Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

[Sunshine1901]

I have a BBE Two Timer (awesome pedal!!) that has been on the fritz lately. From appearance alone, everything appears to be in order. The LED lights for the power and channel selector work as they should, but for some reason, there is no effect output (the sound is still there but it doesn't change).

For anyone who's not familiar, the Two Timer is a two channel analog delay pedal, meaning that you can quickly switch between two different pre-set delay settings (i.e. long and drawn out for rhythm and rapid staccato for solos). There's a second foot switch and an LED indicator for this function, and both appear to be functioning fine.

I've tried replacing the battery and using a power adapter... nothing seems to work. The only thing I have not done is opened the pedal up to look at the circuits, and I haven't done it because I have no idea what I'm looking at. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

It's going to need a repair to the board.

There are lots of failsafes in circuits like that these days. Odds are it saw power from somewhere it didn't like and one or two of those failsafes blew. Either that or components inside the board just fizzled out on their own.

Let me ask

and don't be offended

But is there any chance you might have plugged your speaker output from your amp into it at some point by accident?
































because I've done that before and destroyed a Stereo Memory Man in exactly the same way as you describe yours acting.

Still haven't fixed it.

 

[Sunshine1901]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

That's certainly an interesting question, but I've never done that. The delay is 2nd to last in the chain on my pedal board, and I've never used the amp output for anything other than the speaker. I guess I'll have to take a look at the circuits and look for a blown fail safe. When I get around to it I'll put up a photo of the circuit board.

 

[Sunshine1901]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

Ok so attached are a few photos of the circuit board. At first glance, nothing seems obviously out of place... There are a few spots where soldering cold be better, but upon closer inspection, the electronics in ports D1 and D2 appear to be burnt out. I have very little knowledge of electronics so I'm not sure what these components are. Any advise would be great. Also, does anyone know where I could find a circuit diagram for this?

 

[Boppy]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

D1 and D2 are diode "failsafes" as someone else mentioned. They blow out first to protect the other circuits. Replace those and it should sort out your pedal.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

Hmm ok an Cool Audio Cool Audio V3205D, that is an BBD then...
(And defently made at the same place as CM's classic series)
But the diodes looks just fine from here!
And it is the black D3 that is for the input power....the other two regulates something else.
Do not replace them with just some other diodes.
Sounds more like that you have a dead chip on your hand, or something that feeds it that has gone to the pouf smoke country of dead electronics.

 

[Sunshine1901]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

Thanks for the input! Any ideas on where I could find replacement diodes and/or a delay chip?

 

[Sunshine1901]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

If anyone is familiar with diodes, your input is appreciated here. I opened my Mind Bender (yes, I'm a big BBE guy) to see if I could compare diodes. This is what I came up with. The Mind Bender is 100% functional, and the diodes look a bit different from the Two Timer. There is still a black band on the Orange diode, but it doesn't cover the entire top of the diode as it does on the two timer. Pictures are included. Is this because the diodes are different all together or because the ones on the Two Timer have burned out?

This is the Mind Bender Diode


Two Timer

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

4148's most likely...and they do not look burn out....and it is kinda hard doing checkups based on pictures
The PCB looks dual layered, so it is not easy work for a layman to change parts either.
Plus assuming stuff is broken is not really a good way to do it.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

Sunshine....in this case (and with most pedal related stuff) it is best just to follow Vasshu's advice.

 

[guitarfeak]

Re: Analog Delay Pedal Troubleshooting Suggestions

If your pedal is still not working properly and you do not feel comfortable doing the repairs I can do them for you. I have a post going in the trading post section for guitar effect pedal repair. I am an electronics technician and have been repairing pedals for over 4 years. My rates are very low compared to what everyone else I have seen charges. Send me a PM if you have any questions or would like to get your pedal repaired.