Help with my new Dark Fire

Started by joeinaustralia, June 10, 2010, 04:29:57 AM

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joeinaustralia

Hi Guys,

Thanks for letting me join your forum.

My Dark Fire turned up today from the USA.  It looks awesome.

But alas, I am having problems already.  It wont Charge.

If anyone is knows there way around and can lend some ideas you would be awesome!

I have removed and done a functionality test on the 7.4v battery and have in fact charged using a different 7.4v charger out of the guitar.  everything else about her seems to operate fine (including the function 'c' charge indicator).  I have checked the plugs on both the RIP and Darkfire, and both seem fine internally.  I am using the supplies stereo cable.

When put power to the RIP the blue led flashes and stays on, but is dimmer in illumination than the flashes.  The manual says it is meant to glow bright blue when charging - is this correct?  I am thinking the problem may be with the RIP.

Any ideas on what to check next?  Does the RIP continually supply a chraging voltage or does it detect a requirement and send the power if needed?

HELP!

Joe in Australia

Joe Francis
PERTH AUSTRALIA

Zummooz-fgn

Hi joe  1st  plug  in  stereo  cable  from  DF  into  RIP , Open  up  Echo  RIP  console  on  PC  or  mac, open  up  'settings'  IN  here  you  will  see  a  box  labeled  'Live  mode'  &  Hex  mode  &  'Charging'  Press  charging  &  should  start  charging  & yes  the  blue  light  does  go  bright  to  dim, slow  flash  &  blue  light  will stay  on  all  the  time, you  will  know  when  fully  charged  buy  pulling  out  MCK  &  should  show  charge  leds  on MCK  wait  till  you  have  2  red  &  2  yellow  &  green. when  all  led's   lit   should  be  charged, I  would  give  it  1  hour + .  Hope  this  helps . P.S  what  you  mean  by  charge  with  something  else??       
Q... What kind of advice can you give me ?   Tommy Emmanuel's reply ....

You move your hand Up and Down that long bit and the music comes out of that Big Black Box behind you !!

Elantric-fgn

#2
Start reading things to do with a new Dark Fire here:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31267.0

When our FAQ says "First thing to do is Charge the Dark Fire battery" -  we are NOT talking about using the RIP !

Did you get the Black Charger Splitter box and the Power Wal Wart ? See the box on the far right in this pic :

You must use this Charger / Splitter with a TRS three conductor 1/4" phone plug cable - the shorter the better.
Like this ( no need to remove the Locking Output Jack -  as depicted in the pic)


If this is a Dark Fire - there are no "off the shelf" third party Battery Chargers for the proprietary Tronical Dark Fire Battery.

The RIP Charging feature is not the ideal method to charge a new guitar, and takes much longer to charge a dead Dark Fire - if it even works at all. the RIP is intended to be a trickle charger to top off the battery during periods of no activity while playing long sessions with the RIP.

I would Read the Manual, and follow it in sequence.  put away the RIP until after you have charged the Dark Fire using the official Charging  method. ( i.e. using the Black Charger /  Splitter box and the Power Wal Wart and a TRS cable to the Guitar.


. . . the future ain't what it used to be . . .

Elantric-fgn

#3
If you continue having Charging problems  - or a loud "clicking" noise and heat come from the Black Charger Splitter box - STOP CHARGING!

Inspect the Locking Output Jack, and verify a clean soldering job was performed on the Output Jack -

BTW - This is what a Problem Jack looks like:




Sadly - quite a few Dark Fires left the factory in the above condition - if yours looks like the Output Jack above,  this needs to be corrected asap.
. . . the future ain't what it used to be . . .

Zummooz-fgn

Hi  Joe   Sorry  about  that.  I  forgot  about  the  1st  battery  charge  for  DF  "TRS  cable  to  black  charger /  splitter  box . Still  wondering  what  you  said  about  you  charged  battery  with  something  else.

When  I  1st  got  mine  I  took  it  slow,  read  everything  about  DF  &  the  main  thing   DON"T  PANIC.

Sorry  to  have  miss  lead  you.
CHEERS
Q... What kind of advice can you give me ?   Tommy Emmanuel's reply ....

You move your hand Up and Down that long bit and the music comes out of that Big Black Box behind you !!

MCK-fgn

Dark Fire Initial Check Out  - Q/A
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31267.0

Caig DeOxit - Buy now before you need it !!!
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31707.0

joeinaustralia

Ahhh ok.  The small black splitter box in the photo.  I guess that is what I am missing!  I left all the packaging at work - it may be in with it but I did go through everything so I suspect I am without that charger.  I have the 12v walwart...

