Help fixing NSI dimmer

[6ftstudios]

Hey all,

I'm working on fixing on an NSI dimmer (DDS 6000+). There is an end of a fuse stuck in the fuse holder (which is also broken). It looks like I'm going to have to replace the fuse holder. Does anyone know where I could get my hand on this part? The NSI dealers that I've talked to can't get the parts and there is no way I'm sending it in to get serviced for $120+ and two weeks in shop. I need it in 2 weeks.

The dimmer is 3-5 years old.

Thanks.

- D

[soundlight]

If you're versed in electrical repairs, just get a new fuse holder at radio shack. If they don't have it, or if there is no radio shack near you, you should be able to get one online, including next day shipping, for under twenty bucks.

[gafftaper]

uh oh... NSI repair question.
Here you go Van I'll set you up with a nice slow pitch to knock out of the park:

Hey Van, how would you fix an NSI dimmer?

[Van]

Yeah what Soundlight said, Thomas and Betts should have holdersif your local radio shack doesn't be sure if do the work that the fuse holder you use is rated for the necessary current. If you can't find a surface mount fuse holder <I'm assuming that's what is in there stock.> you can use a wired one, But it must be rated much higher < not the fuse the holder itself> and you must keep the leads absolutely as short as possible.

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by Van

Yeah what Soundlight said, Thomas and Betts should have holdersif your local radio shack doesn't be sure if do the work that the fuse holder you use is rated for the necessary current. If you can't find a surface mount fuse holder <I'm assuming that's what is in there stock.> you can use a wired one, But it must be rated much higher < not the fuse the holder itself> and you must keep the leads absolutely as short as possible.

Van you let me down, knowing your love for NSI I was looking for an answer more like: "With a Plasma cutter" or "Drop it from the grid".

[Van]

Look at the post times, If I had seen yours first I'd have said something like,
" It's an NSI Dimmer .... Why Bother ?"
I had a lovely spring day and spent allday out in the yard it cured my ITS, so I thought I'd be nice.

[soundlight]

<hijack>OK. Enough NSI bashing. Really. It's kinda getting old here. Some people can't afford the luxuries that you have at your immediate disposal, this you have to understand. Sure, you may live the ETC or Strand life now, but what about in high school? Or was your high school lucky enough to get away with a full complement of ETC or strand.? Seriously. NSI stuff is really not all that bad. Their hybrid ML/conventional console w/the 7 encoder wheels is actually pretty sweet if you have never touched a congo or eos or maxxyz or grandMA. When you don't have the money for ETC or Strand, it looks like a good option. As I always say, I love rolling in the big bucks, working with moving lights, source fours, ETC dimming, distribution, and control, and all that fun stuff, but it's almost just as exciting to create something awesome from almost nothing. while most people use a full complement of source fours or shakespeares or lekos or whatever for sidelighting, pipe ends, etc, I worked from only four pars on each side with a sixty dollar cheapo no-name brand dimmer pack that works just fine, takes DMX, passes DMX through, and spits out dimming to my parcans by way of a single 20A circuit. That was in high school, of course, and I love working with the good stuff in college, but everyone's gotta start somewhere, and usually wherever you start, someone's gotta keep the place up on a yearly budget that's less than the production budget for a single production at a college. I've been building my high school's tech theater program up from almost nothing, with a paltry sum to work with every year, and am continuing to do this throughout college, because I really care about the facility. No it isn't top-of-the-line, but it works for four shows a year and the regular presentations in the auditorium. I'm really not trying to get all pissed at any one person, but the NSI bashing thing is kinda just . If it doesn't answer the question, why do it? Replacing a fuse holder is very easy, and I was already doing it (to code, mind you) when I was in tenth grade. I know that someone is going to say that I'm over-reacting, but I don't think that I am.</hijack>

[Van]

<Hijack>You like NSI, Great. I have used NSI for years, I hate them. Running a lighting rental warehouse will do that to you, after enough calls in the middle of the night form pissed off bar bands asking you to come down and fix their lights. Looks like difference of opinion. You may not like it, but in my opinion your constant backing and promoting of NSI Tends to Irk me as well. In another thread you continued to sing it praises, that's great, Personally I will not recomend a product that I know to be inferior when there other just as affordable better options. You mentioned in your hijack that they make great consoles, I agree some of their consoles are an excellent alternative to the much higher priced options out there. I don't belive you've ever seen me make a statement about NSI consoles, it's thier dimmers I have absolutely no use for. So we can agree to disagree. < hijack>

Wait a minute what do you mean "Replacing a fuse holder is very easy, and I was already doing it (to code, mind you) when I was in tenth grade." ?

Were you a licensed Limited Maintenance Electrician in the tenth grade ?

[soundlight]

Nope, but one was watching me the whole time to make sure that I didn't screw up.

[gafftaper]

<Hijack Continues...>
Hey Soundlight, I thought you had answered the question well enough. I knew Van was online and I knew what he thinks about NSI so I thought I'd try to make a joke out of it.

I fully agree with you in that some of us on this board are gear snobs. There is a definite attitude of, "if it isn't ETC, Strand, Martin, High End etc... it's crap". At the same time, most of the people who use this board are probably getting buy with whatever the state, school district, church, or community theater could afford 10..15.. 20+ years ago. As we've discussed in another thread there are people who would love to just have enough money for some used scoops, so they don't have to use halogen work lights. I know what it's like, when I first started teaching I walked in and found 20 instruments in a store room as there wasn't enough money to buy lamps for them.The gear snob attitude isn't helping anyone. Although, I think Van's been pretty clear that in this case it's not about being a gear snob, it's about a specific product he's had a lot of bad experiences with.

Sorry, if I ticked you off with trying to make an NSI joke. Like I said, you already answered the question, I knew what Van would say about NSI, and I was just trying to be funny. You'll note I've actually been on your side in the other thread as a happy NSI user. At the same time given Van's background, it sounds like he's got a pretty solid reasons for not trusting their dimmers.

Now boys let's stop the bickering about replacing the fuse, shake hands, and move on.