In need of a switch for a BOSS pedal...where can I find one?

[Kcollins]

I'm pretty new to pedal building/modding so I'm not even sure what the switch is called. I've modded about 5 pedals so far and am pretty much addicted. Anyway one of the switches is stuck in the on position so where can i find a replacement?

[Satch12879]

Physically stuck or electronically stuck?

If physically Steve over at Small Bear Electronics has suitable replacement momentary swithces.

If electronically, you have a bigger, albiet not impassable, problem.

[Kcollins]

well the switch still moves but it stays on so I guess it could be electronically stuck or the switch is just broken inside.

[Satch12879]

Hmm, ok, yeah, try replacing the switch itself and see if that fixes things.  Steve'll set you up :mrgreen:

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Kcollins]

steve is still closed for a while... any other ideas? What happens If it's electronically stuck?

[Paul Marossy]

What happens If it's electronically stuck?

Then you'll have to identify what is the flip-flop part of the circuit and troubleshoot it - basically two transistors may need to be replaced. I think it's more likely that there is a problem with the switch itself.

[Samuel]

testable by cutting the wires to the current switch and just touching them to one another - or by shorting across the switch contacts with a screwdriver or something momentarily

[Paul Marossy]

testable by cutting the wires to the current switch and just touching them to one another - or by shorting across the switch contacts with a screwdriver or something momentarily

Now I know that, but why didn't I say that?!  :oops:
Oh well, it's a Monday.  :x

[Kcollins]

testable by cutting the wires to the current switch and just touching them to one another - or by shorting across the switch contacts with a screwdriver or something momentarily

What will this show me?

p.s. This site is extremely helpful!

[Paul Marossy]

What will this show me?

It will show you that the switch is not functioning properly and that the flip-flop section is functional.

[Kcollins]

Without removing anything, I tried touching the 2 solder points with a screwdriver and nothing happened. The light automatically goes on and stays on as soon as a cable is put on an imput jack.

[Paul Marossy]

That could mean that the switch is permanently on the "on" position. Ypu'll need to physically disconnect the switch to do this test properly, though.

[Kcollins]

ok, I'll go do that and report back.

[Kcollins]

Ok; I disconnected the switch completely.  The pedal still goes on as soon as a cable is plugged in. Touching the two wires together does nothing.

[bigjonny]

Sounds like your flip-flop circuit is busted.

To be sure: test the momentary switch for continuity with a multimeter, so you know if that part works.  If it does: time to learn about flip-flops, or ditch that section, buy a 3PDT, drill your pedal, and make it true bypass.

[Kcollins]

Sounds like your flip-flop circuit is busted.

To be sure: test the momentary switch for continuity with a multimeter, so you know if that part works.  If it does: time to learn about flip-flops, or ditch that section, buy a 3PDT, drill your pedal, and make it true bypass.

I basically have no Idea what any of that means. Someone said that 2 transistors would have to be replaeced? The pedal is a boss ch-1 super chorus, so If anyone would be kind enough to take a digital picture of the board and circle the transistors that need replacing in paint that'd be greatly appreciated. Also I'd need to know what transistors I have to buy and where I can get them. Apologies for my pedal n00bness.

[Paul Marossy]

Sounds like your flip-flop circuit is busted.

Yeah, it kinda looks that way...

A flip-flop circuit is where a pair of transistors are used in place of a switch. A momentary switch activates the circuit, and one is off and the other is on. They flip-flop.

Say, are you sure that your battery is good? Sometimes those pedals don't work right on a low battery. But I'm sure you already checked that...

[Kcollins]

Yup, already thought of the battery. Same thing with a brand new 9v. It's wierd because it was working fine and I actually had the pedal sounding real good. Then It just decided to be stuck on "on" about 3 days later. If someone could inform me of which transistors need replacing  and where they're located, I could just replace them.

[Kcollins]

could really use some help on this one.

[zac102]

I can't find a schematic for your particular pedal, but in my ds-1, they're marked as 2SC-2458.  You should be able to locate them pretty easily by following the trace from the momentary switch.  I think you'd be able to get a suitable replacement from radioshack.  or, since it's already stuck in the always on position, you could get a 3pdt stompswitch and convert it to true bypass pretty easily.