Hunter VSX: “Size=0” Message on Timing Mechanism
LESSON SUMMARY: This lesson is designed to assist the user in troubleshooting which component failures within the satellite could cause the Timing Mechanism to display a “Size=0” error message, which means the Timing Mechanism is not detecting the correct number of stations.
Special Tools Needed: None
⚠ 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.
If a Hunter VSX Timing Mechanism is displaying “Error! Size=0,” or displays a station size that does not correspond to the number of 10-Station TRIAC Boards installed in the satellite, the Timing Mechanism, Power Supply Board, or one or more TRIAC Boards may be damaged. Follow the guided troubleshooting steps below to determine which component(s) require replacement.
*Note: Prior to beginning the following troubleshooting steps, confirm that the 2-position shorting jack (jumper) or 14-pin end connector are installed on the TRIAC Board in the last and lowest position in the satellite. The 2-position shorting jack should be installed on the two loop back pins and the 14-pin end connector should be installed on the 14-position 90-degree connector on the outer edge of the TRIAC Board. If the TRIAC Board in the last and lowest position does not have the 2-position shorting jack or 14-pin end connector installed, the Timing Mechanism will not report the correct station size.
Testing the Timing Mechanism:
The Timing Mechanism is located at the top of the satellite under the top lid enclosure.
*In order to accurately test the functionality of the Timing Mechanism, a new or known-working TRIAC Board should be installed in the first position of the satellite.
Start by powering off the satellite using the On/Off switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
Next, unplug the ribbon cable for the TRIAC Board located in the first position from the Power Supply Board. The TRIAC Board in the first position will be located directly below the Power Supply Board.
Proceed to unplug the ribbon cable for the TRIAC Board in the first position from the corresponding Lightening Protection Board.
Unclip and remove the TRIAC Board in the first position from the satellite.
Install a new or known-working TRIAC Board in the first position, making sure that the new or known-working TRIAC Board has the 2-position shorting jack or 14-pin end connector installed.
Plug the new or known-working TRIAC Board into the Power Supply Board and Lightening Protection Board, leaving any additional TRIAC Boards unplugged from the TRIAC Board in the first position.
Power the satellite back on.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Size=10,” the Timing Mechanism is functioning properly and is detecting the correct station size.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Error! Size=0,” or reports an incorrect station size, the Timing Mechanism will need to be tested at a known-working satellite location.
Power off the satellite.
Unplug the ribbon cables on the Timing Mechanism from the Power Supply Board and Communication Board (if present).
Press the clip on the right side of the Timing Mechanism to release it from the satellite.
Remove the Timing Mechanism and take it to a known-working satellite location to test.
*Note: Prior to installing the Timing Mechanism at a known-working satellite location, be sure to power off the satellite at the known-working satellite location. Power to the satellite should always be off before installing or removing components.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Error! Size=0” or reports an incorrect station size when installed at a known-working satellite location, the Timing Mechanism is damaged and should be replaced.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reports the correct station size when installed at a known-working satellite location, the Power Supply Board at the original satellite location will need to be tested.
If the Timing Mechanism is found to be functioning properly, it can be reinstalled at the original satellite location.
Replacement Timing Mechanisms can be purchased here.
Testing the Power Supply Board:
The Power Supply Board is located in the satellite enclosure below the Timing Mechanism and directly above the TRIAC Board in the first position.
Start by powering off the satellite using the On/Off switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
Next, unplug all cables and connectors from the Power Supply Board.
Proceed to unclip and remove the Power Supply Board from the satellite and install a new or known-working Power Supply Board.
Power the satellite back on.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Size=10,” the Power Supply Board that was removed from the satellite is damaged and should be replaced.
Replacement Power Supply Boards can be purchased here.
Testing the TRIAC Boards
The TRIAC Boards are located in the satellite enclosure on the left-hand side, directly below the Power Supply Board and above the Lightening Protection Boards.
Start by powering off the satellite using the On/Off switch located on the front of the Power Supply Assembly.
Next, unplug, unclip and remove all TRIAC Boards from the satellite.
Proceed to install one TRIAC Board in the first position, making sure the TRIAC Board has the 2-position shorting jack or 14-pin end connector installed.
Plug the TRIAC Board into the Power Supply Board and corresponding Lightening Protection Board.
Power the satellite back on.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Size=10,” the TRIAC Board installed in the first position is functioning properly.
If the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Error: Size=0,” or reports an incorrect station size, the TRIAC Board installed in the first position is damaged and should be replaced.
The remaining TRIAC Boards should be tested individually by installing them in the first position of the satellite, making sure after each installation that the display on the Timing Mechanism reads “Size=10.”
*Note: Prior to installing each TRAIC Board to test, be sure to power off the satellite. Power to the satellite should always be off before installing or removing components.
*Note: When testing the TRIAC Boards individually in the first position, the 2-position shorting jack or 14-pin end connector must be installed.
After all TRIAC Boards have been individually tested, you may reinstall all known-working TRIAC Boards back into the satellite.
After re-installing all known-working TRIAC Boards, confirm that the Timing Mechanism is displaying the correct station size corresponding to the number of TRIAC Boards installed. *Example: If the satellite has four TRIAC Boards installed, the display on the Timing Mechanism should read “Size=40.”
Replacement TRIAC Boards can be purchased here.
Lesson tags: hunter, vsx, hunter vsx, vsx repair, vsx help, vsx troubleshooting, vsx exchange, vsx motherboard, vsx timing mechanism, vsx faceplate, boardtronics
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