Informant - no sound

[Allthumbs]

sadly my Informant build does not work. I need an intro to going through the pedal with a multimeter. Does anyone have a good link that will explain this and teach me how to find my problem? something basic and straight forward for a noob?

Thanks

 

[Nostradoomus]

Pictures of the build?

 

[Allthumbs]

Pictures of the build?

sorry for the holdup. I'm waiting for a new 3PDT to swap it out. I believe I shorted it with solder when attaching the breakout board. If it turns out not the case I'll post some pics. I can't find anything that looks odd but I need to learn to go through it with the MM. I've been going on dumb luck

 

[Nostradoomus]

That’s why I built a test rig! Less things to debug, especially 3pdt switches haha

 

[Allthumbs]

That’s why I built a test rig! Less things to debug, especially 3pdt switches haha

that's a great idea. how do you connect the board to it?

 

[zgrav]

did you find some sites that show you how to use your digital multimeter? should be a few that come up with a search.
for starters you can check out the guides here: https://guitarpcb.com/forums/topic/pedal-building-guides-mandatory-reading/

 

[Nostradoomus]

that's a great idea. how do you connect the board to it?

I wired up an enclosure with all the usual off board wiring, then in place of the board wires I used cables with alligator clips attached to them. Wire a few flying leads off the board, clip em on and voila!

 

[Jonathan]

Here's my favorite test rig, I recommend these every time this question comes up. Changed everything for me: https://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2014/09/test-box-20.html

 

[Nostradoomus]

Yeah mine is basically that minus the probe and speaker terminals swapped with alligator clip cables. I also got the test rig PCB from JMK and it works wonders

 

[Allthumbs]

did you find some sites that show you how to use your digital multimeter? should be a few that come up with a search.
for starters you can check out the guides here: https://guitarpcb.com/forums/topic/pedal-building-guides-mandatory-reading/

I found some on operating the MM but none regarding the specifics of going through a circuit. I'll check out the link. thanks. I'm swamped with work lately so I'm neglecting my builds

 

[Allthumbs]

I wired up an enclosure with all the usual off board wiring, then in place of the board wires I used cables with alligator clips attached to them. Wire a few flying leads off the board, clip em on and voila!

nice. must try

 

[Jonathan]

I found some on operating the MM but none regarding the specifics of going through a circuit. I'll check out the link. thanks. I'm swamped with work lately so I'm neglecting my builds

I find that an audio probe is more useful than a multi meter. I definitely use it more often. You can follow the schematic and test each component and see if there's audio and find the point where it stops. Incidentally there's an audio probe built into the test rig I recommended (I promise Im not being paid to shill it, it's just awesome).

 

[Allthumbs]

let me know if this shot is useful to anyone. If not I can disconnect a few wires and spread it out. The switch is good, all the components appear to be right. I did remove all but the 2 pins from the jacks as they were switching jacks. All I can think of is I need to re-flow the solder everywhere.
still not quite sure on how to use MM to test things. I'll dive into it when I have some time in a few days. either with an audio probe or current

I appreciate anyone calling out any obvious mistakes I;m not seeing. Still novice but I've had a few successes in the last few months, this one surprised me for not working.

 

[Nostradoomus]

Definitely reflow on your pot pads, looks like some of them are barely hanging in there.

 

[Devoureddeth]

The 3pdt board probably has a bad connection the soldering there looks a little suspect. I always fill my lug to the board it is pretty standard in the industry just don't push too much solder.

 

[Allthumbs]

yes, going to reflow everything this weekend. Also, I've been using this really thin solder, .022" dia. It's good for controlling the amount on the board for resistors and caps but not so great for larger pieces. Also, I think my tip is too hot still, seems to liquefy the solder too fast allowing it to flow through the holes

 

[Allthumbs]

sadly reflowing solder didn't fix it. I need to go through it all step by step. I'll make the audio probe shown in the vids. thanks

 

[Allthumbs]

my pot wires are to the right side of the board?

 

[Robert]

Can you measure the voltage on Pin 4 and Pin 8 of each TL072?

Set your DMM to DC volts, touch the black lead to your enclosure, red lead to the point you want to measure.

 

[Allthumbs]

if pins are numbered:
1 8
2 7
3 6
4 5

then 4 reads 0 and 8 reads 19.97

R1 has no current.

On the switch with 3PDT board, only SW has current when off. every other point has none on or off.