Power Button Blinking Orange

[Cowboy Bob]

OK, As the the title of the thread says, the power button on my Carbon is blinking orange and will not power up. (Very faint blinking, but blinking nonetheless)

It did power up first thing this morning, but I walked away for a while, fired up PT and it wanted a play-back engine. That's when I noticed Carbon was no longer on.

I've removed power completely, checked power connections, etc. and still get the blinking orange light on the power button.

Anyone know, is there a fuse that can be replaced easily or is it one of those relays?

System in my signature

[Cowboy Bob]

Opened a case with Avid to see about a repair. No reply as yet. Of course it is out of warranty.

I feel it is something small in the power section, a fuse or perhaps a relay. As a matter of fact, the relays seemed to operate (you can tell by the clicking noise) quite regularly (often), even when the unit was just idle but powered on. I mentioned this when I first got the unit but was assured that this was normal behavior. As a mechanical engineer, I thought it strange, but I don't know the design, so I have to go with that.

Got a new one coming from Sweetwater in the meantime. It'll be here tomorrow afternoon. Thanks Ben, ya done good.

If I can get the current Carbon up an running again, I guess perhaps I'll use it as a Pre and dump my Focusrite pres. We'll see.

[dominicperry]

I have three internal photos of the Carbon, culled from different websites. They are not identical, so I suspect at least one is from a pre-production example sent to a reviewer. In any case, the PSU is small and not enclosed - you can see a bunch of components exposed inside main case. There's no obvious sign of any fuse. Of course, if the power button is illuminated and a different colour, that implies that power is getting to some internal components, including at least one logic circuit that that knows something is wrong - hence the orange lamp. So it could be a sign that some other major part of the Carbon is broken and the PSU is fine. Pretty much impossible to diagnose via guesswork.
Sorry that the only answer is to buy a new one....fingers crossed on a cheap repair for the old one.

Dominic

[Cowboy Bob]

Hey Dominic - Yes it really wasn't a purchase I wanted to make at this time, but what can you do.

I haven't had a peak inside mine yet, and you're right, until me or someone gets some meters on some components one ain't likely to be able to diagnose anything. Just a feeling that it isn't huge, but then I'm an eternal optimist anyway.

Once I have an idea from Avid whether they'd do an out of warranty repair, I'll know whether I want to open her up and start probing around.

Still in all, I think it is a great unit. Stuff breaks, I get it, just wish it hadn't happened now is all.

[Cowboy Bob]

Replacement Carbon up and running, broken Carbon boxed and ready to ship for repair.

I'll report back on the repair if y'all are interested.

[mlange]

Yes, please!

[marianna]

Originally Posted by Cowboy Bob

Replacement Carbon up and running, broken Carbon boxed and ready to ship for repair.

I'll report back on the repair if y'all are interested.

I checked and I cant find the case with the RMA..... I do see case # 04792102 but it isn't assigned yet.

Can you DM me the case # Bob so I can follow it and see what they find out.

Marianna

[dominicperry]

Originally Posted by Cowboy Bob

Replacement Carbon up and running, broken Carbon boxed and ready to ship for repair.

I'll report back on the repair if y'all are interested.

Yes please, it would be good to know what goes wrong and how much it costs to fix.

Dominic

[MrKidd74]

Originally Posted by Cowboy Bob

Replacement Carbon up and running, broken Carbon boxed and ready to ship for repair.

I'll report back on the repair if y'all are interested.

Hi!

I have the same problem on my unit, do you what was the problem with your unit?

Best,
Peter

[Cowboy Bob]

No, not yet.

I’m letting Sweetwater facilitate the repair for me. I bit the bullet and bought a replacement from them right away.

Avid gave us an estimate of ~$1100, which needed to be paid before an RMA was issued.

Paid it, RMA received by Sweetwater, and the unit has been sent to the “factory” per the RMA.

The estimated repair lead time is 4 to 8 weeks, but supply chain issues could stretch that some, I was told.

My gut is telling me they are just going to replace a board, hence the estimate without actual diagnostics. I’ve asked for a detailed description of the repair and components replaced. More for my edification than anything. We’ll see if I get it.

I’ll let y’all know how it turns out.