Dead TC1044SPCAs

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

Has anyone else had TC1044SPCAs die on them?

I have had two in the last month. With both, the pedals fired up well, but the chip suddenly died a month or so later. There were no polarity snafu’s to cause an early demise.

If the pedal was working appropriately , I can’t think of anything that would cause it to die. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[BuddytheReow]

How much power were you putting into it? 18v can fry it

 

[benny_profane]

Anything over 12V can damage the chip (including transients). Do the circuits have any sort of over-voltage protection (e.g., a zener to ground)?

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

How much power were you putting into it? 18v can fry it

9v. Thanks

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

Anything over 12V can damage the chip (including transients). Do the circuits have any sort of over-voltage protection (e.g., a zener to ground)?

Both were PedalPCB boards, and I used the normal power protection.

 

[benny_profane]

Both were PedalPCB boards, and I used the normal power protection.

Can you be specific about the actual boards? Some will have just a series Schottky diode for polarity protection, while others will include a zener for over-voltage as well. Also, what PSU are you using? Has the same supply been used in both cases of failure?

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

Can you be specific about the actual boards? Some will have just a series Schottky diode for polarity protection, while others will include a zener for over-voltage as well. Also, what PSU are you using? Has the same supply been used in both cases of failure?

This week was the Twin Face. Let me see if I can remember the other one. Both would have been powered by a Truetone power supply.

 

[benny_profane]

This week was the Twin Face. Let me see if I can remember the other one. Both would have been powered by a Truetone power supply.

Okay. The twin face doesn’t include a zener or other over-voltage protection. So that’s a possibility.

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

Okay. The twin face doesn’t include a zener or other over-voltage protection. So that’s a possibility.

Oh, I thought the 1N5817 diode was the over voltage protection. . Thanks for helping!

 

[benny_profane]

Oh, I thought the 1N5817 diode was the over voltage protection. . Thanks for helping!

The 1n5817 is a Schottky diode used for polarity protection and will block reverse-biased current. I.e., if a center-positive plug is used, power will not be applied to the circuit.

 

[Bricksnbeatles]

The overprotection is usually a 10v or 12v zener in most commercial pedals I’ve seen. Even if it’s not on the board, you can tack it onto the power jack.

 

[jimilee]

I’ve blown at least 2 or 3 and a hand full of trannies. I blew three bs170s working on a pedal last week. I haz skillz.

 

[benny_profane]

I’ve blown at least 2 or 3 and a hand full of trannies. I blew three bs170s working on a pedal last week. I haz skillz.

Gotta stop dragging your feet all over the carpet before populating boards.