[Error Code] Trouble Code "H4-04" on Sharp DX-C311

[RascalMJ]

I have been out to this machine on a number of times and the Trouble Code is fairly easy to clear (either via sim14, or sometimes it will just clear itself from a power cycle).

After the first time or 2 (months apart) I chalked it up to just a random occurrence, but the 3rd time in a couple days and I started to dig a little deeper. The H4-04 shows as "Fusing section low temperature trouble (TH_EX)", so I went for a "sure thing fix" and just swapped them out with a known working and NO ISSUES fuser from a machine in our office.

I thought all was good until I got a call on my Christmas vacation and found that they called again with the same error. I did a quick search online (I am that kind of guy to help out my other techs even though I was off) and found that several bulletins address this H4-04 code and the firmware says "this error is fixed....etc). So, I armed the other tech with this info and he went off to do the work.

This tech isn't trained on many of the Sharp models, but he knows quite a bit and is a typical technician that knows how to troubleshoot, use the manuals and ask questions.... etc.

However he did not do several things I would have liked so now I am kind of stuck looking for some answers for if/when I go onsite here soon and have similiar results.

So, to try and make a long story a little less long...... I am not sure what firmware version they had, I am not 100% sure what firmware versions that the tech was able to put on successfully, and I don't know much else. I am headed to the site in a few minutes and will attempt to put on what I believe to be the latest firmware.

So, I guess my question is..... has anyone else seen/heard of this? The only other piece of info I am curious about is they are in an older building, in a basement, and it is cold here in Ohio.... so, they are sometimes running a space heater right next to the machine. I haven't ever run into a space heater scenario and not sure that it would cause any kind of "interference" with the fuser heating up or not... I doubt it, but wanted to mention it.

Sorry my question/problem is so long.... hopefully a few of you have the patience to read though it all and offer some advice!

THANKS

[costd]

Yes you should update the firmware to the latest version. Your milage may vary but there have been a couple times in my short career where low temps were caused by the MFP being on the same circuit as several other power hogs (heaters, coffee pots, shreaders etc). It is possible (with my limited experience) that the MFP was starting to warm up out of energy save at the same time the heater was on - resulting in a voltage drop and then the fuser not heating up quick enough.

Again your milage may vary but each time I made them move the power hog to another circuit - problem went away.

[RascalMJ]

Yes you should update the firmware to the latest version. Your milage may vary but there have been a couple times in my short career where low temps were caused by the MFP being on the same circuit as several other power hogs (heaters, coffee pots, shreaders etc). It is possible (with my limited experience) that the MFP was starting to warm up out of energy save at the same time the heater was on - resulting in a voltage drop and then the fuser not heating up quick enough.

Again your milage may vary but each time I made them move the power hog to another circuit - problem went away.

This definitely crossed my mind, and right off hand I am not certain, but I believe we put an ESP with this machine.... not that it would be a cure all for power issues, but we usually see pretty good results.

Thanks for the fast response. I will also verify what all is around and if I can find a better location...etc

[costd]

ESP does nothing for low voltage. Would need a UPS or possibly voltage regulator devices.

[Bani]

Check the bushings from the upper heat roller. It gives some modifications in
this fuser unit. New part number from the fuser unit is MX-C32FU.

[RascalMJ]

ESP does nothing for low voltage. Would need a UPS or possibly voltage regulator devices.

So, low voltage could be the cause for this? I apologize in advance but the ELECTRICAL side is by FAR my biggest weakness with MFP repair.

Check the bushings from the upper heat roller. It gives some modifications in
this fuser unit. New part number from the fuser unit is MX-C32FU.

I have gone through a BUNCH of the Service Bulletins and I have seen all the upper and lower heat roller mods...etc, as well as firmware updates to the H4-04 code, AND some plastic that is breaking in the pressure release area. The reason I am thinking it is not in the fuser area, is that I swapped out the whole fuser with a known working one. I guess it still could be something like that, but seems unlikely.

[Dark Helmet]

I have a MXB401 (same engine and fuser) that some times cracks that code. Customer is out in the middle of no where on a native reserve. Ground to neutral is about 15 volts and the copier shares the same circuit as the lights and the computers. I would also guess power related issues.

[RascalMJ]

I have a MXB401 (same engine and fuser) that some times cracks that code. Customer is out in the middle of no where on a native reserve. Ground to neutral is about 15 volts and the copier shares the same circuit as the lights and the computers. I would also guess power related issues.

Oh really!!??? See that is what I love about this site... real world issues shared from the guys out doing the dirty work.

Ok, so I am going to kind of show my ignorance about electricity here, but what can I do if that is the case? Would a UPS likely do the trick?

[linuxxpwin]

Reading this brings back a situation I had with a different machine with similar issues, I had a Xerox giving me all types of errors and was baffled by this I then proceeded to something drastic and added a voltage regulator and voila it corrected the problem.

