Just finished my first build.....

[gators81]

I just finished the Tonepad.com build of the El-Griton Pedal (TS-808 clone). Relativley easy build. But when I plugged the unit in to test it, I get no sound when the unit is switched on, but have sound when the switch is off. When it came to wiring the 3PDT true bypass switch, I was unsure as to the direction of the switch. I used the Tonepad PDF for offboard wiring <http://www.tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=76> when wiring the switch but it is unclear as to if the pins should run horizontal or vertical. So I went ahead and wired it with the pins horizontal. Could this be my problem?
I also mistakenly used a 100K-A pot instead of a 100K-B pot for the level control as the instructions say. Ordered the wrong part and didn't realize it till the pot was already wired.
 

[frequencycentral]

http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/StompboxWiring/

[gators81]

Wow, that's a different wiring. Makes more sense....am I to assume that since I only have one ground on my PCB that I should wire the shield from the input jack straight into the middle left pin on the switch?

[gators81]

OK..... Re-wired the switch based upon the layout listed above in the previous post. Tested pedal.......Same problem. Unaffected guitar when the pedal is off as should be but when the the switch is pressed I can hear the the typical hiss of a distortion pedal and can hear the changes in the hiss when I adjust the Tone and Drive knobs. But still no guitar. I checked the solder points to make sure all is well, and it appears to be.
   

[gators81]

Here is the link to the project I did: <http://www.tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=81> Listed below are a few questions I have. I am not new to using a soldering iron or electronics.  I have just never built components like this and am not sure where to start troubleshooting. So I have just a few questions about some specifics that could effect the sound:
     1. I used a 100K-A pot instead of a 100K-B as the instructions say. This was a mistake I made when I ordered the pot. Does this have any affect?
     2. In the El Griton parts list, under "TS-808 Parts" it says to leave "Ca" empty. Should I at least put a jumper here?

Most of the caps and resistors were purchased at a local electronics surplus store, so I was limited to what they had. The resistors were easy, but finding all the caps was a little time consumming and I was not sure that the caps I was getting were the right ones. They have several different types of the same value caps so it was a little confusing as to what was what.
     1. Should I just pull the caps that I got from down here and buy the ones I need from Small Bear and replace them?
     2. Is there a source online that shows you the difference between the many styles of caps?

The only changes I made to the El Griton project myself were based off of the mods I did to my TS-9s. They are as follows:
     1. "More/Less Mod": changed the 4k7 resistor to a 2k4 and the 51k to a 20k
     2. "Fat Mod": changed the .047mf cap to a .1mf cap
     3. I placed a socket in the IC spot and am using the Texas Instruments RC4558p chip

Any advice you guys can give would be much appreciiated. I have already built the board for the Ditso-Uno project <http://www.tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=78> and will be completeing it today or tomorrow so I want to make sure I get it right the first time. I'll kick back now and wait for some replies.

[oliphaunt]

I'm not particularly good at trouble shooting someone else's project, but pictures of your board and wiring could be a big help. 
If you have a multi-meter check for continuity in your various solder joints.  I had my first cold solder joint last week, and it looked absolutely fine, better than many joints that were working.

You might also check out the troubleshooting info on this website.

[gators81]

I plan on putting some pics up shortly. Waiting for my camera to finish charging. Killed the batterry Sat night taking vids of fireworks.

[frequencycentral]

Yes it's probably best to post your voltages - many people have pobably done that build - see the debugging thread.

[gators81]

Got the pics now, just having problem getting them up here.........bear with me

[kupervaser]

First check if the circuit is getting the voltage (9volt), than build an audioprobe and start probing, begin with the input and try to check where the sounds stops.

THe voltages on the IC should be:

1: 4,5 V
2: 4,5 V
3: 4,5 V
4: 0 V (=earth)
5: 4,5 V
6: 4,5 V
7: 4,5 V
8: 9V

[gators81]

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[gators81]

While researching this site a bit I discovered that Tantallium caps are polar. This kit called for 2 - 0.22mf Tantalium caps. I looked at the pcb and realized that the print on the pcb doesn't indicate which direction to place the cap. So I may very well have installed these 2 caps backwards. Everything else on the pcb indicated where the positive lead went.

-in this case, does it matter if the caps in question are Tant or Film? 
-I'm also having issues getting pics up here...any help with that?

[oliphaunt]

You can replace the tantalum caps with film.

As for pics, they need to be hosted somewhere else on the web already.  Copy the url where they are located and paste it in between the img/img tags that pop up.

[gators81]

Cool...I'll replace those caps and see if that works first. I need to visit the store tomorrow to get parts to make an audio tester anyways.

[gators81]

[frokost]

Facebook isn't a good host. Try photobucket or something like that instead. And get a multimeter if you haven't got one already.

[gators81]

I have 2 multimeters, a little bitty digital, which I love and a larger one that I rarely use, except for checking power for lighting and sound when doing big shows. I will try the other pic option.

[frokost]

Use the meter and post voltages according to the "Debugging, what to do etc..." thread, use an audio probe, and you're guaranteed a working pedal!   

[gators81]

 

Good news! My first build works.....and it sounds great! I went today and picked up some .22mf caps and replaced the .22mf tantalum caps. While doing that I had forgotten that I installed 2 1815 transistors instead of the 3904s as the kit required. I was informed that the original TS-808s had 1815s for transistors, so to get a true clone, one should use the 1815s instead of the 3904s. So I switched out the 1815s for the 3904 and BAMM! Super quiet yet gives a smooth, fat distortion. I tested it through my Mesa Boogie Dual Caliber combo and am thrilled with the results.
I am going to finish the other build over the next couple of days....I'll let you know the outcome

Thanx for all the help......It is, as always, invaluable.

[frokost]

Great! Different pinouts...?