Got a abstarct Twister which is basically a backup thesedays. Thing is I need it to back me up tonight and its gone a bit haywire.

Problem is as soon as I connect it, it starts twisting turning without any sound.

Any one got any ideas of a quick fix?

Thanks,
Martin

Could be one of two things:-

(1) The triac that controls the motor ciircuit has failed short circuit, and basically is continuously running the motor.

(2) A component on the sound circuitry has failed.

Or, an easy problem to fix is:-

(3) Gearbox on the motor is making a lot of noise, which is then being picked up the mic and triggering the motor in an endless loop

Assuming that you haven't got any Sound / continuous motor mode selection switch set to "continuous" - (I have to ask you'd be surprised how many people overlook this!!).

If it's (1) or (2) then unless your good with a soldering iron then you are stuck. Sorry

Cheers chris, it does seem to be making alot of noise! What can I do?

Ideally you need to replace the motor assy, but for the short term you could try squirting some WD40 into the gear box housing. (You may need to carefully remove the dichloric mirror wheel with an allan key first. The gearbox is directly under where the spindle appears. If it's a rotalink motor then there will be small holes in the front housing, just squirt some gear oil or WD40 into there. If there are no holes, then try and get the oil into the bearings below the spindle, just squirting the bottom of the spindle and letting the oil soak down the spindle may work.

If it is an old twister - you may be lucky since some of the older type had a motor and gearbox assembly which clipped together. If this is the case simply pull the retaining clip away with pliers and gently prise the gearbox housing away from the motor spindle. Squirt oil into the hole where the motor spindle passed through, then re-attached the gearbox to the motor and replace the spring clip.

It's a 50/50 chance that oil will get it running for a few more gigs, but consider replacing the motor / Gearbox assembly since the plastic toothed gears inside don't last very long.

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Cheers chris, it does seem to be making alot of noise! What can I do?

Don't put in on until you have the music pumping.

Another thing to try, something I've found with new and second hand effects with built in microphones is that the sensitivity is often set on the high side (ie it will work at very low volume). When used at loud volumes the thing goes a bid mad! Usually there is a potentiometer on the control pcb which is used to set the sound level at which the effect reacts to. One way will make it more sensitive the other less so. With older effects you can compensate for increasing internal mechanical noise.

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Usually there is a potentiometer on the control pcb which is used to set the sound level at which the effect reacts to

Anone know if a Twster III 250 watt has this ? , mine is pretty deaf untill the music is fairly high volume, it is perfect after this (it dont go crazy)

it has been like this from new ,

Hi NineLives, I would be surprised is if didn't. Most non DMX effects operate in a similar way, a very simple audio circuit is used to trigger the motor control, as Chris said earlier, usually by a triac. If your's does have an adjustment, just remember there is mains on the pcb!!!!

Got this fixed, took it to my local dealer and he fixed it in about 2 minutes, I believe he adjusted the position of the mike with some pliers. Apparently it had a "squashed mike".

As for the problems with my EVL spins...

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Apparently it had a "squashed mike".

Or at the PLASA..a Squashed Mikeee????