MIDI output voltage: WIDI Master is getting hot

MrPond

MrPond

Experienced
Hi folks!

I'm using the WIDI Master to control my FM3 through wireless MIDI which works fine.
The only problem i have is that the WIDI master is getting really really hot.
The support asked about the MIDI voltage and i can only find 3.3v regarding the Axe Fx 3.
Does the FM3 also have 3.3V?

Because, hooked up to other MIDI devices, the WIDI master keeps (currently) cold. So i think it's not a problem in the little MIDI dongle per se.
Only hooked up to the FM3, the WIDI master is getting damn hot (currently testing some more devices, as well)

So long,
Niklas
 
Could the FM3 be constantly sending data through the port which means the WIDI needs to process it and thus gets hot?

How do you like the WIDI btw? I am between that and getting the Airstep system.
 
laxu said:
Could the FM3 be constantly sending data through the port which means the WIDI needs to process it and thus gets hot?

How do you like the WIDI btw? I am between that and getting the Airstep system.
Click to expand...

I thought so too, but MIDI through is off and the WIDI master blinks if something is coming in or out - and that's not that often the case (only a couple of scene and preset changes, only a few)
And, the FM3 is only receiving right now ... so that's not the issue.
It's getting hot even if no data is being transferred - currently, it's just hooked up and almost instantly, it's super hot :(

But in general, it's genius - super cool not to have long cables running to/from the FM3.
 
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Ok I got these too and I can confirm that mine also gets hot. I upgraded the WIDI Master to the latest firmware but that does not change anything.

I can verify that other devices don't cause this heating up so FM3 seems to be doing something different. I currently have a Quad Cortex and FM3 both hooked up to their separate dongles and the QC stays cool but the FM3 runs hot. My audio interface also stayed cool. I hope Fractal can investigate.

EDIT: I also managed to get my FM3 fw 3.03 beta 1 to reboot by plugging in the WIDI master.
 
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I contacted the folks of the WIDI Master and they were kind enough and sent Fractal a test unit. We hopefully see a solution for this in the near future... CME confirmed that the WIDI Master should stay cool and a hot unit is not right. So, something is off because the MIDI port delivers the correct voltages...
 
Is there anything Fractal can do to fix that? Or is this an issue with the CME unit how it handles higher voltage?

Airstep + WIDI master is pretty dope as a wireless solution.
 
I talked with CME and they stated that the WIDI master definitely should stay cool.
I tested different devices and it stayed cool an all of them, the FM3 is my only device which cooks it ... :/
 
According to the manufacturer, the WIDI Master is compatible with “All MIDI devices with 3.3v or 5v powered 5-PIN MIDI OUT ports following the MMA standard.”
 
laxu said:
Is there anything Fractal can do to fix that? Or is this an issue with the CME unit how it handles higher voltage?

Airstep + WIDI master is pretty dope as a wireless solution.
Click to expand...

There is nothing to fix at the FM3, as far as the voltage doesn't go above 5V ±the expected tolerance

A well designed modern MIDI device should support receiving indistinctly 3.3V or 5V

Most standard SMD can operate at temperatures up to 125°C. The manufacturer of the device should have calculated the risks of running it hot
 
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MrPond said:
I talked with CME and they stated that the WIDI master definitely should stay cool.
I tested different devices and it stayed cool an all of them, the FM3 is my only device which cooks it ... :/
Click to expand...
This is my experience as well. I've tried it on my Focusrite audio interface, Helix Floor and Quad Cortex. Cool as a cucumber on all of them. I have two of these and they both heat up on the FM3. Either there is something off about the FM3 or the WIDI Master has an issue at 5V.
 
laxu said:
Good to know, I was wondering if that would work better. If that also gets hot then either both devices have issues at 5V or there is something wrong with what FM3 does.
Click to expand...
There is a third possibility: both devices are designed to handle either voltage, and the elevated temperature is not a concern.

The IC in the picture that @Ben Lewry posted looks like it could be a voltage regulator. Such an IC would have to dissipate a lot more power if it’s regulating 5 volts down to 3 volts. You would expect it to get hot in that case.
 
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Rex said:
There is a third possibility: both devices are designed to handle either voltage, and the elevated temperature is not a concern.

The IC in the picture that @Ben Lewry posted look like it could be a voltage regulator. Such an IC would have to dissipate a lot more power if it’s regulating 5 volts down to 3 volts. You would expect it to get hot in that case.
Click to expand...

Exactly. A typical 3.3V SMD regulator, like the MCP1700, can operate up to +125 °C
 
This is what CME told me:

1622375839420.png

Fractal confirmed 5V with the FM3, CME supports both 3.3 and 5V.
Fractal is still not sure why the MIDI master is burning like hell - so something is off - the question is: What, why and how can we fix it :)
Because, i think running this unit SO hot for a long time can't be good ... i don't want to risk a burning MIDI port :D
 
MrPond said:
This is what CME told me:

View attachment 84038

Fractal confirmed 5V with the FM3, CME supports both 3.3 and 5V.
Fractal is still not sure why the MIDI master is burning like hell - so something is off - the question is: What, why and how can we fix it :)
Because, i think running this unit SO hot for a long time can't be good ... i don't want to risk a burning MIDI port :D
Click to expand...

CME Pro is already providing a solution at their message. They say that if the supply voltage is not higher than 5V but it still gets hot, it could be a defective unit that requires a replacement.

Do you have a volt meter to verify that you don't have more than 5V at the FM3 MIDI port? If it is not above 5V, send them a picture of the volt-meter measure and ask them for a replacement, as they suggest
 
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All FM3 MIDI users are having the exact same problem, i also chatted with @Edrod who has the same issue.
Your argument would mean that all FM3 units are faulty (above 5V) which would be very unusual.
Also: @Ben Lewry measured 5V and he is getting a hot MIDI master as well, so basically proved that the FM3 is working fine.
 
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