Sharkfin ticking

[Matt]

I just finished my Sharkfin 2 days ago and it's ticking(sounds like a click not a thump). The ticking speeds up with the speed control as you might expect in sample hold mode.  The ticking can also be heard when bypassed.  Another weird thing is that in filter mode the s/h LED flashes about every 12 seconds (no matter whet the speed is set at).  It also does this when bypassed.

I have tried changing Q4-6 but that didn't reduce the ticking.

I used a LT1054 instead of the recommended charge pump and it might have quieted it down a bit. 

Any ideas as to what would cause this?

[stecykmi]

did you lift the pin 1 of the LT1054? it mentions that it's required to make it work.

do any of the chips get hot or warm? check for reasonable voltage in the sample and hold portion of the circuit, around Q5-Q6. make sure all the supply pins are correct. check the solder joints, you may have a cold solder (a lead without a proper connection) or short.

[Matt]

did you lift the pin 1 of the LT1054? it mentions that it's required to make it work.

do any of the chips get hot or warm? check for reasonable voltage in the sample and hold portion of the circuit, around Q5-Q6. make sure all the supply pins are correct. check the solder joints, you may have a cold solder (a lead without a proper connection) or short.

Lifted pin 1 on the LT1054. I'll check the voltages and solder joints tonight. 

Thanks for the quick reply!

[Matt]

I checked the ICs, none are getting hot.

Here are some voltages

Ic1
-
0
.2mv
-8.61
-8
85mv
8.93
-

IC2
-
-.2mv
0
-8.6
-7.99
-.2mv
8.92
-

IC3
-9.13
2mv
0
-9.14
-9.12
255mv
9.44
Increasing mv

IC4
-9.12
0
0
-9.13
-9.12
205mv
9.44
Inc. mv

IC5
-9.13
Flux
-6.72
-9.13
-9.13
-7.06
9.44
Inc. mv

IC6
-
5.34
0
-3.92
0
2.531
1.424
9.44

I was just wondering if using a BS250 with the 1M and 10ohm resistor from the power supply of the sunking II could help with this...

[stecykmi]

well something is funny because pin5 of the lt1054 should absolutely be around -9v, that's the negative supply pin.

i think the envelope and s/h part of these circuits are fairly independent, meaning this circuit should work without the ic's for the s/h... try pulling ic4 and ic5, as well as q5 and q6 if possible, and see if the envelope portion works okay.

[Matt]

well something is funny because pin5 of the lt1054 should absolutely be around -9v, that's the negative supply pin.

i think the envelope and s/h part of these circuits are fairly independent, meaning this circuit should work without the ic's for the s/h... try pulling ic4 and ic5, as well as q5 and q6 if possible, and see if the envelope portion works okay.

Rechecked the voltages because I did them kinda late. Pin 5 is -8.97, my apologies, it doesn't help if I give you bad info.

I did pull the ICs in filter mode and when I pulled IC5 the ticking in filter mode stopped. I replaced it with a different 741 and all is goo with that. I replaced 6 and 3 as well since I bought those together but it still ticks in s/h mode.

Also, reflowed solder joints and checked my grounds, all grounds have continuity. I had read on BYOC that sometimes that can cause ticking.

Tried using the BS250 with the 1M and 10ohm resistors as in the sunking II but that did nothing.

I have also tried a different power supply, no joy.

Could it be a wiring issue?  Maybe my enclosure layout is at fault?

[stecykmi]

so when IC5 was pulled, the circuit worked nicely in envelope mode? when IC5 was replaced, it worked nicely in envelope mode?

when IC3 is pulled, does s/h mode tick? s/h mode works well except for the ticking? with a multimeter, see if you can notice any fluctuation on the power rails that corresponds to the ticking, i'm thinking you might see the voltage dip very briefly after the tick (you might even try probing in AC voltage mode).

obviously, this is the sort of problem that's difficult to troubleshoot, but i'm thinking there is something wrong with the s/h section, possibly something getting shorted during the switching part of the cycle. double check all component values are correct, check the voltages of Q5 & Q6 as well. check for shorts across components using the diode/continuity tester on your multimeter.

[Matt]

so when IC5 was pulled, the circuit worked nicely in envelope mode?

(Yes)
when IC5 was replaced, it worked nicely in envelope mode?

(Yes)

when IC3 is pulled, does s/h mode tick?

(Yes)

s/h mode works well except for the ticking?
(Yes)
with a multimeter, see if you can notice any fluctuation on the power rails that corresponds to the ticking, i'm thinking you might see the voltage dip very briefly after the tick (you might even try probing in AC voltage mode).

(I set the speed to the slowest setting but still can't see any fluctuations.)

obviously, this is the sort of problem that's difficult to troubleshoot, but i'm thinking there is something wrong with the s/h section, possibly something getting shorted during the switching part of the cycle. double check all component values are correct, check the voltages of Q5 & Q6 as well. check for shorts across components using the diode/continuity tester on your multimeter.

Yeah this one is a real pain. LFOs seem to be my nemesis.

Q5
14.3mv
Fluctuating
-6.26v
Q6
9.1v
Fluctuating
Fluctuating

I poked around the components but didn't notice any shorts

[Matt]

So I shielded the input jack wire and this cut the ticking down tremendously. So it would seem I just made a poor choice with my wiring layout?  When I turn down the guitars volume, the ticking goes away completely. I've tried other guitars and it's the same. I don't know if that means anything.

[Morgan]

If you have any buffered pedals, put one in front of the sharkfin. See if that kills the tick.

[stecykmi]

does it tick while on/engaged but with no guitar plugged in?

[Matt]

If you have any buffered pedals, put one in front of the sharkfin. See if that kills the tick.

Yeah I think it'll be fine for my use at this point. I always use a tu2 in front so that will probably do the trick. I'll give it a try when I get a sec

[Matt]

does it tick while on/engaged but with no guitar plugged in?

Yes it the ticking was noticeable with or w/o the guitar plugged in.

Since shielding the input, I don't really notice the ticking now so much when it's on, maybe because of the filter reducing the highs a bit. But when it's off yes.

[stecykmi]

does it tick even when the effect is off? maybe check that the jacks/enclosure is properly grounded.

[Matt]

does it tick even when the effect is off? maybe check that the jacks/enclosure is properly grounded.

It does tick when it's bypassed.  I'll double check the jacks when  I get a chance. Thanks again for all your help with this.