Hit by lightning

[Edinftl]

I had a lightning hit seconds before a show and lost control of all lights. (400 patrons in the dark). I have an Express lighting board from etc. I called the etc support line and was told that I blew a dmx chip. Where can i get one and is it something that I could install myself.

[gafftaper]

Since the Express is discontinued, parts will probably have to come from the factory... although a larger repair shop may have one kicking around. Call ETC back and ask them where to get the part and if it's a fix you can do yourself. Call your local repair shop and ask them if they have one in stock by chance.

AND before you hook it back up make sure you buy a good surge protector.

[Edinftl]

Thanks! Surge protector in place...

[gafftaper]

Even if you do take it to a local repair shop they may need to send it back to ETC to repair. I would think about asking if you can get a loaner and send it back to ETC to have them go through the whole thing. I have a friend who just got a used Express he's sent it back to ETC for a few repairs and general cleaning. He's going to have a "new" console when it's all done.

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by Edinftl

I had a lightning hit seconds before a show and lost control of all lights. (400 patrons in the dark). I have an Express lighting board from etc. I called the etc support line and was told that I blew a dmx chip. Where can i get one and is it something that I could install myself.

In theory, it's a simple fix - new DMX output chip

In reality, you don't know if that's the only issue. If you had no UPS on the power side and took a hit, I'd want ETC or a factory service center (Litetrol) to take a look, 'cause 'ya never know what else they might find - and can then fix while it's at the shop.

Taking the "brick" off the console and swapping the chip is a tricky process as it's very easy to get the brick mis-aligned when re-attaching to the facepanel. If you don;t know what the Brick is, then you've answered the next question which is "am I knowledgeable enough to fix this ?". I personally would not attempt this, and I've used an Express for 10 years.

Steve B

[starksk]

Gafftaper and SteveB are both right, this is a tricky repair that is best done in a ESD protected envrionment such as a repair shop or the factory.

Remember there are two DMX Out ports on an Express console. In a pinch, if you are only using one universe of DMX, you can swap your cable to the other port and configure it to output the same universe.

To configure the DMX ports:

[Setup] [2] [Enter] To display the Output Configuration menu

Select the port you wish to change using the arrow keys or by typing the number of the port.

Press [S3] and then enter the starting output number (1, 513, etc...) and press [Enter]

[Enter] again to confirm the change.

The DMX ports each use their own chip. This means that if you have one that is down, you may still be able to use the other port.

[LightingPenguin]

just a fun note: I was struck by lightning once. I don't recommend it

[Dionysus]

While doing an outdoor show at the local historic Gaol lightning struck the wall arced to our light tower, down the tower with a technician in contact with it.
His cellphone was no good after, he was thrown back, but otherwise okay.
We had to replace a few fuses, and lamps... Other than that everything was okay. The show went on again the next day.

[Darthrob13]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

His cellphone was no good after, he was thrown back, but otherwise okay.
We had to replace a few fuses, and lamps... Other than that everything was okay. The show went on again the next day.

Really...what size fuses did he use?

[Dionysus]

The Fuses in the DIMMER PACKS (The NSIs) If I remember offhand are 8A