Green Ringer Help!

[Jmkrull]

I recently put together a Green Ringer clone and I ran into two things. When I first put it together and plugged it in, I got a solid drone when I engaged it. It wasn't a hum or hiss, but a ring mod drone and it didn't respond to action. I then Checked the wiring, remelted some things and now when I plug it in, I don't get any sound when engaged. I checked the ohmns to ground and everything that should ground does and all the components appear to be getting power except the chains coming off the "I" and "O" PCB traces (blue and green off switch). Also, my LED no longer lights up like it did. Do you have any advice on where to check? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

http://generalguitargadgets.com/projects/22-octave/131-green-ringer

[LucifersTrip]

someone may be able to help after you give some more info. generally, when there is a problem, you compare voltages at various key spots on the circuit with voltages of a working one at the same points.

[Jmkrull]

1.What does it do, not do, and sound like? = Only passes sound in bypass. Otherwise no sound or hums/buzz. No LED light-up
2.Name of the circuit = Green Ringer GRO, General Guitar Gadgets
3.Source of the circuit (URL of schematic or project) = http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_gro_sc.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a
4.Any modifications to the circuit? = No
5.Any parts substitutions? If yes, list them. = Subbed Q1 and Q3 2N5088 w/ 2N4401
6.Positive ground to negative ground conversion? No
7.Turn your meter on, set it to the 10V or 20V scale. Remove the battery from the battery clip. Probe the battery terminals with the meter leads before putting it in the clip. What is the out of circuit battery voltage? = 0.00
Voltage at the circuit board end of the red battery lead = 0
Voltage at the circuit board end of the black battery lead = 0

Audio Probe

Good:
Orange wire
Green wire + Circuit
Yellow Wires
Blue Wires + Circuit
Q1 all
Q2 all
Diodes
Q3 Base and Collector

No Sounds:
All black plus ground circuits
Red Wire + Circuit
Purple wire + Circuit
Q3 Emitter

My voltages for the transistors were

Q1:
e = 1.4
b= 1.8
c= 5.15

Q2:
e= 5.84
b= 5.15
c= 3.63

Q3:
e= 3.8
b= 4
c= 9.5

[Jmkrull]

Oh, ideal voltages for transistors via GGG:

Q1:
Collector 5.5
Base 1.8
Emitter 1.1

Q2:
Collector 2.6
Base 5.5
Emitter 6.2

Q3:
Collector 8.8
Base 4.0
Emitter 3.4

[LucifersTrip]

the good news is that you're close enough to the "ideal voltages for transistors via GGG" that you should probably be getting some sound.

so, I'd check the offboard wiring / switching first

[Govmnt_Lacky]

7.Turn your meter on, set it to the 10V or 20V scale. Remove the battery from the battery clip. Probe the battery terminals with the meter leads before putting it in the clip. What is the out of circuit battery voltage? = 0.00

No wonder this thing isn't working.... the battery is dead!!     

Just kidding!! You are in good hands here and you will get it fixed soon!

Good Luck 

[R.G.]

7.Turn your meter on, set it to the 10V or 20V scale. Remove the battery from the battery clip. Probe the battery terminals with the meter leads before putting it in the clip. What is the out of circuit battery voltage? = 0.00
Voltage at the circuit board end of the red battery lead = 0
Voltage at the circuit board end of the black battery lead = 0

Since the circuit works and you measure voltages in it, this set of numbers indicates that you're new to using a meter. That's not a criticism, just an observation. It will lead me to ask a different set of questions than I would to someone who has more experience.

Audio probe
good
...
Q3 Base and Collector

Hmmm. Odd.  The collector of Q3 is connected to the power supply. There shouldn't be any signal there. The signal should be on the emitter. And as you note:

No Sounds:
...
Q3 Emitter

This is where the sound goes out of the circuit. Having no sound here is why you don't hear it on the output. But where is a question about why you should have found sound on the collector of Q3. This strongly suggests either miswiring or a problem with the measurements themselves.

Where are you clipping the ground lead of the meter when making voltage measurements, and also where is the ground lead of the audio probe?

[Jmkrull]

For the audio probe, I think I clipped it to the ground of the jack. For the meter, I held the probe to the ground soldered joint on the board. Should I be doing it someplace in particular?

[Jmkrull]

I got it working! The LED doesn't light up though, So, I'll replace that.

I did get a 9.3 voltage on the Red to circuit board after I re-metered it.

The switch also reads low voltage (Less than a volt), is this normal?

Also, anyone who has experience with the Green Ringer, is it inherently crackly, or should I think about looking at some things to replace for a quieter engaged effect?

Thanks!

[R.G.]

I got it working!

What was the problem? It helps us help the next guy.

[Jmkrull]

I got it working!

What was the problem? It helps us help the next guy.

Couldn't tell you. I just remelted everything, traced around all the board points with a knife to cut any possible shorts and then wire brushed it. I'm assuming something regarding a bad joint or a short.

I'm glad it's working, but do you have any insight on effect noise or acceptable readings for the switch?

[joegagan]

as someone who gets paid to fix things, one of the worst situations we have is when we fixed it, but we don't know what fixed it. erm.

[Jmkrull]

as someone who gets paid to fix things, one of the worst situations we have is when we fixed it, but we don't know what fixed it. erm.

I'm assuming there was a short or a cold joint somewhere. I think cutting around the board and remelting everything fixed it.

Can someone please help we out with addressing noise this effect is putting out when on and I'm not playing?