Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

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rogb
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Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by rogb »

Although I am delighted with my 2 amp rig, the BigShot is totally passive and has no indicator LEDs. Might not be a problem for some but I A/B/Y all the time so it is good to see where you're at!

The standard switches soldered into the PCB are DPDT which are no good for true bypass with LEDs. 3DPT is whats needed.

A little bit of care is needed, the 2nd switch was much easier to fit once I had figured out how to do it by trial and error on the A/B switch.

Knowing my luck, Radial will probably announce the improved Mk2 BigShot
with LEDs next week :D :D

I would definitely do it again if needed, a big improvement in functionality for me.


======================================
Lifted from the other A/B thread -


Well the 3PDTs arrived today! Fast service from http://pedalparts.co.uk/. The A/B side is in - blue for A, yellow for B. Working fine - no pops or crackles.

This is not for the faint hearted, you need to do work on the PCB...
warranty will be invalid.

I will tackle the Y section tomorrow. Red for both.



It's impossible to photograph the inside as it is all crammed in the space above the PCB. Enough space behind for the 9v cell.

But I can describe what I did.

Removed the PCB, desoldered the 6 poles of the A/B switch, some of the tiny eyelets came loose so I replaced them with normal 1/8" eyelets.
Drilled the casing for the LEDs, fitted these with resistors and sealed these in shrink tube.

I added 1.5" ptfe flying leads to the PCB and soldered in the 3DPDT, having numbered the wires the same as the old switch. These wires fold down under the switch.

9v battery is switched via the LEDs ground through the input Cliff jack, ring and sleeve.

It is a pretty tricky job and space is tight but I have what I wanted.
Shame Radial don't throw $1 worth of LEDs and $5 of switches at this excellent switcher. Oh well ...

I'll put up some pics of the LEDs in action when I finish tomorrow.
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angelodp
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Very cool

Post by angelodp »

Does this little diagram indicate what you did under the hood?

best A

[IMG:609:864]http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/ ... e9afcd.jpg[/img]
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rogb
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by rogb »

Don't think it was anything like that Angelo, when you look around there are seemingly many variations of wiring up these 9 pole switches.

All I did was replicate the 6 poles on the DPDT and then add in the LEDs on the 3 (2 live from each pole and 1 common) terminals of the 3rd rail.
The only power is the 9v in the + side of the LED, just like in the ODS footswitches.
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angelodp
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1 switch

Post by angelodp »

Ok great, so you only replaced one switch?
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JazzGuitarGimp
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by JazzGuitarGimp »

Hi rogb,

A few questions, if you have time please:

This is supposed to be a totally passive bix, yet I see an electrolytic capacitor on the board. Any idea what this cap does?

Looking at the front panel, I see three switches for the B Output. One says Lift while the other says Iso. These sound a bit redundant to me. What do these do (I have to assume they do something a bit different from one-another...)?

Thanks,
Lou
Lou Rossi Designs
Printed Circuit Design & Layout,
and Schematic Capture
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rogb
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by rogb »

http://www.tonebone.com/pdfs/manual-bigshot-aby.pdf

I replaced both switches as I have 3 LEDs.

Lou, all the slide switches work! Have a look at the manual.

One is ground lift, one is 180 phase reversal and one is the isolating transformer.

I don't use them because my amps are quiet and in phase.

Dunno what the cap does, maybe something to do with the iso transformer, ISTR it was in that circuit.
davent
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by davent »

Little late for you now but here's a circuit designed to be used with a dpdt, gives true bypass and switches an LED.

http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/m ... millen.htm
http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/m ... l2plus.htm
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rogb
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by rogb »

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ht=#242988

Thanks I had already investigated that one in the other thread.

If you are modifying a PCB in a very tight space it would be quite difficult without a full rebuild.

If you are building from scratch, why bother with DPDTs when adequate 3PDTs are available?
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angelodp
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led's

Post by angelodp »

ok
Last edited by angelodp on Fri Mar 15, 2013 4:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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M Fowler
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by M Fowler »

Can I ship my Big Shot to you for LED mod? :)
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rogb
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by rogb »

M Fowler wrote:Can I ship my Big Shot to you for LED mod? :)
Haha I think you could convert yours in about 2 hours.

Seriously I was using it yesterday while running in my NOS tubes in both amps.
LEDs are the way forward!
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angelodp
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forward

Post by angelodp »

Ok, I got the DPDT switches out. Man you are right this is going to be a tight fit. I reckon the trick is getting the right 3DPT with a lower profile.

Onward.
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rogb
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Re: forward

Post by rogb »

angelodp wrote:Ok, I got the DPDT switches out. Man you are right this is going to be a tight fit. I reckon the trick is getting the right 3DPT with a lower profile.

Onward.
I just ordered them and luckily they were the same depth!

Good luck!
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angelodp
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depth

Post by angelodp »

I see, but at the same depth they will bump into the PCB and leave no room for wiring, how did you manage that.....squeeeeeze it in? Hang on...I see where you left the space nut out...that gives up a bit of room....any port in a storm.

Cheers

A
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M Fowler
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Re: Fitting LEDs to Radial BigShot ABY

Post by M Fowler »

See tight fit, no I'm not going to attempt this mod :lol:
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