Echoplex shuts off after a few minuts of use

[Frankrocks]

Anyone have helpful advise as to how I can trouble shoot this or a good repair resource.
Thanks in advance.

[Tom Phillips]

Welcome to the forum.
To help us help you please put your location in your profile and let us know your experience/capabilities to work on this type of equipment.

[Jazz P Bass]

Please provide the full model number.

I see an EP-1, EP-2, EP-3, EP-4, Maestro & a preamp listed.(among others)

Here is good resource from fellow member Regis: http://www.regiscoyne.com/echoplex/

[Enzo]

And what does "shut off" mean? The power completely disappears, as in no lights, the motor stops, no background hum? It keeps moving but the sound disappears? Or the sound continues but the echo effect disappears? Something else?

[52 Bill]

It would also help to know what you mean by "shuts off". Does the entire unit lose power? Does the entire signal die or just the echo?

You just beat me to it, Enzo.

[Enzo]

Hey, you gotta get up early in the morning if you want to... uh...something...

[Tom Phillips]

Hey, you gotta get up early in the morning if you want to... uh...something...

I thought Enzo ≠ get up early in the morning!
Or did you mean “get up before Enzo ends his workday?”

[Frankrocks]

And what does "shut off" mean? The power completely disappears, as in no lights, the motor stops, no background hum? It keeps moving but the sound disappears? Or the sound continues but the echo effect disappears? Something else?

Yes, Sorry I should explained the symptoms better. 1st It is a EP3 and it loses power.The tape stops turning but if I push the reset button it will restart again. It will run for a bit then shut down again.
Hope this is a better explanation.
Thanks

[Leo_Gnardo]

It is a EP3 and it loses power.The tape stops turning but if I push the reset button it will restart again. It will run for a bit then shut down again.

OK good info, that's a circuit breaker you're resetting. Either the unit is drawing too much current causing it to trip, or the breaker has gone dodgy with age, becoming too sensitive. Seen it happen a couple times. Here's where a "light bulb current limiter" would come in handy, I think there's directions how to make one in a sticky here. So you don't have to fiddle with an ammeter, the light bulb limiter when used properly will glow brightly indicating a fault with the Echoplex. If the breaker trips off without seeing the bulb light brightly then you're looking at replacing the breaker if you can find one. I never have located a proper breaker replacement, so I put in a fuseholder instead, 1 amp slo blo seems to work fine. Before making any changes let's figure out whether it's the breaker or the rest of the Echoplex.

[Enzo]

Tom, my usual spiel is you gotta get up early in the morning to... see me go to bed. But it could just as easily be get up early to... uh what was I talking about? After all I am old and senile.

In the time it does work, does the echo function work? Does the output sound OK?

What is your serial number, the various schematics are broken down by serial range, and there are important differences, including some on the mains side, which could impact this issue. If yours has the solenoid, I might start by disconnecting it to see if that is the issue.

[Frankrocks]

erchoplex Reset switch

OK good info, that's a circuit breaker you're resetting. Either the unit is drawing too much current causing it to trip, or the breaker has gone dodgy with age, becoming too sensitive. Seen it happen a couple times. Here's where a "light bulb current limiter" would come in handy, I think there's directions how to make one in a sticky here. So you don't have to fiddle with an ammeter, the light bulb limiter when used properly will glow brightly indicating a fault with the Echoplex. If the breaker trips off without seeing the bulb light brightly then you're looking at replacing the breaker if you can find one. I never have located a proper breaker replacement, so I put in a fuse holder instead, 1 amp slo blo seems to work fine. Before making any changes let's figure out whether it's the breaker or the rest of the Echoplex.

That makes a lot of sense. I will have to pick up a tester. Also the sustain control function is not responding as well as the fan Blade is missing. Is it possible to find a replacement.
Serial 31299. Where is the solenoid located.
Thanks Guys

[Leo_Gnardo]

the fan Blade is missing. Is it possible to find a replacement.

There's a big clue, without its fan the motor overheats, good thing it hasn't just plain quit. Don't know where to get a replacement but I'm sure someone will pitch in an answer or two.

For current fault detection by "light bulb limiter" our esteemed member Juan Fahey showed his plan here:

http://www.ssguitar.com/index.php?topic=2093.0

Not something you'll find in a store, gotta make your own. Then you have it forever, very handy item to test amps & other gadgets.

[Enzo]

Measure the diameter of the motor shaft and also the diameter of the motor. That tells us the size shaft bushing a fan needs, and we don't want the fan much larger than the motor body. Then go to a local appliance parts store - look in the yellow pages - and ask if they have any appliance fans that fit. Don't bother to describe the Echoplex, just tell them it is an electronics thing needing a missing fan blade.

And it never hurts to look for an official Echoplex fan.

[Tom Phillips]

...And it never hurts to look for an official Echoplex fan.

And you may find parts at the links posted at Regis's Echoplex Page (This is the same page referenced in post #3)

[Frankrocks]

Thanks...That is Brilliant! You are the man...are you leaning towards the fan as being the main problem to the unit needing to be reset?