Acoustic Image Coda II, button doesn't stay down

[CHYC]

This is a total n00b question. I have a trusty Acoustic Image Coda II which works perfectly, except my phantom power button. When I press it it activates, but I cannot easily get the switch to engage permanently. Sometimes once in a blue moon it does engage properly, which suggests to me it's a mechanical rather than electrical problem. I can solve the problem with judicious use of duct tape as required, but I'd rather fix at source.

Does anyone know what the problem is, and if it's easily fixable. I've tried contact cleaner but that doesn't seem to work. Guessing switches are cheap but I don't know what to buy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

This is a total n00b question. I have a trusty Acoustic Image Coda II which works perfectly, except my phantom power button. When I press it it activates, but I cannot easily get the switch to engage permanently. Sometimes once in a blue moon it does engage properly, which suggests to me it's a mechanical rather than electrical problem. I can solve the problem with judicious use of duct tape as required, but I'd rather fix at source.

Does anyone know what the problem is, and if it's easily fixable. I've tried contact cleaner but that doesn't seem to work. Guessing switches are cheap but I don't know what to buy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What "contact cleaner" did you use? They are not all made the same.

It does sound like the switch failure is mechanical rather than electrical. The mechanical latching mechanism is worn to the point that it and rarely, if ever engages. If that's the case, contact cleaner wouldn't fix the problem anyway. The switch likely needs to be replaced, and without opening the thing up, which at this point I do not recommend you doing, it's difficult to tell what the real problem is.

Spraying "contact cleaner" into equipment is not advised unless you know that the "cleaner" isn't going to get into something else and cause damage.

Getting this problem fixed is a job for a qualified service technician.

 

[StephenR]

Acoustic Image has excellent customer service. Suggest you contact them, much better source for the answer you are looking for. If the part can be replaced by the user they will send it and walk you through. If you need a tech to do it they will tell you that. Good luck!

 

[roccobass]

Agreeing with @StephenR
Call Acoustic Image. They will definitely assist you. They are great group.

Telephone: (919) 785-1280.
They’re on US East Coast time.

 

[agedhorse]

Contact cleaner? Hope you haven't created additional problems and in some cases contact cleaner "miracle cure-all spray" (no matter which one) can damage the small plastic parts that make up the latching mechanism.

Does this switch require that the top of the switch be pushed slightly below the surface of the faceplate with a tool like a toothpick?

 

[CHYC]

Contact cleaner? Hope you haven't created additional problems and in some cases contact cleaner "miracle cure-all spray" (no matter which one) can damage the small plastic parts that make up the latching mechanism.

Does this switch require that the top of the switch be pushed slightly below the surface of the faceplate with a tool like a toothpick?

Haha, fortunately for me I didn't make it any worse.

On your second paragraph you gave me an idea. I took the switch cap off, and underneath was a square button beneath the surface of the amp chassis. If I use a toothpick to press down while angling the toothpick to the right the thing engages and I'm good until the switch is pressed again. Putting the switch cap back on turns it off but I now have a repeatable (for now) way of bringing in phantom power.

Thanks for the info about phoning them up. I have had positive dealings with AI in the past so I will try them. I hope it's a simple swap out using a part I can purchase here in the UK.

 

[agedhorse]

If the switch-cap is pressed on past the internal actuator stops (grooves on the actuator) or if the switch cap skirt is cracked, this can happen.

 

[yodedude2]

If the switch-cap is pressed on past the internal actuator stops (grooves on the actuator) or if the switch cap skirt is cracked, this can happen.

beat me to it! after reading post 6, it makes me wonder if the swtich cap itself is cracked or compromised somehow, and perhaps the switch itself is fine....perhaps

 

[agedhorse]

beat me to it! after reading post 6, it makes me wonder if the swtich cap itself is cracked or compromised somehow, and perhaps the switch itself is fine....perhaps

It wasn't uncommon to leave the switch cap off (sometimes by design with the switch actuator recessed) and require that this function be switched by using a toothpick or tool to prevent loud pops as phantom power was applied to the differential input by an unsuspecting user.

 

[yodedude2]

...I took the switch cap off,...

is it cracked? any pics? [my series 3 a.i. amp has switches for power, phantom, mute, etc. that all look and feel alike. they all seem to have little white caps on them, and fortunately i've never had a bit of trouble with any of them.]

 

[CHYC]

The cap itself looks in good condition. Very hard to take pictures but I guess it proves that this amp isn't imaginary.

I'll call AI once I figure out the best way of international calling.