New SmallBear Halo Inductor Noise

ericthibeault · February 11, 2011, 09:45:04 AM

Hi,

I installed my new halo inductor from SmallBear on my Union Jack Vox Wah (v847). The Halo inductor has 8 pins and the guy from SmallBear told me to cut the 6 other pins where there is no wire soldered to in order to be able to put the Halo Inductor in the holes of the pcb - which I did. First thing I noticed about my new Halo Inductor is that it is noisier than the wah's original inductor (v847)? I swapted them 2 times to be sure of what I eard and the halo is humming (60 cycle) when engaged.

How can I be sure that it is a bad Halo?

Thanks for any help on that.

ericthibeault · February 16, 2011, 04:16:54 PM

Hello,

Just trying to re-activate this post and having someone to help me on this.

Thanks again

ayayay! · February 17, 2011, 10:54:54 AM

It's tough to say.

First, are you trying it secured back into the shell? I think the screw that connects it to the shell also acts as a ground, so it needs to be boxed up for a proper test.

Also measure the Ohms on the inductor and post it. I'd think it would be something like 25-35 Ohms off the top of my head.

ericthibeault · February 17, 2011, 11:03:08 AM

Hello,

If by "trying it secure back into the shell" you mean the halo inductor soldered on the pcb, the pcb screwed back on the vox frame and the big access panel on, yes it is.

I will put the resistance reading tonight.

I must say that there is also a little ringing frequency while I'm sweeping the rocker.

Thanks "Mr. Trololo"

ericthibeault · February 17, 2011, 07:24:34 PM

Hello,

I tested my Halo and it reads "OL" (open loop) on my multimeter set on Ohms. In fact, it reads something like 2-3 ohms for about half a second and after that it reads "OL".

I then have tested my stock wah inductor (vox v847) and this stock one reads 18 ohms.

I've put a picture of my halo inductor, notice that there is only two leads. In order to be able to solder the halo on the pcb I cutted the six inactive pins and let the only two active ones (the ones that has the #38 awg wires soldered to) as stated by the guy at smallBearElectronic

(http://www.meanbone.com/temp/halo-pin-close-up.jpg)

If in fact this halo inductor is faulty, how come it can produce sound?

Thanks for any help

zombiwoof · February 18, 2011, 12:48:46 PM

If it truly is a faulty inductor, I'm sure Steve will make good on it, but if you decide to go with something else you might want to consider the Whipple Halo. The Whipple has gotten rave reviews from people who have used it.

Al

ericthibeault · February 18, 2011, 01:55:28 PM

Hello,

Well I contacted Steve of Small Bear Electronic about this and told him my reading (open loop) and he agreed to ship me another halo inductor. This guy is breeze to deal with, good costumer service.

About the inductor choice: is the whipple that better than the eleca halo? On what point would it be better?

Thanks a lot to you all for the help.

george · February 19, 2011, 03:59:33 AM

Quote from: ericthibeault on February 18, 2011, 01:55:28 PM
Well I contacted Steve of Small Bear Electronic about this and told him my reading (open loop) and he agreed to ship me another halo inductor. This guy is breeze to deal with, good costumer service.

Just think, if you'd contacted Steve instead of posting here last week you'd probably have your replacement inductor by now.

It amazes me the number of times that people who have an issue with smallbear post here first rather than just contactng them direct.

ericthibeault · February 19, 2011, 07:38:09 AM

Well I must say that despite the good customer service... Steve asked me first to check on this blog because it seems at first that he didn't trust my verdict of a faulty inductor (and I can understand that he wanted some proof).

Honestly I tought that Steve would be the one to ask me to check the resistance of the inductor - I didn't know how to check for fault on that inductor - but instead just told me to deal on this forum first.

But when I did the resistance check as stated in this post I gave the result to Steve and he then had no problem sending me another - tested - one.

ayayay! · February 19, 2011, 09:21:54 AM

Quote from: george on February 19, 2011, 03:59:33 AM
Quote from: ericthibeault on February 18, 2011, 01:55:28 PM
Well I contacted Steve of Small Bear Electronic about this and told him my reading (open loop) and he agreed to ship me another halo inductor. This guy is breeze to deal with, good costumer service.

Just think, if you'd contacted Steve instead of posting here last week you'd probably have your replacement inductor by now.

It amazes me the number of times that people who have an issue with smallbear post here first rather than just contactng them direct.

I don't think that's fair George. He wasn't really sure if it was the inductor. He was trying to t-shoot just like the thousands of other members and lurkers on this site. I credit the guy for NOT going straight to Steve, and making sure he had all his ducks in a row first. This is the true spirit of DIY anyway, isn't it? To figure out how to do it yourself? Now this guy didn't waste my time, but he might have wasted some of Steve's without knowing what the problem was first.

ericthibeault · February 19, 2011, 11:53:03 AM

For me everything is fine guys and I'm pleased.

By the way, for the record the Eleca Halo Inductor resistance is ±26.5 ohms/±638 mh as told by Steve.

Thanks to you all. The moderator can close this thread as it is solved.

zombiwoof · February 19, 2011, 06:14:14 PM

Quote from: ericthibeault on February 19, 2011, 11:53:03 AM
For me everything is fine guys and I'm pleased.

By the way, for the record the Eleca Halo Inductor resistance is ±26.5 ohms/±638 mh as told by Steve.

