Roland FR-3s and uneven bellow operation

[Troy_79]

Dear forum members,

I just purchased a second hand V-accordion FR-3s, but I have problems with an uneven bellow operation. The sounds is loud and steady when I push the bellow together. But when I pull the bellow apart, the sounds is weak and often drops out. I have tested with different bellow settings (digital settings) as well as different bellow leakage (leakage wheel), without any luck. I contacted Roland and they told me the following:

"Based on what you've described, we would agree that it sounds like your accordion needs to have the "bellows calibration" procedure performed. For the FR-3S model, this procedure has to be done while the accordion is in "test mode", which is something we only recommend technicians enter."

I've tried to contact the Roland support and service partner in Norway, but none of them are getting back to me. So I feel pretty much stuck.

Are anybody here familiar with this calibration procedure that Roland support describes? I know this is available for the user in the FR-3x, but I can't find any information for the older FR-3s.

I'm sorry if this topic has been covered here before, but I couldn't find anything when doing a search.

Best regards,
Troy

 

[JerryPH]

Ive tried to contact the Roland support and service partner in Norway, but none of them are getting back to me.

Hi Troy, I too am a V-accordion owner (FR-8x), but unfortunately I dont have any help for you. There are a couple of suggestions that might help you, however.

First, you might want to join the Yahoo Roland V-accordion group and ask your question there again (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/rolandv-accordions/info ). There are a few very knowledgeable people that might have the answer for you.

Second, I would suggest you find the contact telephone number of a Roland Repair Center in the USA and speak to them (both Florida and California have repair centers with good reputations). Yes, there are issues of time differences and some possible long distance charges, but these people are more likely able to help you faster than a Roland partner in Norway.

I wish you luck! Please keep us posted, ok?

 

[Glenn]

Does it fall out right at the beginning of the pull or only at the end?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TW]

Applies to FR1X (manual p67)
..... but something similar must be in the FR3 manual:<HR>

---

</HR>
■The bellows exhibits an erratic behavior
If the bellows doesn’t work as expected, causing
notes to sound even while it is not moved, its sensors
may need resetting.
To do so, close the bellows, switch off the FR-1x, then
press and hold the ORCHESTRAL [BASS] and [CHORD/
FREE BASS] buttons while switching the FR-1x back
on. After a few seconds, the display shows the “don”
message (Done) and then returns to the main page.<HR>

---

</HR>
The thread on this forum is;
http://www.accordionists.co.uk/view...24022&hilit=roland+fr+3s+bellows+reset#p24022
you could give it a go anyway....

 

[Soulsaver]

Maybe the obvious question - what does the FR3s manual say?

 

[JIM D.]

You need to do a factory reset - this process restores the factory defaults.
Look in your manual for "Factory Reset" and or "Restoring the Factory Defaults" -- perform the procedure - then switch off the box, and restart.

 

[Troy_79]

Hi all,

Thanks for valuable feedback!

Most often the sound falls out in the beginning of the pull. But other times it may fall out in the middle or at the end. It feels a bit random actually.

I have searched trought the FR-3s manual, but it does not mention any calibration method as in the x-series. I did however try to the the same as described in the FR-1x and the FR-3x manual, but nothing happens and I don´t get any "don" message either. It does not seem like there is a calibration function, other than the one that the "technicians" know of.

I´ve also done a factory reset but that did not do anything either.

I´m waiting for approval at the Yahoo Roland V-accordion group, so I will see if I can find any info there. If that doesn´t lead anywhere I will try to call the Roland Repair Center.

It may be that the mechanics need a cleaning too. Or that it will improve if I play it a bit more.

 

[pentaprism]

Check your PM, Troy.

 

[Acon]

I just got my FR3-xb (button type) few days ago and have the same issue. The sound produced when pushing the bellow back is always louder than that when pulling it out. I would say it's at least 1.5x difference. It causes uneven number of notes you can play when operating this instrument in and out.

I love this FR3-xb because it makes practicing at night possible but this issue is really annoying. Tried to restoring the factory defaults (p.64 on the FR-3X manual) and got "DON" but nothing has changed. Still same uneven bellow operation.

Seems it's not just me but there're some people get the same issue out there.
I've tried to join the Yahoo group too (thanks Jerry!!) and still waiting for the approval.

