Hunter VSX: Power Supply Assembly Troubleshooting
LESSON SUMMARY: This lesson is designed to assist the user in troubleshooting a variety of issues that can occur within the Power Supply Assembly that could potentially lead to functionality issues within the satellite.
Special Tools Needed: Digital Multimeter, Phillips Screwdriver, Flathead Screwdriver
⚠ CAUTION: THIS LESSON MAY INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS TO TEST HAZARDOUS VOLTAGES (120V-240V) THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN BE CONTRACTED TO PERFORM SUCH TESTS.
🛑 STOP: ALWAYS TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE SATELLITE BEFORE REMOVING OR INSTALLING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS.
The Power Supply Assembly in a Hunter VSX satellite is responsible for supplying and distributing power to components throughout the satellite. If the Power Supply Assembly is damaged, or is not functioning properly, there will be a disruption in the functionality of components throughout the satellite. To determine if your Power Supply Assembly is functioning properly, follow the guided steps below.
*Note: Before you begin testing the Power Supply Assembly, verify that the red Voltage Selector Switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly is set to the correct utility voltage for your course: 115V or 230V. If the Voltage Selector Switch is set to the incorrect utility voltage, power your satellite OFF using the On/Off rocker switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly and proceed to switch the Voltage Selector Switch to the correct utility voltage for your course.
*This lesson applies to both 115/120VAC and 220/230VAC supply voltage for the Power Supply Assembly.
The S1 (L-Shape) and S2 (Straight) Power Supply Assemblies are tested in a similar manner. Both Power Supply Assembly models have two AC Voltage connectors that each provide 24VAC. The 3-pin connector with 2 female pins supplies voltage to the Power Supply Board and the 2-pin connector with 2 female pins supplies voltage to the Communication Board (if present).
To measure the voltages for the AC Voltage connectors, proceed with the following steps:
Start by powering off the satellite using the On/Off switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
Next, unplug the power cables from both AC Voltage connectors.
Power the satellite back on.
Using a digital multimeter set to the AC Voltage setting, place the two probes from the multimeter into the two pins on the 3-position AC Voltage connector.
The multimeter should display a reading of 24VAC; up to 30VAC is acceptable.
Proceed to measure the voltage for the 2-position AC Voltage connector.
Using a digital multimeter set to the AC Voltage setting, place the two probes from the multimeter into the two pins on the 3-position AC Voltage connector.
The multimeter should display a reading of 24VAC; up to 30VAC is acceptable.
A voltage reading for either AC Voltage connector less than 24VAC is insufficient and could be caused by a blown fuse, a damaged Power Transformer, or bad incoming utility voltage (115VAC or 230VAC).
If the voltage reading for the AC Voltage connectors falls within the acceptable range of 24-30VAC, proceed to measure the voltage for the Test Post.
Testing the Voltages for the Test Post:
The Test Post is located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
To measure the voltage for the Test Post, proceed with the following steps:
Using a digital multimeter set to the AC Voltage setting, place one probe of the multimeter in the Test Post and place the other probe of the multimeter on either the Valve Common or on the metal frame of the Power Supply Assembly.
The multimeter should display a reading of 24VAC; up to 30VAC is acceptable.
If the multimeter displays a reading less than 24VAC, proceed to test the two fuses located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
Testing the Fuses on the Power Supply Assembly:
There are two fuses on the front of the Power Supply Assembly that will need to be tested; one 1.25AMP fuse and one 1.6AMP fuse.
To test the fuses, proceed with the following steps:
*Note: Visually inspecting a fuse is never a trustworthy method to determine the failure or functionality of the fuse.
Start by powering off the satellite using the On/Off switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
Next, remove both fuses by inserting a flat-head screwdriver into the slot on the fuse holder cap, rotating the screwdriver about 1/6 of a turn, to release the fuses from their holders.
Use a digital multimeter on the resistance setting or continuity setting with an audible beep. If using the resistance setting, touch the two multimeter probes together and note the reading on the display; it should be 0 or very close to 0. *Note: Different multimeters will vary slightly.
Proceed to place one probe on each end of the fuse.
If using a digital multimeter on the resistance setting, a working fuse will display a reading close to the reading that was displayed when the two probes were touched together: 0 or very close to 0.
If using a digital multimeter on the continuity setting, a working fuse will create an audible beep.
If the digital multimeter reads Over Limit “OL” on the resistance setting, or no audible beep is heard on the continuity setting, the fuse is damaged and should be replaced.
If the fuses on the Power Supply Assembly have been tested and are known to be working properly, but there is no measurable voltage at the 24VAC connectors, it is advised to have a licensed electrician check the incoming utility voltage to the satellite. If the incoming utility voltage is measured and is the recommended 115VAC or 230VAC, the Power Supply Assembly is damaged and should be replaced.
Replacement S1 (L-Shape) Power Supply Assemblies can be purchased here.
Replacement S2 (Straight) Power Supply Assemblies can be purchased here.
Lesson tags: hunter, vsx, hunter vsx, vsx repair, vsx transformer, s1, s2, vsx help, vsx troubleshooting, vsx exchange, vsx motherboard, vsx timing mechanism, vsx faceplate, boardtronics
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