madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => VFE Projects => Topic started by: brucer on February 06, 2018, 11:53:41 PM

Title: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail - SOLVED!!!
Post by: brucer on February 06, 2018, 11:53:41 PM
I'm pretty sure the fail will be down to me, but ... I've built up a Choral Reef and v2.1 switching board.  I get bypass signal, but utter silence when switched to effect.  No parts substitutions, just what was in the BOMs from Mouser and Small Bear.

I have power to the switching board, but seeing no power at the Choral Reef.  I've confirmed continuity between the switching board and the effect pcb, so guessing that means the the switching board is the (first) problem.  I've checked my solder joints and parts orientations. 

(https://imageshack.com/i/pmZbAa5sj)   (https://imageshack.com/i/pmlyRnDaj)

Wondering about next steps.  Can't figure out how to use my testing rig with the VFE projects since everything is basically complete, signal through jacks, etc.  Only thing that comes to mind is checking voltages on the switching board parts. 

Does anyone have a list of voltages for the v2.1 switching board that they could post as a comparison?  Or any other suggestions how to troubleshoot on of these projects? 

Thanks for any/all ideas.   



Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail
Post by: bsoncini on February 07, 2018, 12:11:01 AM
Do you hear the relay click when you press the momentary switch?  What voltages do you have going to the actual board.  Should be around 9 volts on v+ and around 5 on v-.  If all that is good.  Post your voltages at all ic's

Edit
Looking closer.  It looks like you need to flip the switching board over and flip the wires too.  Your Led, in, out are connected to gnd v- and v+. And vice versa. 
Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail
Post by: gordo on February 07, 2018, 02:52:34 AM
Good catch!  It's like an optical illusion.
Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail
Post by: brucer on February 07, 2018, 08:25:26 PM
Quote from: bsoncini on February 07, 2018, 12:11:01 AM
Looking closer.  It looks like you need to flip the switching board over and flip the wires too.  Your Led, in, out are connected to gnd v- and v+. And vice versa.

D'oh!  That would totally explain things.  Flipped the switching board/wires over and voila!  Fired right up.  I am such a toad.  Thanks for helping though!  Much appreciated!
Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail - SOLVED!!!
Post by: bsoncini on February 07, 2018, 11:38:11 PM
Glad you got it working. We've all made stupid mistakes like that
Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail - SOLVED!!!
Post by: Droogie on February 08, 2018, 09:29:45 AM
Double post!
Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail - SOLVED!!!
Post by: Droogie on February 08, 2018, 09:30:47 AM
Quote from: bsoncini on February 07, 2018, 11:38:11 PM
Glad you got it working. We've all made stupid mistakes like that

I seem to do that at least once on every VFE build I've done, except for the last two Mermans.
Title: Re: Choral Reef / v2.1 Switching Board Fail - SOLVED!!!
Post by: tcpoint on February 08, 2018, 08:27:14 PM
Nice build.  I like that Choral Reef, a lot.  I fired up a pedal, a couple days ago, bypass worked perfectly and no sound.  I looked at the board and forgot to put in the opamps.  Then, it worked, next try.