Green Ringer weird voltage problems

[studiostud]

Hey everyone,

I have a green ringer I'm working on from tonepad and I had to move it to a different enclosure.  Ever since then, it doesn't work.  I know the offboard wiring is fine because I used an audio probe and continuity tester to trace the problem to the board itself.  I've been looking at posts around here and have found the voltages I should be getting, but on all of the transistors, E,B, and C are all around 8-9.4V.  Also something weird is that I'm getting the +9V input voltage at Ground as well.  I replaced the electro cap connecting the 9V traces to ground and I've scoured the board multiple times looking for any solder bridges or hairline connections with no luck.  I've also tested the resistance on all the resistors.  When I probe with the audio probe, I can trace signal up to the base of Q1, but nothing on the emitter or collector.  I've swapped out that 2N5088 several times with brand new ones as well with the same results each time.  It's driving me crazy cause I've built a number of effects, many of which are much more complicated and this one is owning me.  grr.  any ideas?


Jeff

[MikeH]

If you're getting 9V+ on your ground, something funky is happening.  I'd start by checking all of your grounds; make sure the board is grounded, check that your DC jack or battery snap is wired properly, check the reverse polarity protection diode, and make sure the board isn't shorting out on the enclosure.

[drewl]

yeah, sounds like there's no battery to ground, hence the transistors not conducting.

[studiostud]

I figured it out.  Turns out it was one of the offboard wires after all.  I just didn't notice it was broken because I was using cloth wire and the frayed cloth ends were covering it.  Thanks for the advice!