Please share any more idea to solving this issue here. I'll really appreciate it. {}

 

[Acon]

Just been approved to access the Yahoo group and found the solution for this issue. That thread is for the FR7-Xb but I think it works for FR3-Xb too.

So you have to open the front grill (which will lose your warranty of that instrument) and use a screwdriver to adjust a screw, and then you have to find a way to enter the TEST MODE to find the Pressure Sensor Calibration parameter and make sure it's ZERO after the adjustment (any number but ZERO will cause the uneven volume between pulling and pushing).

The problem is, I don't know how to enter the TEST MODE of FR3-Xb. Tried the way for FR7-Xb (holding treble register 1 & 3 before turning the power on) but didn't work.

Updated in 20th March: Besides not knowing the way to enter the TEST MODE, I just removed the front grill of FR3-Xb and found the inner layout is completely different than the FR7-Xb, and I couldn't find anything similar to the screw described in the Yahoo thread for adjusting the balance of the sensor. So...it seems we got stuck here...

 

[Nuuksu]

Im not owner of Roland instrument, but it is very likely possible that only Roland repair center can help. For Roland FR-3S this is listed in official specs on website

Real pneumatic detection of bellows pressure, high-resolution pressure sensor

For Roland FR-3xb this info is on specs

New sensor for the detection of bellows pressure (high-resolution pressure sensor), Bellows resistance regulator: wheel with fine adjustment

They may have same sensor, but at the same time they may have different sensors because FR-3S and FR-3x(b) are probably different instruments. FR-3S is older something from beginnig era of their V-Acc. I did quick search and didnt find technicians manual for these instruments, manuals for technicians usually list these hidden modes and parameters.

I dont reccomend adjust these trimmer pot before it is really needed, these things just dont go easily out of calibration. These usually adjusted only once in factory when sensor is installed and output voltage calibration is needed. There may be dirt and dust in places where it shouldnt be, nicotine is also very sticky and nasty thing, I really enjoy cigars but not near my accordion

 

[Acon]

I finally found the solution for the uneven bellow operation issue on my FR3-Xb, and it's actually written on my owner's manual.

Hold the SET register and the USER PROGRAM button (NOT the USER register but the little round button near the Chorus and Reverb knobs) before you power on the instrument. This will reset your bellow sensor for any abnormal bellow behavior.

There was no "DON" or any other message shown on the LED panel but the issue was gone right after I did it. Not sure if it works for the FR3-s too but worth trying.

Now I can start enjoying playing this digital accordion. :b

 

[JIM D.]

Absolutely fantastic what can be learned from just reading an owners manual. Most customers get one, very few read them.:tup:

 

[JerryPH]

Absolutely fantastic what can be learned from just reading an owners manual. Most customers get one, very few read them.:tup:

Actually, I had read through the owners manual of the 8X through about 5 times before I even owned my 8X... to tell you the truth, I learned more in 30 minutes with the accordion than I did reading the manual 5 times. Roland really needs lessons on how to make a properly understandable users guide.

 

[Glenn]

Roland really needs lessons on how to make a properly understandable users guide.

Here, here. I second that!

 

[Troy_79]

I finally got the pressure sensor of my FR-3s calibrated. The problem with this older model is that there is no calibration routine available for the user, as it is on the FR-3x. So I had to open up the instrument, but the process was really simple. After getting good help on this forum and the yahoo-forum I did the following:

1. Turn on the FR-3s while holding down the register [SET] and Treble register [1]. The FR-3s enters "test mode".
2. The calibration value of the pressure sensor is visualized on the display (see the number changing while moving the bellow).
The value can be positive or negative. A red dot on the display will show that the value is negative.
3. Block the bellows with the bellows-holders.
4. Open the front grille (by the keys), unscrewing 4 screws and spot the trimmer/potentiometer called VR1 (grey component with small screw on it) on the PCB.
5. Adjust the trimmer until you get a value as near as possible to 0 (zero).

Before calibration the number on my accordion was about 35. I was able to get it down to 5 by adjusting the trimmer. And it solved the problem! The bellow operation is now nice and even.

 

[pentaprism]

Great, Troy. :b :ch

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[JerryPH]

Wow, good job in finding that solution !!

 

[Acon]

Well done Troy! Hope you don't have to do that again! {}