Noob problems - Der HardOne kit, Das Musikding

[evirob]

Hi all,

Total noob here, this is my first diy pedal attempt.

I bought the HardOne kit form Das Musikding and I'm having a bit of trouble with it. Basically, it's not working. If I connect it to a guitar and amp, a signal passes through somehow, but neither the pot nor foot switch have any effect, and the LED does not come on. It seems to be stuck in bypass - it sounds exactly the same as the guitar plugged straight into the amp. Does this sound like a fault with the way I've wired the switch, or perhaps the switch itself? I don't know much about electronics, so since it hasn't worked first time, I don't know where to go next.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Chris

[deadastronaut]

yep!...it could well be the switch wiring ....but also...study the layout diagram....

check your diodes and caps are round the right way too...positive/negative orientation.

also the transistor in the right way........and the led.... double check everything....good luck!


oh and welcome!..

[jefe]

Some close-up photos of your work would help, especially of the switch.

[evirob]

@deadastronaut, thanks for the suggestions. I believe my caps and diodes are all the right way round. I'm pretty sure the transistor is the right way round too - but I did try it both ways, and wonder if this damaged it?

@jefe I will post some photos tomorrow.

Thanks again for both replies.

[evirob]

Here are a few pics of my project. The switch was a bit hard to make out so I've drawn on it to try and make it clearer.

http://www.shynola.com/chris/stomp/sw1.jpg
http://www.shynola.com/chris/stomp/sw2.jpg
http://www.shynola.com/chris/stomp/c1.jpg
http://www.shynola.com/chris/stomp/c2.jpg
http://www.shynola.com/chris/stomp/c3.jpg

Thanks
Chris

[MmmPedals]

Those pics look like it wired correctly. You should verify that the switch is working.
If you understand how the switch works you could use a continuity tester (or MM) to check it. If not just ask!
You can also try bypassing the switch completely to see if the circuit is working. Just wire Input jack>In on PCB and Out on PCB> Output jack and make sure the ground lug from both jacks are connected (either directly or through the board.
Good Luck

[ppatchmods]

try swapping your tip out and board out. it looks like they might be in the wrong spots.

[evirob]

Ok, the circuit is working, I bypassed the switch as suggested by @MmmPedals. I guess I've either wired the switch wrong or it's faulty - but at least the circuit works!
Thank you for all the tips guys, I'm pretty sure I can get it going from here.

Chris