Further checks determine that there was a voltage problem at source.

[Dark Helmet]

Oh really!!??? See that is what I love about this site... real world issues shared from the guys out doing the dirty work.

Ok, so I am going to kind of show my ignorance about electricity here, but what can I do if that is the case? Would a UPS likely do the trick?

Copiers draw more power than a UPS can provide so i would not do that.

We use ESP power filters but these cannot correct for sags in the power but protect against line noise and surges.

My copier out in the boonies is on one of these filters and it still happens every now and again. When your getting weird issues and you think it's power related check the plug. Put your meter on AC and measure from Hot to Ground, Hot to Neutral, Neutral to Ground. Hot to Ground and Neutral should be 115-120 volts. Neutral to Ground should be very close if not 0 volts. Some times i have seen .5 volts. No big deal. We had a copier and the Neutral to Ground was around 30 or 40 volts and the power filter would simply kick out and not run after a hour or so.

[linuxxpwin]

I agree with Lawrence photocopiers are also known as inductors and draws power which would definitely kill the UPS, as a matter a interest no laser products should be plug in to a UPS, as recommended by Lawrence use line filters or something of that sort, in my case the customer decided that for a machine that was purchased for 10 grand, getting a voltage stabilizer was worth it.

I wonder have anyone ever had an electrician to make you have clean power? If all cable are grounded properly.

[costd]

Actually they do make UPS systems that can handle much more than an MFP - but very expensive. There is such a thing as clean power but it requires voltage regulation and filters - again very expensive. I have not priced things for a number of years, but I suspect a voltage regulator could handle a short term drop at a much lower price than a UPS (guys, I am talking about a real UPS NOT your small Belkin computer type).

If it were me, I would first use my meter to verify the outlet is providing the proper voltage for the MFP, then ask their electrician to verify if the MFP is on a dedicated 15 amp circuit (outlet and circuit are not the same). I suspect it isn't so the next step is to have the electrician connect a power monitoring device (recorder) and see if the voltage ever drops below the MFP requirement. If it does, then they can either disconnect the other devices/equipment on the same circuit, install a new dedicated circuit, or get use to resetting the codes.

I feel compelled to point out that power is only a possible issue and troubleshooting long distance is "iffy" at best.

[RascalMJ]

Copiers draw more power than a UPS can provide so i would not do that.

We use ESP power filters but these cannot correct for sags in the power but protect against line noise and surges.

My copier out in the boonies is on one of these filters and it still happens every now and again. When your getting weird issues and you think it's power related check the plug. Put your meter on AC and measure from Hot to Ground, Hot to Neutral, Neutral to Ground. Hot to Ground and Neutral should be 115-120 volts. Neutral to Ground should be very close if not 0 volts. Some times i have seen .5 volts. No big deal. We had a copier and the Neutral to Ground was around 30 or 40 volts and the power filter would simply kick out and not run after a hour or so.

Yeah, those are the same type ESP's that we use and have at this customer location.

I tested the AC and it all checked out within normal ranges. It is an old building with a lot of stuff likely on the same circuit.

Actually they do make UPS systems that can handle much more than an MFP - but very expensive. There is such a thing as clean power but it requires voltage regulation and filters - again very expensive. I have not priced things for a number of years, but I suspect a voltage regulator could handle a short term drop at a much lower price than a UPS (guys, I am talking about a real UPS NOT your small Belkin computer type).

If it were me, I would first use my meter to verify the outlet is providing the proper voltage for the MFP, then ask their electrician to verify if the MFP is on a dedicated 15 amp circuit (outlet and circuit are not the same). I suspect it isn't so the next step is to have the electrician connect a power monitoring device (recorder) and see if the voltage ever drops below the MFP requirement. If it does, then they can either disconnect the other devices/equipment on the same circuit, install a new dedicated circuit, or get use to resetting the codes.

I feel compelled to point out that power is only a possible issue and troubleshooting long distance is "iffy" at best.

I understand the limitations of long distance technical assistance and I have my contacts working through the normal procedures as well (Sharp Tech Support), however Sharp was closed yesterday and this was one of my only alternatives at the time (and often Sharp is not of much assistance either, so I come here for browsing for help).

We don't really have a relationship with any electricians that we have do this kind of thing regularly. It is very rare that we have an issue with power, and the one time that I know of we mentioned putting in a dedicated line and the customer said sure and did it, but this customer does not seem like one that would JUMP at the opportunity to spend more money. Hopefully I am wrong.

[RascalMJ]

***UPDATE***

I removed the unit from the customer location and brought it back to our office. We get the same code (H4-04) here in the office as well.

[OMD-227]

Is this the MXC31FU or 32FU that you're having problems with?