Service Man Diary - Broken XLR Connector in the UNI-PAK II

Hello, everyone! Welcome to another entry of the Service Man Diary.

Today, I’ll be fixing a damaged XLR connector on an Elation UNI-PAK II for DMX control.

Elation / UNI-PAK II Dimmer Pack

This 1-channel dimmer pack is compact and user-friendly, with a built-in fader and a remote fader for intuitive operation. It also supports DMX control, allowing dimming up to 10A—ideal for spot applications or as a backup solution.

Upon inspection, I found that the lock mechanism of the female XLR connector was damaged.

I did a quick functionality check, and everything seemed to work fine despite the broken lock, with no issues on the circuit board.

The lighting operation functioned normally.

It’s technically usable, so some people might use it with a broken connector lock.

However, a loose connection could lead to a critical failure if the cable comes unplugged during operation.

Understanding the client’s desire to minimize the risk as much as possible, we provided an estimate for replacing the connector.

After some time, the client confirmed the repair, so I started the work.

I carefully removed the damaged connector and installed a replacement.

The connector appeared to be a standard XLR type.

For this job, I used a Neutrik part.
Neutrik products are reliable, stable, and a global leader in connectors, which have helped us in many repair works.

Neutrik / NC3FAH2-D

I soldered the new connector.

The basics of soldering: (1) heat the pad, (2) apply the solder wire moderately, and (3) work quickly. A perfect joint should resemble Mount Fuji in shape.

After reassembling, I checked if the connector could be plugged in and off properly. I confirmed the connector locked securely and released correctly, completing the repair.

After reassembling, I checked if the connector could be plugged in and off properly. I confirmed the connector locked securely and released correctly, completing the repair.

With the new connector installed, I’ll return the unit to the client, hoping this UNI-PAK II continues to be a valuable part of their stage setup.

Thank you for reading this Service Man Diary entry. See you next time!