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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
 Posted - 05/10/2007 : 12:36:16
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I�ll guess this is one more for you Dr Bob�.
I have experienced a couple of switches (the on/off ones under the foot pedal) on Boss pedals that are not working properly. They either needs a few bumps to get into on or off or nothing happens at all.
I have made a couple of them work by carefully get contact cleaner via the shaft into them, but I�m not sure if the solvents are good for the plastic.
I have also changed the whole switch, they are quite cheap from Roland.
Has anybody taken them apart and cleaned up the inside? Can this be done?
The reason for my question is that my SP-1, with transparent switch, doesn�t work properly every time I use it. I don�t want to soak it with solvents as I can�t get any transparent spares of course.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2007 : 13:17:44
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HI Goran
I did read somewhere, on someones web site, that the Tech guy was, carefully, taking the switches apart, cleaning & lubricating them.
If you are able to get one apart, maybe you could use the internal parts from a new switch part, & replace the older bits in the clear switch on your SP-1
I haven't done it yet, but may have to soon, as my SS BF-2 is starting to play up.
Which site, I can't honestly remember.
maybe do a search for it.
Best I remember, it was one of the mod, or mod kit sites.
regards Dr. Bob
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2007 : 13:21:35
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If you do this it would be cool if you could take pictures.
Maybe make it into a tutorial  |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2007 : 14:33:17
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I certainly will not perform trying to open up the switch on my SP-1 before knowing exactly what to do.....
But I have a couple of the newer ones as spare parts so maybe I will do the testing of one of them. My confidence in myself have raised quite a bit since I got my DD-3 working, with excellent guidance from Dr Bob.
Dr Bob, if you can find the web site with the description it will be easier to perform the open up.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2007 : 15:38:45
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Hi Goran
I was going to suggest that you try it out on a few or the newer ones, as you have stated.
Now about the web site, as far as I remember, it didn't have instructions on how to do it.
It just mentioned, that the Tech guy there had been servicing the older switches.
But it did mention, that he was quite successful, with the service & repair.
I searched for about 20 mins or so, but was unable to come up with any hits on it.
with your new found confidence, it might be a good idea, for you to work out a procedure.
And pass it on to us, I have no spare switches to play with.
We know that you can do it, maybe do some drawings, as you mentioned that you digital camera wasn't good at closeup pictures.
Then again, maybe someone else on the forum has already done this.
Regards Dr. Bob 
PS -- I never asked you how your DD-3 came to be faulty, or did you say, that it was given to you, that way?
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2007 : 07:17:14
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Dr Bob and all!
I will as soon as possible try to open up a switch, I look if it�s even possible without damage before doing it. But, as Dr Bob tells us, I have also a memory of somebody somewhere writing that this could be made.
Of course I will report, and if not please put a candle under my back!
I will also try to take some pictures with my daughters cheap camera, it could work, it�s possibly better than a telephone camera�
If it�s possible I can do it, I�m much better on solid matter than electronics 
For the faulty DD-3 please go to that topic, and then you�ll have the full story!
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 07:08:10
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First of all two conclusions:
The opening of the switch is very easy once you understand the way to do it.
Spraying contact cleaner on the shaft is not a good idea as you have to have big luck that it finds it way to the contacts inside the switch. And lots of it can possibly destroy the plastics.
Oh, I also checked the black switch on several old Boss pedals comparing them to the latest and it seem to me that they are all the same. The old transparent ones are quite different, for example is the spring outside of the switch, the spring is inside on the black switch.
Fistly you must desolder the cords from the switch and remove all the excess solder, it�s impossible to remove the bottom of the switch if not. Straighten the two spikes that are seen on the bottom plate, they will not get through the small holes of the bottom plate if not straight.
Next press the two �sticks/forks� (I have no better word for it, I�m Swedish�) towards the round shaft, they are seen from the top side of the switch (one to the left, one to the right). Then remove the switch from the pedal, lifting it up.
When switch removed from pedal press the �Sticks/fork� out from the switch and pull out the bottom plate of the switch, if you have removed all the solder this would be easy. Keep the spikes straight!
You will see the spring inside now and take away the bottom plate. The shaft and spring will fall out by theirself and you will see the metal contacts inside of the switch, at one of the edges. Before removing the shaft you can have a look at how the switch work and to see where you have to clean it. You can use a piece of fine sand paper or put some contact cleaner on a small paint brush. The whole metal contact package can be removed quite easy, for easier cleaning.
Basically the switch has six different parts.
Oh, be careful not loose the small parts!
When properly cleaned just reassemble the switch again. This could be a little difficult if the sticks are not perfectly straight. The �sticks/forks� will click into place when everything are put together. Note that the holes for the spikes are not parallell to each other!
I havn�t tried to do the same on a transparent switch, I want to keep the three I have as original as possible. But when my SP-1 goes for good I have to do it. One has to be very careful as old plastics often are quite fragile out of agening.
I tried to take pictures of the whole operation, but the switch is too small to make any pictures worth seeing.
I made a rough drawing of the whole procedure, I�m no artist�.., and pdf-scanned it. As I don�t know how to attach it to the posting (it�s a pdf�) I will e-mail it to Bossarea. Maybe he could do something to show it on the forum.
Conclusion: This is very easy to perform if you removed all the solder.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 11:52:39
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Hi Goran
Thanks for all your effort, not to mention the detailed description,
& then documenting the whole procedure for us.
I am looking forward to seeing your sketches.
We might have to Christen you Dr. Goran
As for the clear switches, maybe you could fit newer ones to your older pedals, & still use them.
That way you are preserving what's left of the mechanical & electrical life of the clear switches.
You could then refit them to the pedals, should you ever decide to sell them.. 
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 12:09:57
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The pdf-file should be here according to Bossarea (he�s on his way to Isle of Wight, and have missed Jimi Hendrix by 37 years�):
http://www.bossarea.com/images2/bossswitch.pdf
Thanks Dr Bob for the suggestion of my doctor title! But there can only be one doctor on this forum, but when you get to be the mad professor I can take over your hat |
Edited by - Goran on 05/14/2007 12:11:38 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 13:13:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Goran
The pdf-file should be here according to Bossarea (he�s on his way to Isle of Wight, and have missed Jimi Hendrix by 37 years�):
http://www.bossarea.com/images2/bossswitch.pdf
Thanks Dr Bob for the suggestion of my doctor title! But there can only be one doctor on this forum, but when you get to be the mad professor I can take over your hat
Hi Goran
Nice hand drawn instructions.
Thanks from all of us.
I will open up the switch on my SS BF-2, you have convinced me.
Did you find that the switch contacts, had become corroded & blackened, it was a common problem with this type of switch.
To clean the switch, I would probably use a non-metallic kitchen scouring pad, like the green or yellow plastic ones, that my wife buys.
We use them to clean the copper on PCB material.
I would probably, spray a tiny bit of switch contact lubricant, onto the insides, before reassembly.
If you look carefully, you might notice that it's very much a computer keyboard switch from the early days of computing.
Thanks again, great work.
Regards Dr. Bob
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 13:47:00
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Dr Bob asked:
�Did you find that the switch contacts, had become corroded & blackened, it was a common problem with this type of switch�
I used a new switch, bought from Roland, it is probably a couple of years old. But no, it didn�t look corroded at all.
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2007 : 15:25:38
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Hi Goran & Guys
I'll let you know, what i find, when I open up the one in my SS BF-2
I'll try to get a pic. as well.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Bad switches on older Boss
