Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Fader issues with CP 500

This is topic Fader issues with CP 500 in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011659

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-20-2014, 09:53 PM:

I am having trouble with a CP 500. The fader setting is moving on it's own. There is also a remote fader connected.

This is an adult run theater, so no one is fiddling with anything. My first thought is to disconnect the remote fader and see how the processor behaves.

I have another processor, so what should I be checking?

Thanks

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-20-2014, 11:44 PM:

I disconnected the remote fader. Either doing that, or power cycling the processor seems to have fixed the problem. I guess we'll see.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 05-20-2014, 11:45 PM:

This is a really common problem with 500's. You can sometimes clean the pot successfully but you have to get the cover off and clean and squirt electronic cleaner and see if it helps.

Otherwise you need to find a new/used door. Dolby no longer supports this device. BACP does repair support on some items as possible but you won't like the price.

Probably has nothing to do with remote but to be sure disconnect it.

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-21-2014, 12:17 AM:

Sam,

Thank you for the comment.

I wondered if the issue was with the remote fader or the main fader. I figured if I disconnected the remote, I would isolate the problem.

The remote fader is in the concession stand, so it's likely more dirty than the booth.

I have another processor. I just don't want to install it. If this continues to act up, I'll buy a CP750 and only use the 500 for film.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-21-2014, 01:25 AM:

Had to replace a good dozen doors due to this issue with the CP500 during my film years...including the eight softkeys failing and display acting up.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-21-2014, 05:26 AM:

Digital fader is an off the shelf item. I am really disorganized after the sale of my building, but it is possible that I saved a few.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-21-2014, 06:35 AM:

I know about this issue on the CP500 (never seen it myself, though), but has anyone had this sort of thing (fader changes slowly by itself) happen on a CP650? I heard about this secondhand, but did not see it myself. This particular CP650 has three (yes, three) cat. 779s, so I suppose that disconnecting them would be the first troubleshooting step....

(Oddly, I have never personally seen any of the major issues with the CP500--the memory dump, the bad fader, or the bad LCD/buttons. The only issue I ever had with those is the occasional line in the LCD.)

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 05-21-2014, 11:18 AM:

Travis,

The door is a snap to change so try using the door off the other 500. Just some philips screws and a flat ribbon cable. No software to deal with, just power the processor back up.

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-21-2014, 11:45 AM:

Sam,

If it screws up again tonight, I will go swap the front panel. Am I correct though, that this could be the remote, since they're both active?

Louis,

If you find a fader let me know.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 05-21-2014, 08:57 PM:

The front panel fader is likely the bad one as it gets a lot more use and also full of dirt from the fans in the front panel

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-21-2014, 11:10 PM:

The processor acted fine today for their two shows. He'll let me know tomorrow.

I don't know the history of the remote fader. I bought it used a couple years ago. It's six feet from a popcorn machine, that's why I assumed it might be dirty.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-21-2014, 11:38 PM:

After blowing out the fans and dust from the cards, pull the power cord from the 500 unit, pull all of the cards, using the card hook pull device mounted to the inside wall, out then reinsert the cards and plug the unit back in and power up the system.

Amazing how this can clear up many CP500 issues.

-Monte

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 05-22-2014, 05:47 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
has anyone had this sort of thing (fader changes slowly by itself) happen on a CP650? I heard about this secondhand, but did not see it myself. This particular CP650 has three (yes, three) cat. 779s, so I suppose that disconnecting them would be the first troubleshooting step....

It happens. Same setup: Three remotes (plus Crestron touch panels).

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-27-2014, 08:23 PM:

It has been a week without any problems. I will reconnect the remote and see what happens. I tried to spray the pot, but am not sure anything got inside it.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-28-2014, 06:01 AM:

This is not a conventional pot. It is a digital counter that counts by 8s,

Posted by Travis Cape (Member # 466) on 05-28-2014, 04:37 PM:

I thought so. It's installed again on better wire. It's working again. Does the back up power supply do anything other than provide power if the main supply fails?

The reason I ask is that I told the owner to unplug that connector if the remote acts up.

The last question, how long does a CP 500 hold it's memory without power?