I was trying to use the Silver Gibson box that takes the firewire connection to the PC...

Also, when I run the Gibson RIP console software and go to settings, the only options I get are for  sample rates/buffer sice and clock source.  nothing about charging or live mode etc - although the RIP now starts charging after a minute (well I think that is what it is doing - the blue led flashes and the mck walks up rows of red to green continuosly).

The other thing is I am running windows 7 64 bit.  I hope it is all compatible or I will have use my laptop.

I've justed printed out the 37 page manual, bed time reading!

Thanks for the help guys.

Cheers

Joe
Joe Francis
PERTH AUSTRALIA

MCK-fgn

Ok. If the MCK is walking rows then you are charging. Your Neutrik jack soldering must be ok so that's good news. The black box is not just for charging but also to split the magnetic pickups and piezo sound so you really want it. If you didn't get it from your eBay seller its probably a good idea to pester the guy to send it to you. All the best. Happy reading.
Dark Fire Initial Check Out  - Q/A
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31267.0

Caig DeOxit - Buy now before you need it !!!
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31707.0

Elantric-fgn

#8
Latest RIP Driver is here:
http://www.echoaudio.com/Downloads/Drivers.php

Be sure to read the "Read me"  file there  -
http://www.echoaudio.com/downloadfiles/Drivers/PC/AudioFire/Echo%20FireWire%205.5%20PC%20readme.pdf

And the RIP Manual - it explains ALL the states of the RIP Blue LED ( Steady, Flashing, etc) 
http://media.gibson.com/DarkFire/Manuals/1_1/Gibson_RIP_Manual.pdf


But with an uncharged Dark Fire guitar -  Its a catch 22, the "RIP Console" will never reveal the Charge Status/Config box unless its communicating  to a Dark Fire guitar - yet the RIP will never Talk to a Dark Fire with a Dead Battery.

YOU MUST GET THAT CHARGER/SPLITTER BOX!
. . . the future ain't what it used to be . . .

joeinaustralia

Excellent guys - updated the RIP firmware to 5.5 (windws 7 64 bit compatable) whcih gave me the option to choose live/hex/charge.  This morning DF is fully charged.

Today I go on the hunt for the DF splitter box....im just hoping I missed it in the box and it is in my office.

Cheers everyone

Joe
Joe Francis
PERTH AUSTRALIA

MCK-fgn

Great job! Happy to see your DF is physically fit and that you did not need to touch the hardware. Lets hope the splitter is in the box. Good luck.
Dark Fire Initial Check Out  - Q/A
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31267.0

Caig DeOxit - Buy now before you need it !!!
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31707.0

Zummooz-fgn

Good   news   Joe .

So  it  did  charge  using  just  RIP , thats  interesting. Probable  best  to  still  to  give  it  a  charge  using  splitter  box. (sure  hope  you  can  find  it) . Can  buy  spares  separately  for  DF  from  gibson  on  line  store.  BUT  at  the  moment  they  are  out  of  stock  with  every  thing  &  probably  a  longish  wait , due  to  flooding  I  expect !!!   

Just  remember  DON"T  PANIC   you  will  get  plenty  of  help   here  at  FGN  as  you  go  along.

Cheers   to  ya
Q... What kind of advice can you give me ?   Tommy Emmanuel's reply ....

You move your hand Up and Down that long bit and the music comes out of that Big Black Box behind you !!

joeinaustralia

I found it!  The splitter was in the paper packing - phew!  So now she has been charging along with the splitter also.

The MCK is a little sticky  - When I go to push it down once, i psuh it if so I really need to control it with a few fingers.  I guess I will be shopping for a can of deox stuff also today.

Thanks everyone

Joe
Joe Francis
PERTH AUSTRALIA

MCK-fgn

Great news!!! Happy to hear of positive closure on all accounts.

Regarding Deoxit, it might be hard to find. I ended up ordering from UK (to Japan). Best not to use anything else really. Sticky MCK goes away after a while of use.
Dark Fire Initial Check Out  - Q/A
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31267.0

Caig DeOxit - Buy now before you need it !!!
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=31707.0

Zummooz-fgn

On  Ya  Joe , That  makes  the  weekend  even  better.

Cheers  to  Ya
Q... What kind of advice can you give me ?   Tommy Emmanuel's reply ....

You move your hand Up and Down that long bit and the music comes out of that Big Black Box behind you !!