[Canman]

I just did my first DIY project -- a mint amp and I am happy with the results (almost). I am having a problem with the left channel going in and out. When I twist the headphone jack in the connector the left channel seems to come back although not always. I thought it might be the headphones, but it is the same with multiple pairs. Could I have a bad connector or maybe did I wire it wrong? What should I check for? Thanks for the help guys, I don't have much experience with this stuff.

--Brian

 

[was ist los?]

OMG i think i had the same problem. Does it help if you move the left output wire?

 

[BPRJam]

Sounds like you have a bad joint on the connector, or perhaps the connector is grounding out on something occasionally. I would thoroughly check that connector for any possible soldering or grounding issues.


BPRJam

 

[was ist los?]

Well for my situation, i have no clue what it was. I tried different types of wires, but ended up socketing the wires. It helped, but after i cased it, the sound was perfect.

 

[tangent]

With 1/8" jacks, you have to be very careful that you don't melt something with your soldering iron. The tolerances inside are so tight that it's easy to make the jack short out if you overheat it in some places. This affects some styles of jacks more than others, of course. It's never happened to me since I switched to the Switchcraft jack I recommend from Mouser. Partly it's due to the better construction -- tougher plastic, spring-loaded contacts -- but possibly also because of the way the contacts are laid out inside the case. The jack I had the most problems with was a very compact model I found locally.

Take your needle nose pliers and wiggle all of the wires individually, gently, while you listen to music. If they're twisted together, untwist them first so that you can wiggle them individually. Sometimes you find problems this way. If one wire is giving trouble, try redoing the joint at the jack. If that doesn't fix it, you might have to replace the jack.

 

[Canman]

Thanks guys...sounds like I might have heated this jack with the iron maybe a little too much. I will try to test these connections and if that doesn't work I guess I'll have to get a new jack.