SOLVED Kliche: Strange Issue…

[Coda]

So I just completed a Kliche build, and is doesnt worn (not surprising). This one is different, though. Firstly, I get bypass…but only if the gain control on the pedal is way up. The volume control controls the volume with the pedal off. When I turn the pedal on, I get almost nothing, unless I crank all controls, and keep the gain at zero. With that, I get a quiet tone. What the hell is going on with this one?

 

[Robert]

If you have to insulate any of the hardware from the enclosure something is touching the enclosure somewhere that shouldn't be.

It could be a component lead touching a pot or an LED bezel.
It could be one of the wires to the 3PDT board touching the enclosure or the metal body of the 3PDT.

Something, somewhere is making contact.

 

[zgrav]

you input and output jacks might be shorting against the case or adjacent pot, for starters. or maybe one of your leads is wired to the ground tab.

 

[Coda]

you input and output jacks might be shorting against the case or adjacent pot, for starters. or maybe one of your leads is wired to the ground tab.

I’m going over it now. I edited my initial post, as well. It’s the gain control, not the volume.

 

[Coda]

Do I have the input wires correctly? I have the sleeve to ground, the tip to input, and the ring to the battery (negative).

 

[fig]

I'm thinking no. Double check the "layer" where each lug is connected. I believe you have the battery wire to output, not ground.

Edit :I can't really tell...the way you described is correct though.

 

[Coda]

I'm thinking no. Double check the "layer" where each lug is connected. I believe you have the battery wire to output, not ground.

Edit :I can't really tell...the way you described is correct though.

Input on the left, ground center, battery negative to the right.

 

[Coda]

Found a spot where it looked like the gain pot was touching the LED bezel. I wrapped the bezel in tape, and the issue remains. With pedal on, I only get tone when the gain is at zero. Once I turn it up a hair the signal dies. Also, I’m bypass, I only get signal when the gain control is maxed.

 

[Coda]

Update: found a bridge between two caps. Separated the leads. Plugged it in, and it works…as long as the jacks are outside of the enclosure. It works great like it is in the picture, but as soon as I run the jacks normal it cuts out.

 

[fig]

I think you have the output wires reversed to the jack.

 

[Coda]

I think you have the output wires reversed to the jack.

 

[JamieJ]

I think you have the output wires reversed to the jack.

I accidentally reversed these connections on my build too. I stared at it for ages but it was obvious when checked against the build docs.

 

[fig]

Oh okay. It looks like that is correct. The output pad is on the outside of the board, and the ground pad on the inside.

 

[Coda]

It’s definitely grounding out when the jacks are mounted in the enclosure, I just can’t figure out why. I think I’ll try using the 9v jack instead of the battery.

 

[JamieJ]

What happens if you desolder the battery connection then put it back in the enclosure?

 

[Coda]

9v jack and battery clip are fine. It looks like the issue is something with the jacks. The pedal plays fine as long as the metal of the jacks isn’t touching the enclosure. What could cause this?

 

[zgrav]

assuming your wires are hooked up correctly, your audio wire is somehow grounding to your case when the jacks are installed in it. use your multimeter to see if the tip is shorting to ground when the jacks are in place and cables are plugged in.

if there is no short to ground between the tip and the ground, does this happen when the outer part of the jack just touches the enclosure? See if it happens if you mount the jacks from the outside with the nuts on the inside -- do you still lose the signal?

 

[Coda]

assuming your wires are hooked up correctly, your audio wire is somehow grounding to your case when the jacks are installed in it. use your multimeter to see if the tip is shorting to ground when the jacks are in place and cables are plugged in.

if there is no short to ground between the tip and the ground, does this happen when the outer part of the jack just touches the enclosure? See if it happens if you mount the jacks from the outside with the nuts on the inside -- do you still lose the signal?

The signal drops as soon as any metal part of either jack touches the enclosure, regardless of where the contact happens.

I do have a short to ground at both jacks, however…

 

[zgrav]

take a look at the wiring diagram in the build documents. make sure your audio jack tips are connected where the blue wires are shown. test for continuity between the jack tips and the in/out connections on the PCB when you do not have any cables plugged in the jacks.

 

[Coda]

Mine are white.