Quickie 1.1 Voltage Issue [solved]

[wullymc]

Ok,

tried the voltage check with brand new batteries (quickie 1.1 with pjccs)

Terminal                 voltage                 manual voltage
1, 6                           35.8V, 8V                   29V
2, 7                            0V,0V                        38V
4, 9                           5.2V, 2.4V                  2-3V
5, 10                         4.5V, 0V                     0V

Rotary
D                               6.8V                           ~4V
C                               3.9V                           ~4V

1A/1B                      36.2V, 36.2V               37-38V
A6, B6                      35.8V, 8.0V                19-21V
A5, B5                      5.2V, 2.3V                  ~2V


So.....looks like I'm having some issues.

 I think that I will go back to terminal 5 and reheat the joints and try to get to 0V. 
I think there is something that if I take care of 5 will help with the values at 4 and A5
I will then look at terminals 2 and 7.  no voltage is getting there. ( I think this may be because of the PJCCS?) I will look at the joints leading to there.
Then terminal 6 look at the joints leading to it to try to get the voltage up - I think this will help with B6 (since they are both at 8V)

Just as an fyi for joints that I touched for the attenuator upgrade I remove wires and resoldered :

Rotary:  A, B
Terminals:  5, A3,
Ground tab of output RCA (a-side)

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks for the help...Dave

[Paul Birkeland]

5 and 10 are connected together, and grounded.  If there is voltage on one of these terminals, you are missing a ground wire or you have a loose connection.

Based on this information, I would assume you built the amp with the PJCCS from the get go? 

-PB

[wullymc]

Thanks so much Paul,

I will try reheating the connection at terminal 5.  I had to remove the ground wire from 5L and replace it with a longer wire to the attenuator.  Maybe this is were I have a problem with the voltage at 5.

I built the Quickie stock first then added the PJCCS so originally I had the correct voltage at 2 & 7.  Then after I did the PJCCS I did the voltage checks referenced in the PJCCS manual which didn't ask to measure 2 & 7 so I don't know if it should read 0V after the PJCCS.

In stock format the ground wire from 5L goes to both ground terminals on the pot.  On the attenuator I have just soldered 5L  to 1 ground (L) and from the A side RCA ground to ground (R) on the attenuator.  What was the purpose of 5L soldered to both ground terminals on the origination pot?  Should I be having another wire soldered to both grounds on the new attenuator?

Thanks again Paul.  I really appreciate it!...Dave

[Paul Birkeland]

I would put the old potentiometer back in place, wired as it is supposed to be in stock form, then check on your voltages.

(The upper and lower ground lugs on the pot are connected)

-PB

[wullymc]

Hi Paul,

Will do.  I will put back in the old pot and measure the voltages again. 

I am attaching a photo of the attenuator.   I have a question regarding the flow of the 5L to the upper and lower ground terminals on the pot.  In the attenuator you will see the middle band is the gnd.  I have my wire going from 5L to L gnd but should I connect a wire to the R gnd from the L gnd? (to mimic the 5l to upper and lower terminal on pot)?  Would this make a difference in the voltage on terminal 5?


Thanks...Dave

PS: sorry for the bad photo.

[Paul Birkeland]

Yes, ground the two ground terminals on that volume control together.

-PB

[wullymc]

Hi Paul,

Thanks very much for confirming that the 2 gnds should be connected on the attenuator.  Before I reinstall the pot I decided to wire the 2 gnds to see what effect they would have on the numbers.  I am posting my numbers.  They are much better.  Should I go ahead and try it?  Or is there a voltage you see that would scare you from trying the Quickie:

Terminal                 voltage                 manual voltage
1, 6                          22.7V, 21.8V               29V
2, 7                            0V,0V                        38V                    **I think this is okay because of the PJCCS
4, 9                           1.6V, 1.6V                  2-3V
5, 10                         0V, 0V                     0V

Rotary
D                               3.2V                           ~4V
C                               3.2V                           ~4V

1A/1B                      35.6V, 21.8V               37-38V
A6, B6                      22.7V, 21.8V                19-21V
A5, B5                      1.6V, 1.6V                  ~2V


What do you think Paul?

Thanks very much for all your assistance....Take care...Dave

[Paul Birkeland]

I think you can give it a listen now.

-PB

[wullymc]

Thanks Paul,

I powered it up and tried to listen.....no sound

I went back and took the voltages again.  Same values that I got from before.    I looked at the resistance of the attenuator and everything checks out.  It seems like I am so close.

I am kindoff stuck to what to do now.    I think I will look at the output rca and hopefully it will be there.

Should I go back and install the original pot to make sure I am getting sound?  Do you think I might have a bad attenuator?



Thanks...Dave

[STURMJ]

turn off quckie. batteries out. Play music through the input measure AC voltage at the pin where the  pot connects to the tube. If everything in the input chain is ok you should see a fraction of a volt ac,wildly fluctuating because its music. the overall range should go up and down when you turn the pot.  knowing that will at least tell you if the music is getting to the tube.
Then you can do the same at the pot input posts see if the music is getting there as well.

[wullymc]

Thanks STURMJ,

I went back to take a look again and embarrassing moment, my output rca cables weren't the right ones!  duh!  I hooked up the proper ones and I am getting sound!  yay!!!!  Thanks guys.

Now I notice that my right speaker is cutting in and out.  Finally, I don't have any sound in the right.  Correct me if I am wrong but I should look at all the right rca jacks(input and output) and make sure the solder connection is good eh?

Should I do the chopstick test?  and poke around at all the connections?

Thanks guys, so grateful!...Dave

[Grainger49]

Houston, We found the problem:

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi244.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg7%2FGrainger49%2FSmiles%2Fplug.gif&hash=f5404df40827cbb2d27455be9201a32df617fbda)

Trust me, I have done similar or dumber.  We all do.

[wullymc]

Thanks Grainger.

Now I don't feel so bad!  Unfortunately, the right side started fading in and out and now I don't have any sound.

I think I am going to leave it for a couple of days.  At least I am now getting sound.  It is a nice challenge.

I think when I come back to it I will try to reheat all the joints and maybe do a chopstick test to see if I can figure out what joint is causing my problem!

If anyone has any other suggestions I am definitely open to them.  Thanks to all for your help.

Dave

[Grainger49]

Dave,

First remove and insert the tubes about 10 times.  This will clean the tube pins and the socket.  Easy, quick and it can change the problem.  I did just this yesterday and it fixed my problem, lost right channel.

[wullymc]

Thanks Grainger,

I did what you said and reinserted the tubes 10 times.  Still no improvement even tried another set of tubes.

Now I have lost both channels.     I am going to put this on hold for a few days. 

My next steps I think will be to try STURMJ's remark about the input stream to make sure voltage is getting to the tube and the attenuator, then remeasure the voltages, reheat all solder joints, then do the chopstick test.  Hopefully I will find the problem!


Take care...Dave