FIXED-Volume only on 0D channel but nothing on clean channel

[bcook]

Plug your PAB relay into the socket, that'll tell you if the problem is truly a bad relay.

[jcsifu]

Plug your PAB relay into the socket, that'll tell you if the problem is truly a bad relay.

Well.....that's certainly easy enough. I should have thought of that. I'll have to take the board out above it as the fit is too tight to just pull it, so next free hour I get I'll do the swap.

Thanks bcook!

[amplifiednation]

How are we doing on this?

[jcsifu]

How are we doing on this?

Hi bro,
We had a software issue at work that has taken more time than expected, so I haven't had time to move that top board and swap the relay. I think tomorrow night (mon here) will be the night. In the interim, I got a few minutes to play the amp at a "no one else is in the house" volume and I really like the responsiveness and less compression that the low plate gives. It responds to volume pot control and pick attack very well. I have only had about 5 minutes to play it, but there's also this cool tone that can be had from a very slight palm mute to certain notes while playing single note runs. And in case anyone is interested, I play a......les paul with humbuckers . I like it.

I will not forget to wrap this thread up if the swap works, which I have high expectations of.

jc

[jcsifu]

I had time to swap the relays today and it didn't change anything. There is still no clean channel. Guess I'll have a few spare relays now when my order gets here, they had a $20 minimum order and they didn't stock anything else that I use so I got 3.

Big let down, I was really hoping that was it.

I have rechecked all relay connections after taking out the actual relay and I do have continuity on all connections.

Not sure where to go from here, this just seems impossible to me.

[bluesfendermanblues]

Can you have interchanged The relay boards? They are not identical.

[Structo]

And again, it is a wiring error.

Take a few days off and come back with a fresh mind.

[jcsifu]

Can you have interchanged The relay boards? They are not identical.

The boards were the same when it was working as they are now bro. I did not change anything on them when I did the conversion, just the back panel switches which I have now removed from the circuit to limit the number of things I can do incorrectly.

I've gotta say, I'm looking forward to seeing how you guys go through troubleshooting this, one of the main reasons I joined this board was to learn....I should be careful what I ask for I guess LOL.

[jcsifu]

And again, it is a wiring error.

It does have to be a wiring error, right? I just have no other guesses because everything has continuity as it should. This is crazy...

Take a few days off and come back with a fresh mind.

Good advice for sure, I won't have time until Thursday anyway so I guess that works out ok.
In the mean time I'll probably search for an understanding of how this relay functions.

[10thTx]

I also believe it is a wiring error.

I am not saying you should do this, but this is what I personally would do.

I'd remove the relay and socket for the clean to OD switching & temporarily install a simple mini-toggle DPDT. I'd wire that up and see if it works properly.

IF that worked properly, then I'd change the relays, relay boards etc..... to what Doug Hoffman sells since that has worked for me and there is a generous amount of information to support it.

I am sure there are other ways of approaching this but that is what I would do.

with respect, 10thtx

[jcsifu]

I also believe it is a wiring error.

I am not saying you should do this, but this is what I personally would do.

I'd remove the relay and socket for the clean to OD switching & temporarily install a simple mini-toggle DPDT. I'd wire that up and see if it works properly.

IF that worked properly, then I'd change the relays, relay boards etc..... to what Doug Hoffman sells since that has worked for me and there is a generous amount of information to support it.

I am sure there are other ways of approaching this but that is what I would do.

with respect, 10thtx

I like the toggle switch idea 10thTx. I was going to take out the existing board and re-install in hopes of something showing up anyway, so might as well put the switch in and confirm. I remember one time on another amp I found the end of a resistor that I snipped but didn't see where it went had actually popped into the amp and had bridged two components that should not be connected. I am hoping something like that is the case.

One question about if I were to switch to the Hoffman board which uses 6v. The currently installed relay is 12 volts, would I just put a couple of 10k resistors in and make a voltage divider so the new board sees 6v?

Tonight after work I will test and see what the actual voltage is at the relay board in there now, the power board is running off of the 6v tap of the PT so maybe it actual is pushing 6v even though the relays are rated 12v.

I'll post back tonight after I test it.

[amplifiednation]

I wouldn't change your relay set up, that's a lot of work to test something you can just eliminate from the circuit if you wanted to.

I'm starting to think there is a cut lead or even a tiny wire that somehow got under the relay board when you did this conversion that is grounding out the clean -> master volume connection at the relay

I would check continuity to ground through the clean signal path. It doesn't make perfect sense...but neither does most of what we've done so far.

[10thTx]

One option may be simply to use Hoffman's relay board & relay socket IF it is compatible with the relays you already ordered.

IF you did that & the problem was only the clean/OD relay board, then the issue would be resolved very easily. I typically get my parts from Hoffman within two days of ordering them.

Just another consideration.

With respect, 10thtx

[ampgeek]

These types of threads truly break my heart. Been there...done that and have felt your pain and frustration!

Until.....I built an amp stethoscope (last item on the page):

http://el34world.com/Hoffman/tools.htm

I highly recommend including the 1MA audio pot in the build.

It will very quickly lead you to the trouble spot and avoid a whole bunch of "shot-gunning" (with its oft associated melted insulation, ruined components, flux spatter on your beautiful work, etc...) and frustruation.

Truth!!

Good luck,
Dave O.

[jcsifu]

I'm starting to think there is a cut lead or even a tiny wire that somehow got under the relay board when you did this conversion that is grounding out the clean -> master volume connection at the relay

I think your right

I would check continuity to ground through the clean signal path. It doesn't make perfect sense...but neither does most of what we've done so far.

I can test on Thursday for this. By [continuity to ground] do you mean just following the circuit connections from the end of the 1st component to the beginning of the second, or does this mean checking certain points with the negative probe touching ground?