GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
- Thread starter Pierre
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Scott Miller
New member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
Use a piece of copper shielding tape to make the connection instead of soldering a wire. That way, you can just stick the tape to the side of the switch, and then make the tape reach far enough to stick to a ground. Or, you can stick the tape to the side of the switch, and then solder you ground-wire to the copper tape.
Use a piece of copper shielding tape to make the connection instead of soldering a wire. That way, you can just stick the tape to the side of the switch, and then make the tape reach far enough to stick to a ground. Or, you can stick the tape to the side of the switch, and then solder you ground-wire to the copper tape.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
What Scott said, or take the tape and shield the entire cavity with it. Once the controls are mounted, they're connected to each other and the switches will be grounded. Make sure the copper tape has the conductive adhesive.
What Scott said, or take the tape and shield the entire cavity with it. Once the controls are mounted, they're connected to each other and the switches will be grounded. Make sure the copper tape has the conductive adhesive.
Thanks!
T
theodie
Guest
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
If you cant find sheilding tape you can jeri-rig it with aluminum foil and glue if you really have to! Not the most professional way at all to do it but, it will work. I know supplies are hard to come by for you over there! Copper foil and glue will be better though.
If you cant find sheilding tape you can jeri-rig it with aluminum foil and glue if you really have to! Not the most professional way at all to do it but, it will work. I know supplies are hard to come by for you over there! Copper foil and glue will be better though.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
Try putting some flux on the surface of the chassis. It'll make solder stick to anything, even air.
Also check to make sure your solder iron tip isn't old and corroded. A 40-watt iron might help too for the extra power.
Try putting some flux on the surface of the chassis. It'll make solder stick to anything, even air.
Also check to make sure your solder iron tip isn't old and corroded. A 40-watt iron might help too for the extra power.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
So you've got the 40-watt, good -- but do try the flux.
So you've got the 40-watt, good -- but do try the flux.
larry_emder
New member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
I've never understood why you need to ground a switch......can someone enlighten me?
I've never understood why you need to ground a switch......can someone enlighten me?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
You don't need to, and you shouldn't. They aren't designed to handle that kind of heat, and it serves no purpose. Its the same reason I don't solder to the back of pots.
If you feel you must ground these things, use a thin metal sub-frame to mount stuff. Its a bit of work, but no more than trying to solder to something that wasn't designed for it.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Artie
larry_emder said:
You don't need to, and you shouldn't. They aren't designed to handle that kind of heat, and it serves no purpose. Its the same reason I don't solder to the back of pots.
If you feel you must ground these things, use a thin metal sub-frame to mount stuff. Its a bit of work, but no more than trying to solder to something that wasn't designed for it.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Artie
larry_emder
New member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
Cheers artie -
So what do you solder the ground wires to?
Cheers artie -
So what do you solder the ground wires to?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
Depends on the guitar. On a Tele, that has a metal plate, I attach a star washer under either switch or a pot. I then solder all my wires to that. On a Strat, I just use the ground lug of the output jack. I've never done any other type.
There is one exception to my "rule". If I'm doing some wiring for someone else, I tend to follow "conventional" practices because its their guitar. For example, I soldered to the back of the pots for the wiring I did for a forum bro awhile back. Of course, I then tested it to make sure nothing was "cooked".
Depends on the guitar. On a Tele, that has a metal plate, I attach a star washer under either switch or a pot. I then solder all my wires to that. On a Strat, I just use the ground lug of the output jack. I've never done any other type.
There is one exception to my "rule". If I'm doing some wiring for someone else, I tend to follow "conventional" practices because its their guitar. For example, I soldered to the back of the pots for the wiring I did for a forum bro awhile back. Of course, I then tested it to make sure nothing was "cooked".
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
There is one possible exception - on an LP-style guitar, the switch design can induce hum into the circuit. Thats why those switches have a ground lug. In that case, by all means, ground it. I just wouldn't do it on any others.
And one quick note about my "pot" policy. I believe that I may stand alone in the whole guitar world on this point, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I just know that pot cases weren't designed to be soldered to.
Artie
There is one possible exception - on an LP-style guitar, the switch design can induce hum into the circuit. Thats why those switches have a ground lug. In that case, by all means, ground it. I just wouldn't do it on any others.
And one quick note about my "pot" policy. I believe that I may stand alone in the whole guitar world on this point, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I just know that pot cases weren't designed to be soldered to.
Artie
larry_emder
New member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
If the guitar is properly shielded, then the pots (from contact with the shielded cavity) with 'ground Themselves' (so to speak) anyways
If the guitar is properly shielded, then the pots (from contact with the shielded cavity) with 'ground Themselves' (so to speak) anyways
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
I agree with Artie, but I don't always follow it...LOL. I try to "star ground" when I can. All ground wires converge and connect at the same place, usually a small washer, and then that is connected to wherever on the circuit I have deemed to be the connection point, usually to a star washer on a pot shaft.
If the cavity is shielded with good sturdy shielding material, then when the controls are mounted in their respective holes, they'll be connected electrically via the conductive shield surface.
LP Style switches for sure should be grounded like Artie said. They'll make lots of noise if they're not.
I agree with Artie, but I don't always follow it...LOL. I try to "star ground" when I can. All ground wires converge and connect at the same place, usually a small washer, and then that is connected to wherever on the circuit I have deemed to be the connection point, usually to a star washer on a pot shaft.
If the cavity is shielded with good sturdy shielding material, then when the controls are mounted in their respective holes, they'll be connected electrically via the conductive shield surface.
LP Style switches for sure should be grounded like Artie said. They'll make lots of noise if they're not.
larry_emder
New member
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
I think us last 3 posters all said exactly the same thing.....in different ways
I think us last 3 posters all said exactly the same thing.....in different ways
frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: GAH!!!! I can NOT ground them darn miniswitches...
Plus you can always ground the lock washer that goes between the switch and the body, assuming you have one in there. Concentric pots are hard to ground, too. So a lot of times I just ground the washer.
Grounding mini-togs has its advantages, however minor. The best to reduce the possibility of a popping noise when you touch the switch tip. Remember your audio signal is right there below the tip.
Plus you can always ground the lock washer that goes between the switch and the body, assuming you have one in there. Concentric pots are hard to ground, too. So a lot of times I just ground the washer.
Grounding mini-togs has its advantages, however minor. The best to reduce the possibility of a popping noise when you touch the switch tip. Remember your audio signal is right there below the tip.
