After some thought...

[Spiff4565]

...I think I am going to change my assembly process.

I have a couple of builds that have unexplainable issues that were never solved.

So rather than wait until the moment of truth when power is applied, I'm going to pursue an incremental assembly process.

I have typically installed components by class. Usually resistors then caps, regulators....

I think going forward I will try as best and as practical to build and test the circuit from one end to the other.

Start with the power supply and make sure it is delivering appropriate power to its end point.

Then I'll build out the rest of the circuit, testing along the way.

This approach flies in the face of economy of motion, but time is saved on the backend by trying to analyze where a fault(s) lies in the entire system.

 

[cdwillis]

You can always get one of those audition board things and put it together to test your builds before you box them up.

 

[Spiff4565]

You can always get one of those audition board things and put it together to test your builds before you box them up.

I do have a tone generator for tracing. But after this latest build it could only lead me to the problem, not resolve the problem.

With a fully populated board trying to isolate or track down a root issue is more challenging than going step by step.

For troubleshooting I measure resistance and voltages. Sometimes I use a signal trace as well.

 

[andrewsrea]

I build small components to tall components and am fastidious, checking the component to its value to the circuit and testing each component's values with a meter. Which is important because especially for overdrives, I deviate from the stock circuits. I don't think this saves time, just frustration levels.

 

[Spiff4565]

Yep, I do check values. I haven't texted the circuit along the way and this step is missing from my process.

Frustrating is a kind way to describe the sensation when the circuit requires troubleshooting.

Testing at each step or small series of steps is slower but knowing a recent change to the circuit greatly reduces time spent tracking down the issue.

Also, for a novice, it helps better understand the segments the circuit. Perhaps one day I'll be able to more easily determine where an issue may reside in the build, but for now getting down in the trenches at each component placement is useful for a number of reasons, for me.

 

[cdwillis]

Out of curiosity, how many pedals have you built so far? When I first started building I had a few issues here and there, but largely things just work 99.9% of the time for me now that I have had more experience and gotten a workflow down.

 

[Spiff4565]

I've built 8 or 9 pedals. Most have not have any issues. Others minor issues that were easily fixed. A couple that were simply bricked.

My work flow has been more focused on populating by class of component and then off board wiring.

Now I am going to start with PS, make sure voltages are getting distributed correctly. From there start at the input and populate sequentially off the schematic.