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Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 4:09 pm
by thesjkexperience
I bought a used DRD 3k about 8 months ago and had always used a battery because for jams I just use a Skullmaster > DRD > tuner so power cables just get in the way. Well, I plug in a 9 V adapter and the pedal won't turn on :protest

How do I trouble shoot this? All the solder contacts seem strong and no circuit breaker switch to flip inside. Is there anything left to do/check? Do I just buy a new jack to see if it works?

Working on such small things is tricky with my eyesight so all help is appreciated!

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 5:11 pm
by zhivago
is the power adapter a tight fit?

Sometimes a lose connection between the jack and the adapter can cause problems

A bit of a long shot, I know, but maybe try a different cable, just in case?

Best of luck :)

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 6:26 pm
by thesjkexperience
Thanks, it seems to fit normally and I have tried many different cables and power supplies and if the pedal is on with a battery inserting the jack turns off the battery and the pedal.

Bjorn's pedals are more difficult to find these days and then prices keep going up. This is a really nice sounding 3k and I prefer it to the Bearfoot 4K. It seems like it is best to go with the least number of knobs and with my new setup the 3k works best unless you need loads of tweaking.

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:00 pm
by Baggy
Your gonna need a multimeter, you need to check that you are getting 9v through the connector before anything else.
They are switched I believe so the contacts within could be worn. You might need a magnifying glass if your eyes aren't what they use to be, I know mine aren't, or if know anyone to look at it for you.

Bill

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:50 am
by zhivago
thesjkexperience wrote:Thanks, it seems to fit normally and I have tried many different cables and power supplies and if the pedal is on with a battery inserting the jack turns off the battery and the pedal.

Bjorn's pedals are more difficult to find these days and then prices keep going up. This is a really nice sounding 3k and I prefer it to the Bearfoot 4K. It seems like it is best to go with the least number of knobs and with my new setup the 3k works best unless you need loads of tweaking.



Bummer that the easy fix didn't work..I am sure Bjorn will chime in soon. He is traveling back to Sweden from the US I think, so he should be back online soon.

I hear you on the rarity of Bjorn's pedals...I've been looking for a PGC for a while now and can't seem to find one. :(


The Tone Safari continues! :pedallove

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:47 pm
by Donner
thesjkexperience wrote:I bought a used DRD 3k about 8 months ago and had always used a battery because for jams I just use a Skullmaster > DRD > tuner so power cables just get in the way. Well, I plug in a 9 V adapter and the pedal won't turn on :protest

How do I trouble shoot this? All the solder contacts seem strong and no circuit breaker switch to flip inside. Is there anything left to do/check? Do I just buy a new jack to see if it works?

Working on such small things is tricky with my eyesight so all help is appreciated!



Could be a bad inlet or stomp connection ...

does it still work on battery ??

you can also try cleaning the stomp contacts



If none of this works you can also send it to me ... lemme know

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:46 pm
by BJF
Hi There,

Glad to hear you are enjoying the sound.

That sounds like the DC-jack is at fault.

Either I can give dirctions on how you would go about to fix that yourself or you can send it to Don, who could post it to me if necessary :salute


At your service
BJ

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:14 pm
by thesjkexperience
Thanks everyone! I asked Don a long time ago, but I have been playing bluegrass the last 7 months and forgot about it. I've gotten better at building and repairing things and thought I'd give it a go, but now I'm having second thoughts lol. Kinda like building electric guitars that I have no trouble with, but beyond changing the strings I fear working on my acoustics.

Don, I think I'm going to send it to you as it's too nice a pedal to have me digging around in.

I've been using my very first bjfe, an old EGDM, more as a booster for my Morgan so the DRD is getting more action. I think I owned it a year before I plugged in an adapter to find it didn't work (yes, it still works great on a battery)

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:49 pm
by Donner
thesjkexperience wrote:Thanks everyone! I asked Don a long time ago, but I have been playing bluegrass the last 7 months and forgot about it. I've gotten better at building and repairing things and thought I'd give it a go, but now I'm having second thoughts lol. Kinda like building electric guitars that I have no trouble with, but beyond changing the strings I fear working on my acoustics.

Don, I think I'm going to send it to you as it's too nice a pedal to have me digging around in.

I've been using my very first bjfe, an old EGDM, more as a booster for my Morgan so the DRD is getting more action. I think I owned it a year before I plugged in an adapter to find it didn't work (yes, it still works great on a battery)



Ok send her in, just takes a little patience .....

Re: Need help diagnosing power jack problem

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 2:40 am
by ak47
I'm sure this will end well.. seems a fairly straight forward troubleshoot :mrgreen:

zhivago wrote:
I hear you on the rarity of Bjorn's pedals...I've been looking for a PGC for a while now and can't seem to find one. :(


The Tone Safari continues! :pedallove


Hmm.. hey Zhivago.. this is just me playing the 'enabler'.. :drooling

http://www.bearfootfx.com/store/compres ... or-deluxe/