Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: hifiDane on September 16, 2015, 05:52:38 PM

Title: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting [resolved]
Post by: hifiDane on September 16, 2015, 05:52:38 PM
Hey folks, I need some help. Resistance check passed but I am having some trouble with voltage check. I have gone through the manual and followed ever wire to make sure that it is in its proper location. I have checked every solder joint and re-heated and added a bit of solder to every joint.

Here are the terminals that aren't checking out for me on my voltage check:

2 - 90V (should be 170V)
4 - 90V (should be 170V)
7 - 6.4mV (should be 100V)
9 - 4.3mV (should be 100V)
13 - 90V (should be 170V)
15 - 245V (should be 185V)
B2 - 90V (should be 170V)
B3 - 6.1mV (should be 100V)
B5 - 90V (should be 170V)
B6 - 4.1mV (should be 100V)

Both tubes light up.

Neither of the LED lights turn on.

Also, I checked the AC on transformer and it was not reading the 150V value specified on the label but lower at 90V.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 16, 2015, 07:27:40 PM
How are the resistances?

Just from cursory inspection, if the two leads that are in the red circle touch, you'll end up with a lot of problems.

What voltage do you get at terminal 2 with no tubes plugged into your Crack?
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: hifiDane on September 17, 2015, 03:16:44 PM
Resistance checked out fine.

The two leads in the red circle are not touching.

I am reading 0.0V at terminal 2 without the tubes plugged in.
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 18, 2015, 12:27:35 PM
I am reading 0.0V at terminal 2 without the tubes plugged in.
Check your fuse.
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: hifiDane on September 18, 2015, 05:25:55 PM
The fuse appears to be just fine. (see attached photo)

I'm stumped at this point. From my observation, it appears that I have connected everything to its necessary location and that all my solder joints are sufficient enough for a sound connection. That being said, I'm a newbie when it comes to soldering so I can't say with authority as to whether they are sufficient or not. Does my soldering look decent? I'm sure it could be better but is there anything that stands out that I should fix or work on?

Let me know if I can take better or more specific pictures to help aid in assistance.

-Dane





Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: Paul Birkeland on September 18, 2015, 05:42:36 PM
2 - 90V (should be 170V)

I am reading 0.0V at terminal 2 without the tubes plugged in.

These are extremely contradictory.  You have at least one very loose connection somewhere.  I would re-solder every joint on the amplifier.
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: Strikkflypilot on September 19, 2015, 06:51:54 AM
But reading how others do things is not always easy.
These original PACE trainee videos are the best videos I have ever seen. There are many about.

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL926EC0F1F93C1837

I watched these between my Crack and Mainline builds and they are different leagues entirely.
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: hifiDane on September 19, 2015, 03:17:55 PM
I'm going to go back over my build and re-check everything, again. I'll get a second set of eyes on it too.

I'll re-test resistance and voltage once I'm done checking my connections and post my results within the week.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Voltage check and LED troubleshooting
Post by: hifiDane on September 20, 2015, 12:45:42 PM
It works!!!!

I bet it was a bad solder joint that was giving me issues. Everything test out with flying colors and it sounds awesome.

Now onto making a custom walnut case for the amp. I'll post pictures once I have it complete.

Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions.

-Dane