Electrovibe Speed not working, POSSIBLY Switch wiring, Need help.

[aienco]

Hello, Been having a bit of a problem with the speed on my build. Originally had an issue with the vibe not working but traced that to a faulty Transistor at Q5. However, I still have NO speed on either control at any point. Speed LED constantly lit. I have followed another thread on here and tried the troublshooting there, but I was not sure whether I should be getting audio through the probe on the transistors, LDR's etc. I Dont have any Audio on the Speed Pots and I have been going round in circles for a day or so?
I had to use hard wired switches as the breakout boards, I managed to damage. I found the wiring for the speed switch on here, however I am not certain this is correct. I am just thinking, if the switch isn't working properly, then I am wasting my time with the other tests.

I am getting around 16V instead of 18V on Q2 & 4, The bulb is pulsing and the intensity is working. Its seems just the speed. But I have exhaused my knowledge and before I go changing all transistors and caps, I was hoping someone could give me some guidance. I tried a new Chip as well.

 

[aienco]

I think posting some voltage readings might help to find the issue. Someone might spot something. When I troubleshoot my builds, Old timers on forums always repeat : "readings, readings, readings".

Yes I agree. I did post a couple, however I will post again...

 

[aienco]

Voltage Readings if this helps at all??? They seem a bit lower than on the paperwork? Not sure if they are low enough to worry about though?? But then again, I don't know thats the whole thing...

R10 = 11.94V
R3 = 11.94
R30 = 11.9
R45 = 11.9
R51 = 11.9
Q14 = 11.9
Pin8 of IC =8.8V
C11+ = 16.59
C22+ = 11.94
R11 = 11.94
Q1 & Q2 =16.6V
Lamp = 16.6V

Maybe this tells someone somthing???? Thank you.

 

[eh là bas ma]

DEBUGGING - What to do when it doesn't work

DEBUGGING - What to do when it doesn't work

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I am not sure "Q14= 11.9" is very clear for everyone. You'll find here some useful tips about how to post readings. DC voltage can be added to the list.

 

[Big Monk]

Voltage Readings if this helps at all??? They seem a bit lower than on the paperwork? Not sure if they are low enough to worry about though?? But then again, I don't know thats the whole thing...

R10 = 11.94V
R3 = 11.94
R30 = 11.9
R45 = 11.9
R51 = 11.9
Q14 = 11.9
Pin8 of IC =8.8V
C11+ = 16.59
C22+ = 11.94
R11 = 11.94
Q1 & Q2 =16.6V
Lamp = 16.6V

Maybe this tells someone somthing???? Thank you.

Your voltages look okay.

If your bulb is working and pulsing with the LFO, including both the intensity and speed knobs affecting lamp behavior, you have an issue with the audio path, including the phase sections.

Does your volume control affect the sound at all? If so, it is definitely something in the phase stages.

 

[aienco]

Your voltages look okay.

If your bulb is working and pulsing with the LFO, including both the intensity and speed knobs affecting lamp behavior, you have an issue with the audio path, including the phase sections.

Does your volume control affect the sound at all? If so, it is definitely something in the phase stages.

Thank you. I believe I have a download of yours that segregates the sections. I will work through phase sections. Thanks again.

 

[aienco]

Well, I waited a few weeks for a new board to come. I can't believe, after being extra careful, I still have issues. Please bare in mind, I have built at least 30 kits from this site and others that have worked perfectly, but obviously I am doing something wrong here. Normally at this point I would give up, but I would really like this pedal.

So far, I have NO VIBE, Nothing happens to the light when I adjust the trimpots, the Speed does not work at all. So basically, not much happening.

What I have tried.
Being the second time round.... ALL voltages are correct... I have re-soldered all joints. I have insuled the pots, I have changed every transistor for new ones and even changed the IC for a new one.
With the probe. I get audio at the volume control. The top part of the board has audio where it should however the bottom half of the board, see image, I get NO AUDIO at all.

Anyone have the patience to help me through this one???

 

[Big Monk]

Those solder joints look rough. WAY too much solder in some places.

Reflow them all and check for vibe and we can go from there.

 

[aienco]

Those solder joints look rough. WAY too much solder in some places.

Reflow them all and check for vibe and we can go from there.

I have done that now again. Also sucked up sus ones and re-soldered. Still nothing. Its just like the vibe section isn't switching in at all.
I am not a fan of using the sockets for transistors. I noticed a lot of people do use them. I did on this build mainly for troubleshooting. Do you feel these sockets are reliable? Should I perhaps take all the sockets off and solder the transistors straight onto the board?

 

[aienco]

Please excuse my ignorance, but before I go pulling and replacing parts, am I correct, in the image below, highligthing the phase part of the circuit??

The trimpots do brighten and darkent the lamp, but no audio difference. The only pot working on the whole thing is the volume.

 

[Big Monk]

I have done that now again. Also sucked up sus ones and re-soldered. Still nothing. Its just like the vibe section isn't switching in at all.
I am not a fan of using the sockets for transistors. I noticed a lot of people do use them. I did on this build mainly for troubleshooting. Do you feel these sockets are reliable? Should I perhaps take all the sockets off and solder the transistors straight onto the board?

I don’t use sockets. Ever. I see no reason for them. That’s what breadboarding is for.

 

[Big Monk]

Please excuse my ignorance, but before I go pulling and replacing parts, am I correct, in the image below, highligthing the phase part of the circuit??

The trimpots do brighten and darkent the lamp, but no audio difference. The only pot working on the whole thing is the volume.

Yes, that’s the phase section. If you feel the LFO is working properly but you have no phasing, I’d concentrate on that section.

 

[aienco]

Yes, that’s the phase section. If you feel the LFO is working properly but you have no phasing, I’d concentrate on that section.

Not sure whether this is worth persuing, as much as I want this to work. I just removed ALL the components on the bottom half of the board, including lamp and ldr's. I cleaned the board up and checked all the tracks. Soldered all NEW components and still have the same issue. I can't quite believe it. The pot adjusts the brightness of the light, but the vibe sound is just not there. I re checked all voltages, re-flowed all joints. I am at a real loss. This must be the most expensive Electrovibe in existance. Which would be fine if it worked....

 

[Big Monk]

Not sure whether this is worth persuing, as much as I want this to work. I just removed ALL the components on the bottom half of the board, including lamp and ldr's. I cleaned the board up and checked all the tracks. Soldered all NEW components and still have the same issue. I can't quite believe it. The pot adjusts the brightness of the light, but the vibe sound is just not there. I re checked all voltages, re-flowed all joints. I am at a real loss. This must be the most expensive Electrovibe in existance. Which would be fine if it worked....

I hate to kick somebody when their down, but….

This was a pretty foolish troubleshooting path. I never advoacate for fire and brimstone when troubleshooting. You simply run the risk of damaging something where damage didn’t exist before.

Concentrate on the phasing section. That’s likely where the trouble is.

 

[aienco]

Well, I am still struggling with this... I have found I am getting NO voltage at R11 where there should be approx. 15V. I don't know why, I have followed through the other components connected to it.

Either way, this is NOT the reason the vibe doesnt work becuase I supplied voltage to R11 and it did start the light pulsating and the intensity working but still NO VIBE????

I know I should be concentrating on the phasing stage, but when I replaced all the components in that part, I thought that would do it. Short from that, I don't know how to troubleshoot this statge. I did check continuity via the circuit and that checks out. So not sure from there.