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G-Volt
Copper Member
USA
6 Posts |
 Posted - 11/05/2009 : 22:37:08
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Greetings! First post here.
So, I have an old GE-7. I need to replace the switch, and while I have the guts out, I thought I'd replace the LED to a cooler color. Purely an aesthetic thing. But I'm not sure which way the new LED goes in; which socket/solder pad gets the long lead. I can't tell by the old LED, and the board doesn't seem to be marked in any way. I'm pretty much a novice to electronics.
Can anyone help?
Thanks! |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 23:24:53
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Hi G-Volt and welcome!
There is a "flat" (hard to see, but it will be there) on one side of the LED. Make sure the flat on the new LED goes the same way as the old one and it will all be good.
If you are using a new super-bright LED, you might need to increase the LED resistor so it isn't blinding (should be R10 if your pedal is the older ACA powered type - increase to maybe 3k3 or whatever suits your taste).
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G-Volt
Copper Member
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 23:55:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
Hi G-Volt and welcome!
There is a "flat" (hard to see, but it will be there) on one side of the LED. Make sure the flat on the new LED goes the same way as the old one and it will all be good.
If you are using a new super-bright LED, you might need to increase the LED resistor so it isn't blinding (should be R10 if your pedal is the older ACA powered type - increase to maybe 3k3 or whatever suits your taste).
Thanks for the response, Laurie! The R10-to-3k3 advice is above my head, though (I don't even know how to find the location of that resistor you mentioned)! I haven't purchased the LED yet, so maybe I should just get one that's not super bright. But, that raises another question: if I installed a super bright, but left the resistor as stock, would that damage the pedal or make it perform differently, or would the LED simply burn itself out? |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 01:12:06
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quote:
Originally posted by G-Volt
if I installed a super bright, but left the resistor as stock, would that damage the pedal or make it perform differently, or would the LED simply burn itself out?
it won't do anything "bad" at all. The super-brights can be really, really bright if you look at them "head on" - bit of a pain on a dark stage because it plays havoc with your night vision is all.
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G-Volt
Copper Member
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 01:42:06
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quote:
it won't do anything "bad" at all. The super-brights can be really, really bright if you look at them "head on" - bit of a pain on a dark stage because it plays havoc with your night vision is all.
Ah, gotcha. I have super-bright blue LEDs in a couple other pedals, so I'm used to avoiding them "head on." Thanks for the help! Really appreciate it!
Oh, btw, I pulled the old LED, and I can't see any difference in the leads, so I'll prolly ask the person at the electronics parts store.
Thanks again! |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 01:50:57
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quote:
Originally posted by G-Volt
quote:
it won't do anything "bad" at all. The super-brights can be really, really bright if you look at them "head on" - bit of a pain on a dark stage because it plays havoc with your night vision is all.
Ah, gotcha. I have super-bright blue LEDs in a couple other pedals, so I'm used to avoiding them "head on." Thanks for the help! Really appreciate it!
Oh, btw, I pulled the old LED, and I can't see any difference in the leads, so I'll prolly ask the person at the electronics parts store.
Thanks again!
The difference isn't on the leads - there is a flat on the case of the LED. |
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G-Volt
Copper Member
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 02:17:03
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quote:
The difference isn't on the leads - there is a flat on the case of the LED.
Ahhhh!!! I see it! Awesome. It's fun to tinker with pedals. :)
Again, grazie!!!
Now, the hard part's going to be deciding which color! |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 09:18:43
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Hi G-Volt
Welcome to the forum from Australia.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
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G-Volt
Copper Member
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 21:21:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Hi G-Volt
Welcome to the forum from Australia.
Regards Dr. Bob
Thanks!
So, I went to the electronics store. Bought a new LED. But when the girl there tested the switch, it tested fine. She said it's possible the part tests fine, but fails under load. Any thoughts on what I might do? (The store didn't have a new switch.) Should I order one from smallbear? Or do you guys think the problems lies elsewhere? The switch wasn't turning on/off the unit consistently. |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 21:45:57
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quote:
Originally posted by G-Volt
quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Hi G-Volt
Welcome to the forum from Australia.
Regards Dr. Bob
Thanks!
So, I went to the electronics store. Bought a new LED. But when the girl there tested the switch, it tested fine. She said it's possible the part tests fine, but fails under load. Any thoughts on what I might do? (The store didn't have a new switch.) Should I order one from smallbear? Or do you guys think the problems lies elsewhere? The switch wasn't turning on/off the unit consistently.
Try this:
http://members.shaw.ca/lauriepedals/BossSwitchClean.pdf |
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G-Volt
Copper Member
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 05:34:18
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quote:
Try this:
http://members.shaw.ca/lauriepedals/BossSwitchClean.pdf
Went out and bought some contact cleaner, cleaned the switch, re-installed it (along with the new LED), and... voila! It works beautifully now! Such a great feeling to be able to fix something like that. Of course, I did have to pay 10 US$ for the contact cleaner! Doh!
Thanks again for your help, Laurie!
Cheers! |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 06:09:49
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You are welcome! Glad it worked put!
The contact cleaner is also good for the jacks... spray some onto a plug (not into the jack) and insert and remove the plug a few times to clean the contacts. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 10:13:56
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Hi G-Volt
You have to admit;
It's pretty a good feeling to actually fix your own gear.  
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Topic |
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Which way does the LED go?
