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Quad esl63 constant neon flashing

107.77.92.63
Posted on August 23, 2016 at 15:56:58
justdavid
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Joined: February 27, 2009
 Howdy all. Here's the question.
I hooked up the quads. One is dead silent,
The other has a small sizzle/hiss. Slight.
They play low to medium beautifully.
But- the neon lights flash constantly.
At loud volumes they also cut out.
Loud being 4 o clock with a mostly stock
dynaco st70.
From what I've read the lights either are telling me
Its too humid or panel leakage.
It is not too humid in Oakland ca now.
Can leakage be addressed or simply does that mean
Panel replacement?
Is cut out because volume too high?
Can it be something else?
Thanks community.

 

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RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 23, 2016 at 16:34:22
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Low humidity with high flash rate, noise and the protection circuit engaging at moderate-loud levels indicates one or more panels is going bad.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 23, 2016 at 19:21:13
justdavid
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Joined: February 27, 2009
 Crap. Was afraid of that.
Wrong about humidity too.
It's foggy and 76% humidity.
Darn fog.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 24, 2016 at 09:12:29
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 If the humidity level in the house is high that could be the source of the problem. Some popping, spitting can occur at high humidity levels. This will vary from panel-to-panel some will make noise some won't.

If you don't have a humidity gauge I would buy a cheap one at Home Depot, etc. Easy way to confirm the level in the house.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 24, 2016 at 10:03:19
john65b
Audiophile

Posts: 326
Location: Chicago
Joined: July 19, 2005
 Or leave Air Conditioning on for a while - Air Conditioning is a De-Humidification process....

May want to try that before you do anything expensive...
I VOID WARRANTIES

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 24, 2016 at 10:10:11
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Yes get the humidity down before you do anything. If the noise, etc. is still there after the humidity drops it is a panel problem.

Get the humidity below 50%.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 24, 2016 at 15:49:56
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 AC units need to run for quite a while to drop humidity. I use a mini-split and programmed a thermostat for a wider temperature hysteresis to ensure it drops the humidity. Some units have a dry mode that does the same thing. The suggestion of a humidity gauge is a good one.

I have had 63's for a long time and the problems I have seen, is the glue letting go on the stator's which isn't difficult to repair. But I did recently try to help someone and it turned out the membrane had torn which requires panel replacement or rebuild.

If it is the glue, the sizzle/pop you are hearing is arcing which can burn holes in the membrane leading to a tear. So the recommendation is to turn them off and resolve the problem when you hear it.

If lower humidity doesn't resolve it and you want to attempt to inspect and possibly repair the panels, feel free to contact me. There are also members that do this as a business and have excellent reputations.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 24, 2016 at 21:31:15
justdavid
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Joined: February 27, 2009
 Hmm. Playing great tonight.
Lower humidity- flashing light still,
But rockin to let It be in full glory now.
(Cd naked version in full at about 10 o clock)
Can't complain.
As always- thanks for advice and such.
If they're going- I'm going to seriously
Enjoy the ride.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 26, 2016 at 11:14:44
justdavid
Audiophile

Posts: 167
Joined: February 27, 2009
 Rechecked, cleaned and tightened amp
And speaker connections.
Neon still flashing- definitely humid.
Hooked up a CD player and haven't had
Any issues listening up to 1 o clock.
Come on by and listen- my wife is away.

 

RE: Quad esl63 constant neon flashing, posted on August 26, 2016 at 11:44:57
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Thank you Fred for helping me with repair options awhile back. Yes, stator glue was still intact. The rip likely due to arcing/high humidity. Shout out to Kent at Electrostatic Solutions for quick panel repair, and on going advice through his postings on the Asylum. Got my dehumidifier running!


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

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