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Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: m-Kresol on August 27, 2018, 07:52:05 PM

Title: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on August 27, 2018, 07:52:05 PM
Finally, this is done. After my first prototype failed in December, it took me forever to find time and motivation to give it another go. With the help of reddesert, I got this working the second time around and corrected all the design flaws, the first pcb had. The circuit is stock EQD palisades with minor changes to the power section. I also added onboard optical bypass and made it fit into a 1590BB. The major add-on is that the boost can be used individually from the OD. The DIP switch lets you choose between the independent mode and the stock master bypass switching (OD is master, boost only working when OD is on)

I actually made 3 enclosures for this. The first was riddled with flaws in the layout/labeling, the second one didn't turn out as I wanted it to with the laser engraver, so I etched another one. Since I didn't want to spent too much time on it and the enclosure I had was in bad condition after some experiments from at least 3 years ago, I went for a used look. I dig it.

I have several pcbs to spare, there will be a thread in the BST section sometime this week. thanks for looking.
thank you again reddesert!

(http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD1_small.jpg) (http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD1_big.jpg)

(http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD2_small.jpg) (http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD2_big.jpg)

(http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD3_small.jpg) (http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD3_big.jpg)

(http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD4_small.jpg) (http://felix.kalium.org/upload/pictures/Pedals/HeOD/He_OD4_big.jpg)
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: cooder on August 27, 2018, 09:22:16 PM
Totally spiffin', what a project! You must be stoked to have mastered it, awesome achievement!
Lots a knobs and settings to fiddle with. Needs a commercial pilots license I guess ;D
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: jubal81 on August 27, 2018, 09:32:36 PM
Whoa, Impressive!
Really great job on that layout. THat's a tough one but everything is perfectly placed, easy to build and looks as slick as it gets.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on August 28, 2018, 08:03:09 PM
thanks, I appreciate it.
This one is more about the guts and the layout than it is about the exterior for me. The layout turned out very nice considering the restrictions of the pot and switch positions, if I might say so myself 8)
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: cooder on August 28, 2018, 10:02:35 PM
Quote from: m-Kresol on August 28, 2018, 08:03:09 PM
thanks, I appreciate it.
This one is more about the guts and the layout than it is about the exterior for me. The layout turned out very nice considering the restrictions of the pot and switch positions, if I might say so myself 8)
The board is total top notch design indeed I bet there's tons of thought and development in there.
Which board manufacturer do you use? I have so far used Oshpark and while they are great and easy enough for me to cope with, I always find myself skimping with board size and shape to save on dosh, stingy as I am...
I wouldn't mind seeing what other options are out there that are price wise easier on the wallet allowing in turn to be more generous with pcb size.
Or what's you take on it?
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on August 29, 2018, 07:38:02 PM
Quote from: cooder on August 28, 2018, 10:02:35 PM
Quote from: m-Kresol on August 28, 2018, 08:03:09 PM
thanks, I appreciate it.
This one is more about the guts and the layout than it is about the exterior for me. The layout turned out very nice considering the restrictions of the pot and switch positions, if I might say so myself 8)
The board is total top notch design indeed I bet there's tons of thought and development in there.
Which board manufacturer do you use? I have so far used Oshpark and while they are great and easy enough for me to cope with, I always find myself skimping with board size and shape to save on dosh, stingy as I am...
I wouldn't mind seeing what other options are out there that are price wise easier on the wallet allowing in turn to be more generous with pcb size.
Or what's you take on it?

I used elecrow for this one (and some others). There quality is nice, the process is easy (without preview though) and you can get more pcbs for the same price compared to oshpark for standard boards (1.6mm FR4, 1oz Cu...). One more advantage is that you have multiple colours to choose from and they are similar in the time it takes until the pcb reach your doorstep.
I switched over for some pcbs for a tube amp since size was big and I wanted 2 oz Cu and went for it again here due to the size. However, after the first batch I kind of stuck with them. And it's were Brian gets mpb boards made, so that's a vote of confidence.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: Adam_DIY on August 29, 2018, 09:36:39 PM
The entire build looks awesome really dig it and I'll defintiely buy one of the pcbs to build one.  I've been keeping an eye out for your second version of this.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: selfdestroyer on August 29, 2018, 09:59:34 PM
That is awesome! Really like that layout and artwork is so cool. Great job.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on August 30, 2018, 06:53:03 PM
Thanks guys.

Pcb is now available here: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=28457.0
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: brejna on August 30, 2018, 09:25:39 PM
Great design! Would you mind sharing your artwork.. I am really short on time these days..
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on September 01, 2018, 08:25:35 AM
Quote from: brejna on August 30, 2018, 09:25:39 PM
Great design! Would you mind sharing your artwork.. I am really short on time these days..

Sure thing. You can download it here: http://felix.kalium.org/upload/share/He-OD_graphics.zip
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: nzCdog on September 01, 2018, 08:28:06 PM
Wow Felix!  Very cool project, congrats.  I love that etched enclosure too, can tell a whole lotta work has gone into this build.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: pickdropper on September 02, 2018, 11:32:53 AM
Very nice build.  I particularly appreciate the little detail of lining up the footswitch nuts with the artwork.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: diablochris6 on September 02, 2018, 11:26:31 PM
That's a killer layout! I like the staggered heights of the controls. Seems logical to easily access the ones you would tweak more.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: Aentons on September 04, 2018, 01:26:17 AM
I never understood why they made the stock Palisades without an independent boost. I have one of the first run 18v models and I'm always on the fence about selling it because I really like it, except for the boost thing. The other thing that really bugs me is that I wish the second gain was independently switchable as well. How does your handle the second gain switching?
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on September 04, 2018, 03:51:26 AM
Quote from: Aentons on September 04, 2018, 01:26:17 AM
I never understood why they made the stock Palisades without an independent boost. I have one of the first run 18v models and I'm always on the fence about selling it because I really like it, except for the boost thing. The other thing that really bugs me is that I wish the second gain was independently switchable as well. How does your handle the second gain switching?

I don't quite understand what you mean. You can change the gain via the footswitch at any given time, independent on boost or wether the OD is actually engaged. But that's taken 1:1 from the schematic floating around, so I guess from the stock unit
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: Aentons on September 04, 2018, 04:43:16 AM
Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was referring to how you can't activate the OD "Gain B" with just the "Gain" footswitch and you have to use the "Engage/Gain A" switch as a master bypass.

Just saying I wish it flip-flopped instead... For instance, Step on the middle switch to activate "Gain B" and it deactivates the right "Gain A" footswitch. Step on "Gain B" switch again and the OD is bypassed.
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: m-Kresol on September 04, 2018, 05:01:31 PM
ok, I see what you mean now. What you are describing would need some microcontroller based switching, I guess. I can see how this would be beneficial, if you disengage in setting A, but want to turn it on in gain B. You would only need one click instead of 2
Title: Re: Helium OD - EQD Palisades
Post by: Aentons on September 04, 2018, 06:51:52 PM
Yep, that's it. It's usually the opposite that gets me tho...  Going from GainB engaged to MasterBypass clean tone, I have to remember to click the GainB button again sometime before I want GainA turned on, otherwise it's right back to GainB.

I will say, it does help in this regard that the switches are so close together so I can step on two at once if needed