want to do without both the proper tools and a reasonable amount of experience doing this kind of board level re-work. If your unit has the same basic problem and you can find a service center that actually does board-level repair work I would expect it to cost $300-$400 for this kind of service. Otherwise the only other solution is a replacement of the mainboard.

[darrylhebert]

Hey, thx for the valuable info on this subject.

Can you please post details on the chip so I can source one?

thx

[LeftyBass68]

Darryl,
Mainboard repairs available at Knobs on Alexander down in the E Hastings area.
A block from a gig down there,LanaLou's!
L&M have a wave soldering station too,all done in Delta.