BSIAB II Voltage Problem!! HELP!! [FIXED]

Started by tatems, April 12, 2006, 07:16:10 AM

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tatems

Hi all, I just build the BSIAB II using Torchy's Vero Layout and I've run into a problem.  :icon_confused: First it didn't work when i first plugged it in, but then after doing a bit of debugging, removing a few solder bridges i whipped out the DMM and took some voltage readings. The odd things was that the battery read 7.20V when disconnected from the circuit and then 3.81 when connected to the circuit. :icon_eek: Any idea how i can fix this? I double checked for more solder bridges but can't see any, I've checked for cold solder joints and have found none and i even changed the battery snap but nothing happed, i still get 3.81V!!!
Edit: When i plug in the Pedal it will work but it isn't that loud, it has a bit of distortion also. It is probably the same level of a guitar signal or even less.
Anyway here are some voltage readings, (i believe them to be correct except they are all about half the value of what they should be.)
Battery (disconnected) 7.20V
Battery (in circuit) 3.81V

Q1
D  1.94V
S  0.91V
G  0.00V

Q2
D  3.10V
S  1.89V
G  1.06V

Q3
D  1.71V
S  0.60V
G  0.00V

Q4
D  2.98V
S  1.73V
G  1.03V

Q5
D  1.48V
S  0.84V
G  0.00V

Thanks in advance for any help  :icon_smile:
Tatems
It is I, Murdock the Mind Stealer

Gringo

Your battery looks quite dead to me. Try with a fresh one? :icon_idea:
Cut it large, and smash it into place with a hammer.
http://gringo.webhop.net

petemoore

  The Mu Amps in the BSIAB Should bias,even with low supply voltage...not necessarily true with the Q5 tho.
  Q1
D  1.94V
S  0.91V
G  0.00V

Q2
D  3.10V
S  1.89V
G  1.06V
  I'm not sure which transistor of these two is 'on top' in the first mu amp stage, however a source and a drain Voltage Reading have to match...seein' on how the bottom Drain is [or should be] connected to the source of the upper one in this stage.
Q3
D  1.71V
S  0.60V
G  0.00V

Q4
D  2.98V
S  1.73V
G  1.03V
   Same thing here, I don't see same voltage no matter how I 'twist' [since I'm not sure whether Q3 or Q4 is 'on top' of that mu amp stage...the Drain of bottom and source of top Jfet in this stage need to be connected and therefore will show same bias voltage readings when measured...plus...all these readings seem quite low...ie the top Jfets Drain in a mu amp stage is directly [or is there a 100ohm to V+] or directly enough connected to V+ so that it should read exactly or very close to the Supply V+.
  At least there are some things to look and and figure out..
Q5
D  1.48V
S  0.84V
G  0.00V
  1.48 on the Drain...*If there is a 100ohm or resistor between V+ and 'the circuit' I'd check that value, with the DMM across the top rail [just past the 100ohm if there is one] to battery.
Convention creates following, following creates convention.

jxoco

I too think the battery is dead.
Try plugging it into a known good effect and read the voltage then.
If it still swoops down to less than 6 volts it's toast.

tatems

I feel like such an idiot  :icon_redface: it was the battery after all. Once i popped a new one in, it fired up fine.  :icon_biggrin:
The battery worked in another pedal so i was confused, lol.
Anyway, it sounds great and i can't wait to get it boxed up, it really is and awesome pedal.  :icon_smile:
Thanks once again.

Tatems
It is I, Murdock the Mind Stealer