Issue with charge pump from geofex... not getting correct voltages

[joelap]

http://www.geofex.com/circuits/+9_to_-9.htm

I am having an issue using this switching method.  For whatever reason, I am not getting -9V out of the MAX, and I am only getting 4.5V on the collector of the transistor.  I am getting about 50mV output from the MAX.  All my caps are 10uf, resistors same value as in picture.  Everything wired the same way.  I know the switching method is working because, when I disconnect the cable from the pedal, no power shows up on my LEDs.  I tried a different transistor, a 2n5087 to confirm the pinout and it exhibited the same problems.  could this be a fried MAX1044?  All caps are oriented correctly, pinout i used is correct on my transistor.  Any ideas what could be causing this problem?

Thanks,

Joe

[R.G.]

Divide and conquer.

First, replace the 1044 with a 1K resistor. Now short the end of the 6.8K to ground. Does the transistor collector go to 9V minus a small drop in the PNP?
If so, the problem is with the 1044. If not, there's a problem in the hookup.

Have you measured the resistor values? A "6.8K" that's really a 68K would give problems, as would the wrong value on the 1K. I'm mildly colorblind to shades of red and green, so I often have to measure resistors with a nominally red stripe. I confuse red and orange a lot.

[joelap]

thanks RG.

I will check the 6k8 out.  I know the 1k is correct but i am unsure about the 6k8.  Would a 10k be suitable in that position, I have tons of those.