CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Atomsk · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 6

My dad bought the ECP 3100 from Enron when it was being shutdown and we pulled it out of storage to see how well it would work. We cleaned it up and it worked for the most part when we connected it to my laptop. The only problem is when its projecting the Laptop screen it slowly moves down/up, I got it to that by adjusting the Vertical Hold to 2. Any way I can make it stop on the screen? Also Is there a way to connect it to a standard video signal?

mc86 · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:38 pm Post subject:

Not sure I know about your up/down issue, but there are a variety of input boards - not sure what you mean by "standard video" signal. For the 3100 (like my 4500) your input cards choices are RGBHV and I'm pretty sure there is a composite + s-video input card as well. Probably could buy either for (guessing) $10 or $20 from Curt. If by "standard video signal" you mean HDMI, an-install-in-the-3100-input-slot HDMI card does not exist for this machine. Nor is there a component video card, but you can convert signal. You can go from HDMI to RGBHV at 1080i with products like the HD Fury line of products.

Oh, somewhere in the AVS archives (or here) there is a suggestion to tee the H and V sync signals together and to use the combined H/V sync. This solved weird problems some folks have had. I dunno, but is a $3 thing to try.

All the manuals and stuff for the 3100 are on this site! Hope this machine is an entry for you into this fun world. I've really enjoyed learning about my ECP over the last year and am thrilled at what I'm getting it to do.

bests,
Matt

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:47 pm Post subject:

I've never had success with the 'manual' H and V settings. Keep them on 'auto' and do what Matt says, by getting a BNC T connector. He's right, I can sell you a working video/Svideo board for $10 if you want it, but I'd buy at least a line doubler as it will give a better image.

(and I hope Enron paid YOU to take the set away! Wink

)

It's a fun set to work with, learn it, love it, and upgrade. Smile

Atomsk · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 6

I'm currently looking into that but something new happened. When we turn on the projector the green light comes on then the Red stays on and switches back to green, but the projector won't come on. Any ideas on what to do?

mc86 · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:35 pm Post subject:

Not that I'm sure I can help, but you gotta' be more specific about which lights...come on and off. If you haven't yet, read the stuff starting at the link below...a few hours of reading and reviewing, and you'll get more comfortable with the unit and especially with understanding search results. Also, the AVS archives have a lot of older ECP posts back when more people were using these machines.

http://www.curtpalme.com/ElectrohomeECP_Layout1.shtm

Matt

mc86 · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:38 am Post subject:

So I checked my 3100 service manual (I'm sure it is here to download...) -- Fig 6.1 (flowchart #1) shows the troubleshooting path for power-up failures. If you'd listed which lights, I'd have tried to tell you what the flowchart says.

Incidentally, chapter six has some really nice flowcharts that should help you. Be sure to pull out the cards and re-seat them and also re-seat (firm push) the chips and boards as per the instructions I pointed you to in my last post. That said, there will be much you won't understand. for example, I myself and still trying to understand the main function block diagram and what even basic components actually DO. For example, there is an entire flowsheet on "deflection failure" -- pretty sure I couldn't tell you what that actually means yet or ID it immediately if I saw it! There are many here who will help and I am happy to learn with you..

Stick with it; even if you figure out you need a new card, these are mostly $10/ea from Curt. You'll be happy once you are done.

bests...
Matt

Atomsk · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 6

Ok then. The H and V Manual lights are on from startup. The Ready light is on until I power it on then it switches to the error light and after 2 seconds it switches back to the green ready light. So in the end before it powers itself off the H and V Manual, and the Ready lights are on. Nothing else.

mc86 · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:48 am Post subject:

Ok, when you plug the unit in (and not turn it on), does the Ready light go green? If so, good. If not, the Power Entry Module (PEM) in the power supply or the Remote Control Module is either bad (somehow), not seated correctly, etc.

However, from what you describe it sounds like the ready light IS green on plug-in, and you hit Power on the remote and the Ready goes from red and then back to green again. Now, in addition to the H and V Manual lights being on, do the seven voltage lights come on green? If not, that is a helpful diagnostic finding.

Also, is the unit shutting itself down after the ready light returns to green? You say, "in the end before it powers itself off," do you mean that after you power the 3100 on and it runs through the light sequence you describe that it shuts off again after some time automatically? Or do you mean it sits there with green Ready LED on until you turn it off?

If it is sitting there, with a RGBHV source connected using a T (PC 800x600 at 60hz should be fine), not displaying anything, with the Ready light green: press the H hold button 2 times (once for maybe 1/2 sec, pause 2 sec, again for 1/2 sec) and the H. Manual LED should go off. Press V Hold button in same manner and the V Hold LED should go off. Press the orange "Source" button and you should enter the slot and input # that applies. If you look into the tubes, you should see it display "Slot" and "Input" as you do this. An image should be displayed. If not, try pressing contrast (cont) and then the U (Up) button several times. If they unit was defaulting to 0 contrast for some reason, nothing would be display, including the internal crosshatch. (With brightness at 0 you'd likely see weak image)

You might also play with the red, green and blue drive pots accessible from the rear panel...I think if they are set to an extreme an image can't be seen...but I'm not sure on that. Note their settings before you play with them so you can approximately restore them if nothing happens. You'll need to play with them later when doing greyscale/color.

Hope this helps...
Matt

A Rogers · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 133 Location: Toronto On

Atomsk · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 6

When I plug it in the Ready light is on. None of the 7 Power lights are on when I power it up. And yes after it runs through the green red green it shuts automatically off after 10-15 seconds.

mc86 · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:29 pm Post subject:

Well, I'm not too sure in the few mins I have right now, but perhaps the Power Entry Module or maybe the Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) are to blame? BTW, in the 3100 manual it is called the Low Voltage Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) and not LVPS that I see people say instead. Maybe a fuse somewhere is blown that then causes it to power out? The remote control module might also be funky. I think it is likely one of those three suspects or some mischief they are causing.

If I have time when I get back late tonight I'll hit the service manual and see what I might come up with.

Matt

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject:

Atomsk · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 6

Thank You for that info, I'll take a look and let you know what happens.

mc86 · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject:

atomsk - sorry, been pretty busy -- any news from your end?

Atomsk · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 6

Uh yeah, we've been pretty busy as well. We're still looking into it.