BK Elec sub-woofer "ticking"

[CopperBolt]

Got home last night and there was a ticking sound. exactly like a clock, which I tracked to my subwoofer. Power it off no tick, power it on and ticking starts again. TV, amp etc all turned off at this point.
So I guess its f****d and I need a new one? It lasted 9 years or so, not tooooooo bad I guess.
Wonder if its worth me ringing BK elec to see if they can repair it?

Sub is a gemini II.

Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

Probably of no help, but when I had a heating pump incorrectly wired in recently it caused a buzz from one subwoofer (but not the other). Miles apart and can’t see how the wiring got associated (other than potentially running in the same ‘trays’ or whatever they are in the ceiling).

Had any electrical stuff done?

[bazza.]

Is you wifi router near the Sub ?

[scjgreen]

Worth taking it to someone elses house, plug it in and see if it behaves the same. This could rule out any Interferance issues

[CopperBolt]

Not had any electrical work done. Router is in the same position relative to the sub as it has been for yonks.
Plugging it in else where worth a try.

Thanks all

[VEX]

It might be worth talking to BK but given the age I wouldn't hold you breath.

Subs have also moved on massively in the past years and quality has improved.

BK still feature but SVS are the current industry fav's and if you know who to ask there are a few of us delaers who still have stock at the old prices. (Some went up 25% because of weight and shipping costs)

[roscopervis]

Highly likely that a capacitor has gone. It hasn't happened to me, but there is a thread over on AVForums about this issue. It is apparently an easy fix if your a dab hand with a soldering iron.

[CopperBolt]

roscopervis said:

Highly likely that a capacitor has gone. It hasn't happened to me, but there is a thread over on AVForums about this issue. It is apparently an easy fix if your a dab hand with a soldering iron.

Thanks. My google -fu isnt up to it as I cant find the thread.

[Hereward]

Had this with my BK Monolith, fixed at home with new capacitor as suggested. I recall there being some online instructions, let me have a look and come back.

Edit: Google “BK Monolith clicking” then look at avforums link. See if that helps. Or email BK themselves for tips.

Edited by Hereward on Thursday 28th October 17:14

[Griffith4ever]

Very likely a capacitor. The ticking will be the power supply trying to power up, and failing as a cap discharges too soon.

I had a projector that would tick and not power up. A friend who used to be a TV engineer told me to blow a hair dryer on the PCB (through a vent) and sure enough, the PJ fired up. The heat helps the failing cap to work. Try blowing a hair dryer on the amp PCB whilst powered and see if it comes on, then you'll know.

If you can handle a soldering iron changing a capacitor is simple, and costs a few pence

[CopperBolt]

Hereward said:

Had this with my BK Monolith, fixed at home with new capacitor as suggested. I recall there being some online instructions, let me have a look and come back.

Edit: Google “BK Monolith clicking” then look at avforums link. See if that helps. Or email BK themselves for tips.

Edited by Hereward on Thursday 28th October 17:14

Thanks for that, very helpful. Will try and get round to ringing BK I think.

[mgv8]

VEX said:

It might be worth talking to BK but given the age I wouldn't hold you breath.

Yep BK well worth talking too. I had a BK and such a good sub and should not have replaced it (wanted matching SUB with new speakers).

[CopperBolt]

Amp panel removed* from Sub after email comms with BK(Tom replied), sent off recorded delivery 2nd class last Thursday.

Hoping it should be back to me in a week or so. no price been mentioned so far so hope not too bad.

• The "screws" holding it in were weird, not flat head or philips, maybe torx but didnt look like that either. If anyone knows what toool I need would be good to have one when it come to reassembling. Managed to use pliers to loosen them enough to get out by hand. I did ask Tom at BK in the email but no answer.