Aion Helios (Pro Co Rat) Problems - No Signal When Effect Engaged

[natron_mn]

I'm working on an Aion Helios (Pro Co Rat circuit) and I'm not getting any signal when the effect is engaged. I thought the build was clean and thought it would fire up right away, but no such luck.

One quirk with this, I drilled the hole for the toggle switch slightly off, so the full pcb wouldn't fit into the enclosure. I had to sacrifice the toggle switch to make it fit (I'll just put a sticker or something over the hole). So I put a jumper between the left two pads where the toggle is supposed to go, and figured this would just make the 1n914s always on. I can live without switching clipping modes.

Anyway, I don't think this would cause the issue, right?

I'm using an OP07 IC and a BF244a transistor. My voltages on the IC are as follows:

1: 9.68V
2: 4.83V
3: 4.43V
4: 0V
5: 0V
6: 4.83V
7: 9.7V
8: 9.7V

Do those look correct?

Here are some pics of the pcb:

[lukeferg]

The IC voltages are fine. Could you please measure the output transistor too?

[duck_arse]

this:

and a BF244a transistor

have you checked your datasheet for the BF244? look very close at the pinout, there is a trick. also, make VERY sure those tantalum caps are facing the right way (disregard if the are plcc's) .

[natron_mn]

Ahhh, looks like the 5457 is a DSG and the 244A is a DGS. So I have to twist the ends on the BF244a to match, huh?

I'll try that before inspecting all of the caps, but I'm pretty certain I oriented them correctly.

[natron_mn]

Switched the pinout, and now it's working like a charm! A little bummed I've got a hole in the enclosure where the toggle should have been, but the pedal sure sounds rocking!

This forum is a life saver - thanks, all!

[Kipper4]

Those holes can be epoxy filled before labelling.
There's some threads about it.
Search?
Rich

[thermionix]

How do you like the Softness control?  Do you think it would be worth implementing as a regular external pot/knob?

[natron_mn]

The sweep control? To be honest, I can't tell too much of a difference. It seems to act similar to the existing filter control. I could be using it wrong though. When I have distortion maxed, sweep doesn't seem to do anything.

[natron_mn]

Sorry, my bad! You were talking about the trimmer. Yeah, still dont notice much of a difference!

[thermionix]

Gotcha.  I've seen that suggested before but never tried it.  Sounds like it's not worth fussing with.