I've recently transferred my empeg from a Golf GTi to my Mk V Escort Cabrio. On a few occassions when it was in the Golf I found that the volume control knob would simply just rotate on its spindle. Removing the knob and touching the spindle I found that it was quite hot so I just blew on the knob a bit, replaced it and it seemed to be okay for a bit. This was usually after I'd been driving for over an hour and when the weather was colder so I'd had the heater on. My Escort gets a bit hotter (especially with the recent spate of warmer weather we've been getting in the UK) and so this is happening more frequently i.e. as soon as I get in the car. While this isn't a major hinderance I'm just concerned about the temperature of the unit.

I've just read through the posts started by ChrisD last year over his problems and was somewhat allayed by the replies that said it is natural and expected for the empeg to get quite hot. However, I've just been out for a spin with the top down, the sun has been on the empeg most of the time and when I got home I found that the knob rotates on the spindle more freely than it has before, the spindle is VERY hot and the grab handle for the unit release is extremely hot, almost to the point of not being able to touch it. Now I realise that this is to be expected of metal components in direct sunlight but am I really doing no damage to the unit using it in these kind of conditions? (rare though they may be in the UK)


Steve.

(18GB Mk II - Blue then Green made my display more serene.)

You need the newer rotary control - this fixes the spinning problem. Contact support@empeg.com and they'll send one out free.

The unit does get hot, particularly the front panel (hence the rotary control being hot) - the main source of heat is the display itself, due to the filament heater.

Hugo

Many thanks - I shall mail them now. Just wondering, when did these new knobs become available? I've had my unit since last August.


Steve.

(18GB Mk II - Blue then Green made my display more serene.)

Quite a while ago; there was a lot of discussion on the BBS about them.

In general, if you have a problem with your unit, ask support - we're here to help. The BBS is great, but also unofficial. We have had owners who have been running beta7 (waaaaaaay before v1!) and have just been putting up with the problems, without contacting support or even checking the website for upgrades!

Hugo

If your GTI was anything like mine, the radio was mounted very high up on the dash. I've seen car magazines give Volkswagen high praise for mounting the radio high like that, since it's easier to keep your eyes on the road while fiddling with the radio. Problem is that the radio gets way too much sun/heat up there...

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Tony Fabris

I did like the positioning in the Golf. Was easy to see and I could mount my phone next to it so that was easy to see as well. Easy to reach, too. In my Escort, its alot lower and is angled out towards the passenger very slightly which makes the display a bit harder to read and also its not so easy to reach. Had to mount the phone down near the handbrake which I don't like at all. May have to start shopping around soon for a new car.

Steve.

(18GB Mk II - Blue then Green made my display more serene.)

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In general, if you have a problem with your unit, ask support - we're here to help

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Okay, I'll do that more in the future. I just don't wanna waste their time. I know that's what they're there for but its nice to see if anyone else is having the same problems. There are also times when I don't get to view the BBS for a long time and it can be a bit offputting to try and catch up with all the messages that have occurred in the meantime.

Steve.

(18GB Mk II - Blue then Green made my display more serene.)

UPDATE - Well, I mailed support on Sunday, got a response by the time I got home on Monday and now have a new control knob in my hand on Tuesday. How's that for service?

Steve.

(18GB Mk II - Blue then Green made my display more serene.)