Thanks to you all. The moderator can close this thread as it is solved.

That +/- 638mH is the reason the Whipple might be better if going for the vintage sound. Whipple winds them to 500mH, the spec for the original inductors in the Vox wahs. However, some people think it doesn't matter that much, so good luck with the one you have!.

Al

george · February 19, 2011, 11:18:57 PM

Quote from: ayayay! on February 19, 2011, 09:21:54 AM
Quote from: george on February 19, 2011, 03:59:33 AM
Quote from: ericthibeault on February 18, 2011, 01:55:28 PM
Well I contacted Steve of Small Bear Electronic about this and told him my reading (open loop) and he agreed to ship me another halo inductor. This guy is breeze to deal with, good costumer service.

Just think, if you'd contacted Steve instead of posting here last week you'd probably have your replacement inductor by now.

It amazes me the number of times that people who have an issue with smallbear post here first rather than just contactng them direct.

I don't think that's fair George. He wasn't really sure if it was the inductor. He was trying to t-shoot just like the thousands of other members and lurkers on this site. I credit the guy for NOT going straight to Steve, and making sure he had all his ducks in a row first. This is the true spirit of DIY anyway, isn't it? To figure out how to do it yourself? Now this guy didn't waste my time, but he might have wasted some of Steve's without knowing what the problem was first.

yeah you're right 100%. Didn't realise that eric came here because he because he was told to. Kudos to you for helping him sort things out.

Anyway Eric how's the new inductor sound?

Might go for the one you've got instead of the whipple!

ericthibeault · February 22, 2011, 10:16:22 AM

I'm supposed to receive it this week. I'll let you know after I try it.

Something is sure: each and every time Steve Daniels receives a new Eleca Halo Inductor lot (hundreds of them) the stockpile decreases really quickly.

ericthibeault · March 22, 2011, 10:38:57 AM

Well guys,

Sadly my replacement inductor seems to have been lost in the mail. Steve refund me (minus the shipping cost of course) and when he received other inductors I'll probably order another one.

By the way, do you have other thoughts about which would be the best wah inductor on the market?

Thanks,
- Eric

bluesman1218 · March 22, 2011, 10:55:45 AM

Quote from: ayayay! on February 19, 2011, 09:21:54 AM
Quote from: george on February 19, 2011, 03:59:33 AM
Quote from: ericthibeault on February 18, 2011, 01:55:28 PM
Well I contacted Steve of Small Bear Electronic about this and told him my reading (open loop) and he agreed to ship me another halo inductor. This guy is breeze to deal with, good costumer service.

Just think, if you'd contacted Steve instead of posting here last week you'd probably have your replacement inductor by now.

It amazes me the number of times that people who have an issue with smallbear post here first rather than just contactng them direct.

I don't think that's fair George. He wasn't really sure if it was the inductor. He was trying to t-shoot just like the thousands of other members and lurkers on this site. I credit the guy for NOT going straight to Steve, and making sure he had all his ducks in a row first. This is the true spirit of DIY anyway, isn't it? To figure out how to do it yourself? Now this guy didn't waste my time, but he might have wasted some of Steve's without knowing what the problem was first.

++

Paul Marossy · March 22, 2011, 12:32:30 PM

An inductor is very similar to a single coil pickup in terms of its sensitivity to EMI. Guitar pickups are also inductors of sorts.

For example, try using a Boss Metal Zone with your wah pedal with your wall wart right next to the wah pedal. With the wah pedal only on and clean guitar, it will sound fine. Now switch on the Metal Zone and you will have HUM FROM HELL even though the circuit is in a metal enclosure. Move the wall wart a couple of feet away and that hum will mostly be gone except for whatever hum that is present in the system that might be amplified greatly by a really high gain pedal like that which is not otherwise readily detectable. That's the nature of an inductor when it comes to EMI.

All that to say that I am not convinced that the inductor was bad. I have had microphonic inductors, that IS a defect. Saying that you have a bad inductor because it hums to me is like saying that you have a bad single coil pickup because it hums. That's just the nature of the beast. Kudos to Steve from Small Bear for being willing to replace it.

zombiwoof · March 22, 2011, 03:19:09 PM

Quote from: ericthibeault on March 22, 2011, 10:38:57 AM
Well guys,

Sadly my replacement inductor seems to have been lost in the mail. Steve refund me (minus the shipping cost of course) and when he received other inductors I'll probably order another one.

By the way, do you have other thoughts about which would be the best wah inductor on the market?

Thanks,
- Eric

IMO Whipple or Area 51 Halo inductors are the best. Some people like the Fasels for a different sound.

Al

ayayay! · March 22, 2011, 10:03:05 PM

Agreed. I was pleasantly surprised at the Whipple. ...but I do love a yellow Fasel. ...and I also do love a stock one after modifying the pedal to my taste. Can you tell I love modified wahs?

zombiwoof · March 23, 2011, 03:06:18 PM

Quote from: ayayay! on March 22, 2011, 10:03:05 PM
Agreed. I was pleasantly surprised at the Whipple. ...but I do love a yellow Fasel. ...and I also do love a stock one after modifying the pedal to my taste. Can you tell I love modified wahs?

I can tell just by the expression on your face in your avatar!.

Al

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New SmallBear Halo Inductor Noise