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Electronic Theatre Controls Inc

How to service a ColorSource Spot V non-XT fixture

Tools needed

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Opening the fixture for service

  1. Set fixture on your bench with the control panel upright, and remove these 4 screws using a T20 torx driver/bit.  Remove the upper shell and set aside.
    IMG_20260319_130526144.jpg
  2. Remove the 2 safety cable tabs using a T20.
    IMG_20260319_112409239.jpg

Removing the control PCB

  1. VERY CAREFULLY unlock and remove the ribbon cable from the control card using your fingernail or a pick.
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    Be VERY careful with the ribbon cable locks!  They have a tendency to require enough force to unlock that it will snap off when it releases.  If this happens, the PCB is pretty much ruined.  Although you can sometimes reinsert the locking tab, it is usually not very secure and can cause problems.

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  2. Using the Wago pin tool or small screwdriver tip, press the tabs to unlock and pull out the red and black DC power wires.  Be careful not to press too hard on the tabs or they can break off.
    IMG_20260319_134855595.jpg
  3. Using your fingernails or a very small tip pliers, carefully pull straight up on the antenna wire to remove it.
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  4. Remove the 6x ph2 screws holding down the control PCB.
    IMG_20260319_130602307.jpg
  5. From the front, middle of the  control PCB (under the ribbon cable connector), lift the PCB up off of the sticky thermal pads underneath, but not all the way out (it should still be attached to the UI face plate).
  6. Pull the faceplate AND the PCB up and out of the slot in the lower shell being careful not to pull on the fan wires which will still be attached.  Turn the assembly over and set it upside down over the fan.  Use the Wago tool or a small pick to release the fan wires as shown below.  Take note of wire orientation.
    IMG_20260319_152534169.jpg
  7. Once this assembly is free from the fixture, remove the ribbon cable seen above next to the fan wires and use a ph1 screwdriver to remove the DMX port screws.  Once loose, the PCB and UI plate should be separate.

Removing the array

  1. Using a T20, remove the 4 screws holding the mixing tube, LED, and heatsink/fan assembly.  The front of the mixing tube is held down with a small metal tab, so be sure not to lose that and note its orientation.
    IMG_20260319_153634054.jpgIMG_20260319_153641337.jpg
  2. You should now be able to lift this assembly out of the fixture and set it upright with the fan on the bench.  
  3. Using a 3mm Allen key/bit, remove the 4 socket cap head screws that attach the mixing tube to the heatsink and set it aside.
    Be careful with the glass lense that will now be loose, and set it aside.
    IMG_20260319_155829930.jpg
  4. VERY CAREFULLY unlock the ribbon cable and remove it.
  5. Remove the 7x ph2 screws from the array.

Removing the power supply

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WARNING!  The power supply may have residual charge built up inside and may shock you if handled improperly.  Please use proper protective gloves when handling.

The information in this post is provided to assist in troubleshooting. Perform work at your own risk. ENSURE ANY POWER FROM DEVICES HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED BEFORE SERVICING ANY EQUIPMENT. If you do not feel comfortable performing the work, please contact us or your local service center. Be aware that ETC and its Affiliates are not responsible for any damage or injury caused by service of our products by anyone other than us or our authorized service providers, and such damage is excluded from the product’s warranty.

  1. Remove the AC and DC harnesses and the ground wire from the power supply.
  2. Remove the 2x T20 screws retaining the power supply bracket.
    IMG_20260319_160214561_HDR.jpg
  3. Flip the power supply over and remove the 4x ph1 screws to remove the bracket.  Note orientation.
    IMG_20260319_161422354_HDR.jpg

Reassembly notes

Reassembly should be a simple reversal of the instructions above, but a couple of things should be noted...

  • Don't forget to put the ground wire back on when screwing down the safety cable tabs.
  • Note the orientation of the glass lens, it's plastic frame, and how it seats onto the array.  There are triangular notches in the frame that match knobs on the lens.  And the frame has larger tabs that fit into larger holes in the array.  See below:
    IMG_20260319_162925911.jpg
  • When replacing the control card onto the thermal pads on the heatsink, be sure to replace any pads exhibiting damage from disassembly.  ALL METAL MUST BE COVERED or else the PCB may get shorted out.
    IMG_20260319_153451376_HDR.jpg
  • MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE that the ribbon cable is properly aligned, fully seated in the connector, and that the locking tabs are fully seated.  If you have a missing color (usually lime) or no output with the fan at full, this means that the ribbon cable was not properly seated (or there may be some debris in the connector).
    Note the orienation and depth of the ribbon cable and locking tabs as shown below:
    IMG_20260319_162428391.jpg
  • Reattaching the mixing tube to the shell in the front/output of the fixture can be tricky.  Note the orientation of the metal tabs and carefully place them as shown below before putting the screws into place.
    IMG_20260319_153634054.jpg
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