Daktronics Parts

Scoreboard Depot Represents

Scoreboard Depot's Top Ten

Daktronics, Fairplay & Nevco Scoreboard Problems & Solutions 

Problem #1:  "My Scoreboards are not Lighting Up When I Turn Them on." 

Question - Are there multiple scoreboards involved that are not turning on and are not radio operated?  If so:

Possible Cause #1 - A wrong Control Console Code has been entered and as a result, data is being sent that is designed to run a different scoreboard.  This problem is especially possible if you own a Daktronics Allsport 5000 Control Console and an LED scoreboard.  Solution - Turn Control Console off and back on and enter correct code.

Possible Cause #2 - Control Console malfunction.  As a result, the console is not outputting data or the data being sent is corrupted.  Verify by checking the output voltage (Daktronics 9-12 DC volts & Fairplay 1.5-5 DC volts).  Verify:  Do you have a second control console stashed away?  Use the second console to verify.  Solution:  Order an exchange console from ScoreboardDepot.com or send your console to ScoreboardDepot.com for repair (please call 585-739-4651 to arrange for repair).

Possible Cause #3 - Signal Cable with quarter inch phono plugs on both ends is damaged and not allowing data to flow from your control console to the scoreboard.  Verify by taking a continuity test on the cable (tip to tip & 2nd level to 2nd level).  Verify by plugging cable into control console and checking for correct voltage on the other end tip & 2nd level (Daktronics 9-12 DC volts & Fairplay 1.5-5 DC volts).  Solution:  Order new signal cable from Scoreboard Depot.com.

Possible Cause #4 - Quarter inch female phono plug on wall plate is damaged or shorted.  Verify by removing wall plate and examining the backside.  Is the female phono plug contacts making good contact with the male phono plug contacts?  Look for bent contacts, shorted wires, broken solder, etc.  Solution:  Repair 1/4 " female phono plug contacts, bend them to make good contact with male plug, resolder contacts, repair shorted wiring, etc.

Possible Cause #5 - Breakers or Disconnects have been coincidentally turned off to both scoreboards.  Solution:  Turn Breakers or Disconnects back on.

There are other causes of this problem.  We've attempted to list some of the most obvious.  Please feel free to call Scoreboard Depot for further assistance at 585-739-4651.  

Problem #2: "My Scoreboard is not Lighting Up when I Turn it On." 

Question - Is there only one scoreboard involved that is not turning on and is not radio operated?  If so, after having worked through Problem #1's Five Possible Causes...

Possible Cause #6 - Control Console data is not getting to scoreboard driver or processor.  Verify: Take a voltage reading on the male phono plug that plugs into the top of an indoor scoreboard or at the termination panel of an outdoor scoreboard (Daktronics 9-12 DC volts & Fairplay 1.5-5 DC volts).  If you are not getting a reading, you probably have a damaged cable somewhere between your control console site and your scoreboard.  Verify by taking your control console and plugging it directly into the scoreboard, bypassing the damaged cabling.   Solution:  Repair or replace the damaged cable.

Possible Cause #7 - The scoreboard driver or processor has been damaged and needs to be replaced or repaired.  Solution:  Order an exchange driver or processor from ScoreboardDepot.com or send your driver or processor to ScoreboardDepot.com for repair (please call 585-739-4651 to arrange for repair).

There are other causes of this problem.  We've attempted to list some of the most obvious.  Please feel free to call Scoreboard Depot for further assistance at 585-739-4651.  

Problem #3: "My Radio Operated Scoreboard is not Lighting Up When I Turn it on!" 

Possible Cause #1 - A wrong Control Console Code has been entered and as a result, data is being sent that is designed to run a different scoreboard.  This problem is especially possible if you own a Daktronics Allsport 5000 Control Console and an LED scoreboard.  Solution: Turn Control Console off and back on and enter correct code.

Possible Cause #2 - A wrong Control Console Wireless Channel has been entered and as a result, the control console transmitter is unable to connect with the scoreboard receiver. This problem is especially possible if you own a Daktronics Allsport control console and an LED scoreboard.  Solution - Turn Control Console off and back on and enter correct channel.  If you're not sure of the correct channel, enter channel 0 which communicates to all channels.

Possible Cause #3 - The control console antenna and/or the scoreboard antenna is or are broken.  Solution:  Order a new antenna from ScoreboardDepot.com.  Please Note; For effective radio communication, both antennas must be a able to fully view each other!

