Speedball LED issues [resolved]

[Paul Birkeland]

A couple of things:

1.  You used the self-tapping #8 screw for the ground connection instead of the other #8 screw provided.  If it hasn't gobbled up the threads on that nut, it shouldn't be the end of the world, but it must have been tough to get the nut to go on well.

2.  You are missing a nut on one of your power transformer screws.  If you're out of screw thread, double check that the insulating washers are all oriented properly (this is a common mistake).

3.  You have a 220uF 250V capacitor in backwards.  This is creating a short, which is burning up the 270 Ohm resistor that looks cooked.  You can try flipping the cap around to be oriented properly, but you may need to replace it.

Hope this helps.

-PB

[grausch]

Looking at the 4th photo you posted, it looks like both the nylon shoulder washers (white) and the fiber shoulder washers (black) are on the bottom of your plate, i.e. between the top plate and terminal strip. If you look at page 14 of the manual, you should place the white washers between the transformer and the top plate, and the black washers between the top plate and the terminal strip.

[antjuneau]

Thanks guys ---^.

Not sure how I messed these things up, I normally pay pretty close attention to detail. As for the washers, I don't want to mess with those unless you think they'll cause grounding issues... what do  you think?

As for the capacitor, I will go ahead and order a new one since I need a new 5W resistor anyway. I'll make sure to orient it properly this time.

[Strikkflypilot]

You are not grounding the strips with the washers in the way

[Paul Birkeland]

As for the washers, I don't want to mess with those unless you think they'll cause grounding issues... what do  you think?

This is very important.  Take the time to fix it.

-PB

[antjuneau]

Thanks for all the help guys! I made the adjustments you all recommended and now she works.

However I just upgraded the amp with the Speedball and I'm having another issue. All of the LEDs are lighting up except for the one that connects A8 to the centerpin. I'm getting audio through the left channel but silence in the right. Also, the voltage across the A3-to-centerpin LED is 1.5 V whereas the voltage across the A8-to-centerpin LED is 12 V. Any ideas on what the problem could be?