When I hook up the trigger output from the 990 to my PureAV Power Console PF60, it doesn't work. The PF60 doesn't trigger off the 990 at all. Either my 990's trigger outputs are not working, or it's not sufficient for the PF60.

The PF60 trigger input is labeled "3-30V 10mA". Should the 990 work with it?

When I test the end of the Radio Shack cable's mono plug with my voltmeter, it shows nothing coming from the 990. I'll try another cable after I switch this one for a new one at Radio Shack.

But before I conclude my 990 needs repair, SHOULD it work with the PF60?

The 990's triggers are 12V, so they should work with a 3-30V trigger input. Which trigger output are you using? Trigger 1 should be active any time the 990 is on, but trigger 2 only activates if you have set it to be active for the current input - and the default setting on all inputs is "off."

I used trigger 1 for most of my playing around trying to get it to work. I briefly also tried trigger 2, with it configured to be on for video 1.

I'm going to try a new cable from Radio Shack this evening.

Definitely try a different cable - if you're not getting any signal through the cable now when it's connected to trigger 1, that needs to be the first step in troubleshooting the problem.

Different cable didn't help.

If it helps, I have both a 990 and PF60, and the trigger works fine for me.

You've probably already done this, but have you double checked the trigger switch setting on the back of the PF60?

I love the PF60. I had been using an older Panamax unit, but there was always a slight hum coming from my amps. The PF60 has pretty much solved the problem.

Good luck,

Scott

Alright, I've done some more diagnosing. How can I be sure whether the problem is the 990 or the PF60? Here are the clues so far:

990: I've tried two different cables with the same results. My voltmeter tells me there is a 1.2 mV (yes mV!) differential when the 990 is on, and 0.0 when it is off, between the + and - of the cable plug. I did try resetting the 990 to factory defaults, and it didn't fix it.

PF60: It supports trigger either by 1/8" plug or by AC power plug. I know the AC method works, because that's what I was using with my old Sony preamp. I've never used the 1/8" plug until now. If I try to trigger it with a 9V battery connected to the other end of the cable simulating the signal that's supposed to come from the 990, it doesn't work. I'm not even sure a 9V battery should work as a trigger -- should it?

I don't have another device to use either as a triggerer or trigeree to verify one of these devices is working. I'd hate to send in my new 990 for repair and not it be the problem.

Any ideas how to diagnose which unit is the problem? Or is my voltmeter measurement pretty definitive that the 990 is defective?

I have a 970 woth the PF60. I used the cable that came with the PF60 and had no problems. You don't by any chance have a time delay set for the input that you are looking to switch?


Good Luck,

Charlie

I just remembered that I had the same problem initially.

Make sure that your 990's room two output is turned off. I think it's on by default, and so it won't trigger the PF60 to turn off.

Scott

I fixed it!

The problem was the cable. The Radio Shack cable is no good as a trigger cable. The cable that came with my PF60 worked perfectly.

I saw in this post mention of the Radio Shack cable I was using, so I assumed it was the proper choice. As it turns out, it doesn't work. It's an attenuating cable, which explains my voltmeter readings when using it, and also why the trigger signal was insufficient once it got to the other end of the cable.

Thank you brubacca for mentioning that you used the cable that came with the PF60. That made me check my PF60 box to get that cable. Once I hooked that cable up to the 990, my voltmeter readings were a full 12V as expected, and the PF60 was happy to trigger off that.

So beware all who tread after me: The Radio Shack cable won't work!

Lastly, perhaps someone can edit the other post that suggests the Radio Shack cable as a trigger cable.