ONLY works when plugged into 1-Spot Current Reader/Cable Tester

[Mr. Strypes]

This is a weird one, and I can't find the information I'm looking for anywhere. I built an Oasis (Dunes) pedal. It only turns on when it's plugged into my 1 Spot Current Reader/Cable Tester. I put it on my board, which uses isolated power (Truetone 1 SPOT PRO CS12 12-output Isolated Guitar Pedal Power Supply), and it didn't power up. Then I tried it by itself using a 1 Spot 9v. Still, it didnt power up. I put it back on the 1 Spot Current Reader/Cable Tester, and voila, like magic, it turns on.
One more quirk: It only works if a cable is plugged into the input jack. (Of course, I did this with my other experiments, but it only powered up with the 1 Spot Cable Tester/Current Reader.)

 

[Mr. Strypes]

P.S.: I'd rather not have to install the 1 Spot Cable Tester/Current Reader on my pedal board just for one pedal! LOL!

 

[jwin615]

Ground issue?
By not working, do you mean doesn't turn on, doesn't pass audio, passes noise?

 

[Mr. Strypes]

 

[Mr. Strypes]

Ground issue?
By not working, do you mean doesn't turn on, doesn't pass audio, passes noise?

Thanks for replying!
It only passes audio when in bypass. When the pedal is "on", it doesn’t light up or pass audio, except for when I plug it into the 1 Spot Cable Tester/CurrentReader. I thought it might be a ground issue, but I can't find any place where that might be occurring. And why would it only work with one 9v supply and not any others? Weird!

 

[spi]

Are you getting a good ground? Check that the inside of the enclosure has continuity with the negative power lug, as well as the ground on the jacks.

 

[Robert]

If you plug your 1Spot into this pedal with absolutely nothing else connected, no 1/4" cables, just the pedal and a DC power supply, does the LED light up?

 

[Mr. Strypes]

If you plug your 1Spot into this pedal with absolutely nothing else connected, no 1/4" cables, just the pedal and a DC power supply, does the LED light up?

No. It has to have a cable plugged into the input jack also in order to work (1st pedal in 120 builds that I've had that happen with).

 

[Robert]

Does that cable have to be plugged into anything else? Or can the other end be left dangling?

 

[Erik S]

Did you insulate your jacks from the enclosure with plastic washers?

 

[Mr. Strypes]

Did you insulate your jacks from the enclosure with plastic washers?

Yes, but I've tried with and without the washers, and it hasn't made any difference.

 

[Mr. Strypes]

Does that cable have to be plugged into anything else? Or can the other end be left dangling?

Oddly enough, yes! The cable has to be plugged into something else. (I have a perpetual hum generator on the other end.)