Possible Cause #4 - The control console antenna loosened up where it fastens to the console metal case.  As people attempt to tighten the antenna, the internal cable twists and eventually breaks!  Solution:  Send your Control Console to ScoreboardDepot.com for repair (please call 585-739-4651 to arrange for repair).

Possible Cause #5 - The Scoreboard Receiver has malfunctioned.  Please examine the 3 LEDs on the receiver.  Are all 3 LEDs lit?  Solution:  Send your Receiver to ScoreboardDepot.com for repair (please call 585-739-4651 to arrange for repair). 

Possible Cause #6 - The scoreboard driver or processor has been damaged and needs to be replaced or repaired.  Solution:  Order an exchange driver or processor from ScoreboardDepot.com or send your driver or processor to ScoreboardDepot.com for repair (please call 585-739-4651 to arrange for repair).

There are other causes of this problem.  We've attempted to list some of the most obvious.  Please feel free to call Scoreboard Depot for further assistance at 585-739-4651.  

Problem #4: "There are Bulbs that are Stuck On and Never Go Out." 

Possible Cause #1 - A component on the driver or processor called a triac has been shorted and needs to be replaced.  Solution:  Order an exchange driver or processor from ScoreboardDepot.com or send your driver or processor to ScoreboardDepot.com for repair (please call 585-739-4651 to arrange for repair).

Problem #5: "My Scoreboard is Lighting up, but when I press a button on the Control Console the Wrong Digit changes!"

Possible Cause #1 - A wrong Control Console Code has been entered and as a result, data is being sent that is designed to run a different scoreboard.  This problem is especially possible if you own a Daktronics Allsport 2510 or an Allsport 4000 Control Console and an incandescent scoreboard.  Solution: Turn Control Console off and back on and enter correct code.

Problem #6: "My Daktronics Shot Clocks' Horns are not working!"

Possible Cause #1 - In it's newer LED shot clocks, Daktronics is using a 12 DC volt horn that is prone to problems.  Solution: Often, just by tapping on the horn while someone manually sounds the horn from the control console, it will usually free up and produce it's sound.  Again, this is not a quality horn!  If you desire to replace your horn with a much higher quality 12 DC Volt Horn, we sell them and you will find them by clicking on the "Daktronics Parts" tab and scrolling down to our horns.

Possible Cause #2 - The newer LED shot clock horns are influenced by the LED dimming function in the Allsport Control Console.  Solution: Make sure that your Allsport "dimming" is set to "NONE" as in no dimming and full brightness.

There are other causes of this problem.  We've attempted to list some of the most obvious.  Please feel free to call Scoreboard Depot for further assistance at 585-739-4651.  

Problem #7: "My Shot Clock is not working!"

Possible Cause #1 - If your shot clocks are located above your backboards, as a result of being hit by balls and being continuously shaken; internal plugs, contacts, transformers, nuts and bolts become loose and disconnected.  Solution: Disconnect power and remove the 4 screws on the digit face plate.  Carefully remove the digit face plate from the shot clock cabinet, revealing the inside of the shot clock.  Examine transformers, wires, contacts, screws, nuts, soldered contacts and make repairs and tighten everything!

PLEASE NOTE - Scoreboard Depot strongly recommends that you not run shot clocks wirelessly! The NBA has a reason for mandating against wireless shot clocks.  There are to many things that can go wrong and as a result; you run the risk of a shot clock or both shot clocks going down during a big game!

There are other causes of this problem.  We've attempted to list some of the most obvious.  Please feel free to call Scoreboard Depot for further assistance at 585-739-4651.  

Problem #8: "My Nevco Scoreboard is not lighting up !"

Possible Cause #1 - At the risk of sounding simplistic, 80% of the problems that are experienced with Nevco scoreboards are caused by the data cables which are coaxial with BNC connectors.  Solution: We recommend that you always own at least two spare/backup coaxial cables with BNC connectors so that when a problem occurs, the first thing you do is replace your cable with a spare.  You can purchase them by clicking on Nevco Parts and scrolling down to our cables.

Possible Cause #2 - If you open the hinged door on the scoreboard (located on the front of indoor scoreboards & on the back of outdoor scoreboards), you'll find the scoreboard processor.  Please check both fuses located on the right side of the processor.   If there are no blown fuses, to reduce possible causes, plug your control console directly into the processor.  If the scoreboard still doesn't light, give us a call and we'll walk you through more trouble-shooting.

There are other causes of this problem.  We've attempted to list some of the most obvious.  Please feel free to call Scoreboard Depot for further assistance at 585-739-4651.