Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: TontonFlingeur on April 21, 2013, 07:20:20 AM

Title: Crackling noise right channel and LED blinking on Crack/Speedball
Post by: TontonFlingeur on April 21, 2013, 07:20:20 AM

Hello,
I recently upgraded to Speedball and after several days of troubleshooting and lots of help from the forum got everything working.
But now I'm getting a crackling sound in the right channel. I flipped the plate over and noticed that the topmost/rightmost LED on the center PC board blinks at the same time as the crackling noise crackles. The noise is intermittent and varies in volume.
I have poked around solder points and wires with a chop stick but haven't been able to get the amp to crackle more.
I've also reset the tubes. I don't have spare tubes, and wanted to check with the forum before ordering new ones.
Any thoughts much appreciated!
Thanks,
Dave

Title: Re: Crackling noise right channel and LED blinking on Crack/Speedball
Post by: Paul Birkeland on April 21, 2013, 07:27:14 AM

Yeah, you are correct to be suspicious of solder joints, I would gently turn the board sideways and touch up all the PCB joints.

-PB

Title: Re: Crackling noise right channel and LED blinking on Crack/Speedball
Post by: TontonFlingeur on April 22, 2013, 07:23:31 PM

The key being  "gently" - those joints are fragile.
It's all working now and sounding great, but time will tell.
- Dave

Title: Re: Crackling noise right channel and LED blinking on Crack/Speedball
Post by: Laudanum on April 23, 2013, 02:24:33 AM

You're probably ok now.  Sounds like just a cold solder joint causing the intermittent connection.  Relax and enjoy !

Title: Re: Crackling noise right channel and LED blinking on Crack/Speedball
Post by: TontonFlingeur on April 23, 2013, 11:57:41 AM

Quote from: Laudanum on April 23, 2013, 02:24:33 AM

You're probably ok now.  Sounds like just a cold solder joint causing the intermittent connection.  Relax and enjoy !

I think the worst is behind me. Got through Friday Night in San Francisco and Dark Side of the Moon without any problems. I can start spending too much on tubes now!