Technical Support Document 002 - 8/97

REPLACING STARLITE FILTER MOTOR DRIVER CHIPS

The Starlite 55 Colorhead is a full-featured closed-loop lightsource for photographic printing. As such, it must be able to move it's filters under computer control. To facilitate this, the Starlite has four Filter Motors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and the Shutter). These motors are controlled by the Starlite Motherboard mounted in the rear of the interior of the Starlite's housing. On the Motherboard, there are four Motor Driver Chips responsible to delivering the electric power to these four motors.

These chips are located on the Motherboard, just below the connector for the Filter Transport. See the drawing for the locations of these chips, and an indication of which motor each of the four chips drives.

If one of these chips fails, replace it per the following procedure:

1. Turn the power to the Starlite off at the main switch, and open the door.
2. Remove the Mixing Chamber and filter transport to get a full view of the Motherboard.
3. See the figure above to locate the chip(s) you are going to replace.
4. Remove the chips using the tool provided. To do this, place the hooked ends of the tool at either end of the chip, and gently "rock" it while pulling it out of it's socket. Note that each chip had a small notch in one end. Each socket also has a similar notch. These notches must be aligned (at the same end) when the new ones are installed. All of the motor driver chips have their notches facing to the left.
5. Insert the new chip(s), making sure that the notch is at the same end (the left-hand end) as the notch in the socket. It is easiest to position one row of pins into the socket first, then lower the pins of other side into the socket. When all pins are positioned in the socket holes, press the chip gently but firmly into place. Make sure that it is fully seated.
6. Double-check that the chip(s) are properly seated, with their notches pointing to the left (the same end as the notches in the sockets), and that all pins are inserted into the socket holes.
7. Once you are sure that the chips are properly installed, re-assemble the Starlite.
8. Turn the power on in the normal manner, and check that the machine operates properly.

NOTE: When these chips fail they may cause some internal settings in the Starlite's computer to be adversely affected. If the Starlite does not function properly, please perform an Auto-Calibrate Color Sensor routine. This item is found in the STARLITE DIAGNOSTICS MENU, item #7.

Swapping Chips to Troubleshoot Motor Drive Problems

If you do not have a spare replacement chips available, you may want to try swapping two of these chips' locations to see if a motor problem "moves" with the chip, or stays with the motor.

For example, if you are working on a Starlite that has a failed Cyan motor (Cyan will not move, always runs in the same direction, etc.), you may want to switch the locations of the Cyan and another of the motor driver chips. After swapping the chips, one of three situations will result:

1. The Cyan Motor still will not work: The problem is with the Cyan Motor or it's connections. Check the connections to the Syan Motor, or replace the motor if all connections look good.
   
2. The Other Motor now does not work: The problem is the Motor Driver Chip. The Motor Driver chip needs to be replaced.
   
3. Both Cyan and the Other Motor now do not work: The Cyan motor failed in such a way as to damage the driver chip. The Cyan Motor, and both the Cyan and Other Motor Driver Chips will need replacement. (The bad Cyan Motor has probably destroyed the Other Motor Driver Chip.)
   
   

If you continue to experience problems, or have any questions about this or any other ZBE product, please contact your dealer, or ZBE.