DPDT switch problem

supermoose2011 · 12th June 2011, 02:59 PM

I've been building Small Bears Vintage IC distortion circuit and now I want to put it in a case. I want it to be true bypass without an LED. So I bought a DPDT switch and jumped connections 3 and 6, 1 to circuit out, 2 to tip of out jack, 4 to circuit in and 5 to jack in tip. the pedal works for the distorted sound then when the DPDT switch is pushed it sounds very crackly and the volume drops. Any ideas as to what I have done wrong?

indianajo · 13th June 2011, 04:16 PM

It has been 36 hours. The numbers on your switch don't mean anything to anybody, they are not universal or standard. DPDT switches come with terminals 3 rows by 2 columns. Each column of three terminals is two switch contacts (at the ends) with the common pole in the middle. The switch contacts are alternately connected to the pole, usually the opposite of the direction the handle is pointing.
Drawing out your circuit may help you figure out your problem. Good luck.

chrispenycate · 15th June 2011, 01:20 PM

Presumably the output of the distortion circuit is not disconnected from the output jack, and is presenting a low impedance to the instrument. However, I'm not as convinced as the previous poster as to the universitality of pinout on DP DT switches (especially in that drawing the switch and putting the numbers where I would expect them your wiring seems right) Slide action switches occasionally have the common pole at one end.

Have you tried checking with an ohmmeter what the connections actually are with the switch in the two positions (and that you've not got a solder bridge across two connections, or melted the insulation on a jack or anything)?

Boofers · 15th June 2011, 03:40 PM

If you have it wired like this and it still gives you problems, you may just have a dirty switch. This may be remedied by spraying contact cleaner inside the switch if you can get at it. Sometimes there are little holes on the switch body. Sometimes you have to pull the switch apart to get the spray inside.

supermoose2011 · 17th June 2011, 07:51 AM

Thanks for your help guys. I've got it figured out now i went round the switch with my multimeter and there was a wire going to the wrong place. Thanks again.

12th June 2011, 02:59 PM	#1
supermoose2011 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2011	DPDT switch problem I've been building Small Bears Vintage IC distortion circuit and now I want to put it in a case. I want it to be true bypass without an LED. So I bought a DPDT switch and jumped connections 3 and 6, 1 to circuit out, 2 to tip of out jack, 4 to circuit in and 5 to jack in tip. the pedal works for the distorted sound then when the DPDT switch is pushed it sounds very crackly and the volume drops. Any ideas as to what I have done wrong?

13th June 2011, 04:16 PM	#2
indianajo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana USA	It has been 36 hours. The numbers on your switch don't mean anything to anybody, they are not universal or standard. DPDT switches come with terminals 3 rows by 2 columns. Each column of three terminals is two switch contacts (at the ends) with the common pole in the middle. The switch contacts are alternately connected to the pole, usually the opposite of the direction the handle is pointing. Drawing out your circuit may help you figure out your problem. Good luck. __________________ Dynakit ST70, ST120, PAS2,Hammond H182(2 ea),H112,A100,10-82TC,Peavey CS800S,1.3K, SP2-XT's, T-300 HF Proj's, Steinway console, Herald RA88a mixer, Wurlitzer 4500, 4300

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15th June 2011, 01:20 PM	#3
chrispenycate diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Geneva, Switzerland	Presumably the output of the distortion circuit is not disconnected from the output jack, and is presenting a low impedance to the instrument. However, I'm not as convinced as the previous poster as to the universitality of pinout on DP DT switches (especially in that drawing the switch and putting the numbers where I would expect them your wiring seems right) Slide action switches occasionally have the common pole at one end. Have you tried checking with an ohmmeter what the connections actually are with the switch in the two positions (and that you've not got a solder bridge across two connections, or melted the insulation on a jack or anything)?

15th June 2011, 03:40 PM	#4
Boofers diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ontario Blog Entries: 1	If you have it wired like this and it still gives you problems, you may just have a dirty switch. This may be remedied by spraying contact cleaner inside the switch if you can get at it. Sometimes there are little holes on the switch body. Sometimes you have to pull the switch apart to get the spray inside.

17th June 2011, 07:51 AM	#5
supermoose2011 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2011	Thanks for your help guys. I've got it figured out now i went round the switch with my multimeter and there was a wire going to the wrong place. Thanks again.