Express RFU Not Powering On

The problem that I have had in the past is that the wire has been pulled so that the connection to the RFU is not solid. Many times the RFUs get treated roughly. The RFUs will be lowered by their cable or hung from their cable so that the weight of the unit is pulling on the cable. Or the cable will be bent sharply. If you get this working again, be nice to your RFU as someone before you obviously wasn't.

IMPORTANT, I recommend calling ETC Tech Support and getting their help in troubleshooting the possible connection issues.
1st, get your teacher involved. The RFU isn't working, but you don't want to make it worse and be blamed.
In the US, Tech Support can be reached at (800) 688-4116.

2nd, unplug the RFU and open the XLR connector on the end of the cable. Make sure that all wires are still soldered and that there aren't any loose strands of wire or solder causing two of the leads to short out. I can't tell you how many times I have opened up an XLR connector to find really horrendous cable termination. If this end of the cable looks really bad, or more than one wire is not connected, get help. Call Tech Support. But, if that is all okay...

3rd, loosen the outside of the cable strain relief going into the RFU and push a little bit of the cable back into the RFU. Sometimes the cable gets damaged where it enters the strain relief, and by taking the strain off of the damaged area, it will be okay. I know it sounds weird, but it has worked for me for years. After this, plug the RFU directly into the console and try turning it on.

Now, it gets more complicated, and why you really want to have your teacher involved.
4th, if the RFU still is not working, do you have a computer/technology teacher/lab at your school? Go find them to help open the RFU and check the wires inside of the RFU. You will want a static strap. If anything needs to be re-soldered on the board, that takes particular skill. DON'T ATTEMPT IT WITHOUT TRAINING! Check that the switch is still working. These are the most obvious culprits.

If it is still not working, the RFU and/or the Express console will probably need factory authorized service.
Good luck,
John

Hi djelectro,

I also suggest checking the fuse for the RFU, if you haven't done so already. It's located next to the RFU port on the back of the Express console, and I occasionally see them popped. The fuse also provides power to the Littlelite ports, so if your console has them and they don't work either, that could very likely be the issue.

A new fuse can be found at our webstore, or you may be able to find them at a hardware store.

Thanks,

I originally did believe it was the fuse, but today I checked it and it wasn't the problem (perfectly good fuse), I also did get it working thanks to what was said above about needing to push the cable in a little bit. I'm going to try to get some department to pay for it to be sent out and have the problem more... permanently... corrected.

-Adam

Hey!

The 3rd thing you mentioned actually did fix it for me! Looks like someone didn't treat the unit right and so the cable was coming loose (it actually felt like it was falling out when I unscrewed the cable grip). I'm going to see if some department in the district is willing to pay for it to be sent back for a more permanent repair (maybe replacing the cable or just re soldering it as we do have a wood/workshop but no soldering equipment.) Either way, it works now, thank you so much!

-Adam

P.S. Sorry for the totally late reply, the chorus was practicing in the auditorium and I coulden't get at the board until today.

Hi Adam,
Thanks for letting us know that it helped. If you treat the RFU well, it should keep working for you. I had one that was that way, and I kept it working for years with just the occasional attention.
Take care,
John