First Time Builder Resistance Issue (Resolved)

[[email protected]]

Hello, this is my first build and first time soldering and I am having touble with my resistance check. Everything checks out until I get to the RCA center pins. The red reads 88K, but the meter for the black reads 1, which appears to be the resting screen and that it does not read anything. I get the same screen for the grounds (assuming I have it correct that the solder tabs attached to the RCA inputs are the grounds they are refering to in the instructions). I have gone over it in the instructions, and as far as I can tell, i have the correct wiring. The soldering looks okay by my eye as well, but like I mentioned before I am new to this hobby. I am including a couple of pictures of the build in the hopes that someone can catch what I have wrong. Thank you.
-Aaron Abeling

[lanson]

Hi Aaron, congratulations on completing your first build!

You're right about the RCA grounds. One question though: do you get this same 'resting screen' on the terminals denoted with * in the manual?

There are a few things you could do while waiting for the BH experts to chime in:

0- Read the posts related to your issue, see if any of those fixes work for you :
e.g.

https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=11541.0
https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=11187.0
https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=13031.0


1- Post all of your resistance readings here to help others in troubleshooting

2- Reflow all your joints (except the LEDs and power switch)

3- Set your meter to Continuity and check between the RCA ground and volume pot ground ( where the black wires are connected). Does it beep?

4- While still on continuity, check between the left RCA center pin and the upper lug furthest from the 9-pin socket (where the white wire coming from the left RCA is connected). Does it beep?

If you don't hear the beeping, you may have a cold solder joint on the RCA and/or the volume pot. Heating the joint and adding a tiny bit of solder (aka reflowing) might help.

Going through the photos you've attached, I have a few observations. These may not be directly related to the issue you're having now with the RCA resistances, but it is good to fix them before they develop into a problem further down the line :

* Too much solder on A2. If the pins move and touch each other, it may cause a problem

* Red wire connecting lower center lug of the volume pot to A7 is stripped too much. If the bare metal comes in contact with A8 it may cause a problem. You might want to take it out and replace it with a properly insulated wire (bottom of page 34 in the manual)

* Lead of the (red?) wire on the headphone jack needs trimming

* Leads on 2L need trimming

* Connections on 3U and 3L are reversed. I don't believe this affects measurements or operation for the stock Crack, but it will make your life easier when/if you decide to install the Speedball upgrade. Might as well get it sorted now while your soldering iron is still warm!


This ought to keep you busy until the cavalry arrives 

[Paul Birkeland]

Along with what Ahmad mentioned, the black wire leaving 20 can't be stripped back that much.  If the bare part of that wire is touching the lead on the UF4007 going to terminal 21, you will blow endless fuses when trying to power the Crack up.

[[email protected]]

Thank you for thes suggestions! I went over it and fixed all the issues you guys pointed out: excessive bare wires and the like (especially the fix for the speedball, which I have waiting installation after thoroughly experiencing the base crack) and I am actually glad that the failed the resistance check which made me post in the first place. I would have just gone about my business and gotten myself into deeper issues. I just reflowed the joints on the headphone jack for the black wire closest to the 9 pin. I am now blasting Black Saint and the Sinner Lady through my Beyerdynamic 880s. I was in a low place on this project as of last night, but I am flying high now! Thanks again!
-Aaron Abeling

[Mucker]

Way to go! Big reward awaits you as you are most likely experiencing now!