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1474 Views 3 Replies Latest reply: Nov 30, 2011 3:39 PM by midimaestro RSS
rsvp9146 Just Startin'
rsvp9146
1 posts since
Nov 23, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Nov 23, 2010 7:18 PM

problem with Ax2 212, any ideas?

I recently picked up an AX2 212 from a pawn shop to have as a good all around amp. I had one years ago and loved it. I'm having a problem where after 15 minutes of playing, the amp volume starts to fluctuate, kinda like a rotating speaker. If I give the amp a good thunk on the top, it will go back to normal for another 5 minutes or so.

 

I've read the FAQs on here and did a hard reset. After that I took the circuit board out and lubed up all the control pots with some tuner spray. It's still doing the volume fluctuation thing after 15 minutes.

 

The display isnt giving any error messages or doing anything to indicate theres a problem. I've read about a heat sink mod as well as replacing the battery on the board. Can anyone offer any insight into these fixes? I'm reasonably handy with a soldering iron, Just need a little advice.

 

Thanks much.

Tags: volume, 212, ax2, axsys
  • tumenibrother Just Startin'
    tumenibrother
    44 posts since
    Jan 27, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 31, 2010 2:18 AM (in response to rsvp9146)
    Re: problem with Ax2 212, any ideas?

    Can't really offer you much more.  The battery merely stores the user defined settings, so replacing this isn't neceesary for the problem you describe.  Earlier posts by me show the process to go into analysis mode so you can check the battery.

     

    I'm not around my AX right now, but it may be the volume pot.  If I recall, changing the actual volume controls (guitar/aux/master) doesn't do anything in the display, so you wouldn't notice any display changes like you would with a bad editable pot.  Good luck

  • TonyG01 Just Startin'
    TonyG01
    1 posts since
    Feb 14, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 12, 2011 9:27 AM (in response to rsvp9146)
    Re: problem with Ax2 212, any ideas?

    This could be the 'heatsink' problem, but changing the 'heatsink' won't necessarily fix the problem. It's likely that the underlying component (a voltage regulator IC) has been thermally compromised (damaged) and as a consequence it needs replacing. It can be done, but note, this is a double sided circuit board and it's really easy to mess things up.

     

    Apologies for being a little vague, but this a repair I undertook a few years ago on a friends AX212 (and I had a lot of reworking to do with the mother board because the 'chip' didn't come out cleanly). I also added a PC fan internally, upgraded the regulator heatsink and added extra vents. Until a few weeks ago this was his working amp and it was regulalry on the road, but its getting tired.

     

    Before you wade in with the soldering iron. take the circuit board out and inspect it, it's worth taking a close look at the regulator and it's heatsink. Constantly thumping the amp won't do it any good in the long term. But with a little care and patience you might get a few more years out it.

     

    Hope this helps

  • midimaestro Just Startin'
    midimaestro
    9 posts since
    May 13, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 30, 2011 3:39 PM (in response to rsvp9146)
    Re: problem with Ax2 212, any ideas?

    I realise your post was a while back, so you may have sorted the problem by now.

     

    Alternatively, you may have come across any number of other problems with your AX2 - believe me, I've seen more than my fair share, having owned two very troublesome AX2s, and an equally problematic Vetta II.

     

    I wish I could tell you something more positive, but this is one of the many problems that AX2s develop over time.

     

    You can check out my blog for my own tale of woe regarding both of my AX2s AND my Vetta II.

     

    http://chillthepartyband.blogspot.com/2011/11/are-you-being-served.html

     

    All I can suggest is that you take it to a repair shop ASAP.

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